tampa bay

Largest Wine Collection Reveals $30,000 Bottle

Filed under: Wine

The world's largest restaurant wine collection happens to be found in Tampa Bay, Florida. Bern's Steakhouse has a collection with nearly 500,000 bottles and recently senior Eric Renaud found a rare treasure in the cellar. Local news source WTSP reports that Renaud unearthed a bottle of 1947 Chateau Latour tucked away behind some other bottles. The prized Bordeaux will be part of Bern's new wine list when it's released next month and will have an asking price of $30,000. The report is that the bottle was likely bought in the 1960s by restaurant founder Bern Laxer. The bottle cannot be reserved but will be sold to the first customer who comes in and orders it once it hits the menu. Don't get your cellar ready, the restaurant does not have a package license so whoever buys it also has to drink it onsite.

Tags: berns steakhouse, tampa bay

Villalenda De Avila, Estate of the Day

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Our Estate Of The Day is in Avila, an exclusive, 24/7 guard-gated private club community, near Tampa Bay, Florida, and is priced at $11 million.

It is a 3-story brick residence on a 10-acre site, on the shores of Lake Chapman, of the only recreational sized lake in the Avila enclave. The residence features a circular driveway entrance brick pavers, natural stone columns and fountains. There is a six vehicle garage, a two car porte-cochere, a golf cart garage and a private wing with a separate executive boardroom, as well a two studios, maid's and groundskeepers quarters plus a great pool, tennis court, lakeside gazebo and boat dock. The professionally manicured grounds and winding walkways move through groves of oak and cypress to the shores of the lake.

The main residence itself is 15,547 square feet, with seven bedroom suites, six full baths, two half baths, six fireplaces, a wood paneled library with coffered ceilings, a center-island gourmet kitchen with extensive granite counters, a large Butler's pantry plus a walk-in storage area. Nearby is the family room with special 2-story-high half-barrel ceiling with a blue sky faux painting, a separate, raised game room, and exercise loft. These rooms display custom wood moldings, mantles, marble and hardwood flooring, palladium windows, plantation shutters and suspended balconies. The separate guest house overlooks the pool, spa and lake and features a full kitchen, living room, bedroom and full bath plus a pool bath and a large outdoor barbecue grill and entertainment pavilion.

This Estate of the Day was generously provided to Luxist by Luxury Home Magazine Greater Tampa Bay
For the Virtual Tour, click here.

Gallery: Villalenda De Avila

Tags: Avila, estate of the day, florida real estate, Lake Chapman, Tampa Bay

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Local Luxury: Tampa Florida's Top Day Spas

by Dawn Merrow (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

The best way to relax while vacationing in Tampa, Florida is a day taking advantage of local luxury at one of the area's premier day spas. Guests can rejuvenate in style, indulging in treatments and services that range from simple massages to ancient healing secrets. Tourists won't need to venture far from hotels or the beach to find these sanctuaries, as Tampa is rich in businesses that specialize in relaxation.

Awa
The name of this spa and wellness sanctuary means water in the Papiamentu language. This word, which is spoken on the island of Curacao was chosen by the day spa's founders to evoke the calm water brings to those who view it. This well known Tampa establishment combines cosmetic spa services with ancient spiritual rituals from around the world. The one of a kind experience of going through these treatments makes the somewhat high end price tags worth the expense.

Tahitian Gold Salon and Spa
Customers rave that the staff at the Tahitian Gold can perform magic. While this salon and spa focuses more on the salon end of the spectrum, there are few things more relaxing than feeling beautiful. After a soothing organic skincare treatment, guests can opt for cosmetic services like permanent makeup or Henna body art. The Tahitian Gold offers bridal packages for wedding party functions or wedding day preparation.
Level Salon
One of the elite Aveda Lifestyle salon and spas, Level Salon located in the Hyde Park shops is home to some of Tampa's best beauty and body treatments. The massage treatments at Level are listed as 'rituals' on their menu of services. Touches such as that transform the typical day spa trip into a decadent and stress melting experience. The perfect trip to Level is not complete without a pedicure. Guests dip their feet in baths of flower petals and feel like royalty.
SB Spa
The SB Spa and Beauty Salon is an ideal venue for a girl's day out in the lap of luxury. The on site nail salon can accommodate good sized groups at once and you and the ladies can split up to whatever treatments suit them. The facility includes services like a Vichy shower and infrared sauna. Guests can even enjoy a meal of spa cuisine while they are pampered.

Sunrise Earth Spa
Located in beautiful South Tampa, the Sunrise Earth Spa mixes holistic treatments with high end day spa accommodations. The principles employed by the highly skilled staff at Sunrise come from ancient healing techniques from Eastern therapies. The feature treatment at this day spa is the Brazilian body wrap. Guests who choose to experience this wrap treatment will emerge feeling almost like a new person.

Tags: best day spas tampa, day spas, florida real estate, tampa, tampa bay

Avila in Tampa, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Let me take the opportunity of today's estate of the day to remind everyone just how much I love getting tips on outrageous real estate. If you find a luxury property you think I should see, please use the tips form on this site to send in the info.

Today's estate was referred to me by Luxist reader Chris who rightly thought it would make an interesting estate of the day. Certainly we don't see homes this lavish in Tampa, Florida too often. The huge compounds usually tend to be on the Atlantic side of the state near Palm Beach or Boca Raton. Today's home is located inside Avila, a private country club community. The gated home is on over five acres overlooking the golf course, pond and conservation areas within Avila. The compound is over 28,000 square feet of space and with attached guest quarters it has 10 bedrooms. The home is pretty ornate. Outside it has a grand manor-like look. Inside there is a large ballroom, a library paneled in dark wood , 14 fireplaces, elevator, wine room. The grounds include a pool and spa with cabana and basketball court. Obviously a lot of money has been spent here but I question the overall effect. The dark wood, marble and touches of gilding. It reminds me of Villa Versailles in Malibu which is on the market for around the same price in that it aspires to grandeur but seems too overblown to be livable even for those with the most lavish of tastes. This home is listed at $25 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Avila in Tampa

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, florida, luxury real estate, LuxuryRealEstate, tampa, tampa bay

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Condo Units and Boat Slips Up For Auction On Tampa Bay

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Real Estate Developments

Get ready for another Florida condo auction. On September 6th, Bella Sol in Apollo Beach, Florida will auction off 23 condo units, five at absolute auction to the highest bidders. Bella Sol's private marina on Tampa Bay with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico will also sell 12 new boat slips with four selling absolute to the highest bidders. The auction will be held by J.P. King Auction Company onsite.

Bella Sol condominiums have six different floor plans with two, three and four bedroom villas including two-level penthouse units. Amenities include tiled exterior patios, porches and walkways, hurricane resistant windows and patio doors, granite countertops, stainless appliances, master bath with garden tub, two-car garage, and elevators in each building. The building also includes a pool or spa.

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Tags: auction, boat slips, condos, florida, real estate, tampa bay