THE NEXT LEVEL SPA...ONLY FOR YOU..

In the past, the words "tropical paradise" elicited visions of sea breezes rustling the palm trees along ivory white sand shorelines and pastel-blue waters, sailboats cruising by. Now, for most people, it still includes all of that...for many it includes a massage table on a beach or pier. Couple this with hours of relaxation and self-indulgent quiet time spent in a beautiful spa environment while undergoing soul-renewing treatments is heaven on earth. For many, a place can simply no longer be called paradise without easy access to top-notch spa services.

Still, having to choose between a day at the beach or a day at the spa can be a difficult thing to do. On one hand, a tropical paradise calls to your soul with clear waters and warm sun. On the other, being massaged and pampered is among the most pleasant and relaxing experiences you can have. The good news? That choice may be a thing of the past. A new trend in residential and resort developments means the dream of owning a tropical home often comes with the perk of an on-site spa, providing an escape and sanctuary right where you live.

As developers in places like Latin America and the Caribbean strive to meet the needs and desires of their owners and potential owners, the menu of amenities found at luxury second and vacation home communities constantly improves, and the bar is raised ever-higher with creative new offerings. It's now almost the norm to see world-class climate-controlled wine cellars, gourmet cooking classes, over-the-top fitness centers and experiential offerings catering to the growing population of active, fit baby boomers.

Spas are becoming a new standard amenity in many resort developments and residences-to the extent that they are practically a requirement for an entire tier of buyers today. People seeking health benefits and relaxation use treatments to release stress and negative energy, while others take advantage of rich indigenous mud or rainforest ingredients to purify the body and soul. Spa treatments have become weekly or monthly routines for many boomers and now often include couples experiences, holistic approaches and other cutting edge treatments as well as special diet regimens for a generation intent on living longer, healthier lives. Below, as part οf "Best of Paradise" series, our editors have compiled a list of luxury communities in the tropics with world-class spas and spa services to match. Relax and enjoy.

Unspoiled beaches and lush rain forests envelope the Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica. This pristine natural setting is perfect for the environmentally conscious spa-seeker. The spa offers patrons stunning views of the Pacific and treatments that incorporate indigenous resources, including use of mineral-rich rainforest muds in facials and massage. Organic Costa Rican coffee is featured in a scrub of freshly ground coffee beans and rich natural oils, increasing circulation and reducing the appearance of cellulite. To soothe the discomfort of sunburns, white European lily and green tea team up for a calming effect on the delicate skin of the face and neck. Twenty-two unique treatment rooms-nearly the same number as the amount of secluded beaches surrounding Peninsula Papagayo-cater to the list of comprehensive services. The impressive two and three-bedroom residences at this luxury resort feature natural decor and ocean views capturing the soothing environment, while locally-harvested wood finishes accent the interiors. www.fourseasons.com

Another Costa Rican coastal gem is Hacienda Pinilla, just south of the surf town of Tamarindo. Many of the five-star JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort's services are available to real estate owners of Hacienda Pinilla, including the spa. The JW Marriot spa provides open-air palapa treatments, plunge pools and calming gardens to give it a feel of rustic Latin luxury. An extensive spa menu is available, including a signature Aromatherapy Raindrop Ritual, a blend of massage techniques, Tibetan Reflexology and eight essential oils. The entire community is being developed in sustainable harmony with the natural surroundings and is designated as one of Central America's only Audubon-approved developments. Mountains, beaches, lakes and rivers nestle up to one another in this diverse coastal community, which also includes a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course. Care to become a frequent spa guest? Choose from beachfront lots, custom homes, and large villas located on 4,500 acres and over three miles of secluded Costa Rican coastline. www.marriott.com

