Paradise Dreams

OWN A PIECE OF PARADISE AND SHARE MOMENTS TOGETHER WITH THOSE CLOSE TO YOU.

WORDS BY KAREN MARTIN

Layan Residences

by Anantara

With the world open to travel, guests are exploring with a renewed appreciation for what it means to spend quality time with family and friends. An increasing number of people are opting for a fresh take on family-friendly getaways: owning a piece of paradise to call home –and sharing it with those close to them.

Over the events of the past couple of years, there’s been a palpable sense of isolation away from family and friends which has given many a renewed appreciation of how time is precious and the importance of sharing travels and creating memories with our nearest and dearest. Multigenerational trips are enjoying a resurgence as extended families are seeking locations to experience together. The extended family holiday is about finding a place to gather with loved ones, in an idyllic location away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Holidays with friends are no different. Connecting with friends has been prioritised and group trips provide the perfect opportunity to make new memories under the same roof. These ‘friendtrips’ involve minimal planning and instead focus on the company you keep. The heart of this style of togetherness holiday is the residence itself, serving as a base from which to explore, before returning to restore and reconnect.

In addition, the rise in remote working means more and more people are now choosing to split their time not only between the office and home, but also with a holiday destination or second home.

This recent shift in the way we live, work and play has resulted in an emerging demand for second properties in family-friendly locales. Buyers are looking for exclusive holiday homes that accommodate multigenerational families and customisable living spaces that fit the needs of a growing family – but with the added benefits of offering a spacious sanctuary to couples and small families while enjoying myriad luxuries of five-star resorts within their private spaces.

Just as important is the draw to be closer to nature, with an abundance of outdoor space and opportunities for adventure experiences nearby.

Desaru Coast

A perfect example of such a location, which is included in Time magazine’s 2021 list of World’s Greatest Places, is Malaysia’s Desaru Coast on the Malay Peninsula. It has emerged as a desirable off-the-beaten-track destination for travellers and property buyers alike, lauded as “an ambitious new resort area offering some of Malaysia’s most coveted luxury bolt-holes”.

So what does owning a residence offer? Anantara Desaru Coast Residences are nestled into the contours of the land, with 20 three- and four-bedroom residences designed as luxurious family-friendly sanctuaries ranging in size from 288m2 to 597m2 . The serene private infinity pool is the focus point of each property, leading out to scenic ocean views, wide open spaces and easy access to a range of outdoor activities.

Outside, lush gardens are filled with native foliage to enhance privacy and create a sense of tranquil seclusion, and flat ‘green’ roofs allow for local flora to grow across the top and integrate within the landscape.

living space in the four-bedroom, two-storey villa leads out to an expansive deck and infinity pool.

Inside, the design employs a timeless aesthetic that pays tribute to local traditions and culture. Interiors make use of natural materials and colours – a matte beige stone floor, brown and grey wood, and textured fabric that evokes the hues and textures of Desaru Coast’s sandy beaches and palm trees.

The area’s coastal heritage and historic roots as a fishing village provide further inspiration, with furniture and decorative elements that hint at fishing nets, the deep cerulean blue of the ocean and weathered wood. Indeed, the residences come fullyfurnished with customisable living spaces.

Owning a residence offers the comfort and permanence of home coupled with the exceptional management, maintenance and amenities of a five-star resort, such as the beachside Sea.Fire.Salt. restaurant, elevated Observatory Bar, resort swimming pools and the Anantara Spa

As well as the resort’s facilities, owners have access to private, on-demand services from the resort’s chefs, sommeliers, butlers and wellness practitioners. That means big get-togethers can be completely taken care of, with private yoga sessions and inresidence spa treatments the day after.

Desaru Coast itself offers a variety of family-friendly experiences ranging from world-class golfing at The Els Club’s two championship courses and family fun at Adventure Waterpark – one of the largest waterparks in the world – to scenic coastal cycling trips to Sedili or to Batu Layar Beach, as well as kitesurfing, sport fishing and other watersports off Desaru Coast Beach.

The area’s rich biodiversity lends itself to a variety of nature experiences, including encounters with endangered wildlife in Sedili Wetlands; eco tours, hiking and bird watching at the Sungai Belungkor Forest Reserve – home to a quarter of the world’s mangrove species; and sunset excursions at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, which runs through a protected firefly habitat.

