Want to know how the rich and famous live? Well, there is nothing that spells success than owning your own personal island paradise. We can just imagine how private islands, with their bare beaches, spectacular 360-degree views and delirious isolation, are coveted by billionaires and celebrities alike.The main objective here in owning an entire island is the word "private." It gives one a feeling of seclusion, isolation, away from the prying eyes with a huge body of water serving an effective barrier to the outside world. However, owning a private island is now getting scarce. Most have been turned into resorts and others into government conservation areas.
Nonetheless, there are still private islands which one can rent, for a considerable sum of course. So just to give you a fair idea of how much a nigt on these islands could cost, here's a list:
*The Soneva Fushi in the Maldives (about $600-$3,000 a night), each guest has only a small patch of beach, but it is truly private, with dense vegetation between residences.
*The half-mile beach of Little Dix Bay ($300-$3,600 a night), Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, is reserved for the resort's guests. And guests staying in one of the 12 villas at Le Taha'a (about $900-$2,500 a night), Society Islands Archipelago, get a patch of beach entirely concealed by rock walls.
*Then there's Richard Branson's Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, is a 74-acre paradise that can be rented for about $46,000 a night. The entire Guana Island can also be rented for around $19,000 to $26,000 a night.
*Las Alamandas, Mexico has only six villas on this 1,500-acre estate owned by Isabella Goldsmith on Mexico's Pacific Coast. The Las Alamandas landing strip is accessible from either Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo airport. For total beach privacy, pick up a lunch packed by the staff and hike to one of the secluded surrounding beaches. Too relaxed to hike back? Use the walkie-talkie you're provided and a staff member will give you a ride. About $400 to $2,000 a night.
*Le Taha'a, Society Islands Archipelago
About 380 miles west of Tahiti in the Society Islands Archipelago, Le Taha'a is a privately owned island that is a five-minute boat ride from the main island of Taha'a. The resort offers 48 over-water suites and 12 beach villas where rock walls surround private sections of beach. About $900 to $2,500 a night.
*Kamalame Cay/ Kamalame Cove, Andros, Bahamas
Only 20 beach villas dot this mile of private beach that makes up Kamalame Cay resort off the coast of Andros Island, protected by the third longest barrier reef in the world. Accessible only by private ferry or seaplane, the beaches of Kamalame Cay are shared only with other guests of the resort. For total solitude, book a week in the villa at Kamalame Cove, a 7,500-square-foot private peninsular on four acres attached to the mainland of Andros Island by a narrow strip of beach. The villa holds up to eight guests. About $800 to $3,500 a night.
*Guana Island, British Virgin Islands- With no more than 30 guests sharing the private 850-acre island of tropical forests, mountains, valleys, and, of course, beaches, you won't have to try very hard to find yourself alone on the sandy shore. Fly into the Virgin Islands Beef airport (which also accommodates chartered planes), where a boatman will be waiting to whisk you off to the iguana-shaped island that gave Guana its name. The entire island rents for between $19,000 and $26,000 for up to 32 people. A guest room or bungalow? About $700 to $3,000 a night.
*The Beach House, Barbuda - With only 20 suites on this virtually private island in the Caribbean, you'll get the attention (when you want it) and privacy, with your own personal butler service. Horseback ride, snorkel or just sit in silence on this practically deserted stretch of Barbuda beach. About $750 to $1,300 a night.
*Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara, Nha Trang, Vietnam- Extensive, private tropical gardens overlooking the Nha Trang Bay are the highlight of this peaceful resort. Boasting about 250 days of sun a year and soft, white sand, Evason, accessible only by boat, owns a stretch of beach reserved just for guests. About $650 to $2,500 a night.
*Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands- Little Dix Bay was established by Laurance Rockefeller in 1964, and the resort stays true to its founder's vision of escape from the ordinary. The half-mile of soft, white-sand beach is reserved for guests. For an even more private experience, take a water taxi to one of the surrounding hidden beaches. About $300 to $3,600 a night.
So did we whet your appetite yet? Go for it now.
By: Natasha Silverman