The awarding-winning Cabo Spa at Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas is a celebration of stunning local beauty. Named the number one spa in Latin America by Travel & Leisure magazine, the Cabo Spa specializes in water therapies. Their unique "water passage" treatment transitions between hot and cold waters, while steam caves and soaking pools provide purification and relaxation. Fresh fruits, minerals and herbs are prepared daily for rejuvenating treatments for the face and body. A large private soaking pool and sunbathing area is available for post-treatment relaxation. Papaya, mango, sea greens and hibiscus are some of the indigenous ingredients utilized in treatments. Full and fractional ownership real estate opportunities are available here, and include customized meals from the chef, priority seating at the restaurants and intuitive personal services, making this a superb way for buyers to take advantage of one of Mexico's finest luxury resorts and real estate offerings. The refined residences honor their location, paying homage to regional culture by incorporating Mexican sculpture and art in the interiors. Fully furnished whole-ownership residences start from $1.6 million. www.esperanzaresort.com

The Estate at Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos has something for everyone as far as residences. Options range from the 800-square-foot Junior Residence to the 7,000-square-foot penthouse. The collection of custom-designed villas are on the oceanfront on beautiful Grace Bay. Fabulous resort amenities include the world famous Infinity Bar, yoga and fitness center, and poolside daybeds with personal concierge. The Anani Spa specializes in Euro-Asian treatments and includes six luxury treatment rooms and al fresco showers. Additionally, two permanent full-service Anani Spa Tents are available for single or couple beachside treatments. www.gracebayclub.com

The newly opened Tucker's Point Club is Bermuda's premiere destination for an indulgent spa residence. Paying tribute to the golden age of British tourism in the 30's, the residences are elegantly styled in vintage British decor. The Spa Center's treatments incorporate ingredients from surrounding natural resources, utilizing ocean minerals, tropical plants and honeys harvested on resort grounds. Invigorating fitness programs of Tai Chi and yoga are available in open air courts, while hydrotherapy suites feature the SilverTag shower with 18 strategically placed shower heads to shoot water of varying temperatures and pressures. For an absolute indulgence, take advantage of the popular Pre-Suntan Salt Treatment before heading to the beach. This exfoliating massage incorporates sea salt and natural oils followed by a light sunscreen. Chocolate and wine therapies maximize the benefits of these naturally occurring antioxidants. If you're considering buying real estate in legendary Bermuda, Tucker's Point offers a variety of choices. Residences follow traditional Bermuda decor, and Estate Homes begin near $3.2 million, while luxury fractionals begin at Tuckers Point Residence Club begin at $355,000 consist of one, two and three bedroom villas overlooking the Atlantic. www.tuckerspointhotelandspa.com

The private villas at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, north of Puerto Vallarta, are the pinnacle of luxury in the area and offer their own unique brand of spa experiences for homeowners. Residences in this prestigious resort community boast infinity plunge pools, spacious terraces and gourmet kitchens that reflect the quality and attention to detail one expects from Four Seasons. Villas are ideal for those in the market for a second home that offers up five-star services on Mexico's magnificent Pacific Coast. Click to View Related Video The resort hosts seven dining options, as well as the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. Four Seasons chefs custom-cater so that private villa dining can be accommodated. The Apuane Spa is perfect for couples looking to rejuvenate and relax. Private spa suites complete with a jacuzzi, champagne and chocolate service is ideal for an intimate getaway and sun-drenched steam room and a private outdoor terrace are the perfect combination for tranquility. Cactus pulp and tequila massages are popular choices, and there are plenty of outdoor private enclaves utilized for massages and treatments. residences.fourseasons.com

The Residences at Grand Cayman capture the five-star standard of living expected from the Ritz-Carlton. Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa, incorporates Swiss heritage into the tropical surroundings resulting in treatments unique to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman location. Known for their hydrotherapies and cellular anti-aging formulas, the Silver Rain Spa offers an extensive menu of indulgent treatments. It goes without saying that owning real estate in Grand Cayman-or anywhere, for that matter-is improved by association with Ritz Carlton, and a variety of ownership opportunities exist at The Residences at Grand Cayman, starting with 69 oceanfront homes. Situated in the middle of Seven Mile Beach, luxury residences are priced from $3 million, with floor plans ranging from two- to seven- bedrooms. In addition, The Deck Houses are a unique offering, combining the seclusion of private island living with the convenience of luxury automobiles, boats and furnishings found nowhere else in the Caribbean. A private boathouse, guest cottage, beach, infinity pool, golf cart, antique-style motorboat and luxury automobile are all located on an exclusive private island nestled into the resort property. www.residences-cayman.com

