* Please note that the light distortions visible in some of the images are the byproduct of the software used to create this editorial, and
and that they do not appear in the original pictures or print.
Creative artists meet marketing & advertising experts and the best data analysts. We merge our creative and artistic skills with best performing advertising techniques to create content that everyone connects to and falls in love with.
Visit our website here .
We are a small team of young, dynamic LA-based creatives and artists, who lead the conversation and trendset.
We create ideas that unite people, places and things. We use unique color coding technique to create visuals that connect to audiences on a subconscious level, evoking some of the deepest emotions and engaging audiences in a personalized, best-in-category & class content and, now, is immersive interactive digital experiences.
We blend all our unique skills across content, data and digital media, and define what makes you - YOU, and why it matters to your audiences.
We make people fall in love with your brand.
This catalog is a partial selection of some of our favorite places to stay.
Enjoy!
~ OLYA HILL Creative Director/Producer
Located on secluded, unspoilt, Nonsuch Bay in Antigua you will find this idyllic Caribbean beachside community. Nonsuchbay Antigua offers the discerning traveler 2 completely unique offerings to choose from: All-Inclusive Escape OR Room-Only Residences.
Escape at Nonsuch Bay Antigua (All Inclusive/Adults Only) features modern, romantic plunge pool suites and is the perfect, secluded, getaway for couples and honeymooners. While a part of the larger Nonsuch Bay complex, The Escape is essentially a self contained boutique resort featuring its own Restaurant and Bar, Reception, Lounge, Pool and other public facilities. All meals are provided at the Drift Restaurant (Escape Guests Only/All Inclusive), but Escape guests are able to take a short shuttle ride (or walk) to the private Nonsuch Bay Beach featuring the exclusive Seagrape Beach Bar (Escape Guests Only/All Inclusive) and the independently owned Rokuni Restaurant (Reservations Only/Charges Apply). The gorgeous offshore beaches of the nearby private islands are just a quick boat ride away.
Residences at Nonsuch Bay Antigua (Room Only/ Self Catering) offers spacious, self catering apartments (1, 2 or 3 Bedroom) and provides a contactless, “Air BnB style” rental – ideal for adventuorus couples, small groups or families with children. The Residences features a collection of well appointed private suites and beach front cottages all located within a secure, gated community. Each spacious unit includes a fully equipped kitchen and large, shaded balconies offering lovely views of the tropical coastline and beautiful turquoise sea.
Nonsuch Bay Residences boasts its own fine dining restaurant – Rokuni, a tranquil, on-site beach and is the best choice for persons who would rather rent a car, purchase their own groceries, prepare their own meals and explore beautiful Antigua.
Book Escape or Residences at Nonsuch Bay today and experience the Caribbean’s most luxurious location for couples, families and outdoor lovers.
Nestled within a private 200-acre reserve on the Placencia Peninsula, Naia is an intimate, natural playground that sets the stage for uncommon adventures and personal growth. Whether paddleboardingin the beautiful Caribbean Sea, indulging in a customized spa ritual, or relaxing among the resort’s secluded beach houses and swimming pools..
The opportunities for discovery are endless!
Stay in one of the 35 houses, and escape to a place, where your closest neighbor may be a diving pelican, lumbering manatee or a 100-year old mango tree. Or get adventurous with a wide variety of adrenaline-spiking activities. Naia is the connection hub for all, tourist and locals alike. Or have a transformative minute to yourself in a spa, that feel like a magical place out of fairy tale, tucked away in 19 acre resort, in the middle of the bamboo forest and waterlily ponds.
And at the end of the week, relax with a friends and neighbors at a dinner, prepared by best of the best guest chefs. This experience alone is worth the trip to Belize.
Naia doesn’t stop here though.
The unique part that had ours hearts is the ability to make Naia your... home.
With large beach and lagoon front home sites, impressive finished homes, an award-winning luxury resort, and forest reserves covering over two-
-thirds of the 224-acre property, Naia Residences represents the future of environmentally sustainable residential tourism.
