Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming? Every once in awhile I certainly do, and today it happened to be about some of my dream trips. Where would I go and what would I do if money wasn’t an issue. This was brought on by a recent listing for a Thai villa on Koh Samui that I think would be AWESOME to stay at for a week. While any of these may or may not actually happen I figured I would share with you some of my dream destinations that I have stumbled upon over the last few months.
Suralai, Koh Samui, Thailand
First, the one that inspired this post: Suralai Villa, Koh Samui, Thailand. I am not sure whether it is the massive infinity swimming pool, private gym, or house-wide hi-fidelity sounds system, but something about this place has caught my attention (ha!). For the low, low price of $1200 a night (during the low season) you and up to 12 of your friends can rent out this island wonderland. So I need 11 more people that are willing to pony up $100 a night in order to make this happen, all while understanding it could be during the middle of a monsoon…any takers??
Casa Boa Vista, Buzios, Brazil
Next up we have Casa Boa Vista, Buzios, Brazil. For many of you that have read about My All Time Top 5 Favorite Destinations, you know that I fell in love with Buzios when I was there earlier this year (Mariana I hope you are ready to see you favorite gringos again some time soon). About two hours north of Rio, and featuring some of the most amazing beaches I have ever seen, it is the ultimate tropical paradise. So who wouldn’t want to experience that with 10 friends in a fantastic villa? With a theater room, game room, two Jacuzzis and access to one of the most beautiful places in the world you can’t really go wrong…
Old Lion Manor, California
So for my birthday next year, I am thinking the Old Lion Manor may be an appropriate venue. I am not sure it is big enough to hold all of my friends, but I think people will certainly be able to find ways to entertain themselves in this MASSIVE “home” outside Los Angeles. I am not even sure how to describe this one, so I will just let you check out the photos and then respond with RSVPs for my big shin-dig next April. Note: Search youtube for “Old Lion Manor” and you will see videos of some of the most insane house parties I have ever heard of…
Burj al Arab, Dubai
Ever since I first saw a documentary about it on the Travel Channel, #60 on my list has been one of the items I am most excited about completing. The Burj al Arab has been continuously referred to as the worlds only 7 star hotel. Its not hard to see why as even the smallest suites are nearly 2,000 square feet and each comes with its own private concierge. I look forward to the day when one my personal butler will drive me around in one of their many Rolls Royce and take me on over to Ski Dubai.
The Canyons, Park City, Utah
Speaking of skiing, as much as I love all of these warm weather destinations, this list wouldn’t be complete without some kind of winter retreat. This massive home in Park City, Utah, is located not near, but ON the mountain known as The Canyons. At 11,000 square feet, it is big enough for 22 people, and for nearly $4,000 a NIGHT, I might need another 22 to come up with the money for it.
Alright so while this post may be a little far fetched, and many of you are probably thinking why even bother dreaming about places like this (especially for the minimalist crowd), I still find that is fun to think about from time to time. We all need a little suspense of dis-belief every once in awhile!
Eco House, Utila, Honduras
BUT, for those of you who have not enjoyed this post, I will add one more that is on a bit of a different level. This “eco-house” on the island of Utila off the coast of Honduras is $600 a MONTH. It is also one of the cheapest places in the world to go scuba diving, and one a destination that I am considering headed to sometime in the near future. I will keep you all posted, but until then don’t even think about trying to rent it out for the month of February 
.
If you enjoyed this article be sure to subscribe to my email updates and RSS Feed. Also, click on the photo to go to the original photo destination.
Join The Discussion
Wow. Just wow. Incredibly luxurious locales you’ve found!
Let me know if you do end up renting out something like that for a week. I’m thinking lifestyle designer/location independent people retreat! Takers? It’s high time we partied in real life, I say!
Sean,
Doesn’t the Heathman have some reciprocating agreement with these places on your list so you can stay there for $14 a night?!
Thanks for sharing these–its nice to add to my own list.
Take Care,
Jill
Jill’s current post: Romper Bomper Stomper Boo.
@Jill Well unfortunately even if they did, I probably wouldn’t be eligible since I usually am only at the Heathman for their Free Wi-Fi, with the occasional happy hour mixed in!
@Colin Absolutely, I think it needs to happen!
Ahhh Sean!
Wicked post man! I love it! All those places look so beautiful, I’m going to print this out in full color and keep it for when I’m starting my travels.
I went to Burj al Arab, Dubai, in 2006, and it’s really amazing!
I never went into the building unforunately, just on the beach in front of it and still have a picture
All the other places I must visit, I must say Thailand looks awesome!
Great post!!!
Wow, this was the post I was looking for!
My girlfriend is going to choose one of these spots to vacation in January. I of course would love to use the opportunity to test out the location independent lifestyle!
- Jun
I love that last one – the eco-house. I could definitely live there forever, really. And I’m an avid scuba diver too.
I’m with Colin on this one. Retreat!
That last eco-house is ROCKIN. Nice job putting together all these places.
Yes! I’m with Colin as well. A retreat sounds fantastic.
Ditto to Colin, Alan and Nate (I think that counts as 3 more votes for a retreat!)
You guys all realize I am going to hold you to this right? When I book it for next April and send you a $700 bill, you better not back down! haha
@Jun I really look forward to hearing about the location you select, as well as how the location independent stuff works out!
@Monica & Alan Yeah when I saw that Eco House I was immediately sold! It is booked for the next few months, but they have some availability starting in February. Seems like it’d be a good opportunity to go hang out in an awesome place and get a bunch of work done. Hopefully the stuff I read wasn’t lying about the available wifi…
Those places all look amazing! I want to hop on a plane right now (with a bunch of my friends to split the costs, of course).
$1200 a night in Thailand!?!?
That’s 2 months of living on one of the many other Thai islands during the dry-season!
You’ve definitely convinced me to go to Honduras!
I guess I’m right on board with everyone else on the eco-house. That place looks awesome.
loved it.. and whichever of these places you decide to go, whenever.. just let me know and i’m in!
well.. maybe not buzios.. i already have a place to stay there
What beautiful locations! I can just imagine relaxing in each of them. I’ve definitely add a couple of new places to my own dream destination list.
Honduras looks ass-kickin’ cool for 600 a month!
You know I’m in Thailand, so if you guys round up 10 or 12 folks to come out here, I’d sure be interested to join you on Koh Samui for a week. (As long as it’s not late April though—that’s the one month I visit home)
Awesome locations! That eco-house could be a great first step to the location free lifestyle.
For some reason, I’ve had this uncontrollable desire to visit Malta in the Mediterranian.
@Jonathan Malta would be a fantastic place to visit. Be sure to keep me informed if you make the trip! Thanks for the comment!
Hey, Sean, thanks for the wonderful writeup on the Eco House. I am the owner and the designer and an avid “fringe dweller” (that is my term for people who dare live alternative lifestyle). You definitively have a free week in the Eco House when you come to Utila. You will love Utila, it is the capital of alternative lifestyle. I lived all over the world, but Utila is something else. It is like a virus, it goes into your blood. I came four years ago to dive and never left.
Hey Sean, what a coincidence, I have been thinking about a stay at Suralai since September 09, during that period and now I been to The Racha, Phuket in Feb and London and Edinburgh in june but still want to stay at suralai. I had been offered $750 on reduced occupancy for 4 rooms and stay for 5 nights and pay for 3. What do think about the offer if I still get it?
Comments on this entry are closed.