Over the glad waters of the dark blue sea,
Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free,
Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam … 
—George Gordon, Lord Byron
We dedicate this edition of Luxury Defined to Byron, a larger-than-life Romantic poet, Englishman, and pleasure seeker who loved sunshine and the sea, so much so that he swam across the Hellespont—five kilometers—in about an hour and 10 minutes. (He also swam the Grand Canal of Venice, but that’s another story.) 
The point is, in all his short, prodigal life, Lord Byron never had a penthouse on the seafront, and there is something to be said for a water view. In Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, he wrote: “I was as it were a child of thee, / And trusted to thy billows far and near, / And laid my hand upon thy mane—as I do here.”
O, for the sky-high waterfront lifestyle! Imagine the verse emanating from the breakers had he been gazing down upon the “freshening sea” from an aerie in the clouds, all the while sunbathing and sipping that “blushful beaker of the Hippocrene.”
Thus, our ode to the water view: Luxury Defined casts its eyes on five waterside aeries, penthouses all, elevated high, with a seagull’s-eye perspective of the surf—”thy billows far and near.”
1. PH20 at Seasons – Naples Cay, Naples, Florida
Serenity meets the spectacular in this expansive 11,960-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom penthouse atop the Seasons, a premier high-rise development on Naples Cay.
Floor-to-ceiling glass lights the open-plan living space framing glistening Gulf of Mexico views, and opens onto the vast, glass-balustrade wraparound terraces, 4,843 square feet of them, with a 360-degree panorama of the South Florida coastline.
The gourmet chef’s kitchen, with an island breakfast bar, features champagne eucalyptus cabinetry with reeded glass faces, white Macaubas counters, and Miele appliances. 
The owner’s wing includes dual dressing rooms and bathrooms, a fitness studio with sauna, a morning room, and a lavish bedroom with a wraparound terrace and water vapor fireplace. The gulf-front spa is enwrapped in a living wall of greenery.
Herringbone oak floors, three fireplaces, and a backlit onyx wine bar are further highlights.
2. Giotto in Fontvieille, Monaco
This grand Monaco penthouse has a sunseeker’s rooftop garden deck facing the superyacht marina of Fontvieille.
The apartment’s entrance opens to the living/dining space and, beyond, a spacious terrace facing the marina.
There are three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a guest bath, laundry, and a staircase rising to the rooftop terrace, where the Jacuzzi and a Mediterranean garden await.
The topside amenities also include a dining space, outdoor kitchen, and a solarium. Cellar storage and a double-parking space are additional features.
Exclusive restaurants and boutiques and the historic seaport are among the draws of Fontvieille, the principality’s southernmost ward (and built almost entirely on reclaimed land).
3. Penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Turks and Caicos Islands
Penthouse 3005 is the pinnacle of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, a most exclusive development on the white sands of Grace Bay—ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches. 
Occupying floors 11 and 12, the residence offers 6,540 square feet of luxurious, light-infused living space with double-height ceilings and walls of windows to frame the 270-degree views of Grace Bay.
Three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, a den, and a dazzling open-concept living offer utmost comfort. The formal dining room is served by a spacious, teak-clad gourmet kitchen. But the highlight is the rooftop pool terrace, a serene, private retreat overlooking powdery white sands and calm turquoise waters.
Ownership comes with privileged access to the Ritz-Carlton hotel’s five-star amenities: a dedicated residential concierge, valet parking, in-residence dining, a spa and fitness center, three beach restaurants, high-end boutiques, Ritz Kids programs, the casino, and conference facilities.
4. Penthouse at Dubai Creek Residences, Dubai, UAE
Dubai Creek Residences, a luxury development on Dubai’s Creek Island, is the glamorous setting for this 5,457-square-foot, two-bedroom penthouse—and its spectacular 2,900-square-foot landscaped terrace overlooking the superyacht harbor at Dubai Creek, with the Dubai skyline as the backdrop.
Award-winning VSHD Design remodeled the residence in accordance with wabi-sabi, a Japanese design aesthetic that celebrates imperfection and impermanence.
Sustainability and environmental design are key. All materials, such as textured stone and weathered timber, were sourced locally. Adding to the ambience is a neutral, earthy color palette of dark brown, gray, cream, and off-white.
The result is an understated, minimalist aesthetic that enhances light and space, and the dialog between indoors and out.
Searching for a sanctuary high above the surf? Explore our portfolio of sea-view penthouses here.
