HAUTE TRAVEL

SHADOW IN THE NIGHT

The 42ft Shadow is a milestone for Swan and the beginning of a new era for the shipyard.

BY NIKITA VIVEK PAWAR

TO A SELECT GROUP OF SWAN OWNERS GATHERED FOR THE Swan Tuscany Challenge, Nautor’s Swan revealed its long-awaited Shadow motor yacht, 42ft Shadow. The 13.2-meter boat became the focal point of the event as it was positioned in the middle of the swimming pool of the Tarantella restaurant in an elegantly curated spectacle arranged by the interior designer Ioanna Marinopolous. It was unveiled as the sun set over the Marina di Scarlino.

“This is a milestone for Swan,” said Leonardo Ferragamo, chairman of Nautor Group. “It is the first power boat in 55 years of the brand. We asked ourselves, ‘There are so many boats in the sea, why do we need another one?’ But people kept inquiring. We resisted until we found something new to say in this segment, with the typical Swan DNA of performance, elegance and reliability.”

Nautor’s Swan has more than half a century of experience in building performance sailing yachts that are recognized worldwide for the perfect combination of style, quality, performance and reliability. The shipyard’s first power yacht isn’t any less. By Finn Jarkko Jämsén, the Shadow exhibits the same design language as Swan’s famous sailing boats. Measuring 13.2 meters from bow to stern and 4.3 meters at the beam, the Shadow provides a spacious platform that can be tuned for all lifestyles. The teak decks are clear of obstructions and include broadside decks to reach the bow. Owners can turn the space over to comfortably upholstered lounge seating, sunbeds, dining spaces, or even moving payloads from the mothership to the shore.

A prominent feature of the yacht is the multiple options for the T-top that can be extended or even lowered telescopically. Likewise, a smart platform at the stern can be used to extend the deck to provide passerelle access to the quay or lowered for bathing and diving. The Shadow can be configured to suit the lifestyle of her owner, whether as a limousine tender, luxury dayboat or chase boat for a larger yacht. The accommodations below feature a large double cabin with a bathroom and an optional crew cabin.

The 42ft Shadow is equipped with a standard three 225 HP outboard engine. There is an option to upgrade to a 3 x 250 HP, 3 x 300 HP, or 3 x 350 HP variant with a top speed of 55 knots and a cruising speed of 37.

THE PEARL

SOUTH WALTON, FLORIDA Pardon our pun, but the Pearl is a total gem. Its location on Rosemary Beach, along the Gulf Coast’s illustrious 30A, where white-sand beaches merge with the inexplicably emerald-colored ocean, is the most perfect beach in America. And on that beach, the Pearl holds court: a 55-room boutique hotel highlighted with local artwork, a poolside spa with treatments that utilize — naturally — the healing powers of the pearl itself, and a central, walkable location. It’s the little things that make the experience here so unforgettable: from the cocktail greeting at check-in and complimentary valet to a hand-delivered, freshly baked treat at bedtime, each detail is made to feel like it was specially created for you. Just as its name implies, the Pearl is meant to be slowly unpacked and enjoyed (in front of a stunning Gulf sunset with a glass of bubbly in hand). thepearlrb.com

THIS WAY TO THE BEACH

THE BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE SUMMER IS AT THESE STUNNING SEASIDE HOTELS.

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

HauteTRAVEL

KAUAI, HAWAII There is perhaps no better place to take in jaw-dropping views on vacation than at the Lodge at Kukui’ula, situated on the Garden Isle’s south shore. From the comforts of a private Club Cottage, Club Bungalow or Club Villa, guests have a view of the legendary Spouting Horn, framed by the lush, tropical landscape and white-sand beaches, without ever having to leave their lanai. With proximity to Poipu Beach Park, the Na Pali Coast (think Jurassic Park!) and Waimea Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), the Lodge at Kukui’ula is a gateway to some of the most stunning views in the world. And they’re also available from every hole of the Tom Weiskopf-designed, 18-hole Kaua’i golf course. The challenging 14th hole has become legendary — and not just because of its dramatic ocean views or sightings of spinner dolphins and humpback whales. As a bonus, the Lodge is comprised of luxury residential accommodations, located at the entrance to the Club at Kukui‘ula, that provide world-class indoor/outdoor island living. Each well-appointed home boasts generous living space, a gourmet kitchen, dining areas, spacious lanais and private outdoor garden showers. lodgeatkukuiula.com

