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NORTH ISLAND / SEYCHELLES

PRIVATEISLANDHIDEAWAYS
Whether its for a romantic getaway for two or a celebration with a large group, escaping to a tropical private island, where guest numbers are limited and privacy paramount, is a luxury like no other.
BY SCOTT GOETZ

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INDIAN OCEAN
Those in search of magical fantasy islands far from what youd expect to find close to home should head to the Indian Ocean. Here youll encounter not only the most gorgeous islands in the world but also highly luxe lodgings.

NORTH ISLAND, SEYCHELLES Robinson Crusoe and the Swiss family Robinson would think twice about returning home if they had been marooned on North Island, a three-peaked granite beauty with a coconut grove plateau in the center. Operated by Wilderness Safaris (of Mombo and Jao fame), this idyllic paradise in the Seychelles may be the most stunning private island in the world. With the innovatively wild architectural genius of the resort enhancing its beauty, guests remain awestruck throughout their stay. Made of natural materials and found island objects, like upside-down rooted Tacamaca trees (which act as housing frames) and strings of coral curtains, this is a designers wonderland. The most luxurious and private option is Villa Eleven, tucked under the monolithic granite mountains and abutting a glorious beach. Getting there: South African Airways (Phone: (800) 722-9675; Website: www.flysaa.com) offers flat-bed business class seating via New York to
BATHROOM / NORTH ISLAND

Johannesburg, where youll link up with an Air Seychelles (Phone: (310) 670-7302; Website: www.airseychelles.com) flight to Mah. From Mah use Helicopter Seychelles for the fifteen-minute transfer (Phone: 248-385-850; Website: www.helicopterseychelles.com).
POOL AND DECK / NORTH ISLAND MASTER BEDROOM / NORTH ISLAND

Contact: General Manager Bruce Simpson, Phone: 248-293-100; Fax: 248-293-147; Email: bruces@north-island.com; Website: www.north-island.com

LIVING AREA / NORTH ISLAND

ISLAND PROS For bookings in the Indian Ocean, its best to go to travel specialists Cox and Kings USA who know the properties well, can easily secure the best villa and make the oftencomplex transfers a breeze.

Contact: Indian Ocean and Africa Manager Jeanie Fundora, Phone: (813) 258-3323; Fax: (813) 258-3852; Email: jfundora@coxandkingsusa.com; Website: www.coxandkingsusa.com

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SONEVA GILI, MALDIVES Upon arrival to Soneva Gili, the first all-overwatervilla resort in the Maldives, you are given a no shoes, no news shoe bag to store your footwear until your day of departure. Luxury traveler-meets-

Waterworld is the theme here, and what a fantastical theme it is. Three jetties jut out from the small island to link guest lodgings, which all act as the hub for dining and aqua center activities. Activities aside, guests may never want to leave their villas. The pice de rsistance is the newly opened Private Reserve (from $6,500 per night). This
PRIVATE RESERVE / SONEVA GILI

unbelievable overwater structure has three floors, a two-story open-air common area, a gym, spa treatment room, waterslide and dual master suite wings. Getting there: Malaysia Air offers new flat-bed first-class cabins via Kuala Lumpur (Phone: (800) 552-9264; Website: www.malaysiaairlines.com). From Mal, Sonevas boat transfer will take about 20 minutes.

Contact: General Manager Peter Nilsson, Phone: 960-664-0304; Fax: 960-664-0305; Email: peter@sixsenses.com;
PRIVATE RESERVE BEDROOM / SONEVA GILI OVERWATER VILLA / SONEVA GILI

