Browse this year’s most exciting real estate opportunities, selected by the editors at Robb Report Monaco & Côte d’Azur.
BEST FLOATING RESIDENCE: ULYSSIA
The sea has long been a place to escape—a destination for holidays. But ULYSSIA marks a bold departure from that tradition. This pioneering residential superyacht invites you not just to sail but to stay and make the ocean your home. With luxurious private residences, top-tier amenities and a global itinerary, ULYSSIA is set to redefine life on the ocean. Spanning an impressive 320 m, the vessel is the brainchild of renowned Monaco-based designer Espen Øino and is being built by the esteemed German shipyard Meyer Yachts. It will house 133 bespoke residences and 22 guest suites, ranging in size from 110 m² to 953 m².
Each residence can be tailored with the assistance of world-class interior designers, while residents will enjoy an array of shared facilities—including seven restaurants, an artisanal food market, multiple lounges and bars, state-of-the-art fitness and wellness centres, and a nightclub. Outdoors, sun decks, a beach club, swimming pools and a water sports centre—equipped with everything from scuba gear to a submersible submarine—await.
As no masterpiece can be created overnight, ULYSSIA is scheduled for delivery in 2029. The developer has enlisted several prestigious partners to enrich the experience, including Chenot for the on-board spa and EYOS Expeditions for itinerary consultancy. The yacht is set to journey gradually around the globe, lingering longer in each port to foster deeper connections with local cultures. Every voyage will be thoughtfully curated to reflect the passions and interests of its residents, offering an oceanic lifestyle unlike any other.
BEST RENTAL VILLA: VILLA CAPTIVA
There’s nowhere quite like St. Barts in winter. Blending French sophistication with the charm of Caribbean culture, this idyllic island offers the ultimate escape from the chill of the French winter—whether for holidays in the sun or a glittering New Year’s Eve celebration. Among its most prestigious addresses is Villa Captiva, a secluded sanctuary overlooking Marigot Bay. Offering guests their own slice of paradise, the estate boasts a rare luxury: its very own beach, serviced by a private beachside pavilion and bar.
The property, accommodating up to 16 guests, comprises six separate bungalows (one of which is being finished as we write) designed for both privacy and connection, with elegantly styled interiors and generous terraces that invite open-air living; there are also two staff accommodation houses, designed and finished to the same standard, that would make an equally outstanding stay.
A serene lounge overlooks the heated infinity pool, while uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea can be enjoyed from every room. There’s also a fully equipped gym and a lush tropical garden perfect for al fresco relaxation.
And this is no ordinary self-catered villa. Service at Villa Captiva is of the highest calibre. On request, guests are treated to world-class amenities and impeccable hospitality—from watersports and revitalising spa treatments to gourmet dinners prepared by a private chef and served beneath the stars. This is a refined Caribbean retreat where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
BEST BRANDED RESIDENCE: THE RESIDENCES MANDARIN ORIENTAL VIENNA
As the demand for hotel-branded residences continues to rise, discerning buyers are increasingly seeking homes that offer not only prime locations and exceptional design, but also the service, security and sophistication of world-class hospitality. Few names embody this lifestyle more fully than Mandarin Oriental—a brand synonymous with elegance, discretion and impeccable service. Now, with The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Vienna, the group brings its celebrated standards to a permanent address in the heart of one of Europe’s most cultured cities.
The exclusive collection of 25 private apartments developed by Brisen Group, a private investor and developer renowned for distinctive luxury properties in prime European locations. The residences span the top three floors of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, which occupies a beautifully restored historic courthouse dating back to 1903. Its restoration, led by architect Heinz Neumann, features interiors by acclaimed design studios Goddard Littlefair and Humbert & Poyet.
Prospective owners may choose from 14 elegantly appointed one- and two-bedroom residences, or 11 exceptional two-bedroom duplex penthouses—each featuring private rooftop gardens or terraces, complete with outdoor kitchens and hot tubs. Ownership comes with all the advantages of hotel living: access to the spa, swimming pool and fitness centre, along with bespoke services such as 24-hour concierge, housekeeping, in-residence dining and round-the-clock security. A residents-only lounge, grand salon and library further elevate the experience. It’s a new mode of city living, created for connoisseurs of the finer things.
BEST SAFARI LODGE: LION CAMP
Nestled deep within Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, Lion Camp is a celebrated luxury safari lodge that has captured the imagination of wildlife lovers the world over. Featured in countless documentaries and leading travel publications, it’s famed for its rich concentration of iconic species—from Thornicroft’s giraffes and elephants to Cape buffalo, leopards and, as its name suggests, lions.
One of the few locations in Africa where guests can enjoy walking safaris, Lion Camp offers an up-close, immersive wildlife experience. Set along the banks of the Luangwa River—a key tributary of the mighty Zambezi—the camp sits adjacent to an oxbow lagoon, a magnet for diverse animal life. Lion Camp’s beautifully appointed lodges and well-considered facilities blend authentic bush charm with understated luxury, allowing guests to experience the wild in true comfort and style.
This highly successful camp is now being offered for sale. More than a business opportunity for conservation-minded investors and safari enthusiasts, it represents a chance to become a custodian of one of Africa’s most treasured landscapes—supporting conservation, community and eco-tourism in one of the continent’s most ecologically significant regions. Priced at US$9.7 million (around €8.4 million), it’s a rare and extraordinary prospect: a private stake in the African wilderness.