GURNEY’S MONTAUK

THE HAMPTONS, NEW YORK Located on a glorious 2,000-foot stretch of pristine sand reserved exclusively for guests of this Hamptons mainstay, Gurney’s Montauk is definitely the place to be this summer (and not just because there are epic, king-size daybeds available to rent, either). Regulars love the panoramic ocean views from the resort’s 158 rooms, suites and beachfront cottages, access to the hotel’s Beach Club (which packs out early during summer weekends, especially if you’re hoping to secure a cabana… so come early!) and the fabulous fare at Scott Conant’s Scarpetta Beach. There are also new bamboo-designed bungalows for summer — a partnership with acclaimed event designer and Fête founder Jung Lee — where up to six people can enjoy an open-air firepit, curated cocktails and seasonal fare from executive chef Robert Hamburg. They only last until Labor Day, so get booking! gurneysresorts.com/montauk

CASA DEL MAR

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA Casa Del Mar means “House of the Sea.” But truly, that phrase is only apt here in sunny, opulent SoCal: anywhere else, this “house” would be called a mansion. “Beach house fit for a billionaire” is certainly the most accurate description of this tuckedaway, eight-story brick manse located just steps from the shore. With a history that dates to 1926, this uber-exclusive Santa Monica property, once an exclusive beach club designed by the architect Charles F. Plummer, remains one of the very few hotels in Los Angeles County with direct beach access. While its rooms have had a dramatic, ethereal white refresh, its lobby retains a vintage feel thanks to the original soaring ceiling and dramatic windows (which show off those spectacular SoCal sunsets and ocean views to their best advantage). New for the warmer months at the hotel’s Terrazza restaurant is its charming “La Vie en Rosé” menu, which features six different French rosés by the glass, along with a slew of Mediterraneaninspired nibbles. hotelcasadelmar.com

LITTLE TORCH KEY, FLORIDA Who wouldn’t want to head to the Florida Keys for some hazy, lazy beach time come summer? The place to chill (Netflix optional) is Little Palm Island, a stunner situated on a 4.5-acre private island in the Lower Keys. Its ambiance is intentionally romantic, with surreal vistas during the day, dramatic sunsets and nightscapes dotted with twinkling stars and miles of shimmering water shattering the moon’s reflection into a thousand pieces. With just 30 thatch-roof bungalows, the island is private, too: there are never more than 60 guests at a time, offering necessary anonymity for the rich and famous. And because of the elite clientele, most every whim is met — whether that’s a floating Madrugada water massage at sunrise, mangrove maze kayaking, or a private Chef’s Table dinner for two. There’s also a Romance Concierge (yes, believe it) and some of the best hotel dining anywhere in America, thanks to the international fusion stylings of chef Luis Pous. littlepalmisland.com

THE CAVALIER HOTEL & BEACH CLUB, AN AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTEL

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA The Cavalier has all the markers of a gentile Southern mansion — a modern-day Tara, if you will — and we say this with reverence. This epically beautiful Virginia Beach resort complex will have you clapping your hands in wonder at the postcard perfection of it all, set high on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (and only minutes away from the actual Virginia Beach). The 1927 landmark — it’s on the National Register of Historic Places — officially reopened its doors in 2018 after a four-year renovation that cost nearly $85 million, which is apparent in its multitude of offerings. Everything is at your disposal here: 62 darling guest rooms and 23 suites, poolside vistas and loggias, a spa, a fitness center, an on-site bourbon distillery and tasting room (the Tarnished Truth Distillery is the first and only distillery fully integrated into an American hotel), three signature eateries including the glorious sushi eatery Orion’s Roof and the best brunch ever at Becca, a fitness center and even a museum. Yet the Cavalier still bears the hallmarks of its past, from its original four-column portico and brick porte cochere to its magnificent lobby, which captures the feel of the roaring ’20s and the jazz age. Soaring ceilings, sparkling fixtures and ornate architectural moldings instill a sense of place and history, while rooms are outfitted with claw-foot tubs and marble baths; there’s even an indoor saltwater pool with a magnificent glass rotunda, and an actual billiards room. This is a blast from the past we’re happy to shoot back to time after time. marriott.com/hotels/travel/orfak-the-cavalier-virginia-beach-autograph-collection

