The last frontier of luxury: renting an island all to yourself
Reconciling wilderness escape with maximum comfort. From Galicia to the Caribbean, find a private island with the services of a 5-star hotel. For privacy- and environment-conscious Robinson Crusoes.
4' min read
4' min read
From afar, you can hear the bells tolling at Lérins Abbey, which towers over the semi-deserted island of Saint-Honorat, where Cistercian monks have been cultivating their vineyards since the Middle Ages. You can choose to reach it by boat at sunset, for a tasting of Chardonnay or Syrah, or stay on your own island, in the 14,000-square-metre botanical garden designed by landscape architect Hervé Meyer, where the orchard offers a polychrome explosion. Le Grand Jardin - nomen omen -, owned by Ultima Collection, is located on the île de Sainte Marguerite, which is part of the Lérins Islands, just off Cannes, and represents the last frontier of luxury. It allows one to rent a villa, in this case with 12 rooms in seven different buildings, as well as a spa, a swimming pool, chef Alessandro Bergamo always on hand along with the staff and concierge, and all the services of a 5-star luxury hotel, and have an entire private island all to oneself.
The 13th-century estate, built by Cardinal Richelieu and home to King Louis XIV, also houses a Norman-style tower-suite, while the island is dominated by the 17th-century fortress where the Man in the Iron Mask was held prisoner. At Le Grand Jardin you go for real relaxation, distract yourself with Fragonard's home perfumery courses, stroll to deserted bays and have lunch at La Guérite, the liveliest beach club on the Côte d'Azur. But when it closes in the evening, you are once again the sole master of the island. Many love it to organise events, for example during the Cannes Film Festival or the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, others to get together with friends or large families.
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In Europe and beyond, one of the latest trends among luxury travellers is to rent island villas that guarantee total privacy, a tailor-made retreat. Those dreaming of a stay in exotic paradises can look to Jumeirah Thanda Island, in the Shungimbili reserve between Tanzania and Mafia Island, surrounded by coral reefs and inspired by the Kennedys' Cape Cod mansion, with a slightly retro design. Owned by Swedish entrepreneurs Dan and Christin Olofsson and part of the LHW, Thanda has a private villa with five suites and two banda (typical tented suites) and is a beacon in sustainable tourism thanks to its marine conservation initiatives. One swims in the large glass-walled pool or in the sea with whale sharks, the gentle giants that breed here, witnesses turtle nesting and coral restoration in an offshore nursery, where fragments are collected and cemented on suspended ropes, with the aim of restoring a hectare of coral in the next few years. Eco-sensitive castaways can enjoy sailing, diving, snorkelling, kiting and windsurfing.
On the Islas Secas, 14 volcanic islands in the Panama archipelago, one can book the new Casa Cavada, a 770-square-metre private residence designed by Hart Howerton: four rooms, a 25-metre infinity pool, a secluded beach and an exclusive escape with a dedicated chef and butler. It is in one of the world's largest marine protected areas, and is committed to sustainability, including the use of solar power and water reuse for irrigation. It offers nature adventures, from birdwatching and foiling while gliding on water, to yoga classes in the garden or on the cliffs.
From Panama to the Baa Atoll - a 50,000-square-metre private island in a Unesco Biosphere Reserve - is home to the Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah: three villas, one of which is overwater, with refined furnishings, artwork and a total of seven rooms to accommodate up to 22 guests, security, a 19-metre yacht, a gym and a private spa with ocean-view glass floors. A perfect retreat to explore without limits, in complete freedom. A pleasure that can be found even closer, on the Athens Riviera: Turquoise Private Island, part of Le Collectionist's selection of villas, is a gem in the sometimes crowded Greek archipelago.
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