Affluent Page Features: Not Quite Cabos

The splendid Villas Del Mar resort is a sanctuary sure to delight the senses.

By Anja Bojku

Antoine de Saint-Exupry once wisely noted that "What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." The author's classic quotation can be applied quite literally to Del Mar Development's luxurious communities - an exclusive oasis clustered at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.

At Del Mar's privileged haven of plush home sites, nature and luxury are constants that define and harmoniously blend. Luscious palms, blue skies and the magnificent Sea of Cortez envelope each opulent colonial-era villa, and all are complemented by the finest in contemporary furnishings, equipment and amenities.

Every home reflects the spirit of rustic tradition and elegant modernity. Grand archways, terraces, columns and balconies of old Spanish Mexico are met by world-class contemporary infinity-edged pools, Jacuzzis, outdoor grills and bar lounges. Nature and luxury; Romanticism and comfort.

The home sites are arranged around one of Los Cabos' mountains in a way that is reminiscent of age-old Mediterranean towns, with some villas lining the pristine white-sand beach, and others carved into the mountainside. Perched high above, like a noble eagle, stands the Casa Fryzer, the crown jewel of Del Mar - a majestic stately structure coveted by industry leaders, media moguls and celebrities.

Built around the surrounding natural rock formations, the opulent Casa Fryzer seamlessly blends in with its environment, overlooking the entire Del Mar resort and Baja Bay, with stunning, unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez. Up here, the dominant color is blue - in all its variants. It's where sea meets sky.

Casa Fryzer's exterior is of intricate stonework, with a fortress-like expansive quality, bold archways and columned terraces, leading to a magnificent infinity-edged pool adorned with lounge-bar islands at each side and fire pits perfect for unforgettable soires. The inspiring design, as with other villas at Del Mar, embraces the natural bounties of its environs: the deep blue of the spacious infinity pool merges seamlessly with the Sea of Cortez and the sky above, creating a surreal feeling of living in an azure paradise.

This exquisite estate boasts five bedrooms, a private theatre, a fully-equipped gym and a splendid wine cellar.

The interior focal point of the villa is its rotunda-style living room, with a high wood-beamed ceiling and floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors that lead directly onto the main terrace and allow for spectacular views of the pool, sea and sky.

The dcor is a fusion of styles that evokes a sense of comfort and warmth. The interior is spacious yet cozy. Each room has access to the outside through sliding-glass doors that lead to terraces outfitted with chaise lounges. The design of the house seems inspired by open spaces, and as such, each room fluidly merges with the exterior, adding to the feeling of spaciousness, openness and aquatic exuberance.

It is an understatement to describe this astounding villa as stately. Casa Fryzer's unique blend of interior comfort, luxury, exterior elegance and fluidity of space make it truly the gem of Mexico.

Heading towards the beach, we see more of Del Mar's luxury communities, including the famed Villas Del Mar, which are nestled along a two-mile stretch of pristine beach. Carved into the hillside, with spectacular views of the sea, is Espiritu Del Mar, a new relaxing retreat with community spaces, including open green parks, a citrus grove, manicured gardens and miles of walking paths. The gated, sea-view Oasis Palmilla, featuring one-acre home sites, overlooks the Palmilla Golf Course.

These exclusive enclaves enjoy the amenities of a five-star resort. Residents have access to the private beach club, Club Ninety Six, where they can enjoy the luxurious infinity pools, wine cellars, fine dining, delectable poolside food, beverage service, a bar lounge and various water sports.

At Club Espiritu, residents enjoy the benefits of a private health club that offers high-end gym equipment, fitness studios, and spa services. This hillside retreat boasts panoramic views of the sea and surrounding mountains. It is also the trailhead for more than three miles of walking paths.

Guests can also utilize the services of the One&Only Palmilla Hotel, including spa services and dining at any of the hotel's indoor and outdoor restaurants.

Del Mar also boasts a 27-hole Nicklaus golf course that winds through the desert mountains and is fully accessible to guests. The Palmilla Golf Club is known for its gentle slopes, wide fairways and large but challenging greens.

Furthermore, guests have access to The Palmilla Tennis Club, the only facility of its kind in Mexico: it features two Har-Tru HydroGrid and three Plexipave courts, all illuminated by an environmentally designed lighting system that minimizes light pollution.

Del Mar Development, 877.847.1622, www.villasdelmar.com

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