"Wealth may be an excellent thing, for it means power, and it means leisure, it means liberty."

- James Russell Lowell

When I think of exclusive luxury estate living, four specific communities come to mind. Carlton Woods, Benders Landing Estates, Teaswood and Bentwater on Lake Conroe offer something special for those with discriminating taste.  They are the first communities I recommend to those who have earned the lifestyle. Each community has a different set of amenities, distinctive and individual as the clients making the choice.

The newest, and perhaps the most popular, of these communities is located within The Woodlands. Known as “The Premier Address in Texas”, Carlton Woods does everything to live up to that reputation. Although this community is nestled within an already prestigious subdivision The Woodlands, there is no doubt that you have arrived in a place reserved for only a few when you pass through the ornate gates and see the grandeur of Carlton Woods. A gated community offering homes from the $500’s to $4.3 million plus, it offers residents a lifestyle afforded only a select group of people.

The Club at Carlton Woods offers two top-rated golf courses. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is the only one designed by this golf legend that you will find in a gated Houston area community. The course was designed for golfers of all skill levels and winds amid tall pines and beautiful lakes. The Avid Golfer rated this course as No. 1 in 2007.

In 2006, Carlton Woods welcomed a new golf course behind the gates. Carlton Woods Creekside carries on the tradition of luxury in its newest location. This impressive address includes a Fazio course which opened in April 2006. Immediately, others took notice and was named the Best New Private Course in Texas by Golf Digest in 2007. 

Another option for luxury living is Benders Landing Estates. This community takes a different approach to meeting your need for elegance and sumptuousness. Set apart from the hustle and bustle of a large subdivision, it is still extremely convenient for those who commute to Houston or Bush Intercontinental Airport. All homes are located on one acre or more and appeal to those who prefer to enjoy an abundant lifestyle off the beaten path.

With homes priced from the mid $300’s to more than one million, one waterfront or wooded home sites, residents find this to be their perfect sanctuary nestled among the lush forested surroundings. Many are attracted by the low property taxes and no MUD tax, but there is so much more to cherish in this community. Quality deed restrictions protect your investment, while high-end amenities soothe your soul.

The clubhouse offers a large swimming pool and a fully equipped workout facility. You’ll find a lakeside park with hike and bike trails, playgrounds and sports courts. The fully stocked fishing lakes give one more way to enjoy this relaxed, yet lavish way of living.

If you are willing to travel a little farther north, near Conroe you will find Teaswood…and a little bit of heaven. Less than five minutes from I-45 and the amenities of Conroe, you will pass through the gates into a world of natural beauty and seclusion not found in other places. Offering homes from the mid $400’s to $1.5 million and more, this community sets itself apart from all competitors. Teaswood takes advantage of the lush rolling terrain, natural flowing springs, flowering magnolias, towering hardwoods and unspoiled native wildlife.

Teaswood is much more than you are used to experiencing. It has been a quiet world of distinction since it opened in 1996 with 1-3 acre estate home sites. Gated access limits traffic through the neighborhood and restrictive covenants protect the look and feel of this densely wooded environment. One of those restrictions requires a scenic buffer of natural foliage on all sides of each lot.

The Teas Nursery family once owned this property and used the fertile soil to cultivate a wide variety of plants. Residents report finding exotic foliage that has naturalized in their own back yard as a bonus to the wide variety of natural flora of the area. A conservation area has been set aside for all to enjoy with a hike and bike trail that follows the shoreline of the lakes and offers shaded rest areas and comfortable fishing spots.

For waterfront luxury, there is nothing finer than the life you will find in Bentwater. Known as the “Crown Jewel” of Lake Conroe, this 1,400 acre gated community offers the exceptional resort lifestyle you deserve. Located between the Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Conroe’s 22,000 acres of sparkling water wonderland, the setting is stunning, lush and invites your spirit to relax. Bentwater boasts 12.5 miles of shoreline, 2 private islands, a full service country club with 54 holes of championship golf, a yacht club, marina, and a fitness club with day spa.

With such golf designers as Tom Weiskopf, Jay Morrish, Jeffrey D Blume and Scott Miller, residents are assured of challenge for the avid golfer plus enjoyment of nature’s finest scenery. From the tall pines and hardwoods to the rolling terrain, the setting evokes a deep appreciation of the east Texas landscape and shimmering waters of Lake Conroe. Bentwater is the only private gated, waterfront community in Texas that offers 54 holes of championship golf.

Homes are offered in a wide range of prices and styles with patio homes available around $200,000. While the premier waterfront homes are priced upwards from $2.5 million. Strict architectural guidelines respect the value of neighboring homes and respect the integrity of the land. As of the last major tracts of land on Lake Conroe, the quality of life is unparalleled.