At Naia Residences are not about high pressure real estate pitches, empty promises or artists’ renderings as a substitute for reality.
What they are about is the creation of a living space that combines a passion for the natural environment with the amenities that nature does not always provide: paved roads, underground electricity, modern telecom services, 24/7 security and some of the purest water on the planet. With access to Naia Resort and Spa‘s two restaurants, fitness center, yoga studio, watersports equipment, and the largest spa in Belize, you have all the ingredients for the good life in an idyllic tropical setting.
We invite you to put some distance between yourself and the stresses of the world; to bask under the warmth of the sun or invigorate yourself with the cool breezes and a dip in the sea. Feel free to explore this website and contact Naia with any questions about lots for sale or homes or just booking your next amazing getaway.
But to really appreciate the wonders of Naia Residences, we urge you to go see it for yourself… the sooner the better!
Trust us, you will love it just the same way we did!
Chef TAPIWA MAMUTSE came to Belize from Zimbabwe after having worked in the safari industry in Southern Africa. He did his culinary studies in Capetown, South Africa and is currently the Executive Chef at Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort in Hopkins, Belize. With a love for food, he creates his own spin on local cultural dishes. We were so lucky to be in Belize when he hosted the special Saturday Night dinner at Naia and will forever cherish the amazing 2 hour conversation we got to have with him at the end of the night. A master chef and one of the most amazing souls we have ever met.
It’s the kind of house that would turn heads if it was located in Malibu, St. Barts or South Beach. But Solvei—with its five well-appointed bedrooms, ample indoor/outdoor common areas and incomparable amenities—sits like a sparkling jewel on nearly a mile of pristine Caribbean beach within the secure confines of Naia Resort and Spa.
Everything about Solvei, Danish for Path of the Sun, is dedicated to providing its guests with the ultimate in carefree luxury. From a game room with billiards, table tennis and 85” TV to the professional quality kitchen equipped with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, no detail has been spared… including a convenient elevator and dedicated concierge to attend to your every need.
Call your family. Grab your friends. Come for a weekend, or an entire week. Get away from the world, and reconnect with nature and those you love and care about. Celebrate life. This beautiful property can comfortably accommodate 15 people, which makes getaways, parties or friends and family gatherings easy to manage and budget friendly. The moments shared will transform into memories you will want to hold on to for the rest of your life.
“Did you know that the room, the cottage you are staying in, is the one Prince Harry stayed in when he visited Belize?”, - Lucy’s words make my jaw drop.
“What?! Wait! When was that?!” - Bobby’s shocked tone describes my thoughts and feelings exactly.
“During his jubilee tour, when the Queen turned 90”, - a gentle smile raised the corners of Lucy’s lips.”
The aftermath of the initial shock is still lingering in my mind. It’s not every day that you hear that you are staying in the same room that royalty visited.
Thoughts are trying to build a logical chain of events.
Bobby takes over.
“Ok, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us how Chaa Creek started”.
Mick’s hand runs through his silver hair. The look he and Lucy, his partner and wife of many years, exchange has a spark. Almost a mischievous one?
“Well, we started from absolutely nothing,”Lucy smiles as the story unfolds.
...“Who ARE these people that we keep meeting?! I mean, Mick? His energy? His presence? And Lucy too? The story?! Their life? THIS?!”
- Bobby’s body turns half way as his arm somewhat half-circles in a semi-embrace.
The moon is bright and so beautiful. I know exactly what Bobby feels. The last two and a half hours were transformative. Hearing the story, feeling the energy of love, respect, partnership and dedication, not only to each other but to the cause, the dream, the community, to something both feel so passionate about, it changes you. It makes you want to do more. Be better. Try harder. Makes you want to give back more. Make this world a better place, even if just a little bit.
“I can’t wait for our breakfast meeting. I want to know more”, - I don’t need a confirmation. I know that my words are echoing Bobby’s thoughts.
...“And then we also have “Wings for Wishes” program! Kids love it! This is when they get to read a poem, make a wish and release a brand new butterfly into nature”, - Bryony, the the head of marketing and Mick’s and Lucy’s daughter, is trying to find something on her phone.