Website: www.sixsenses.com/soneva-gili

FREGATE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES

MASTER BEDROOM / VILLA 17

James Bond creator Ian Fleming was convinced there was buried treasure on Fregate Island when he visited. But youll quickly realize, like more recent guest Brad Pitt, that the treasure lies in the island itself. At just over one square mile in size, this wild, untouched piece of primal beauty is home to some of the rarest fauna and flora in the world. Giant tortoises roam freely, the skies swarm with birds, and fuchsia and orange bougainvilleas bloom. Choose Villa Number 17 for its privacy and private beach access ($2,292). Getting there: South African Airways (Phone: (800) 722-9675; Website: www.flysaa.com) offers flat-bed business class seating via New York to Johannesburg, where youll link up with an Air Seychelles (Phone: (310) 670-7302; Website: www.airseychelles.com) flight to Mah. From Mah use Helicopter Seychelles for the quick transfer (Phone: 248-385-850; Website: www.helicopterseychelles.com).

Contact: General Managers Mark and Joanne Netherwood, Phone: (203) 602-0300; Fax: (203) 602-2265;
NUMBER 17 MASTER BEDROOM / FREGATE ISLAND

Email: mjnetherwood@fregate.com; Website: www.fregate.com

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CARIBBEAN
The Caribbean is host to the most modern and sophisticated islands on our list. The sparkling blue topaz waters and close proximity to the U. S. place them at the top of the list of private island destinations.
PIERHOUSE EXTERIOR/MUSHA CAY

MUSHA CAY, EXUMA For ultimate privacy theres no better island choice than Musha Cay, a sole private-use 150-acre island in the Exuma chain of the Bahamas. Five boats and five high-powered Bombardier three-person

SeaDoos appeal to water lovers. Ask Richard, the charmingly salty local Bahamian and island skipper, for a guided snorkeling tour to Thunderball Cave (where the eponymous James Bond film was shot). The island has five houses, two full kitchens and a high-tech gym on a postcard perfect beach. Robin Williams chose mahogany-decked Highview, the grand mansion at the top of the hill. If grand opulence isnt your style, try the cozy two-bedroom
HIGHVIEW LIVING ROOM/MUSHA CAY

Pier House down on the water ($24,750 per day for parties of eight persons or fewer). Getting there: Private jet owners can fly into Georgetown airport on the island of Great Exuma, then take a 15-minute charter flight to the island (Strachan Aviation, Phone: (242) 345-0641).

Contact: Reservations Manager Shelly McClaughlin, Phone: (203) 602-0300; Fax: (203) 602-2265; Email: smclaughlin@sanctuare.com; Website: www.mushacay.com

THE RESIDENCE MASTER BEDROOM / PARROT CAY

PARROT CAY, TURKS AND CAICOS Its all about de-stressing and rejuvenating at Parrot Cay, a 1,000-acre island of peace and serenity in the Turks and Caicos. Days here can be filled with deep sea fishing or golfing on an 18-hole champion golf course, but most, if they choose to do anything at all, opt for unwinding at the holistic health retreat, the COMO Shambala Spa. Caribbean Colonial is the theme and most of the 60 rooms lie within the main resort and center around a teak-decked infinity pool, but book the two-bedroom Villas ($3,640 per night) and Rocky Point Villas down on the beach. Bruce Willis owns The Residence accommodation here (recently made famous by Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garners wedding), which has three, three-bedroom villas and a massive pool all on its own private beachfront cove ($13,335 per night). Getting there: Private jets can touch down at Providenciales Airport (Phone: (649) 941-5670; Website: www.provoairport.com). From there Parrot Cays yacht makes the 35-minute crossing to the island.

Contact: Special Projects Manager/Estates Mary Alice Giroux, Phone: 649-946-7788; Fax: 649-946-7789; Email: maryalice.giroux@parrotcay.como.bz; Website: www.parrotcay.como.bz
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CAYO ESPANTO, BELIZE Leonardo DiCaprio knows the secretive relaxed beauty of Belizes Cayo Espanto, a 3.5-acre dot of an island three miles off the coast of San Pedro. The abundant sea and coral life will mesmerize snorkelers and thrill divers who explore the depths of the renowned Blue Hole, a 130-foot deep dive into a shark-filled cave. The island has five casitas in a range of sizes, all designed in indigenous Belizean style. The two-bed Casa Aurora ($1,650 to $1,850) has a large plunge pool and is set away from the other casas, but Robert DeNiro and many others prefer Casa Estrella ($1,750 to $1,950), the two-story unit with a living room and spacious upstairs master bedroom. We suggest booking the whole island ($10,000 per night) and inviting a group of 14 for an island fiesta. Getting there: Private jets can land at Belize International Airport (Phone: 501-225-2045). Cayo Espanto staff will meet guests there and escort them on a boat ride to the island.
CASA ESTRELLA / CAYO ESPANTO CASA ESTRELLA / CAYO ESPANTO