Anguilla joins this list via the Viceroy Anguilla, which offers up its own unique take on spa practices, designed to provide a thorough, full-being rejuvenation. The spa occupies a two-story space with dramatic waterfront views, with custom offerings that create an increased awareness of holistic well-being. Lifestyle classes in healthy cooking and meditation enrich the spirit beyond life on the island. At the Viceroy Spa there is a focus on personal transformation to achieve an optimal state of health and balance, and their philosophy links the spa with the cutting-edge fitness center. Yoga and Pilates studios, lap pools, jogging paths and mountain bikes are available for pursuing fitness goals in the Caribbean sunshine. Ownership at the Viceroy Anguilla combines refined island living with an unexpected array of amenities. Condos, villas and resort residences designed by Kelly Wearstler feature truly chic and sophisticated interiors. The villas' modern architecture challenges the traditional notion of island chic with state-of-the-art design and polished style. Amenities found in beachfront town homes and villas may include complete outdoor kitchens, dining areas and soaking tubs, while rain-head showers and modern fixtures elevate the bathrooms to an exceptional level of elegance. www.viceroyanguilla.com

Antigua's Jumby Bay debuts Sense, a Rosewood Spa, in November. While it may seem optimistic to include a spa that is just now opening, we are confident this one will offer a remarkable experience due to the track record of the brand: Sense will become the sixth "Sense" Spa in the Rosewood collection. Stone entryways and terra cotta roofs will mimic the historical sugar mill ruins throughout the island. The open-air spa will use local ingredients for maximum freshness and potency. Located just steps from the white sand beach, Sense will also feature lush tropical gardens and relaxation terraces to maximize the serene seaside experience. Resident offerings include beachfront villas and estate homes that are brilliantly designed and furnished, creating residences that radiate Caribbean glamour with sophisticated interiors and furnishings. Private infinity pools and beachfront locations combine with the world class Jumby Bay Resort amenities to make these residences prime Antigua real estate. www.jumbybayresort.com

St. Lucia is one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean, due to its stunning natural beauty and year-round perfect temperatures. What better way to luxuriate in this environment than to take in a spa experience. Discovery Resort's Lapli Spa therapists are all E'Spa trained and feature the E'Spa treatments and techniques. A full range of treatments are available using local fare such as bananas, coffee, honey, papaya, cactus and sea moss. Open-air showers screened with tropical flowers are available in three of the four treatments rooms. In addition, large wooden soaking tubs and massage cabanas are located in the feng-shui and Zen themed garden to maximize relaxation. The Apartments at the Discovery Resort in Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, are located in the Marina Village, a bustling center of shops, bakeries and restaurants. The luxury apartments look out over Marigot Bay, regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, making them a nice way to own St. Lucia property while capitalizing on the amenities offered at Discovery Resort's Lapli Spa. www.marigotbay.com

Owning a tropical home should provide a tranquil oasis to escape the stresses of everyday life. Owning a spa residence provides unparalleled access to a lifetime of relaxation and rejuvenation. Waking up to the sound of waves gently lapping at the beach and walking barefoot to a stress-relieving massage is the perfect way to clear the mind and renew the spirit. The beauty and comfort of these spa residences provides the ultimate tropical getaway, and for those interested in a more permanent vacation, each offers a means to own Caribbean or Latin American real estate...so you can extend your stay for a lifetime.