“You have to visit the butterfly farm. I’ll have someone connect with you, he is family too. He is one of my adopted brothers who is still working here at the resort. You know that Mom and Dad adopted kids, right?”, - Bryony’s last question was the answer to the unspoken queuing she read in my eyes.
The silence from the other side of the breakfast table means only one thing: Bobby heard her words too and is surprised just as much as I am.
My eyes turn to Mick, who joined in our breakfast a few minutes earlier.
Mick shrugs his shoulders.
“Well, their mother passed away. Not sure where the father was. There were 9 of them, but 6 were still kids. They liked to tie their horses underneath our office for some reason,”Mick’s eyes glance at Bobby’s face. “It was… just the right thing to do”.
A small smile, barely noticeable, but genuine and kind makes its way to mick’s face.
There are no more words left. The kindness, the genuine love and care, for all, humankind, people, nature and passion, is something you rarely see in the world today. All of them are merged into one person.
The one, who, together with life lifelong companion, gives Chaa Creek that, which you cannot find easily at even most luxurious places: the soul.
Los Altos de Eros is an adults-only boutique hotel & spa located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Situated high up on a mountain overlooking the jungle and ocean, you’ll feel as if you’re in a faraway paradise, but actually you are just a 15-minute drive from the popular beach town of Tamarindo. Los Altos de Eros means “The heights of love” in Spanish. The original owners picked this name to emphasize the elegance and romance associated with being a secluded, serene, adults-only hotel.
You’ll be surrounded by jungle and natural beauty on our 22-acre estate where privacy, relaxation, service and elegance are our top priorities. While you’re here, you can explore the area or indulge yourself at our world-class open-air spa, enjoy gourmet cuisine, unwind poolside, take a morning yoga class in our Yoga Shala, go for a hike and more!
You’ll wake up to the sounds of wildlife surrounding you and coffee brewing. You are served breakfast family style in our open lobby area with fresh local ingredients. Lunch & dinner is also available on the property every day and the menu is tailored to the guests preferences while including gourmet and traditional style dishes
Many of LADE’s staff members have worked here 10+ years and even send their other family members to work with us. LADE also work with and donate to a lot of local charitable organizations in the area, for instance: CEPIA, Hope 4 a Street Dog, La Paz “We Are Costa Rica” Scholarship fund, and more.
Los Altos de Eros is more than just our home, it’s our sanctuary.
When we moved to Costa Rica, we had no idea what to expect. From the concrete jungle of New York City to the actual jungle, we found solace in slowing down and adopting the “Pura Vida” way of life.
Before Costa Rica, Andre was working in re-insurance for 15 years in NYC while Julia worked for a yoga studio and event planning. When Andre visited Costa Rica for a surfing trip, he fell in love with the country and knew he wanted to find a way to move here for good.
Fast forward 8 months and he found Los Altos de Eros and thought it was too good to be true. Not only is the property incredible but the staff is welcoming and attentive and they could have our own house on the property and manage the business from home. So, they decided to make the ultimate lifestyle change and move to paradise together.
Embark on an unforgettable experience at our Tamarindo Costa Rica Luxury Spa where you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed while enjoying paradise. Situated in an outdoor setting overlooking the Costa Rica jungle and Pacific Ocean we offer an array of unique treatments for your indulgence. Los Altos de Eros is mostly known for our Spa Day Package which includes your choice of 3 treatments, lunch with a glass of wine and round-trip transportation from the Tamarindo Area.
You can choose between a 90-minute massage, light facial, body wrap, body scrub or our “picturesque” Indonesian Soaking tub (with a few different options for each of the treatments as well). Another popular package is the Sunset Couples Massage and Romantic Dinner. Perfect for an anniversary or a date night, it comes with a 60-min couples massage, champagne and chocolate strawberries during sunset by the jacuzzi and a private, gourmet 3-course dinner in the spa with your choice of wine. It’s the ultimate romance package.