Within easy reach from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by land and air, Desaru Coast is an hour’s drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport. The recent opening of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal connects the destination to Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, further boosting travel from and to Singapore, Indonesia and beyond.

Anantara Desaru Coast Residences are the latest in a portfolio of residences available for ownership. Anantara’s first residences in Phuket, Thailand garnered not only accolades, but also set the tone for multiple ownership opportunities. Now this rich portfolio includes further residences in Phuket as well as Bali and Dubai.

Owners have the option of putting their property into a flexible, resort-managed rental programme when not in residence.

Travel by private jet

More than the backdrop to an ultimate Instagram selfie, what better way to travel together than by private jet? Travelling to and from your destination is an integral part of the holiday experience and chartering a private jet elevates your entire trip.

As well as benefits such as avoiding multiple queues at airports, private aviation is overall a much more personal and comfortable experience.

Renowned for its bespoke services to its private jet charter clients, MJets provides each of its guests an intuitive, discreet and impeccable experience. mjets.com

Desaru In Detail

Arranged on one level, the open-plan layout of the three-bedroom villas connects three en-suite bedrooms with living and dining spaces and the expansive deck and infinity pool. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow plenty of natural light and stunning views.

Three-Bedroom Pool Villas

Set over one level, all the bedrooms are en-suite in this elegant open-plan villa which maximises the balance of spacious indoor-outdoor living with a total of 841m2, including 288m2 of interior space. Floor-toceiling windows bring in bountiful natural light, while wide doors invite residents to the expansive deck and infinity pool.

Four-Bedroom Pool Villas

The four-bedroom terrace villas offer the option of single or two storey living; two-storey villas feature separate entrances for the ground and upper living spaces. The ground floor features three en-suite bedrooms and a spacious indoor-outdoor living and dining area, as well as a private wellness room equipped with a treadmill and spa-grade massage bed – which could also be converted into an office, home cinema or an additional bedroom. Upstairs is the opulent master bedroom and a vast entertainment space comprising a dining room and lounge, a mini theatre and a library, boasting 180˚ views of the ocean. Beachfront four-bedroom villas boast direct beach access.

Owners and residents enjoy full access to Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas’ multi-award-winning gourmet restaurants, spa and leisure facilities, including the elevated Observatory Bar offering 360˚ views of the resort and ocean, as well as an extensive range of top vintages and spirits, and imported cigars.

anantaradesaru-residences.com

LUXURIOUS RESIDENCES IN BALI & PHUKET

BALI, INDONESIA

Elevated on stilts above the banks of a river valley overlooking lush tropical forest, Anantara Ubud Bali Villas is home to 15 luxurious one- and two-bedroom residences, each with its own private swimming pool.

Elegantly furnished, accentuated by indigenous details and bathed in light, the spacious living and dining space flows directly out to the deck and the en-suite bedrooms open out onto the infinity swimming pool, with unobstructed views over the forested hillside beyond.

The villas are within walking distance of the five-star facilities of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort and minutes away from the cultural and natural treasures of Ubud.

anantaraubud-residences.com

PHUKET, THAILAND

Located only 20 minutes from Phuket’s international airport, Layan Residences by Anantara is a boutique collection of 15 private pool villas ranging from 1,695m2 to 3,195m2 Each has been uniquely designed in contemporary Thai style and features one-of-a-kind panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.

Next door on 40 acres of land, Avadina Hills by Anantara offers 11 ultra-luxury residences ranging in size from 2,452m2 to 3,373m2. Elegantly minimalist, the design draws inspiration from the Japanese heritage of co-developer Kajima. All villas feature one or two expansion floors for additional guest suites and bespoke wellness or entertainment spaces, fully customisable to suit each owner’s lifestyle.

Management, maintenance and services are provided by the adjacent five-star Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and its residential team. Amenities include a private beach and beach club, Thai and international fine dining, award-winning Anantara Spa, kids’ club, helipad and boat tender drop-off point, as well as wellness facilities comprising swimming pools, a fitness centre, tennis court and Muay Thai boxing ring.

layanresidences-anantara.com avadinahills.com