Trendy Resorts: Where Celebrities Holiday
Where to the rich, famous, wannabee famous and celebrities visit in Latin america? On the whole, celebrities are an invariably fickle bunch. It´s not culture that they seek, but rather beaches, nightlife, glamourous photo opportunities and the ability to say “I was in X trendy place last weekend” when they get interviewed or share stories with other celebrities. Which are the most exclusive resorts and destinations of Latin America? And which celebrities own hotels in Latin America?
In Mexico, Cabo San Lucas in Baja California is a real “celebrity hotspot”. Cabo San Lucas´ proximity to LA means there´s a regular influx of famous filmstars looking for a quick break. Celebrities are particularly attracted by the great beaches and glitzy nightlife. The One and Only Palmila Resort is a favourite celebrity hangout in Cabo San Lucas for celebs such as Brook Burke (below).
Brook Burke in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Florianopolis, a beautiful island in the South of Brazil, also receives it´s fair share celebrities and supermodels. Brazilian supermodel Gisele is known to be a frequent visitor to this surfing hotspot. Ponta dos Ganchos resort is one of the most upmarket in the area. Rio de Janeiro also sees plenty of celebrities visiting, who invariably stay at the famous Copacabana Palace hotel. Afterwards, they might visit consider visiting the trendy beach resort of Buzios, a few hours by car from Rio (quicker in helicopter), or fly up the coast for a party at the trendy beach resort of Trancoso.
Gisele spending New Years Eve in Florianopolis, Brazil
In the Carribean, the small island of St. Barts is on all “Paris Hilton wannabee” lists of top places to visit, ideally by yacht. Celebrities love the island so much, they´ve started buying lots of property there. God help the locals.
Catherine Zeta Jones on the island of St Barts
Celebrities don´t just go on vacations, some of them even own hotels. And, of course, other celebrities love to visit them. Film director Francis Ford Coppola leads the way - he owns a few hotels in Latin America, namely La Lancha near Tikal in Guatemala, Blancaneux Lodge in Belize´s Mountain Pine Ridge and the small beach resort of Turtle Inn in Placencia, Belize. I reliably heard from his marketing manager that he´s recently developing other boutique hotels in Buenos Aires and on the Riveria Maya. Leonardo di Caprio bought an island (100 acre Blackadore Caye) near Ambergris Caye in Northern Belize. There he´s developing what will probably be known as Leonardo di Caprio´s Eco Resort in Belize - good on the man I say, I hope he understands the concept of ecotourism. Magician David Copperfield has conjured up an ultra exclusive small resort on his $50 million island (Musha Caye) in the Bahammas. You can stay if you can afford the $25,000 per night. To stay at Richard Branson´s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands might be an alternative if you have money coming out of your ears. Or there´s Catherine Zeta Jones and Micheal Douglas´ Ariel Sands, a 48 room luxury resort in Bermuda, at a far more reasonable $250 per night in the low season.
Where have you seen celebrities in Latin America and the Carribean? I watched an England football match alongside Gary Lineker in Barbados, and that´s it.
Seems to me that St. Barts has been a popular vacation destination for a lot of celebrities during the 90’s.