The Spa is open to in-house guests and outside guests. In-house guests have the added bonus of receiving special discounts in the spa.
We are also a perfect location for honeymoons, weddings, friends/ family reunions, retreats and more! You can rent out the entire hotel with our Exclusive Property Rental. With all 6 rooms you can enjoy the entire property for up to 1213 guests. It is a great solution for those looking to escape crowds and just enjoy quality time together.
We offer a variety of retreat packages which can be booked individually (pick your own dates) or offered to a group. From Surf & Yoga to a Spa Getaway Retreat, we have something for everyone.
On Tuesdays we host a popular Cooking Class that hotel guests or outside guests can join. Students will prepare a delicious 4-course meal which will be served to them by the staff. The class covers instruction, recipes, and the 4-course meal. It’s a fun, hands on food party which you will learn tips and tricks to bring a little bit of Costa Rican flavor home with you.
The fitness center at Los Altos de Eros actually makes you want to go to the gym! Open air, a spectacular view and everything you need for your daily workout. Or if you prefer a yoga class you can take a 60-minute hatha or vinyasa class with our instructor (who also happens to be Julia, one of the owners!).
Lastly, we offer our guests complimentary concierge service. Any tours or excursions they want to experience, we will arrange everything for them. Sunset Catamaran tour, Estuary Wildlife tour, Surf Lessons, Zip Lining, ATV, Chocolate Plantation tour, National Park tours, Horseback Riding on the beach and many more!
Since the pandemic, safety is on a lot of people’s minds. We help our guests every step of the way to feel comfortable traveling here and answering all questions they may have. We are always up to date on the latest travel requirements and protocols and have implemented extra cleaning and disinfecting protocols throughout the property. All of our staff wear masks, wash their hands frequently and we have placed hand sanitizer throughout the property.
Biosfera – an all-natural, biodegradable, handmade skin care line. We have custom & personalized products exclusive to Los Altos de Eros for all our amenities (Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Body Lotion and Hand Wash). We also use these products for the facials in the spa and sell them in our spa shop (face wash, lotion, scrub, sunscreen, etc.).
Café Huella – a small brand coffee roast in the mountains of Santa Maria de Dota - Tarrazú, with excellent quality and flavor, to satisfy all those who love good coffee, and in turn help with the protection of our wildlife. Every bag they sell they donate $1 to the wildlife and nature conservation of Costa Rica. We serve this coffee in the hotel and also sell retails bags to bring home.
LADE is located just 15 minutes from the popular surf town of Tamarindo beach and 20 minutes from another surf beach, Playa Avellanas. Also, only 1 hour from LIR airport so we are located not too far from the airport. Tamarindo first became recognized by a documentary/movie called “Endless Summer 2” starring our town celebrity, Robert August. Robert August still lives here today and shapes surf boards right on the beach in Tamarindo. The town of Tamarindo is bustling with shops and restaurants whereas the local beach Avellanas is more secluded and private. There are many other beaches in the area worth seeing –Playa Negra, Playa Grande, Brasilito, Conchal, Portrero and more.
Our particular neighborhood where we are located is called Cañafistula & Cebadilla. Los Altos has always prided ourself on our connection to the local community and culture and we
love to give back to our neighbors. Most of our staff live here in the neighborhood, some even are family members. We host a Christmas Party for all of the local children (about 80 kids) every year. It’s our favorite day of the year! The kids have lots of fun with a games, a clown (a Costa Rica tradition), lunch, snacks, drinks and best of all, a Christmas gift for every child & goodie bags. It brings us so much joy to see how happy the children and parents are on this day. On Easter, we drive around to every home and donate an entire chicken per household as an Easter celebration and an overall appreciation and gratitude for being our neighbors.