DEL PACIFICO THE NEW PRIVATE RESIDENCE CLUB

Del Pacifico, a master planned resort community on the central coast of Costa Rica near Quepos and Manuel Antonio - has announced the launch of the Del Pacifico Club, a private residence club offering fractional real estate and carefree ownership. Fractional real estate and residence clubs have grown in popularity because of the market conditions and buyers get much more home for the money, lower upkeep costs and the ease of ownership. Many consumers are finding it's the smarter way to own an international second or vacation home.

Owners can choose from one, two and three bedroom villas nestled on a hilltop overlooking the warm tropical waters of the Pacific, and woven into the very fabric of Costa Rica's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Owners at the Del Pacifico Club will have exclusive access to the amenities of it's sister property the Alma del Pacifico Hotel, ranked a top ten in Central America. Owners will enjoy private beach access, restaurant and bars, fitness facilities and their acclaimed spa.

"We are excited to add the Del Pacifico Club to the other real estate offerings at Del Pacifico, say Barry Strudwick, developer/partner at Del Pacifico - "The residence club will give the ability for people who love beautiful Costa Rica but realistically would only visit their home here 5-6 times per year. They'll enjoy a luxury home and the services of a boutique hotel for a fraction of the cost and none of the hassles associated with owning international real estate or a home in Costa Rica", adds Strudwick.

The Del Pacifico Club offers fractional ownership in the seaside village nestled on a hill overlooking the Pacific. Additionally, the Club will offer one-bedroom Plaza Studios and two-bedroom and three-bedroom Villas. All the Del Pacifico Club units come fully and beautifully furnished with prices starting at only 35,000.euros

The Residence Club at Del Pacifico is a fractionally owned residential property. Buyers receive a 1/10th-deeded real estate interest in a world-class Costa Rican vacation home without the hassles of full-ownership. Like other forms of real estate, fractional residence club ownership interests can be sold, willed, deeded or placed in a trust. This proven real estate model has been coined the smarter way to own a vacation home, and has been successful in other elite destinations around the world.

Residence Club Partners of Asheville, NC, the management company at Del Pacifico Club, feels this model will change the future of second home ownership in Costa Rica forever. "In addition to a growing trend in fractional ownership and residence club home ownership vs. whole ownership, Owners are demanding more services and hassle free ownership that residence club owners enjoy at all of our clubs. Owner services at our clubs include a Club Concierge, housekeeping, onsite management and very unique custom experience packages, things you don't get with the typical real estate purchase," says Mandy Allfrey of Residence Club Partners.

The Del Pacifico Club is a private residence club within the Del Pacifico second home community near Quepos and Manuel Antonio, on Costa Rica's beautiful central coast. Vacation and second home buyers interested in learning more about The Del Pacifico Club in Esterillos, can visit www.delpacificoclub.com

TRAVELLING IN LUXURY AND WATCHING THE STARS..

Dilemma: Do I spend the next few paragraphs writing about how it feels to be in a flotilla of three $1.2-million, 42-foot-long J Craft Torpedo boats racing at 37 knots from Nice to Monaco to the latest Thomas Starke restaurant for dinner? Or should I explain what it's like to barrel down a narrow and gnarled two-lane road in a $500,000 car while trying to get around a diesel Golf with the busted taillight in rural France the very same weekend Francois Hollande got himself elected as the Socialist president of the Republic? Both are pure, turgid fantasy material, as is the Cap Estel, the hotel Rolls-Royce picked out. Located just next to Cap D'ail on one of the more scenic portions of the Cote d'Azur, the Cap Estel is a super discrete hotel surrounded on three sides by water and usually intended for only the rich and famous. How rich, how famous? Marlene Dietrich would stay in the room across the courtyard from mine for three months at a time, and Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and the Beatles were frequent guests. I like to think Ringo stayed in my room. As you can see, my choice of topics is quite the conundrum.