Contact: Resident Manager Rosita Strumberg, Phone: (888) 666-4282; Fax: 501-220-5017; Email: rosita@aprivateisland.com; Website: www.aprivateisland.com

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FIJI & AUSTRALIA

Back-to-basics luxury, charmingly happy people and remote islands with the best coral reefs in the world compel the traveler to cross the South Pacific in search of the perfect island. THE WAKAYA CLUB, FIJI The Wakaya Club is an hours flight from the Fijian capital of Nadi, and the resort is owned by entrepreneur and creator of Fiji Water David Gilmour. This five- by two-mile untouched island has only nine bures (traditional Fijian-style thatched-roof residences) and a few houses. Dont miss some of the clubs activities: A hike up to Chieftains Leap (a former cannibal village), diving The Saxophone (a coral swim-through cave), and a Watsu treatment in the new two-person Asian-inspired spa. The food here is great, but Wakayas lobster and champagne feast on the largest private beach of any we encountered gets our vote for the best private picnic. Nicole Kidman usually opts for the Governors Bure ($2,800 per night), while Russell Crowe prefers the palatial Vale O ($7,600 per night for three couples, including meals). Getting there: Air New Zealand (Phone: (800) 2621234; Website: www.airnewzealand.com) offers new business-class direct flights from LAX to Fiji. The Wakaya plane shuttles guests from Nadi to the island in 40 minutes.

Contact: General Manager Rob Miller, Phone: 679-344-8128; Fax: 679-344-8406;

MASTER BATH / VALE O

Email:info@wakaya.com; Website: www.wakaya.com

MASTER BATH/ HONEYMOON SUITE

AERIAL VIEW / ROYAL DAVUI

ROYAL DAVUI, FIJI Royal Davui, an eight-acre rocky outcrop in Fijis Beqa Lagoon, is a 16-villa small island situated on one of the best diving lagoons in the world. If youre not a diver, you will want to become one after dipping your head in the water, and the facilities plus greatly skilled dive instructor Ili help you do it quickly. Spend your days relaxing on sandbars, touring neighboring island waterfalls and investigating the lagoons brilliant colored corals and psychedelic reef fish. Your home should be the

MASTER BEDROOM / HONEYMOON SUITE

Honeymoon Suite ($1,350 per night), the largest on the island. A tropical plant-filled foyer connects the two rooms of the villa. Getting there: Air New Zealand (Phone: (800) 2621234; Website: www.airnewzealand.com) offers new business-class direct flights from LAX to Fiji. From Nadi, the resort will arrange a 45-minute scenic helicopter transfer.

Contact: General Manager Christopher Southwick, Phone: 679-336-1623; Fax: 679-336 2049; Email: christopher@royaldavui.com; Website: www.royaldavui.com
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LIZARD ISLAND, AUSTRALIA Named after the monitors that inhabit this island in the Great Barrier Reef northeast of Cairns, Lizard Island boasts 24 private beaches ideal for an intimate Australian rendezvous. The day-glow colors of the reef will astound snorkelers swimming through a 120-year-old giant clam garden, and divers attempting Cod Hole will meet up with ten-foot
THE PAVILION / LIZARD ISLAND

sharks and the friendly livestock-sized potato cod. The resorts magnificent Anchor Bay Suites are set in a broad sweeping arch along Anchor Bay. Book The Pavilion ($1,233 per night), and youll get a 270-degree panorama view overlooking the bay, Osprey Island, and Sunset Beach. Gettting there: Qantas (Phone: (800) 227-4500; Website: www.qantas.com) has an excellent firstclass cabin and flies from LAX to Cairns. From Cairns book a one-hour Skytrans Charter (Phone: 61-7-40-462-462; Website: www.skytrans.com.au) to Lizard Island.