Did you know, this part of Costa Rica is considered to be 1 of 5 of the Blue Zones in the entire world? What is a blue zone? Blue Zones are regions of the world where a higher than usual number of people live much longer than average. Dan Buettner called it, “The Secrets of a Long Life” and we think we know a couple reasons why…
Our favorite part about living in Costa Rica is simple. Learning how to SLOW DOWN and appreciate life. We have learned and adapted so much love, patience and appreciation it is hard to even put in words. The food is healthy, fresh and abundant and they value and take care of the planet because it is their home. Most people live with much simpler means. Yes, it is harder to shop and no, there is no Amazon.com, but how much of that stuff do you actually need? We have learned what is really important and that’s the people you surround yourself with, how you react to things and the energy you put out in the world.
Costa Ricans (or “Ticos”) value connection above all else. If you truly live the “Pura Vida” or “Pure Life”, those are the ones that are truly happy.
Here you can view some of our guest reviews of their experiences with us on our TripAdvisor page.
Hotel Amenities
• Daily Breakfast
• Daily Cleaning Service
• 24-hour access to Infinity Pool, Exercise Center and Yoga Shala
• Hiking Trails
• Specials on spa services
• Wi-Fi
• Complimentary Laundry service (for stays of 3 nights or more)
• In room - A/C, ceiling Fans, Robes, Safety box, mini fridge, hair dryer
• Organic Costa Rica Toiletries
• Concierge Service
• Complimentary Transportation to nearby towns and beaches when you stay in one of our Suite rooms or book the Entire Property Rental! (Please note, this is not included for the Poolside King & Queen rooms)
Visit
“Here at Los Altos De Eros, everyone is treated like family. So you can sit back, relax and enjoy all that Costa Rica has to ofer.”
Julia Ambrose & Andre Silva
In Cairo we stayed at Marriott just a few walking minutes away from to The Egyptian Museum, Cairo University, tacular view of one of the Wonders hotel was originally built in 1869 as ming pool ever built in Egypt was opened
Mena House , which is located from Pyramids of Giza and a short ride University, and The Sphinx. The specWonders of the World cannot be beat. This as a hunting lodge and the first swimopened at the Mena House in 1890.
After another plane ride to Aswan , a cab ride, then being shuttled to the other side of The Nile, and one short ride in a golf card, we arrived at the beautiful Movenpick Hotel , which blew us away by its incredible location. It’s positioned on the island on the Nile. The experience of getting a boat to get to and from the hotel is one of the coolest things we’ve ever done. And then the hotel itself: with its positioning, it feels like a small oasis in the middle of another busy Egyptian city.
In Luxor we stayed at Hilton Luxor and loved every minute of it. The views of the Nile in the morning and at sunset are breathtaking. Imagine yourself at the pool, relaxing with a drink in your hand while looking at the blue-green Nile waves, or at a dinner table at sunset, in a good company, having an intimate conversation, creating memories that will last you a life time.
Mike and I have been together since we were 17 & 18 years old when we met in High school in Lorette, Manitoba, Canada. Mike was born in the small northern town of Gillam, MB and moved to Ile Des Chenes with his parents and 2 brothers when he was 8. I was born in the Netherlands and grew up on a small potato farm until we immigrated to Canada in 1980 with my twin sister, older sister, parents and grandparents, to buy a farm and to grow grain. Mike and I married in 1994 and have 3 sons, 22, 20 and 17.
We now live in La Salle, Manitoba, Canada on a farmyard where we run our family business with our sons and our main office remains in our home. We are very hands on owners, very involved with every aspect.
Mike and I have both in love with the Caribbean and the mesmerizing turquoise waters since our first trip together to Cancun, Mexico in 1990. We had always dreamed about owning something in a tropical setting as we both love the heat but we never imagined what has transpired since that first trip.
We bought our first Property in St. Maarten in 2009 after spending some time in Florida looking for an investment property and not finding anything we liked. We decided on a whim to fly to the Dutch island of St. Maarten after my mother encouraged us to not give up. We had wanted to see this tiny Dutch Island that is duty free with no taxes. It seemed very intriguing and had always piqued our interest because of my Dutch heritage and Mike liked the ‘no property taxes’ and cheap beer. My parents were baby-sitting our 3 boys in our home at the time so we thought why not and we quickly drove from Fort Myers across to Miami to catch the last American Airlines flight to St. Maarten. Upon arrival they asked where we were staying, we had no clue but remembered seeing a bright neon sign with ‘Mary’s Boon’ on it when landing, so we said Mary’s Boon and that is where we stayed our very first night in paradise.
