Looking at these amazing Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia. Designed by Singapore based WOHA and built on 14.4 hectacres, the Alila Villas are a prime example of amazing sustainable architecture.

With Alila Villas Uluwatu, the architects wanted to create more than the usual stereotypical ideas of Bali, creating a design that worked with the dry Balinese Savannah vegetation and gently sloping site, not against it.

These modern contemporary Balinese villas use sustainable wood for construction (old timbre telegraph poles and wood railway sleepers) to replicate the typical dry Balinese Savannah vegetation.

Notable design features include the flat roofs, laid with batu chandi (local volcanic rock). This porous Javanese rock (a product of Mt Merapi’s eruptions) serves a threefold purpose: insulation; as a means of blending in with the local landscape; and for water absorption to support plant life.

Even the jigsaw-like exteriors of the pavilion serve more than an aesthetic purpose. The slats of these exteriors are made from a mixture of recycled wood and bronze, allowing for breeze to circulate yet maintaining privacy in partially shielding its occupants away from prying eyes.

The villas are perched on limestone cliffs with a stunning view over the Indian Ocean, large windows that extend into the natural open spaces. This green resort opens its doors to the public in 2009. Via Contemporist

Situated on the northeast coast of the Adriatic ocean, Montenegro is home to some of the most fabulous beaches in the world. There is nowhere else that you can find, in such a small place, so much natural wealth, beauty, mild beaches, clear lakes, fast rivers and gorgeous mountains !

Just a few weeks ago, Luxist reported on some ambitious new plans for the seaside destination. Now comes news on one of the biggest projects on the the Montenegrin Riviera, Royal Montenegro Grand Resort.

The resort will include a five-star 220-room hotel and conference center, a casino, nightclub, yacht club, spa, villas and condo as well as retail and restaurant space. In total the project is divided into four distinct zones and will cover some 66,000 m2. It will offer its clients an exclusive lifestyle with the ultimate levels of glamour and sophistication.

The resort is being developed in partnership between Joud Real Estate Funds and Monte-Mena. Colliers International Montenegro in co-operation with Colliers Greece, is the exclusive consultant for the project and is opening sales of residential units which are comprised of three types : palatian residences, villas and condos.

Palatial Residences, sized from 756 to 855 m2, have their own private garden, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Cascading Villas will be slightly smaller villas (305 to 480 m2) while Sea Front Condos with ocean views will be available in two or three bedrooms and one or two levels. They will all be constructed to the highest international standards and feature the greatest privacy and luxury.

Royal Montenegro Grand Resort will be constructed 8 km south of Budva and 4 km north of Petrovac, just 1km from Sveti Stefan, at Skocidjevojka, and will open in 2010.

1. Voted one of the top five resorts in Thailand, and situated high above the Andaman sea, Sri panwa comprises of 22 luxurious tropical contemporary private pool villas scattered throughout more than 30 acres of lush, tropical surroundings.

2. Sri panwa’s signature restaurant Baba offers relaxed dining with spectacular sea views, and is renowned on the island for both its authentic Andaman specialties, high-quality western cuisine, seafood and fresh grills.

3. A private fleet of boats and cars ensures that no destination in southern Thailand is out of reach. Stunning Islands are just minutes away from Sri panwa.

4. Experienced estate hosts will help custom-tailor excursions and adventures by both land and sea to suit your wishes.

5. Fans of Sri panwa include Gordon Ramsey, Bob Burns, P.R.S. Oberoi, Kenny G, Paula Taylor, Janesude Parnto, Michele Waagaard and Charina Sirisinha.

6. Personalized service with experienced and friendly staff. Highest quality products and maximum privacy.

7. All villas have private terraces, decks and salas, infinity-edge swimming pools and outdoor bathing areas overlooking the breath-taking Andaman Sea and outlying islands

8. At Sri panwa’s Sai Spa & Wellness Retreat, traditional techniques are offered alongside modern treatments such as sport massages, refreshing herbal exfoliations and soothing full body wraps, which can be enjoyed either in professional treatment rooms or in the comfort and privacy of your own villa.

9. The resort has a private beach with a swimming pool, beach club, water sports, and a swimming pontoon. Cooking classes, Thai lessons and other authentic Thai learning experiences are also available on request.

10. Sri panwa IS the Ultimate Resort experience!

Price range from: 25,500 to 159,800 Baht (Approx $750 to $4,700)

Sol Kerzner, the flamboyant hotelier, is to launch his new Dubai resort with a party so extravagant that organisers claim it will be seen from space.

The event, for the grand opening of the $1.5 billion Atlantis, The Palm, will have 2,000 VIP guests. Kylie Minogue will perform - her first concert in the Middle East - and the final bill for the four-day beachside celebrations is estimated to exceed $30 million, the London Telegraph reports.

The 1,500 room resort, located on the world’s largest manmade island, the Palm Jumeirah ( which has been built to resemble a palm tree when seen from above) features 16 restaurants including a branch of Nobu, and is partially bankrolled by the Dubai Royal Family.

Elite Traveler, the worldwide private jet lifestyle magazine, has recently released its much anticipated “101 Top Hotel/Resort Suites of the Year” in the July/August 2008 issue.

The Super-Rich continue to traverse the globe on private jets, experiencing the best the world has to offer in terms of hotel and resort accommodations, shopping, and living the private jet lifestyle.

The most expensive suite on the 101 Top Suites this year is in Europe, the $52,000/night Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva Switzerland, which is only reserved for Hed of states and celebrities

The highly anticipated Joule hotel opened in Dallas in May and hotel guests will have the chance to check out the amazing opportunity to swim in the pool ! but this is no ordinary rooftop pool! With this new attraction, the hotel went above and beyond… literally.

The pool extends beyond the building, out over the sidewalk above the 1500 block of Main Street! This infinity-edge pool will not only provide guests with a refreshing place to cool off and relax, but it is also another eye treat adding to the cutting edge excitement downtown.
Passers-by below can see swimmers, plus a nighttime light show from the 132 fiber optic lights in the pool.

Hotel owner Tim Headington, declined to say how much the project cost.
Rooms at the Joule, which is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide LLC’s Luxury Collection, start at $380 a night, with the 20th-floor penthouse rising to $5,000.