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Privacy in paradise: the new statement holiday for the one per cent
Private island buy-outs by wealthy castaways (with quite a few friends) are booming in the Covid era
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Has anyone else been fantasising about washing up on the shores of a desert island, Robinson Crusoe-style (albeit with a rum shack and a few other luxuries waiting for them to elevate the “castaway” experience)? As the pandemic rages on and travel in 2021 looks potentially as complicated as last year, private island buy-outs will be the perfect solution (for those who can afford it) to a Covid-secure holiday in paradise, complete with friends and family flown in, and staff tested and quarantined in advance of your arrival.
This year, Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is once again available for private hire, after an extensive period of closure, initially for post-Hurricane Irma renovations and then coronavirus. With 20 bedrooms for up to 40 guests, it costs US$105,000 (£75,925) a night to live like the billionaire entrepreneur (meals and alcohol included).
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A few miles away, Branson’s lesser-known, part-owned Moskito Island is also opening this year, although holidaymakers can only rent individual villas through Virgin Limited Edition rather than the whole 125-acre island. The 11-bedroom Branson Estate starts from $25,000 per night (sleeps 22).
Last autumn, Kim Kardashian celebrated her 40th birthday on the French Polynesian island of Tetiaroa, near Tahiti, which is home to 35-villa resort The Brando. Completely cut off from civilisation, access is provided by private plane and anti-viral measures are stringent. According to a spokesperson for the property, since the pandemic, The Brando has had at least one buy-out a month. Rates start from €100,000 (£85,939) per night.
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Down in Panama, the 14-island archipelago of Islas Secas can be bought out for US$18,000 (plus 10 per cent government tax) per night, based on 24 guests who together inhabit a low-impact eco enclave of just seven “casitas” (complete with private plunge pools and outdoor dining decks) on the main island. In the Seychelles, groups of up to two dozen people can take over the seven square-mile JA Enchanted Island Resort with 10 villas from €9,950 per night (minimum stay of five nights).
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Meanwhile, in the Florida Keys, Little Palm Island (the only private island resort in the US) can be taken over by an exclusive group of 30 hedonists, who can avail of their own dedicated events planner to organise beach barbecues, cigar rolling lessons and casino nights. Buy-out rates start from US$250,000 for three nights.
For the same price (albeit per night), ultra-high net-worth groups can take over Vommuli Island in the Maldives, checking into the 154-guest St Regis, which has the John Jacob Astor Estate – the largest overwater villa in the Maldives, complete with three bedrooms, a kitchen, private gym, spa suites, infinity pool and cinema. Being alone, together, certainly is the ultimate luxury.
- See our guide to the world's most incredible paradise island hotels