We soon ventured to the other side of the island and fell in love. We found the perfect villa for us and we spent many weeks living and enjoying the island and when not, we rented it short term. We realized quickly that St. Maarten is a favorite American holiday destination with the ease of flying into the island with multiple daily flights from Miami, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta and others. Over the years, and as we became more comfortable with the island, we kept looking for a piece of land to purchase to build a vacation home for our family. One winter, when at home in Canada, we saw a listing for the perfect Ocean front property in the upscale neighborhood of Guana Bay, where ministers and government officials and professional live. We though it was the perfect spot for us. Mike’s parents were on the island at the time and took a look at the property and agreed with us, and put in an offer to purchase.
We found an architect and had plans drawn up, we found a reputable construction company to build our home. Gisela, the lady whom owns the company was also a Concrete Engineer so we were excited that we had the perfect fit to build our vacation dream home. Villa Amalia, from the time we purchased the property to finalizing the construction took 6 years to build with many challenges or as we say, 2 steps forward, 3 steps back and a common questions we now ask, which ‘Monday of which Month’.
Construction in the Caribbean has been one of the most challenging things we have ever done, however it has brought us many wonderful times and memories and has allowed us to spend more time in paradise than we ever anticipated. We use laughter and fun to get us through the hard times and we were forever grateful that our 3 boys were the least of our worries, had it been different, we would not have had the freedom to be away for longer periods of time.
In 2017 we had a visit from Hurricane Irma and now faced many more months of repairs to fix the damages. In the end, it took over 7 years to build to completion. My mother and I were at Amalia putting on the final touches such as purchasing local art, installing internet, etc when Irma came over the islands.
To this day I am grateful I did not realize what was going on outside of our master bathroom, where I had put my mom in the tub and covered her with couch cushions in case a window broke and we would have flying debris. I huddled between the tub and bathroom door also with cushions for protection, hoping the door would not give in and break. I remember taking a peak out the bedroom door when it was quiet, I shut it so quickly, so horrified of what I had just glimpsed. It was all very surreal, like being in a movie, just unbelievable. It looked like an atomic bomb had been set off and finally came to realization, those noises we heard was the furniture, broken glass, railings, fixtures, rocks and other debris, scraping on the tile floors and on the concrete driveway, being dragged by the force of the winds. We say that Irma had a mean hunger as she stole 3 fridges out of our home, all scattered on the driveway, the main fridge being tossed like a toy, landing poolside. A fridge that took 6 adult men to carry down the stairs into the kitchen. Just a toy for Irma to throw.
We replaced new with new, which is truly a heartbreaking thing to experience. No one ever imagines having to replace brand new with
brand new. New Furniture, appliances, windows, a/c units, glass railings, doors, etc needed replacing and purchased all over again.
On a more positive note, our vision for Amalia is something that grew on us as we were building. We always kept in mind that we would want to share this villa with guests when we were creating and designing the villa. We wanted to offer our family and guests a brand with a certain level of luxury and comfort with spacious rooms while staying modern/contemporary and visually appealing for a relaxing atmosphere.
We did a lot of research on the luxury market and had many meetings with Carimo, a local rental agent that specialized in luxury vacations. Together we discussed what was missing in the market, a missing niche we could improve on, to offer a brand new luxury villa that exceeds expectations. Luxury was new for us to say the least, we have always been very simple people, so it was a learning curve.
We want for our guests to walk in, drop their bags, enjoy a warm welcome with a glass of champagne and immediately feel their stress and worries leave.
To know they are somewhere magical that transpires them to feel rejuvenated and relaxed just by the sheer beauty of the landscape and the villa.
Tranquility combined with luxury, to know that you are in a place where everything will be taken care of for you, whether you want to jump on a private catamaran tour, have a relaxing massage, make a gourmet dinner with our private chef Tamisha or have a car dropped off in the driveway for you to explore the island. We have a diverse family with different tastes and needs and we kept everyone in mind, including our guests when we designed the villa.
