Amanpulo, Philippines
The height of exclusivity, Amanpulo can only be accessed by private plane. So, here there is no chance of the outside world intruding upon your blissful solitude. The flight from Amanpulo’s private lounge and hangar in Manila to the island’s private airstrip takes just over an hour. Once on the island, you’ll find over five kilometres of coral sand beaches encircling the jungle-covered interior. Seven kilometres of coral reef surround the 85 hectare island, where kaleidoscopic fish and serene sea turtles will join you as you lazily swim through the crystal clear waters. Amanpulo’s casitas and villas, designed by acclaimed Filipino architect Francisco Mañosa are situated on the hillside or set by the beach, with the design inspired by traditional Philippine dwellings with vaulted wooden ceilings, stone walls, coconut-shell tables and large Cebu marble bathrooms. If you’re not content simply to watch the world unfold from your private outdoor deck, there is a convivial poolside clubhouse, an Aman Spa, dive centre and a relaxed beach club, not to mention a fitness centre, sailing, fishing and tennis.
Cempedak, Indonesia
Cempedak is an escape for those with a passion for the outdoors, nature, food and wine. The 17-hectare private island is a sanctuary for hornbills, eagles and kingfishers. Other residents on the island include the critically endangered pangolin and a family of otters. But apart from the wildlife, your time on the island promises no distractions or interruptions (the island’s strict no-children policy makes sure of that, making this a truly ideal destination for a romantic retreat). The island is reached by boat from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal, some 90 kilometres (or two and a half hours sailing) away. Awaiting you are white sandy beaches, studded with magnificent white granite rock formations. Meanwhile, the architecture of the accommodation demonstrates cultural sensitivity and love for the environment. Bamboo is used throughout the vernacular design and the crescent-shaped curved roofs are built from a local grass, a design that captures cool breezes and maintains a comfortable temperature with minimal energy use. With private plunge pools and decks in each villa, the guest accommodation is private and spacious. It is simple barefoot luxury in a sublime natural setting.
Kokomo, Fiji
Arguably the most exclusive resort in Fiji, guests arrive at Kokomo Island aboard a seaplane. On the approach, passengers will be afforded a view of the Great Astrolabe Reef, the world’s fourth largest coral reef, which encircles the island and provides world class diving, fishing and snorkelling for guests to enjoy. The island’s 140 acres are dotted with pockets of lush rainforest and blessed with two long stretches of white sand beaches. 21 beachfront villas, ranging from one to three bedrooms, are spread far apart, offering perfect privacy and ocean views. Each has its own infinity pool and private deck with direct beach access allowing guests to wander down to the crystal clear sea at their leisure. In the island’s lush interior, tucked away from view, there are five luxury residences, each offering a panoramic vista across the island. These residences offer all the comforts of Kokomo’s villas, with the addition of their own private gardens and an open plan living space that straddles the indoor and outdoor areas. And for the ultimate in comfort, nanny and butler services are always on-hand. In touch with its natural surroundings, the resort’s buildings use local materials and traditional Fijian architecture, and the island’s own farm provides vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and exotic fruits, as well as free-range chickens that produce the island’s eggs, and beehives producing a unique honey.
North Island, Seychelles
Dramatic granite peaks tower over the 11 ultra-exclusive villas on North Island. The intimate size and complete privacy of this resort allows for guests to enjoy an entirely tailor-made experience, whether that involves hiking to the island’s summit, enjoying the ocean or taking advantage of the resort’s extensive wine cellar. Barefoot simplicity is key to the island’s charm. The cuisine is based around the ocean’s bounty and the island’s fertile gardens, and the spectacular Seychelles sunset gives a romantic end to every day. With a commitment to conserving its natural surroundings, North Island was named winner in 2019’s Top 100 Sustainable Resorts by Global Green Destinations Days. So guests can feel confident that their luxurious experience doesn’t come at the expense of the planet’s wellbeing, and will be able to enjoy the privilege of an encounter with some of the rare and endangered species that inhabit this little patch of Eden.
Six Senses, Krabey Island
Located on a 30-acre island, 15-minutes by boat off the coast of southern Cambodia, Six Senses Krabey Island consists of 40 villas in-keeping with their tropical surroundings in the Gulf of Thailand. Opened last year, the hotel has a strong focus on sustainability, featuring a reverse osmosis plant and water bottling facility, and an organic garden on the mainland that grows fruits and vegetables and keeps chickens, goats and bees. The homegrown culture can be best experienced at restaurant Tree, where contemporary Khmer cuisine is cooked up with the hotel’s own seasonal ingredients. No Six Senses hotel would be complete without a spa. With a design influenced by the sacred Kbal Spean River near Angkor, the spa offers personalised treatments targeting all aspects of wellness through traditional Khmer medicine that focuses on maintaining a body balance using natural Khmer herbs and is influenced by Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.
Private Island Retreat, Greece
A traditional Greek whitewashed house on a privately owned Cycladic islet feels fantastically far-flung by European standards, but is actually just 45 minutes from Athens by speedboat. Its 300 hectares are covered with ancient olive trees and heavily scented wild thyme, while its shores are marked by beaches leading to the blue-green Mediterranean. Built in a neo-classical style, the century-old villa features high ceilings and large windows and is understated and elegant, with antique tiled floors and original fireplaces in each of the six bedrooms. Long lunches feasting on home-grown ingredients – sun-ripened fruit, herbs and vegetables – can be had on the shady terrace or, steps away, on the beach after a swim. A chef and full staff can be arranged, and the closest shops and restaurants are found in the pretty ports of Marmari and Karistos, just across the water.
welcomebeyond.com/property/greek-island-retreat
Velaa Private Island, Maldives
For an island with plenty to write home about – a Clarins spa; an ocean-view sauna, snow room and snooze pod; a nine-hole golf course; tennis and squash courts; a three-storey wine tower; and an overwater, open-kitchen restaurant and Champagne lounge – the discreet, boutique nature of its hotel means that it needn’t feel over-the-top. The design, by Czech architect Petr Kolar, (and name Velaa) is inspired by the sea turtles that Velaa shares its home with, both in terms of the hotel’s interiors reflecting the colours and patterns of a turtle shell, and the shape of the property, with the over-water villas resembling the head of a turtle and the island forming the body. As well as the water villas, there are beach villas, both steps from the Indian Ocean, where Velaa hosts the Maldives’ largest coral regeneration project, within the Noonu Atoll. Directed by the island’s Coral Biologist, the project has successfully transplanted more than 4,200 nursery grown corals, increasing coral growth around the island by 5% since its plantation five years ago.
Islas Secas, Panama
Located off Panama’s wild Pacific Coast, Islas Secas is an archipelago with a recently-opened hotel that sets the standard for eco-luxe retreats worldwide. The hotel is powered entirely by natural energy, with the “casitas” accommodating for just 18 guests at any one time. The central Terraza has a restaurant that cooks up Panamanian fare with locally-sourced produce including the catch-of-the-day, and a bar and lounge overlooks the ocean and neighbouring islands. Days at Islas Secas can be spent on a marine safari – diving, whale watching or fishing amongst other activities – or doing nothing at all by the private plunge pool and thatched-roof cabana of each casita.
Editor
Alice Riley-Smith & George Major
