Who among us hasn’t daydreamed of being marooned alone on a far-flung island — or at least renting one in its entirety to share only with your most kindred cohorts? On it, you imagine yourself gleefully cavorting amid paradisiacal environs, splashing amongst the waves, and sipping fruity libations in whole coconuts with straws. There’d be no stress or work deadlines. And, mobile phones would only work when you really needed them. It all sounds deliciously hedonistic. On this fantasy island, nature dominates. But, what attracts you most of all is that you’re in charge of your island community. You make the rules and set the itinerary. What you do all day is up to you. Want to read a book in a hammock? Cast a line in the lagoon? Kayak to the horizon? As life slows to a veritable snail’s pace, you’ll unravel into relaxation more chill than your wildest dreams. Whether your goal is quietude and solace or an island takeover prime for the world’s most exclusive private party, these island havens aren’t all tropical. From Sweden’s Weather Islands to Tanzania’s turtle-brimming Thanda Island to the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora in French Polynesia, island escapes need only have a body of water around a parcel of land. Here’s where we like to hide away.
Thanda Island, a Leading Hotel of the World, Tanzania
Call it a safari within a safari — and one where the Big Five includes whale sharks and turtles instead of lions and water buffalo. Ensconced in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, this stunning sanctuary, a land mass appropriately shaped a bit like the sail on the local dhow boat, you can reserve the five-bedroom villa, as well as two smaller bandas (the local world for hut). Accommodating up to 18, the island celebrates the pristine surrounding geography and its marine creatures. With expert guides ever present, Thanda Island features both water sports and environmental activities — such as wildlife monitoring or seasonal swims with whale sharks and turtle-nesting work, as well as visits to neighboring islands and cultural pursuits.
Pricetag: Under the care of a talented chef and affable staff, this exotic stay is worth its $33,000 nightly price tag.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
From the airport a boat will whisk you through the bluest lagoon on earth to an island that lies beneath the shadow of stately Mount Otemanu, a mystical volcano. There, you and your entourage of up to 246 guests will disembark to explore your private resort, a jaw-dropping haven composed of bone-white beaches, Polynesian architecture, pools, a spa, restaurants, fragrant flora, French accents, and snaking piers that meander over the water to hold an array of overwater bungalows (108 to be exact). Along the shore, seven beachfront villa estates beckon. On your private motu (as smaller islands are known in French Polynesia), you’ll wear crowns of tiare flowers and learn some Tahitian dance moves from attentive staff. A veritable bargain, this seven-day buyout includes meals, wines, cocktails, spa treatments (one per guest), yoga and fitness classes, marine biology, tennis, and SCUBA, watersports and cultural classes.
Pricetag: 2.5 million euros for seven nights.
Peter Island BVI
Avid former guests and Caribbean hotel aficionados have been waiting for more than six years for the reopening of reimagined Peter Island Resort. When it flings open its doors in October, the storied retreat will be more luxurious than ever and brand spanking new, but still emanating its long beloved personalized service, spellbinding BVI setting, five postcard-perfect beaches, and timeless barefoot elegant ambiance. Long a port of call for the yachting set, Peter Island boasts a full-service marina with dockage that accommodates superyachts of up to 200 feet. A 10,000-square-foot spa unravels muscles, while active travelers can whack balls on the pickleball courts, take part in water sports, and hike a multitude of trails. With two stupendous luxury villas and 42 guest room keys, the island retreat maintains an intimate vibe.
Pricetag: Choose from a variety of take-over packages including the Exclusive Island Buyout with full American plan, which offers all meals and afternoon tea for four nights at $632,628.
The Weather Islands, Sweden
Infinitely less traveled, Sweden’s western Bohuslan Coast, famed for its lobster, red-roofed fishing villages, and otherworldly rock formations draws island lovers to some 8,000 variously sized skerries and islands. One archipelago, Väderöarnas (the Weather Islands), comprises 365 islets, most about a 40-minute boat ride from the shore. On the largest isle, Storö, family-owned Väderöarnas Värdshus, an inn with 22 hotel rooms spread among various historic structures, once served as home to pilots (those who guided ships safely through the channels) and their families. Today, this unassuming purlieu serves as a popular stomping ground for holidays and meetings. Open year-round, Värdshus gets kudos for its gastronomic restaurant, rocky terrain, granite sauna, and fishing safaris.
Pricetag: Overnight buyout for events and conferences starts at approximately $12,000 a night, including meals and transportation from the coast. Add a crab or lobster outing for additional fees.
Isla Palenque, Panama
Supremely positioned on Panama’s undiscovered Gulf of Chiriquí, intimate, all-inclusive Isla Palenque belongs to both the Cayuga Collection and National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. Summoning upscale Robinson Crusoe elan it incorporates seven private beaches amid 400-acres of verdant nature. Eight beachfront casitas, equipped with amenities from yoga mats to soaking tubs to binoculars, nestle amid palm trees. For groups wanting to stay together in one outpost, the Villa Estate calls. Rimmed by a crystalline lap pool, it boasts six free-standing, opulently appointed suites, able to accommodate 2-14 guests in total. Expect twice-daily housekeeping, dock-to-dish epicurean-level meals with Panamanian flair, spa treatments, the best whale watching in Panama, and bespoke itineraries made to match your heart’s desires.
Pricetag: Daily buyout rates for the eight beachfront casitas and six-bedroom villa estate start at $18,000 per night.
Tagomago, Spain
A respite from hedonistic, party-hearty Ibiza, which lies just 900 meters (or a five-minute boat ride away), Tagomago delivers guests into quietude and seclusion — if that’s what they crave. Stunningly contemporary, the eponymous villa anchors the island casting a mood of stylish repose and classic Ibizan bedevilment. A delight for divers and sport fishers, as well as sunbathers content to simply snooze beside the villa’s saltwater pool, the domaine holds five en-suite bedrooms, each opening to commodious terraces. Rooms feature spa-style bathrooms and panoramic windows that frame mesmerizing sea views. A professional kitchen awaits, helmed by chef and staff, and savvy common spaces ensure staying at home seems as sexy as Ibiza’s storied nightlife scene. Enjoy the private jetty and mooring and the house tender, complete with loyal captain, which allows for quick trips over to Ibiza when the need to be an extrovert calls. Fully staffed, the villa has butlers to organize all itinerary items from babysitting to massages and more.
Pricetag: Tagomago’s villa sleeps ten with five beds and five baths, and is offered by Rental Escapes for $18,571 per night.
Featured image courtesy of Thanda Island