We intentionally designed a Luxury Villa in a Sun destination that gives you the option to enjoy outdoor living with the soft trade winds while never having to be in the direct sun for those with sun sensitivities. Every room offers a covered outdoor space, including the pool deck. We built the salt water pool with 3 different depths so everyone could enjoy. Whether you are 2 years old or 75. It offer many, whether you prefer swimming laps, doing water sports, floating, relaxing on one of the long pool benches with your favorite cocktail and novel, or to simply enjoy the magnificent views from the pool. It was also extremely important to us that we could offer something special to a person with a disability, to offer a property where they could enjoy time with his/her spouse or family, without having to use stairs. For this reason, we created a master suite on the main floor that would allow free movement on the entire main level, from the bedroom to the spa room, indoor/outdoor living areas, the kitchen and pool and deck, all with ease.
Villa Amalia is one of the most spectacular villas on the Dutch side that offers unprecedented privacy and our family is very proud of having created this landmark for the island of St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean. We continue to promote it to the people of St. Maarten and abroad for our guests.
We named the villa after Amalia, the Princess of Orange and the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She was born in December 2003 and is 17 years old. My 76 year old mother, Grietje had suggested this name to us and we thought it was brilliantly fitting.
At Villa Amalia, we host many big groups celebrating a special occasion or seeking a relaxing vacation yet after a year or so we realized to truly experience the villa the way we envisioned, it is best to have guests experience it in a more intimate bed & breakfast setting. This allows us to personalize the guests experience t o detail and really focus on the guests so they leave relaxed and rejuvenated.
When booking as a Bed & Breakfast our guests will get to enjoy our true VIP treatment, including airport pick-up, a complimentary welcome charcuterie board with a bottle of chilled French Champagne waiting in your suite, a stocked beverage fridge, Nespresso machine in each suite and some handmade island soaps for you to take home. Guests can take advantage of their own private concierge service, and enjoy a daily gourmet breakfast in addition to having the option to order and create your own a la carte meal made for you by Chef Tamisha.
We are very excited to transition to a luxury bed & breakfast and look forward to hosting many guests in the future.
Note from the editor:
As we visited Villa Amalia, we fell in love with the beauty of the property, people, who took care of us every step of the way, and the stunning views we woke up to see very day. Our trip flew by in a blink of an eye. We didn’t want to leave. We left a part of our heart at Villa Amalia.
We miss amazing breakfasts from Tamisha. We miss our late night conversations at the dinner table about everything, from life to our latest adventures.
We miss hanging out by the pool after a day, filled with (for us) work and adventures. We miss waking up to one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen. A view that is not possible to describe, it must be experienced.
Villa Amalia is not a vacation rental. It’s a place that becomes your home, from the first moment when you step your foot on the property grounds. entire property to ourselves.
Visit Vialla Amalia’s website for more info.
I was born on the beautiful island of Sint Maarten, 35 years of age. I am a Private Chef at Villa Amalia and a mother of a son.
I was raised in Sint Maarten by my mom, who was from French St.Martin and my dad is from St.Lucia, but truly I grew up with my grandmother from the Dominican Republic. She cooked and baked constantly and I always was in the kitchen learning something new with her from her coconut tarts, sweet potato puddings to her pumpkin bread, baked butter breads and so much more, it never ended. Although I was in the kitchen, never thought I would have been a Chef today.
I left Sint Maarten to study Marketing and Communications in Holland and found it boring and whilst talking with the professor he asked what I liked to do in my spare time, I responded “cooking of course”. He told me to try culinary school, and that we need to follow what we love. I discussed it with my mom and she agreed and allowed me to switch courses and like that I fell into my greatest passion.
I earned level 4 Culinary degree in Groningen at Noorderpoort College, I did many stage’s in Holland but came back shortly after graduating and worked immediately at the Westin Dawn Beach Hotel in Sint Maarten.
