When I was a kid, we went to Disney World quite often. Being from Tampa, our Florida-resident discount wasn’t something my family ever wanted to pass up. After all, most kids my age in Florida were Disney fanatics. Nonetheless, my mother would round up her Marriott points and — if we were lucky — book us a room at the JW Orlando Grande.
Disney was great and all, but even as a kid, I knew one thing for sure: no theme park could compete with poolside cabanas, five-star dining and uninterrupted relaxation.
So you can imagine the type of adult I turned out to be. One who still yearns to sit under a cabana with a strawberry daiquiri in hand—only now, it’s after a session at an Equinox-level gym, a visit to the spa, and maybe even a round of golf. A dream in my mind — but an everyday reality for some.
Enter my fascination with resort-style living – a curiosity fueled by conversations with real estate brokers Jade Mills and Scott Kauffman, who revealed how it can become a reality.
Living the suite life everyday
If you’re unfamiliar with what exactly resort-style living is, let me break it down for you. Resort-style living can be defined as a community or residence with access to amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, spa services and concierge assistance. In essence, it’s a luxurious lifestyle that lets you enjoy all the perks of a five-star resort — without ever leaving home.
One of the more well-known examples of resort-style living is none other than the Four Seasons Residences.
The Four Seasons has long been known for its idyllic getaway spots, with famous locations around the world (such as the Maui resort seen in the first season of HBO’s White Lotus), but in 1985, they officially launched a private residence division.
Since their first development, the Four Seasons Residences Boston, the division has expanded to 56 properties in 21 countries – boasting over 5,000 private homes and more than $12 billion in real estate sold.
Owning a home in one of these prestigious residences, or others like Aman Private Residences, means an owner-centric experience, with world-class amenities and even 24/7 housekeeping. The Aman Beverly Hills Residence, for example, describes its property as providing “harmonious living” in Los Angeles. According to Aman’s official website, each residence is fully serviced by Aman, with wellness facilities and priority access to those at the neighboring hotel.
LA luxury buyer desires: Full-service residence or secluded sanctuary?
While the Four Seasons and Aman Residences are heavily associated with their Los Angeles (LA) locations, the trend of resort-style living is far more geographically diverse than it may appear.
I assumed this trend is reserved for cities known for expansive, high-end real estate, but I was quickly proven wrong. Luxury buyers of the LA market have highly specific requests when it comes to the amenities – and sometimes, those deviate from what resort-style residences offer.
“I would say, people still love having their own homes,” said Jade Mills, a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Ambassador and Beverly Hills-based broker/owner of Jade Mills Estates. “That’s a given. But we are seeing people who want gated [communities]. They love the idea of the security of a gated area.”
While around-the-clock concierge services and onsite safety measures can be characteristics of a resort-style residence, ample privacy and space still remains top of mind for LA buyers.
“The view is still very important today,” Mills continues. “But people also want to have land. The ultimate is to have a view and the land.”
Sunshine State or resort style real estate capital of the US
Since many LA buyers weren’t quite sold on the resort-style trend, I turned my attention a bit closer to home: Southwest Florida.
Growing up in Tampa, I can see exactly why the region appeals to buyers chasing this kind of lifestyle. Each town scattered across the southwest coast offers the perfect setup for resort-style communities — they’re relaxed, scenic and rich in natural amenities (i.e., beaches, lakefronts, walking trails.)
“One part of Florida that remains hot on all the above levels is the fast-growing Sarasota-Bradenton market or overall southwest Florida region in general,” said Scott Kauffman, a Florida real estate broker and former contributing business writer for Golfweek magazine. He specialized in covering golf courses, private clubs and luxury resort-style developments.
“Case in point are the following trio of fully amenitized master-planned developments: Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota; Wellen Park, in nearby Venice; and Babcock Ranch, a little further south in Punta Gorda,” said Kauffman.
Lakewood Ranch: The Disney World of resort style living in FL
As Kauffman noted, Lakewood Ranch is hotter than ever. The community defies that of traditional resort style living, reshaping what all-inclusive amenities can look like. In fact, it’s hard to account for everything Lakewood Ranch offers.
Spanning 50-square miles, the community boasts seven resort-style living villages, with comprehensive recreational facilities, social programs and often lawn maintenance included in HOA fees. Star Farms stands out among the seven, with multiple amenity centers tailored to different lifestyles, resort-style pools, a coffee shop, poolside restaurant and bar, as well as a casual eatery serving American style cuisine.
On top of that, the community is located in a strong school district, with everything from dining on Main Street to its own onsite Sarasota Film Society movie theater. Luxury listings in the area start around $1 million and come with exclusive access to all the above.
Overall demand for resort-style in the US
One thing is for certain when it comes to resort-style living: branding is king. Whether it’s the Four Seasons, Aman or Lakewood Ranch, the common denominator for most buyers exploring this trend is a reputable company backing the community or residence.
“A brand is very important because people connect a brand with luxury,” says Mills. “If you’re building a big complex, it’s very important to have a brand.”
As for the future of permanent resort-style living, demand is unwavering — especially post-pandemic.
“Demand for exclusive private golf club communities and upscale resort-style developments powered by the coronavirus pandemic continues to be strong in many pockets of America,” says Kauffman. “And so long as we have continued global geo-political stability and economic clarity here in the States, I remain bullish in these real estate sectors.”
