Song Saa, which is set to open on December 31 is the vision of Rory and Melita Hunter who have turned their island dreams into reality. The construction of the 27 one-bedroom villas are near completion and will cost upwards of $2,000 per night. Here is what CNN had to say about the project.

Rory is a former advertising executive and Melita is a former set designer. Originally from Australia, they came to Phnom Penh and set up a business renovating old French colonial apartments and leasing them to expats. They never planned to become developers until they stumbled upon two small islands in southern Cambodia while on an excursion. The islands are called Song Saa which means “Sweethearts” in Khmer.

They bought the local land rights to the islands for $15,000 from two families living there. The Hunters knew they didn’t really “own” the islands because in Cambodia, foreigners are not able to own land outright. They negotiated with the Cambodian government to lease the islands for 99 years.

The Hunters then started their plan of developing a high-end villa resort. They put in $370,000 of their own money as seed capital. They’ve since raised several rounds of financing from mainly European investors for this $21 million project.

To read more about this exciting Private Island Development visit CNN.

Four Seasons recently developed a Robinson Crusoe experience in purchasing a private island near their five star resort in Langkawi. Guests of Four Seasons Resort Langkawi can slip away to their very own secret island, where they will be “marooned” in Four Seasons style. For couples looking for a romantic retreat or groups of friends and family wanting a playground all to themselves, it’s a perfect day in paradise.

Dotting the horizon in the near distance directly across from the Resort’s tranquil beach are three emerald islands that provide the seclusion and privacy so rarely discovered. Pulau Pasir, or Sand Island, is a natural sanctuary with a soft sand beach that can be reached only by boat or kayak, a quiet haven to hide away and enjoy some unhurried, private couple or family time.
The Robinson Crusoe Experience

Before arrival, staff will prepare a picnic spot with shade umbrella and blanket, or chairs and table if preferred. For a truly luxe experience, guests may also book a server, photographer and musician at extra cost.

To get to one’s own desert island, guests may choose to do as traditional islanders do, and paddle 30 minutes by kayak. Alternately, guests can be piloted on the Resort’s speed boat, arriving a world away in just five minutes, for an additional charge. A mobile phone is provided so that guests may call for transportation when they are ready to return to the Resort.

Source

Put this on the list of things that every wealthy island owner should have. Designer Yelken Octuri has created a flying yacht for Omani princes Aziz, Dawood and Hashim. The flying yacht was designed to allow the princes to enjoy sailing along the Omani coastline. Four masts retract to become wings as the yacht turns into a plane.

The yacht plane is powered by four dual propeller Nissen & Brasseur powerhead engines. But when used as a yacht, the craft is essentially wind-powered, making it a super-efficient way to transition from sea to air transport and save energy while on the water.

In addition to being ideal for middle eastern royalty it would no doubt be great or island owners who could fly to their island then convert their plane into a pleasure craft to sail around the neighboring islands.

Read more: The Octuri Wind Powered Yacht Doubles as a Plane | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Recentlty a journalist with Industry Leaders Magazine explored the 150 acres of luxury that makes up Musha Cay here is what they had to say.

Owned by illusionist David Copperfield, Musha Cay in the Bahamas, presents itself as a super regal, uber exclusive luxury private island that allows you to invite your guests to make the most of the island’s lush green surroundings, a state-of-the-art giant outdoor movie theatre and exquisitely designed customized accommodations in addition to the private beaches.

The price ? $37,500 per day for upto 12 persons for a 4-night minimum. Steep? Maybe, but most definitely worth the “lap-up-the-luxury” experience we say!

With a staff of thirty-plus to attend to your every need, guests at Musha Cay have the option to stay in the commanding 10,000 square foot manor house on the cliff, the thatched roof beach house away from sight, or one of the two guest villas that hosts two bedroom suites in each, all of which have access to their own private beaches.

To read the full article visit Industry Leaders Magazine.

 Maude island is one of the gems currently on the market. Located in Sitka, Maude Island offers sweeping views of the ocean that can be viewed from the exclusive island home. When not exploring the one acre island launch off your private dock to enjoy a day of fishing, boating or just exploring the incredible scenery of Sitka.  

For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online.

In the wake of the Royal wedding, and the impending island honeymoon of the Royal Couple people are taking a keen interest in private island honeymoons.

The Independent recently published an interesting article showcasing honeymoon destinations for princes and paupers alike and naturally a number of islands made the list. Here is what they had to say.