I sttarted off as chef de partie in the 4 diamond Restaurant “Aura” and trained with the best chef to date Raymond Southern. He trained me along the line of the other Sous chefs.
My most admired chefs is Raymond Southern. He taught me to love what I am doing. To taste, feel, elevate and create myself in what I make and give out to others. He always pushed me to be more than safe. It was always safe to make mistakes wit him. My greatest wisdom lesson, is accepting who I am and not to be afraid to try.
I love my Caribbean flavors of spicy, robust earthy spices, but I love Italian cuisine, there is so much passion in what you create it is not a cookie cutter (follow the recipe) book. It is intense flavors of feeling, tasting inspiration of quality products so simple and so elegant when combined with homemade pastas, sauces, little gnocchi’s that is bodied with a great paired glass of wine.
I love coming to work, it is my getaway from the headaches and stress of life. Every day with every interaction with my colleagues, my guests the joy of making others smile. Makes everything worthwhile. Once I step in to my kitchen I keep creating, refining my craft and more. There is always something new to learn,it is just like art.
Villa Amalia in itself is a gem of seclusion, tranquility and beauty. To work as a private chef in this gorgeous one of a kind villa on my island, is the best thing ever and I am so appreciative of Mike and Lia for having me here. They are one of kind, this is my home away from home!
My dream is to open my own restaurant, on the island we have been through so much due to the devastating storm Irma in 2017 and now dealing with Covid 19. It has been very hard on the tourist industry for all businesses but I am determined to succeed in accomplishing my goals.
I see myself in the next 10 years, with a restaurant on the beach with a mix of every culture. But also I would like to travel to each island and write a book of each island’s best delicacy that I have tasted, enjoyed and combine them and make it a one “Caribbbean Sea”of many flavors recipe book. A taste of the sea!!!
The walking tours introduce you to the culture of the people and quite often your meals will be joined with some passing elephants and other wild life. It literally will take your breath away as you see how nature and people can
As you look over the next few pages you will see the beauty and detail that Taasa offers to
It is sure to be a stay you will remember always.
The peace and quiet, and attention given throughout the experience at Taasa will change the way you view a safari experience. Each and every detail is planned ahead for you so that you can rest, relax and thoroughly enjoy the wonder of the serengenti and the wildlife that lives here.
The Food. Again no words can really describe the difference. It is how food was meant to taste. Unaltered, unmodified, grown and culivated the way food should be. Each meal brought a new experience of tast and enjoyment.
OLYA HILL brings her passion & professional background in production into all she does, both creatively and professionally. She brings years of research into the psychology of customer behavior and is widely known for her work as the Creative Director for LivingNotes®. Her work in photography has been sought after by many global brands. She maintains a leading edge on creating visual presentations that have wowed readers and clients alike.
Olya is a well-respected and sought-after thought leader and innovator in the fields of advertising and human psychology. She has developed unique methods of using color undertones and hues to shape viewers emotional responses. While undetectable, these methods have been proven effective to promote specific reactions from readers when viewing images and videos. Her work has been featured in various digital and print publications such as Goop, Parents, Pregnancy and Newborn, Real Simple, and Thrive Global to name a few. Her unique creative advertising ideas have been placed on the Times Square Billboards.
BABAK
AMIREBRAHIMI ,
a Los Angeles based photographer, grew up among his dad’s rolls of film and camera lenses with many hours spent at shoots and in the darkroom having endless conversations on techniques, composition, and what it takes to create compelling images. Bobby’s singular perspective, creativity, and storytelling abilities combined with his technical perfection are apparent in every single one of his shots. He mainly draws inspiration from nature and people as he gravitates to create real, meaningful memories of moments when light, shadows, emotions, and imagination come together in perfect harmony. His experience, expertise, and ability to create are extremely diverse. Bobby is able to create imagery that one would expect to be found in National Geographic just as easily as capturing street style in a film-like matter. He is also fully accomplished in producing commercial imagery for clients. His unique take on seemingly ordinary objects and the ability to combine that with clients’ vision is one of Bobby’s biggest strengths.