As this is Motor Trend and not "One Percenter Weekly," I suppose I'll have to concentrate on the car, which really doesn't cost $500,000. The blue Phantom Coupe I'm talking about costs just $498,380, including $2000 for destination and $3000 for the gas-guzzler tax. Rolls-Royce schlepped my admittedly declasse self down to the South of France because it's just rolled out the Phantom Series II, the first major refresh/redo of the Phantom since the imposing sedan became available to the world's oligarchs and their friends in 2003. This business plan continues, with the least-expensive iteration of the new car starting at an eye-watering -- some might say laughable -- $398,035. That's for the standard Saloon, sans options. Of course, a small fortune is relative. Please consider that the median U.S. household income is about $50,000, and the average transaction price for a new car is around $30,000. Now consider that while the average price for a Series II Phantom -- with bespoke options now accounting for a full 30 percent of RR sales -- is around $500,000, their owners' average net worth is $30 million. Average. They could easily buy two Phantoms if they wanted to. Many do. Case in point: The three J Crafts that spirited us to the principality of Monaco were borrowed from current Rolls-Royce owners.

What's new for Series II? Not much, as it turns out. One of Rolls-Royce's guiding (and much trumpeted) principles comes from founder Sir Henry Royce: "Take the best that exists and make it better." To hear Rolls tell it, no better car exists, so the tweaking needed was minimal. "Our claim is that we're still the best in the world," said Richard Carter, the head of Rolls-Royce's global PR team. Starting with the exterior of the four-door, gone are the odd-looking round foglights, replaced by an all-new LED headlight setup featuring fully automatic brights and some rectilinear daytime running lights. I think it's a big, if not a conservative, improvement. Speaking of curveless, the imposing grille is now made from a single piece of stainless steel, instead of three pieces bonded together. It's a subtle tweak, but one that Rolls claims is important to the "class of customer" that buys its automobiles. "They notice details like this," I'm told.

Those with an incredible eye for detail will note that the RR badge and reflector between the wheel arch and door cut on the front fender are now a single piece of trim as opposed to two. The C-pillar receives a new and improved glass treatment and the rear bumper has been refined. That and some new wheel options are pretty much it as far as exterior tweaks. I spent the bulk of the weekend chatting with Rolls-Royce's new head of exterior design, Giles Taylor, and he simply didn't have much to do. He felt the original design was that strong. I agree with him. Cars like the Phantom are as much a personal statement of status as anything, and Rolls got it almost right back in 2003. Keep in mind, Rolls recently poached Mr. Taylor away from Jaguar, where he led the redesign of the new XJ. Point is, Giles can do radical when it's called for. Obviously the changes to the Phantom are subtle, and an already good-looking car now looks a bit better, a bit more tailored and stately. Don't forget that while the Phantom Saloon is a formal sedan that's nearly the size of an F-150. It has some very strong sporting design cues like a long hood with short overhangs complete with a sporty dash-to-axle ration, a very short rear deck, and a wheel and tire size that's half the total vehicle height. Same proportions as an E-type, in fact. Plus, Mr. Taylor has retained my personal favorite and utterly British touch, the (relatively) tiny taillights. All that said, the changes to the Coupe and Drophead Coupe's exteriors are even less involved.

Inside, more of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" methodology pervades. The cars are just as much the isolated, luxury cocoons they've been for the last nine years. Burled wood, freakishly deep wool carpets (I kept my shoes off whenever I was a passenger), and more than a dozen cows' worth of leather make for one of the very nicest cabins, well, ever. There is one big, significant interior change: the latest version of BMW's iDrive is now standard in all Phantoms. The now very good version of iDrive replaces the totally antiquated (and rightly despised) old version found in the old Phantoms, the single biggest customer complaint according to Rolls-Royce. Look at the new system for a few moments and you'll see that it's nearly the exact same 8.8-inch screen and software found in cars like the BMW 328i. Same bending backup angle lines, same three-camera around-view system, same maps, same everything except for the overall menu color scheme and a few Rolls-Royce-specific icons. But remember that the only time a Phantom owner sees a 328i is when their housekeeper gets back from the market. They've never sat inside a 3 Series, let alone tuned into Howard 100 via a BMW-branded iDrive. Also remember that the system found in the Bentley Mulsanne, the Phantom's only surviving competitor (RIP, Maybach), is a Volkswagen unit.

