Opulence meets sustainability at Casa Cavada, a clifftop super villa located on a private island in Panama. Olivia Palamountain reports
Islas Secas, a luxurious private island resort located 20 miles off the coast of Panama, has announced the opening of super villa, Casa Cavada.
The exclusive-use property is an architectural marvel designed by Hart Howerton that hugs a clifftop and blends seamlessly with the surrounding rainforest.
The villa’s striking design draws inspiration from the flora and fauna that surrounds Islas Secas, an undulating roof mimicking the wings of frigate birds and fins of rays.Sustainably sourced materials, including eucalyptus from Brazil and local coral stones, feature prominently throughout the structure.
Casa Cavada has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and amenities including a semi-Olympic infinity pool, private beach and dedicated staff.
The villa costs US$20,000 per night for up to 8 guests, on an all-inclusive basis.Inside, guests will find interiors by Studio Tre, which has implemented a carefully curated mix of custom tiles, Spanish and European furniture and local artworks. Twenty-four traditional molas, hand-made textiles by Panama’s indigenous Guna tribe, decorate the walls alongside oil paintings from emerging local artists.
The lower level houses a grotto constructed with lava stone boulders from the Chiriquí Highlands, while the 25-metre infinity pool offers uninterrupted views of the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Sustainability is at the heart of Casa Cavada and the wider Islas Secas resort. The property utilises solar power, composts food waste and employs water conservation techniques.
The private villa joins seven existing casitas and tented casitas at all-inclusive Islas Secas, which offers fine dining, adventure experiences, spa treatments and daily yoga sessions.Guests can explore the archipelago’s rich biodiversity through activities such as whale watching, scuba diving and nature hikes.
Islas Secas is made up of 14 volcanic islands and can be reached via the resort’s private plane from Panama City or by flying to David and hopping on a boat transfer.