“PrinceThe Maldives have proved a honeymoon destination worthy of royalty, with a mesmerising array of private island resorts falling over themselves to impress. Romance is everywhere, from overwater villas, to underwater spas and everything in between. Huvafen Fushi became the archipelago’s dream destination when it opened in 2004, so

about the forthcoming opening of sister hotel Niyama in October. This 86-room resort covers two islands and brings a more edgy feel to the sleepy Maldives with the world’s first underwater music club and a 24-hour spa.

Pauper: The Scilly Isles have been a hot contender for the royal honeymoon since the engagement. They may lack underwater spas, but they do share some tropical DNA with the Maldives. Just 28 miles south-west of Cornwall, the islands are caressed by the Gulf Stream, spawning palm trees, cacti and aloe to go along with the azure water. The tiny island of Bryher is the smallest of five inhabited islands, and on its west side is Hell Bay hotel which is a sublime honeymoon hideaway. “

To read the full list of Prince and Pauper Honeymoons visit The Independent

As the Chinese economy continues to grow in leaps and bounds more and more Chinese are exploring the Private Island Market. More and more English Chinese news outlets are running stories about the privilege of private island ownership and travel. Here is what one article recently had to say.

“Owning one’s own private island is a fantasy for many people, poor and wealthy alike. For some people, it’s even a realistic possibility. Is it a risky investment or a lucrative strategy?

For many of China’s wealthy, owning a private island has become a reality as a result of China’s April listing of 176 uninhabited islands available for lease and development.”

To read the rest of the article visit Xinhua.net

Now that the Royal Wedding is over, people are speculating where the newly weds are planning on going for their honey moon.

Some have reported that the couple will jet off to Mustique the ultra exclusive island community in the Grenadines. However more recent reports suggest that the couple will enjoy their honey moon in the  Seychelles, the beautiful island archipelago off the coast of Africa.

Seychelles has a number of high end resorts private island resorts to choose from and their seclusion from the outside world will provide a measure of privacy for Will and Kate.

Although I do not know where they are staying, I have two guesses that would make excellent choices.

My first guess is Fregate Island  the posh island resort that has just 16 villas that start at 2,700 Euros per night. My other guess is North Island, a 462 acre with just eleven luxury villas.  Prices for North Island start at 1,835 Euros per night.

Which ever island they choose, I am sure it will be a fantastic experience.

Mandarin Oriental has taken this approach to the next level on their new island resort in the Turks and Caicos. The 8 villas in the the on the island pay homage to the hyper sensitivity of the location’s unique natural setting. Situated on Dellis Cay, the villas are designed to integrate nature as a major component of their material palette. The architecture was kept as simple as possible, ensuring that residents are able to fully take in the changing sky and surrounding vegetation.

All villas are precisely oriented to make the most of their vaulted position above the treetops, and each individual project has been carefully planned to maximize performative and experiential qualities. Each villa channels prevailing winds to cool the interior spaces while framing sunrises, sunsets, and the path of the moon from one side of the structure to the other. Given the limited number of resources on the island, a mixture of passive and active green building strategies were implemented throughout the projects including large overhangs, cross-ventilation, the use of recycled materials, solar hot water heaters, insulating green roofs, and rooftop infinity pools that also serve as a rainwater collection tanks.

Source: Inhabitat

Recently it was announced that the 111 villa Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa opened on Silhouette Island the largest private island and third largest island in the Seychelles.  Just a 40-minute ferry ride from the main island of Mahé, the resort becomes the second Hilton Resort in the Seychelles.

“We are delighted to add Hilton Labriz Resort & Spa in the Seychelles to our portfolio,” Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said. “Recognised as one of the world’s leading leisure destinations, the Seychelles offers a combination of unique wildlife, cultural heritage and beautiful surroundings for our guests to enjoy. Travellers now have two great Hilton Resorts offering premium experiences across these picturesque islands.”

The rooms comprise of 30 garden villas with private terraces, 63 beachfront villas, which open onto white sandy beaches, 17 deluxe villas with private pools and one presidential suite with a private lounge and swimming pool. With five restaurants, guests are able to choose from an array of dining options, from Italian cuisine under the stars to international wines and cocktails at the pool side.

The resort’s Aquum Spa allows guests to unwind in treatment rooms built on stilts, amidst the rocks which emerge from the island jungle. Resort facilities include a water sports centre featuring scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing, a swimming pool, tennis court, library lounge, island boutiques, a medical centre, Wi-Fi internet and a DVD library.

Source: 4 Hoteliers.