5 months ago 33

Bonding Beyond Borders

The Luxury Buddymoon Trend Peaks at These Prestige Escapes

Hollywood jetsetters and pro athletes alike have made buddymoons a buzzy, rising trend for 2024, a way to emphasize the power of enduring friendships. Here are three next-level, over-the-top options for the most discerning of friend groups. Hangers on need not apply.

Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, Thailand

As I traverse the pristine shores of Koh Phangan, where lush rainforests meet crystalline waters, I find myself enveloped in the splendor of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, the only luxury resort in the unspoiled vicinity. Meet the buddymoon venue made for spa and culinary loving hedonists. Nestled amidst the half-moon shaped Thong Nai Pan Noi beach, this oasis beckons those seeking a retreat from the ordinary, a haven where kinship is celebrated in style.

Anantara Rasananda offers a respite from the island’s budget reputation with 64 sumptuous rooms and private villas adorned with deep plunge pools, many overlooking the azure sea. Every morning of my stay, I am greeted by the harmonious fusion of contemporary Thai design—white walls, dark wood and thatched roofs—aesthetic elegance meets untouched wilderness. From the high ceilings to the polished wood floors and traditional Thai fish trap lamps, each element exudes local charm. Private butler service at Anantara Rasananda is solid—friendly and attentive to any whimsy your buddymoon inspires. Enjoy complimentary yoga with the resort’s in-house master or indulge in pampering spa treatments amidst bungalows perched on rocks rising from the forest floor.

If your group chat is 50 percent chatter on best new restaurants to book your next table, this buddymoon will deliver on culinary delights. The resort offers a feast for the senses with its array of dining options. From all-day dining at Bistro at the Beach, featuring Thai and international dishes with an emphasis on fresh seafood, to the tantalizing flavors of Yukinoya, serving some of the best sushi on the island, every meal is a culinary journey of epic proportions. The true highlight of Anantara Rasananda is creating unforgettable memories with friends through bespoke experiences. From private dinners on the beach under the starlit sky to immersive cooking school sessions in the resort’s spice garden, every moment is an opportunity to celebrate the bonds of friendship.

Anantara.com/en

Villa Avellana, Costa Rica
From the moment I set foot upon the meticulously manicured grounds of Villa Avellana, it becomes abundantly clear that this is no ordinary five-star escape. From a buddymoon perspective, this is the latest and greatest venue in Central America. I’m in absolute awe of all the bonding rituals on the menu here—sportfishing trips, massage treatments, afternoons of chocolate making and wine sipping. The beauty of this place is rooted in the hyperlocal details; it’s a designer paradise nestled along the pristine shores of Costa Rica’s captivating coastline.

Villa Avellana, Costa Rica

Born of the visionary dreams of a once barefoot surf aficionado turned luxury hospitality mogul, this majestic retreat epitomizes the pinnacle of refined living amidst the untamed tropics. This whole villa is built on buddymoon vibes all grown up—the founder reveled in hosting surf buddies, kicking back and making memories. Sharing the peninsula with the Beyonce and Jay Z-favored Four Seasons Resort Papagayo and chic Andaz Costa Rica, Villa Avellana is a step up—if privacy is top priority. The 33,000-square-foot Villa Avellana can accommodate friend groups of up to 23 guests for $22,000 a night in low season, offering 10 ensuite bedrooms and a 42-foot luxury yacht on standby. Designed by Sarco Architects, it sits on an ultra-private sandy beach and is staffed by 20 attentive hospitality pros who orchestrate adrenaline-spiking adventures, couture dining and cultural immersions for guests with ravishing attention to personal interests.

Led by Thomas Freitag, the Swiss Army knife of General Managers, the staff fires in all cylinders. The dashing and sporty Canadian-born GM personally takes guests wildlife watching, trophy fishing or surfing. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to spearfish, you couldn’t have a better local guide than Freitag. Chef David Moya is the villa’s secret weapon; I marvel at his symphony of sensory delights, as well as how the staff seems to know when I’m dehydrated before I do.

A testament to the enduring allure of the “Rich Coast,” Villa Avellana offers jetsetters a resplendent haven where indulgence knows no bounds. Whether savoring the succulent flavors of Wagyu beef raised on Costa Rican soil or embarking on a sunset cruise with lead concierge Sergio Jean at the helm, buddymooners rest assured that every desire, no matter how extravagant, will be effortlessly fulfilled. This magnificent retreat remains a harmonious extension of the verdant jungle that envelops it, a testament to the property’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Villaavellana.com

Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
For a truly discerning buddymoon for fintech bros and beyond, design your own Cyrus timepiece while staying at the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne. This exclusive offering includes a two-night stay, a private door-to-door helicopter transfer to the Cyrus Watch workshop in Le Locle, and a personalized watchmaking experience with a Cyrus master craftsman. Celebrate your custom creation with a visit to the heavenly Alpine Spa followed by a dinner and wine pairing. Return to the resort to collect your bespoke timepiece within six months and enjoy a one-night stay. This “Beyond Imagination” experience starts at $28,000.

Bond x Bürgenstock is another offering made for next-level buddymoons. Switzerland is one of the most popular James Bond filming locations and The Bürgenstock Collection has hosted many glamorous scenes on and off camera. In 1964, Sean Connery and the crew shooting Goldfinger spent a month at the Bürgenstock Resort, shooting scenes near Hammetschwand Lift. Bond enthusiasts remember 007’s pursuit of Goldfinger along the spectacular bends of Furka Pass in his Aston Martin DB5. The Bürgenstock’s Hollywood Pool and Bull’s Eye Bar made glamorous film sets.

In celebration of 60 years of 007, The Bürgenstock Collection offers Bond enthusiasts top notch experiences in some of the very locations where iconic scenes were filmed. Think Aston Martin driving experiences, a thrilling Alpine Summit Helicopter Experience, landing on a glacier where your personal chef will conjure up a Swiss raclette served with Martinis, a cabana afternoon at the glamorous Hollywood Pool, picnics on the famed Schilthorn Summit, a visit to the Omega Watch Museum to revel in the private collection of Bond watches worn over the years, private 007-inspired dining at Bull’s Eye Bar with a menu based on Bond’s favorite dishes, with cigars and, of course, dry martinis.