CELEBRITY BEACH HIDEAWAYS

Celebrity Beach Hideaways
Where do the rich and famous head to soak up the sun? To relax and unwind after filming, escape for a week-long sojourn or fete in the sun with other celebrities? Martina Stritesky uncovers the top five celebrity beach hot spots for 2008. From exotic & faraway locales like St. Tropez, France to the more well-known spots like South Beach, Florida we’ve scoured the world to find out where the gorgeous go when they tire of the Hollywood spotlight.
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Miami Beach	Nassau	Cabo San Lucas	St. Tropez	Croatia

Alcove King Suite at the Delano in South Beach

Miami Beach, Florida
A Mecca for celebrity sightings, and a haven for the rich & famous, Miami is high on the list where stars choose to spend some quality down-time. Why? This sparkly city is high on fun. From Latin lounges to plush resorts and gourmet cuisine, this little spot known as the American Riviera was epitomized by Will Smith’s hit song in the early 90’s.

Stargazing: Just about everyone on the A-list has dipped their pretty toes into the waters of Miami. From Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Hudson to P. Diddy, Ricky Martin and John Mayer, the list of whose-who reads a mile long. It’s also where Matt Damon and Lenny Kravitz call home.

Stay: With a private beach, private poolside cabanas and plush suites, the Delano in South Beach is the ultimate in celebrity-studded chic. Designed by Philippe Starck, this all-white hotel is located in South Beach’s Art Deco District. Stars like Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Alba have rested their pretty heads on the hotels uber-high thread count for a good night’s sleep.

Dine: Since opening its doors in 2001, Nobu at the Shore Club has been serving sake & sushi to countless celebrities. With Robert De Niro as owner, it’s no wonder that celebs feel at home amongst their very own.

Nassau, Bahamas

The grand oceanfront foyer at the Cove

Nassau, Bahamas
Made up of 800 different islands and atolls, it’s no wonder that the Bahamas is one of the hottest secret hideaways for celebs—there’s plenty of space for privacy! From designer shopping and restaurants that rival any world-class city to crystal-clear waters and beaches to suntan by day, this pretty little paradise is quickly becoming the latest lush celebrity hangout for 2008.

Stargazing: Oprah, Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage all call Bahamas home with houses on the island. Tiger Woods, Cameron Diaz, Johnny Depp, Lauren Conrad and Shakira have been known to jet-in for the weekend.

Stay: If sleek opulence is your thing then The Cove—the newest hot spot that’s been hosting a slew of celebs since it’s opening in 2007—will meet your needs. The resort’s breathtaking open-air architecture and lush tropical water gardens of lagoons and lilies will impress even the most disconcerting traveler. Cain—the resort’s adults-only pool—boasts chic day beds to catch rays and private cabanas for secret rendezvous.

Dine: Dine like 007 in Casino Royale at the swank and sexy One&Only Ocean Club. This uber exclusive resort features a gorgeous restaurant by the sea—appropriately named Dune. Feast on lobster and champagne for the ultimate candlelit dinner by water.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The Oceanside view from One & Only Palmilla

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This celeb beach hot-spot is not slowing down anytime soon. A favourite amongst VIP’s for decades (Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby were known to sing a tune or two there), the A-List flock to Cabo for its gorgeous beaches, amazing nightlife—and its close proximity to Los Angeles. Hot since the 1950’s, the still-exotic destination on the tip of Baja, California, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, is surprisingly still quaint and not yet over-developed.

Stargazing: Friends Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox have been known soak up the sun on more than one occasion in Cabo. Newlyweds Eva Longoria and Tony Parker have visited and Nick Lachey has vacationed with both then-wife Jessica Simpson and current squeeze Vanessa Minnillo. Cabo is hot for more reasons than one.

Stay: Kerzner’s One & Only Palmilla is a favourite amongst the rich and famous. After an $80 million renovation, the beautiful flock to this luxe locale for the ultimate stay in pampering and seclusion. Each swish guestroom offers an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. How swish. John Travolta even hosted his 50th star-studded birthday bash here.

Dine: You don’t need to go farther than the hotel’s restaurant by famed Chicago Chef Charlie Trotter. For the ultimate star-worthy dinner, the resort offers private dining along the sea and under the stars.

St. Tropez, France

The port of St. Tropez at night

St. Tropez, France
Located on the luxe & uber-chic shores of the French Rivera, St. Tropez has been the playground for both celebrities and royalty since Brigitte Bardot made the coast her spot of choice in the sixties. Luxury yachts, chic cafes, and cobblestone streets are all set upon the stunning backdrop of the coast’s beautiful beaches and clear blue sea. No, not new on the A-List…but some things just never go out of style.

Stargazing: These sun-drenched shores have welcomed the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, Bono, Paris Hilton, Johnny Depp and Bruce Willis all in the last year alone. Also on the list? First couple of Hip-Hop Beyonce and Jay-Z. Tom & Katie with Suri in tow. Need we say more?

Stay: Do as the rich and famous do. Rent your own private yacht—starting from around $30,000 a night.

Dine: There’s much to see and do beyond the pristine water and beaches. High on the list of to-dos on its cobbled stone-streets is people watching at some of the city’s famous café terraces. Check out Sénéquier and Le Gorille. Order an afternoon champagne and settle back for few hours of star-spotting.

Croatian Islands

Adriana Hvar Marina Hotel lounge at dusk

Croatian Islands, Croatia
In recent years, it is rumoured that celebrities & royalty alike have docked their luxury yachts and dropped anchor in the newest IT shores that make up the Croatian Islands in the Adriatic Sea. Deemed to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the islands of Croatia along the Dalmatian Coast are garnering small but steady world-wide attention. The pristine coastline and centuries-old islands, such as Hvar, are earning the name of the new Riviera. Packed with the young, the beautiful, and the rich, get ready to hear more about this newest hot spot in years to come.

Stargazing: Prince William, Tom Cruise, Ralph Lauren, Paris Hilton, and Norah Jones are amongst some of the first to celebs to visit the islands. Summer 2008 promises more A-listers to get in on the action.

Stay: On the super-trendy island of Hvar, it’s newest luxury hotel, Adriana Hvar Marina Hotel & Spa, is perched on the promenade facing the beautiful old city centre – and in the hub of all the action. With a roof-top sea salt pool and a built-in Sensorí Spa (recently named on the Leading Spas of the world), this luxury boutique hotel will surely be attracting the well-heeled this summer. Book early to secure a stay.

Do: A night of dancing is called for on the party-island of Hvar. After dinner at Macondo or Yaksa (known for their excellent seafood and yachting crowds) VIP’s gather at key spot Carpe Diem on the harbour for a night of dancing and plenty of socializing. Drop by during the day to put your name on the guest list. Rumour has it that it gets very busy, very early. If your night calls for an avant-dancing cocktail, head to the beach bar Hula Hula – one of the only spots on the island where you can get a clear view of the orange sunset over the Adriatic sea. Ahhh.