Contact: North American Reservations, Phone: (800) 225-9849; Fax: (831) 335-5239;
LIVING AREA / THE PAVILION

Email: usoffice@voyages.com.au; Website: www.lizardisland.com.au

ASIA
Elaborate architecture, creative, complex cuisine and astonishing fauna and flora in an explosion of color hallmark the private island retreats of the Far East. PANGKOR LAUT, MALAYSIA Pangkor Laut, or beautiful island, is a 300-acre masterpiece of primal tropical rainforest not far off the Malaysian peninsula northwest of Kuala Lumpur. The resorts 148 rooms and overwater bungalows, tennis courts, gym and four restaurants, offer great opportunities for a placid tropical night out, daytime recreational activities, and trips to the spa (one of Asias best). But we suggest the Jodie Foster and Jude Law option of residing at Marina Bay in one of the resorts eight private estates. Choose Estate #2 ($10,000 for three nights) or Estate #5 ($14,000 for three nights), both of which are designed after the old manor houses of Asia. Getting there: Malaysian Air (Phone: (800) 5529264; Website: www.malaysiaairlines.com) offers first-class service to Kuala Lumpur and a stopover at Pangkor Lauts sister property, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur (Phone: (800) 241-3333; Website: www.ritzcarlton.com) is suggested before making the four-hour car/boat journey or one-hour helicopter transfer, which the resort will arrange.

Contact: Estate Manager Halil Mat Jaya, Phone: 60-5-699-1000; Fax: 60-5-669-1020;
COURTYARD & POOL / PANGKOR LAUT

Email: halil@ytlhotels.com.my; Website: www.pangkorlautresort.com

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CASITA BEDROOM / AMANPULO

REMOTE SAND BAR PALAPA/ AMANPULO

SULU SEA BEACH/ AMANPULO

CASITA EXTERIOR / AMANPULO

AMANPULO, PHILIPPINES Natural beauty and simplicity are at the core of Amanpulos Pamalican Island, a 3.4-mile-long by 1,640-feet-wide, spiked-shoe-shaped island that rises out of the Sulu Sea in the Palawan province of the Philippines. Forty casitas, a beach club and a 98-foot aqua-tiled pool are the only signs of humanity youll find. The beach here is a 3.4-mile stretch of sand that is so talcum-powdery fine that it makes our pick as best beach for sunbathing. Diving is the prime activity here and Casita 40 and House Reef are the best sites. Mountain-perched Deluxe Hillside Casitas Numbers 39 and 40 ($900 per night) have the best sweeping vista views of the Sulu Sea or follow past guest Mariah Careys path to the Nature Villa ($3,000 per night). Getting there: Malaysia Airlines (Phone: (800) 5529264; Website: www.malaysiaairlines.com) provides first-class services from LAX to Manila. We suggest booking an overnight stay at the Peninsula Manila (Phone: (866) 382-8388; Website: SOUTH PACIFIC PRO Virtusoso Travel Agent Suzanne Duzenman of Global International Travel Services specializes in Australian Luxury Travel.

www.manila.peninsula.com) before making Amans one-hour private charter flight to Pamalican Island.

Contact: General Manager Miguel Guedes de Sousa, Phone: 63-2-759-4040; Fax: 63-2- 759-4044; Email: mguedes@amanresorts.com; Website: www.amanresorts.com

Phone: 61-3-9826-9600; Fax: 61-3-9826-9700; Email: travel@globalinternationaltravel.com.au; Website: www.globalinternationaltravel.com.au/