HAUTE LIVING SAYS SANCTUARY CAP CANA IS A PRIVATE SUMMER RETREAT FOR THE WORLD’S WEALTHIEST
Source: Haute Living
Where do the world’s wealthiest people go for the ultimate stay? Look no further than these ten 5-star retreats which cater to the rich and famous.
Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort & Spa
Photo Credit: http://c2a.studio
Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort & Spa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is a luxury all-inclusive, adults-only resort fit for kings and queens—and not just because it resembles a castle. This is a place to do or just be. For the doers, there are theme parties, live music, five swimming pools including a saltwater pool, ping pong, dance lessons, beach volleyball, two lit tennis courts, tennis clinics, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship golf course, boating and fishing, and yes, even shopping. For VIPs looking for complete privacy, book the Castle Island Suite, which offers quiet accommodations attached to its own private island on the Caribbean. Castle guests need not step foot in the common areas or lobby of the main resort, as they can enjoy their own butler service, three indoor plunge pools in the suite, access to the Castle’s terrace pool and the Ocean Club lounge, and their very own concierge service.
Necker Island
Photo Credit: Necker Island
Sir Richard Branson’s private retreat in the British Virgin Islands is available for a full rental, sleeping up to 30 people in 15 rooms for $77,500 per night. At his Necker Island abode, you’ll find a floating sushi bar; a giant chess set; and beaches for days. If wildlife is your thing, you’ll see it here in spades: lemurs, flamingos and tortoises all call the island home.
Laucala
Photo Credit: Laucala Island/Instagram
At Laucala a private island refuge in the Fiji archipelago in the South Pacific, you may never see another guest—though the resort itself is set on almost 3,500 acres. Stay in one of the 25 Fijian-styled villas, which are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle, for endless days of dining at one of five restaurants; exploring on one of the 14 house boats; horseback riding; golfing at the 18-hole, 72-par championship-level course; or indulging in a spa day. There’s also an onsite submarine, free of charge. How cool is that?
Petit St. Vincent
Photo Credit: Petit St. Vincent/Instagram
Like Necker Island, Caribbean retreat Petit St. Vincent can be booked in full. Those seeking the ultimate privacy will experience all the resort has to offer: two restaurants and bars, an extensive wine cellar, a Balinese-managed hillside spa and wellness center, seven beautiful beaches and over 130 staff members dedicated just to you. Yes, really.
Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay
Photo Credit: Musha Cay
Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay, illusionist David Copperfield’s mystical retreat in the Bahamas, is the ultimate private island escape. embodies the ultimate private island escape. Unlike other retreats, which offers the option for a private island rental, this tropical retreat is available for exclusive rental only (for $42,000 a night at a minimum of five nights). Between two and 24 guests can stay at this vast retreat, which is comprised of 700 acres on 11 islands, with 40 sugar sand beaches at your disposal. Musha offers a lighted championship tennis court with a thatched roof gazebo for relaxing between sets; a beachfront, air-conditioned gym with state-of-the art equipment; use of a jet boat, catamaran, sailboat, waverunner and windsurfer; AND—last but not least—Houdini’s own billiards table. What? As if that isn’t magical enough, Copperfield’s team can arrange for a fireworks display, live music, or even a one of a kind treasure hunt.
The Brando
Photo Credit: The Brando
The Brando is French Polynesia’s premier private island resort, offering carefree luxury on the beautiful Tetiaroa atoll, just 30 miles north of Tahiti. As conceived by the late, great Marlon Brando, The Brando is an eco-sensitive retreat that reflects Polynesian lifestyle and culture while still offering the rich and famous the luxuries they enjoy. This includes haute cuisine courtesy of Guy Martin, the man behind the Michelin two-star restaurant Le Grand Véfour in Paris; the finest holistic Polynesian-inspired treatments in the Varua Polynesian Spa; and water sports including snorkeling, paddle boarding, Polynesian canoeing, scuba diving, as well as guided island explorations led by naturalists.
Jumby Bay
Photo Credit: Jumby Bay/Instagram
If you want to get away and make it really hard for others to find you, Jumby Bay is your jam. Set in one of the most beautiful, undisturbed places in the world, this newly refreshed Caribbean resort is reachable only by boat. There are a plethora of three-and-four-bedroom private villa options here, all of which have charming names like “Jabberwocky” and “Whispering Palms,” though the extremely wealthy should request one of the private residences. The Mariposa, specifically, is the one to beat thanks to its own fire pit, tennis court, croquet lawn, infinity pool, basketball court and putting green, as well as its own private dock. You may never need to leave the estate—though we recommend doing so, if just to check out the Jumby Bay Spa (which was voted “Caribbean’s Best Resort Spa 2018″) or taking a spin on the resort’s own catamaran.
Hayman Island
Photo Credit: Hayman Island by InterContinental
Australia’s very own private island retreat, Hayman Island, has been reimagined with a little (or lot of) help from the Intercontinental brand. Located on a pristine 988-acre private island by the Whitsundays, the 166-room luxury resort has undergone a spectacular, multi-million-dollar refurbishment that features new restaurants alongside a plethora of bespoke experiences such as seaplane rides boasting breath-taking views of the Great Barrier Reef. For the most private of stays, guests can book one of the private residences, which are perched on the hilltops of the island overlooking the bay. Completing the immersive on-island experience is a brand-new luxury spa with 13 treatment rooms, a resort boutique and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Kujira-Jima Island
In the Kagawa prefecture of the Setouchi Region of Japan (named a must-visit destination this year), guests can book the entire island of Kujira-Jima Island for themselves and glamp in a fully-furnished luxury cottage. To get there, guests will be charted there by the Seto Yacht Charter, the only luxury yacht charter in the area, where they’ll also get a chance to island hop across the 12 Art Islands during the Setouchi Art Triennale, an art festival held over 105 days and featuring 150 international artists. Travelers can spend the day lounging and relaxing on Kujira-Jima or leisurely visit all 12 of the art islands. This is a true experience for the luxury lover who’s looking for something a little different from their norm.
North Island Photo Credit: North Island/Instagram
There are just 11 villas on North Island, a tropical retreat in the glamorous Seychelles—10 presidential villas and Villa North Island. Also known as Villa 11, this decadent, 8000 square foot spot whispers privacy and seclusion. From the surprise of the concealed entrance across a leadwood bridge, to the wooden waterfall of decks descending to the beach, it’s really beyond the ultimate for the rich, the famous, or both. There’s also a marble bathtub, because why not? The experience extends beyond your villa: there’s a spa; scuba-diving; snorkeling; fishing; kayaking; private beaches; and yoga, as well as a restaurant, a bar, in-room dining and private dining. In case you were curious, you can also book this entire island retreat, should you need even more privacy.