Oh, but I shouldn't have said the B-word. It's very clear that Rolls-Royce doesn't think anything competes with the Phantom, and that if it does have any competition, the Mulsanne competes with their "cheaper" car, the Ghost. Being one of the lucky few on earth who has spent time in both the Mulsanne and the new Series II Phantom, I have a different opinion. The four-door Phantom is the car to be driven in, especially if you can weasel your way into the back of one of them extended wheelbasers (base price, $475,295). But driving the new Phantom? Honestly, it's not thrilling. Though I suppose that's not really the point. There's plenty of play (and Novocain) in the steering, and the cabin is eerily quiet -- so serene and so isolated that you can almost hear your own heart beating. Honestly, with the radio off it's a little spooky.

The whole time I was behind the wheel, I felt like a chauffeur. Which, I suppose, is the entire point. That's even with the new-to-the-four-door (though carryover from the two-door) sport suspension and throttle mapping turned on via an S button on the wheel. There's also a new (to Phantom) eight-speed ZF transmission that replaces the old six-speed unit and uses slightly less fuel. The transmission is now somehow even quieter and less perceptible when it shifts gears. If a fortress of solitude is what you're after, think Phantom Saloon, though driving-wise there's not much difference between the new one and the old. The direct-injected 6.75-liter V-12 remains the same. Power is still "adequate." So much so that no one from Rolls mentioned the power output even once (if you're boorish enough to ask, 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque) We'd have to compare them back-to-back to say for certain, but I'd say the Mulsanne is the preferred driving enthusiast's high-lux four-door. And that's been true since the big Bentley debuted. Hell, that's been true since the 1930s.

 

However, if I were in the market for a half-million-dollar car, I'd have the Phantom Coupe. Why? Well, as cool as the rear suicide doors on the four-door are (Rolls insists that you call them "coach doors"), the front suicide doors on the Coupe are impossibly slicker. Talk about making a dramatic entrance! Speaking of drama, a massive luxury sedan is one thing. But a nearly just as massive two-door is on a whole other level of flashing your decadence. Moreover, the Coupe is the much better Roller to drive, featuring firmer suspension, much more sporting steering feel, and an overall much less chauffeur-like vibe. Dare I say this (quite literal) land yacht is engaging to throttle around a French mountain road? Yes, I dare. Sure, I could use some more engine noise when I stab the throttle, and since the hood is more than 3 feet off the ground and more than twice that wide, it's a bit difficult to place the huge machine exactly where you'd like. Small things that don't really matter to the people writing the freaky large checks (or, if you live in Moscow, handing over the cash from the in-dealer bank teller), so the story goes. Case in point: My biggest gripe is that there's no way to manually select a gear, especially since the Phantom Coupe allows you to nicely set up a corner. I asked Rolls-Royce if they'd considered a solution like paddle shifters. They responded that their customers aren't interested in such things. Could be true, especially since the folks that can afford the fantastically blue $498,380 Coupe I drove probably already own not just a Ferrari, but a Ferrari collection. And really I'm just nitpicking here. The Phantom Coupe, for lack of a better term, is majestic. Gloriously so. If I may be so bold as to expand upon F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic bon mot: The rich are different from you and me; they have nicer cars. Such as the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II
BASE PRICE	350.000 euros
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, rear-drive, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE	6.75L/453-hp/531-lb-ft DOHC 48-valve V-12
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT	5650 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE	140.6 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT	230.0 x 78.3 x 64.5 in
0-60 MPH	5.7 sec (mfr est)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON	10/23 mpg (mfr est)
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY	337/147 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS	1.45 lb/mile (mfr est)