Greece advised to sell islands

March 05, 2010 - Greece

Greece should sell some of its uninhabited islands to raise cash to avoid bankruptcy, two German parliamentarians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition suggested on Thursday.

"The Greek state must sell stakes in companies and also assets such as, for example, unpopulated islands," Frank Schäffler, a member of parliament for the pro-business Free Democrats, told the Bild daily.

Hainan Rendez-Vous 2010, China's Yachting Epicentre

February 24, 2010 - Sanya

The plan released on December 1st by the China State Council for the development of Hainan as an international tourism destination ("Ideas for the acceleration of the development of the tourism industry") highlights the importance of yachting in the future development of the island.

The 2010 Hainan Rendez-Vous to be held next month in Sanya will strengthen the island's reputation as the new Chinese Riviera.

"Hainan is determined to grow its marine and yachting industries as a key component of a wider tourism strategy," says Mr.Luo Baoming, governor of Hainan Province, ahead of the first Hainan Rendez-Vous set to take place in April 2nd-4th at the Visun Marina in Sanya.

Conrad Koh Samui luxury villas to be launched in HK

February 18, 2010 - Koh Samui

Thailand´s latest luxury branded villa development, the Conrad Koh Samui Residences, will be launched at an event in Hong Kong next month.

The development boasts 32 private residences and are located on a hillside on the south west tip of the island, approximately 45 minutes from the airport. They offer spectacular views of the island’s idyllic archipelago and access to a private beach.

The villas will be managed by Conrad, the contemporary luxury hotel brand within the Hilton family, offering owners access to a wide range of facilities including world class dining, swimming pool and signature spa, gym, kid’s club and library

Koh Rong to be “Asia’s first environmentally planned resort island”

February 17, 2010 - Cambodia

CB Richard Ellis, the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm, has been appointed by The Royal Group of Cambodia as exclusive advisor and sole agent to introduce investors in developing the island of Koh Rong, Cambodia for international tourism and real estate development.

“CB Richard Ellis is delighted to be appointed as the lead consultant for Koh Rong. We are very conscious of our responsibilities to create a sustainable and ethical approach to the development of one of Southeast Asia’s most pristine and untouched islands” said David Simister, Chairman, CB Richard Ellis Thailand and Cambodia.

The Koh Rong archipelago, 30 minutes by boat from Cambodia’s main coastal town of Sihanoukville, is being hailed as the “next Asian Riviera” – following the success of Phuket, Ko Samui and Bali.

Luxury Koh Samui Villa for rent

February 03, 2010 - Koh Samui

Baan Ling Noi, a spacious four bedroom, infinity pool villa in Koh Samui is offering very special rates from just US$300 - $650++ per night during the first half of 2010.

Baan Ling Noi (which translates to Little Monkey House) has been featured in many luxury travel magazines whose writers have loved its stunning interiors and spectacular location on a lush hillside, with panoramic views over the north coast of beautiful Samui.

The spacious open-plan villa is fronted by a totally private 14m x 6m infinity-edge swimming pool, overhanging tropical landscaped gardens and the green jungle below.

Song Saa Island Resort, Estate of the day

January 27, 2010 - Cambodia

Known locally as Song Saa – ‘The Sweethearts’ – this idyllic pair of islands located in Cambodia’s untouched Koh Rong Archipelago will soon be home to a resort and just five jungle and over-water villas.

The private residences, which feature two en-suite bedrooms and over 270 sq m of living space, will be built with a focus on sustainable construction while also offering the latest technological comforts such Bose sound systems and Wi-Fi broadband.

A testament to Cambodia’s growing tourist sector, first class resort facilities will compliment the island’s natural beaches, reefs and rainforests.

Ala Moana by Omiros One Architecture

January 26, 2010 - Queensland

Ala Moana, is a newly constructed project on Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

The home’s name is derived from a Hawaiian term that translates to “ocean pathways,” a reference to the winding path that circumnavigates the house before arriving at the entry.

This elegant building was planned by Australian architect Omiros One Architecture to make best use of the views and set at dissimilar levels to follow the natural land slope with negligible cutting into the site.

Set in Stone

January 19, 2010 - Seychelles

The remarkable natural beauty of this island in the Seychelles has inspired an equally striking architectural experiment, where residences blend into a Jurassic landscape.

Located northwest of Madagascar off the east coast of Africa, the Seychelles archipelago dates back more than 100 million years, when the Gondwnaland super-continent broke apart, leaving a sprinkling of islands jutting out of the western Indian Ocean.

Pristine beaches, chlorophyll-rich forests and towering granite mountains comprise the area, which was first discovered by Arab explorers in the 9th century.

Own your own island in the Bahamas for $80m

December 23, 2009 - Bahamas

If your dream is to buy an island, you need to follow your heart to the Bahamas. According to a recent report in the Telegraph, the 850-acre L-shaped Great Whale Cay island is up for sale for $80 million.

Great Whale Cay island belonged to “Joe” Carstairs, heiress of the Standard Oil fortune, and was visited by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the Forties.

There are historic buildings (Great house, lighthouse, and church), rare flora and fauna and watersports and diving.

Buy your own Japanese island

December 17, 2009 - Hiroshima

The Chugoku Local Finance Bureau revealed that it is planning to sell off the Japanese government-owned and uninhabited Mitsuko Island in the Seto Inland Sea, about a kilometer off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. The competitive bid sale will be a first.

The sale is part of an overall program to sell off unused assets, and the finance bureau is scheduled to hold a tender for the island in February.