TERRANEA RESORT

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA For those who want to get away from it all (but be close enough to modern life that they can go, say, shopping), Terranea Resort offers the best of both worlds. This hidden treasure, poised above coastal bluffs with sweeping views of the Pacific on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, is a Mediterranean-inspired slice of stay for travelers who want sophistication and nature wrapped in one. Celebrated for its natural beauty, the 102-acre eco-friendly estate features 582 guest rooms and suites, including spacious casitas and villas, and the Bungalows at Terranea, a collection of accommodations featuring spa- and wellness-focused amenities. Additional offerings include nine distinct dining experiences; a full-service, 50,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, complete with an oceanfront yoga and Pilates studio; an award-winning nine-hole par 3 golf course; a PGA professional-led golf academy; four heated swimming pools (including one with a 140-foot waterslide and two adults-only pools); and an Experience Academy. But there are other unique selling points, too. Terranea is a great place to spot gray whales and a regular location for Hollywood film crews (blockbusters shot here include Pirates of the Caribbean, The Aviator, Pearl Harbor and Charlie’s Angels), and its falconry program offers encounters with falcons, Harris hawks and Eurasian eagle owls. Plus, an ancient ritual — the ringing of the Singing Bowls — marks the end of each day here. Conducted on the terrace of the resort lobby, this sunset ceremony is known for healing and relaxing through the pure sound and vibration of the quartz crystal as it resonates into the night. Which pretty much sums up a stay here. terranea.com

CHANLER AT CLIFF WALK

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND A stay by the sea in Newport recalls the glory days of the Vanderbilts and Astors, a bygone era of glitz and unadulterated glamour. Those who seek this merging of past and present will welcome a stay at the Chanler, the only hotel to sit on the storied oceanfront Cliff Walk, whose neighbors are the historical mansions Newport is famous for. While the 20-room private home turned hotel is modest in comparison to properties like the Breakers (the grandest of the Newport “cottages”), it’s still elegance personified thanks to a slew of rare antiques, breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from its Ocean Villas, and the property’s crown jewel, Cara, a fine-dining restaurant with haute cuisine prepared by Michelin-trained executive chef Jacob Jasinski, dotted with low-hanging chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows and pairing white-glove dining with a modern sensibility. thechanler.com

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA There are very few hotels that can say they’re better than ever after a century in existence, but Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is among that illustrious few. With its ideal location — five expansive acres on the bluff north of the Santa Monica Pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with an 80-foot-high Morten Bay fig tree (originally planted in the 1880s) as its centerpiece — and the fact that it’s the only beachside hotel in Los Angeles with bungalows, it’s no wonder the Fairmont was a golden-era Hollywood hideaway where Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe and Jimmy Stewart came to play in privacy. To celebrate its 100th birthday, the hotel has undergone an extensive redesign of its lobby lounge, Fig restaurant and library space to launch a new look and feel of indulgence and playfulness. This summer, expect a slew of centennial celebrations: the emergence of oceanfront bar enclave Georgina’s; the Miramar Beach Club, with escorted access to and from a private area of Santa Monica’s beach; and the Airstream by Fig, serving up beach cuisine from a retrofitted classic 1986 silver Airstream trailer located adjacent to Brent Bolthouse hot spot the Bungalow. fairmont.com/santa-monica

MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA When travelers talk about Laguna Beach, it’s typically with reverence. The weather, the views, the wealth… it’s all there in one quietly incredible enclave. At its beating, indulgent heart is the hedonist’s paradise that is Montage Laguna Beach, located on 30 glorious oceanfront acres. That there is a private balcony or patio and ocean view from each of its 258 guest rooms and 57 suites, beach bungalow-style rooms and multi-bedroom villas is testament to its greatness, as is that each is done with elan. Think marble bathrooms with oversize bathtubs, lavish bath amenities, Irishwoven towels and plush bathrobes. Meanwhile, the amenities are so extra: the 20,000-squarefoot resort spa; the two outdoor pools;Cadillac house vehicles for local rides; a breathtaking open-air fitness center and movement studio; a dry redwood sauna and eucalyptus steam room; a cascading outdoor whirlpool with cold plunge; a full-service salon and nail studio;and all the water sports imaginable. Plus there’s afternoon tea and next-level fine dining at the Studio restaurant. When coupled with new offerings, including Adventure IO, a proprietary mobile platform offering premier exclusive adventure experiences led by professional athletes and local experts;surf and skim sessions with professional skim boarder Blair Conklin;and family photography excursions with Lululemon ambassador and Soul Cycle fitness instructor Remi Sullivan — well, let’s just say it’s going to be very, very hard to leave. montagehotels.com/lagunabeach

HOTEL DEL CORONADO

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Set on one of America’s most iconic beaches, the legendary Hotel del Coronado has been welcoming guests for over 130 years to its imposing yet oh-so-magical property just outside San Diego. Devotees return time and time again to experience SoCal lifestyle at its best. (Don’t believe us? The ghost of Marilyn Monroe is said to haunt the property to this day because, in life, she loved it that much.) The resort is still tweaking a $400 million renovation plan, which includes the cabanas — 97 oceanfront and poolside rooms, four renovated and expanded culinary concepts and a new resort pool. This summer, the Del will debut new guestrooms in the Views, its Ice House Museum, and a refreshed welcome experience in its fully restored front porch and lobby. hoteldel.com

ANDAZ MAUI AT WAILEA

WAILEA, HAWAII In the luxurious resort community of Wailea, on a 1.2-mile-long oceanfront path that connects five golden-sand beaches, is the resplendent Andaz Maui. This toocool-for-school property offers much more than those glorious, picture-perfect sunsets Hawaii is famous for: there are cascading outdoor pools, a full-service spa and salon, award-winning dining, and access to championship golf as well as activities such as coconut-leaf weaving, outrigger canoeing, ukulele lessons, a GoPro editing lab and even hula lessons. A stay this summer is even more special thanks to the resort’s new luau experience. An epic beach party gets started right with a special in-room pickup that includes the blowing of a conch shell (a Hawaiian tradition to announce the arrival of royalty) before you’re transported to a private terrace where champagne, candles and a four-star dinner await. hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/hawaii/andaz-maui-at-wailea-resort

THE SANDERLING

DUCK, NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina’s Outer Banks — a 200-mile-long strip of barrier islands stretching across half of the state’s coastline — have a charm that’s widely recognized in the South but that few on the West Coast can claim knowledge of. And that is power, because these beaches are national treasures, hidden gems, secrets that few are willing to share. And here, the Sanderling, sprawled across 13 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and serene Currituck Sound, surrounded by almost 360 degrees of water, reigns supreme as the only true luxury resort in the area. The resort offers immediate access to a breadth of activities that immerse visitors in the Outer Banks experience, including the beach, golf, boat tours, kayaking, horseback riding, bicycling, tandem hang gliding and bird-watching at the nearby 2,600-acre Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary. Sanderling’s unpretentious presence showcases a nostalgic Outer Banks architecture, with cedar shake siding aged by the sea and sand and wide, inviting porches. Whether you’re enjoying Babor spa treatments in the 6,000-square-foot Spa at Sanderling or bourbon flights in the evening, this is the place to kick back, relax and let it all go. sanderling-resort.com