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Hot tub and infinity pool with a Pacific Ocean view at Honu Pani, a villa from Exotic Estates. Exotic Estates As the temperatures plummet in much of the continental United States, heading off for a week or two in Hawaii seems like an excellent idea. For those who have the wherewithal to sample the most luxurious tropical lifestyles, the Hawaiian Islands are a prime destination. A company called Exotic Estates has made it their business to find the most rarefied properties, unique and spectacular homes that offer the best of the islands. One of their most striking properties is called Honu Pani on the Big Island of Hawaii. Designed by legendary island architect Lucky Bennett, it’s situated on the Kohala Coast, the most privileged location on the entire island. It’s adjacent to Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection resort, and the Fairmont Orchid, and within walking distance to both via a striking shoreline path. The front doors of Honui Pani. Exotic Estates Spinner Dolphins & Views of Maui You enter Honu Pani through imposing vintage carved wooden doors imported from India and step into a walled compound, open to the sky. It’s filled with tropical plantings and navigated via an artfully winding stone path that is suspended over a series of koi ponds filled with colorful fish. Fish ponds at Honu Pani, a villa on the Big Island, from Exotic Estates. Exotic Estates Asian stone artifacts abound, and there are a variety of rooms discreetly tucked away on three sides. It’s that moment that you realize that you’ve stepped into your own boutique hotel for a week, except that the only guests are you and whoever you bring along with you. The Great Room at Honu Pani, a villa on the Big Island, from Exotic Estates. Exotic Estates Enormous sliders open to a vast great room, and you have a view beyond of a half-moon infinity pool, a deep green privacy hedge, and towering coconut palms at the ocean’s edge. The house is elevated over the grounds, and when you step out to the pool deck, there’s a soundtrack of crashing waves and birdsong as doves and mynah birds swoop down for a visit, the music of relaxation. There’s a waterfall spilling over lava rocks, and as you’re looking out at the blue and green colors of the Pacific, the word “paradisical” is what comes to mind. If you’re fortunate, spinner dolphins will erupt from the waves, doing their acrobatic dance offshore. Thirty miles away, the island of Maui looms like the raised back of a whale in the middle of the Pacific. View to the infinity pool and the Pacific Ocean at Honu Pani, a villa on the Big Island, from Exotic Estates. Exotic Estates It's your own resort, a White Lotus set (minus the mayhem). On the pool deck, there are loungers that resemble caviar spoons, which seem appropriate. There is also a sitting area with couches and chairs perfectly positioned for sunset, greatly increasing your chances of seeing the green flash. Or you can opt to soak in the perfectly positioned hot tub for the magical moment. Honu Pani is a compound of the Hawaiian word “honu” or sea turtle and the Hindi word “pani” for water, so “sea turtle water.” On the shoreline, you’ll often see large sea turtles basking. What you don’t see are other people. This is a private paradise. A Yoga Pavilion and a Screening Room The hypnotic view that will likely keep you entranced for as long as you stay, but the home’s incredible interiors and spaciousness take it to another level. The nearly 7,000 square foot villa is on a single level, has five bedrooms, and can sleep 10 guests. Each bedroom is ensuite, featuring living areas for maximum privacy. Each one has an alfresco shower, surrounded by lush plantings and lava rock walls, and it’s a bit like showering in a Gaugin painting. There’s a private yoga pavilion, a glass-walled office (in the event you actually need to do a little work), and a posh screening room with eight enormous lounge chairs and surround sound. It’s the perfect place to watch Jurassic Park or another movie shot in Hawaii. From a design standpoint, it's a luxury beach villa with elements of an Asian temple complex. The Asian-themed mélange incorporates archways, stone Buddha statues, vintage doors, and Raj-patterned wallpaper in a home that is otherwise as modern as you’d ever want. Kitchen at Honu Pani.. Exotic Estates It’s ideal for two couples with kids, four couples, or just friends, who will love the enormous kitchen that’s incredibly well equipped – and begs for a private chef, who can be added to the rental cost - and an equally thoughtful outdoor kitchen for catching sunsets while grilling, Then there are the multiple gathering spaces, for this is really a house that’s all about gathering, about connecting, about shutting out the outside. It’s a self-contained world. Exotic Estates has also unearthed a few other properties of this caliber in the islands. Pauoa Beach Oceanfront Villa is also on the Big Island, about half a mile away from Honu Pani. It’s a 5,000 square foot villa with five bedrooms, an infinity pool, and uninterrupted views of the Pacific. Dali Hale at Secret Beach is on the island of Kauai. The 6,000 square foot villa has seven bedrooms and has cliffside views of one of the island’s most extraordinary beaches. Makena Kai on Maui is located on the southeastern corner of the island and features a five-bedroom, 4,000 square foot home with views of the neighboring island of Lanai. Sunset from Hanu Pani. Gayle Conran As for Honu Pani, it commands $4,200 to $10,000 per night, and for that, you can stay in a refined, verdant, gated setting amid jaw-dropping perfection, the Hawaii of your dreams. Visit Exotic Estates for more details, or Tyler Coons Maui if you decide you might actually need to buy a similar estate. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
