Privacy, security, and exclusivity are the hallmarks of a privileged lifestyle, and all are in focus for this Luxury Defined showcase of homes in prestigious residential resort communities across the globe.  

Once inside the safety of those gates, it’s all about the lifestyle offered therein. Consider the jet-set lifestyle in the "Beverly Hills of Marbella," minutes from the glamorous Marina Puerto Banús. Or head to those Rocky Mountains high, where a luxurious Aspen lodge offers world-class skiing and four-season adventures. 

Or perhaps a home in an opulent, fully appointed, turnkey estate amid the shady pines and palmettos of one of the world’s top golf courses: Of course, it comes with members-only access to the legendary Bear’s Club, the home club of golf’s great Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. 

Let the gilded gates of these ultra-luxury retreats swing open: You’re home at last. 

1. The Vines Resort & Spa in Mendoza Valley, Argentina 

Opens in new window

The Vines Resort & Spa in Argentina’s Uco Valley wine region was among Condé Nast's Hot List of the 33 best new hotels in the world. 

Encompassing nearly 1,500 acres of vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, the resort includes a five-star hotel and 22 contemporary villas designed by Bórmida & Yanzón Architects. 

Ranging in size from 990 to 2,691 square feet, the homes feature spacious living areas with fireplaces, luxury bathrooms with soaking tubs, and private balconies and rooftop terraces with views of the vines and snow-capped mountain peaks. 

Owners can partake in a whole or fractional ownership program, knowing that their villa will be taken care of when not in residence.  

Among the unique resort experiences are vino-therapy spa treatments, horseback riding with local gauchos, and producing small-batch wines under the supervision of world-renowned Argentine winemaker Santiago Achaval. This is a vineyard ownership experience like no other. 

2. The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, United States 

Founded in 1999 by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, and his wife, Barbara, The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida offers members and their guests a world-class golfing and lifestyle experience. 

The signature estate at 126 Bears Club Drive overlooks the 11th green of the 7,164-yard, Nicklaus-designed championship golf course. 

The 16,316-square-foot house provides seven bedrooms, 12 full bathrooms and five partial baths, and took more than two years to design and build. The result is a magnificent home and a remarkable work of art. 

Homeowners can “bask in the glory of adjacency to a spectacular golf facility.” Just beyond the water that guards the 18th green sits the Golden Bear’s grand Tuscan-style clubhouse.  

Members of this prestigious Jupiter golf community receive five-star, white-glove services, a concierge program, restaurant, bar, and private dining. Additional amenities include a driving range, par-3 course, tennis courts, and a gym. 

Related: Discover 5 Beautiful Golf Course Homes

3. Sierra Blanca in Marbella, Málaga, Spain 

Dubbed the “Beverly Hills of Marbella,” Sierra Blanca is a gated community of seven villas only minutes removed from the hustle and flow of Marbella’s Golden Mile and the glamorous Marina Puerto Banús.  

This villa’s 18th-century entrance gate leads into a private courtyard (paved with stones from an ancient Roman road). The domed, magisterial facade and variegated tile roof (with its solar panel array) disguise the home’s contemporary soul and its almost playful take on opulent architectural style, details, fixtures, and finishes.  

The monumental front door opens to a grand entrance hall and a sweeping vista of the Mediterranean Sea. Farther along the living spaces—a formal dining room, living room, office, and kitchen—wrap around the atrium and its grand reflecting pool. Beyond, an open veranda looks out on lush, palm-lined gardens with a long pool and separate pool house. 

An elevator and a sumptuous marble staircase link all three levels, including the upper-floor suites (all with private balconies and spa-like baths) and the lower level, with a cinema, wine cellar, billiards room, and guest/staff apartment. 

4. Starwood in Aspen, Colorado, United States 

The premier Aspen, Colorado, gated community of Starwood is the setting for this log-style Rocky Mountain estate, which sits on a level, 3.11-acre lot with breathtaking mountain and valley views from nearly every vantage. 

The 9,600-square-foot, six-bedroom, six-bathroom home features stone walls, flagstone floors, wood-burning fireplaces, and large picture windows to frame the scenic vistas. 

Appointments include a great room, fully equipped chef’s kitchen, a primary suite with dual en suite bathrooms and closets, a billiards/game room, and a triangular indoor pool facing the mountains. The property also includes a caretaker’s apartment and a 1,100-square-foot detached barn with a garage. 

Situated on a high mesa just under three miles northwest of Aspen, Starwood encompasses 960 acres of private ranchland with views of Mount Daly and Elk Mountain Range, from Independence Pass all the way to Mount Sopris. 

Related: Explore Our Aspen Destination Guide

These luxury homes in gated communities aren’t the only ones to explore. View more listings or read other property gallery articles.