The Private Islands Blog » Island Vacations

Exquisite Eco Villas!

The Islomaniac® — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:33:20 +0000

The Indonesian Island of Bali has long caputred the imagination of the World. Recently there has been an explosion of eco friendly resorts. One resort that has been getting a lot of attention is Alila Villas Uluwatu a majestic resort located on the sloping hills in Bali’s Uluwatu region on the Southern Bukit Peninsula of the charming Indonesian island.

This beautifully designed complex straddles a striking white limestone cliff and an arid savanna on the tropical island’s arid Bukit Pennisula. The Alilas Villas resort is the first of its kind to achieve the highest level of certification for Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD).

At the resort indoor and outdoor spaces blend together as verandas, canopies, bridges and passages weave through the resort. The architects drew inspiration for the stone walled court yards from the local farmer’s buildings, and the overall design is a fusion of low-slung vernacular Indonesian architecture and modernism. The villas are placed to follow the natural contour of the gently sloping land, leaving much of the local vegetation and natural formations intact and providing each with a view of the Indian Ocean.

Cruise Lines Launching Next Wave in Island Tourism

The Islomaniac® — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:23:10 +0000

Cruise Lines are one of the major new proprieters of private islands, particularly in the Caribbean, something that has not gone unnoticed in the international news.

According to The Daily News the appeal of Caribbean cruising is simple - sun, sand, tropical drinks and exotic stop- offs. Unfortunately, many of the port towns on cruise ships’ itineraries become so crowded that the experience bursts the vacation bubble for passengers. In addition they note that some Caribbean islands welcome at least six mega cruise ships each day, which can mean an influx of more than 10,000 tourists queuing for taxis, tour buses and beds on the beach.

Therefore cruise lines are increasingly turning to private islands to offer their customers a bit of respite away from the hussle and bussle of major ports. Passengers are able to walk right off a ship or a tender directly on to a clean, safe beach where there are no hawkers or taxis.

A Tropical Island for a Good Price?

The Islomaniac® — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:10:13 +0000

The media often focuses on the most expensive islands, or those owned by celebrities. I have often emphasized that there are hundreds of islands affordably priced and well within the range of the average Jow (or Jane!).

The Jerusalem Post recently featured not one but 365 affordably priced islands. The Jerusalem Post noted that this gaggle of islands is located just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and many of them can be privately owned by individuals who seek the seclusion and tranquility of this breathtakingly beautiful spot.

The Post noted that several of these of these islands are open to us mere mortals who can only dream of being the kings (or queens) of their own land one day. Ilha Grande (pronounced Gran-jeh) is the biggest of this cluster and it boasts pure sandy beaches set in bays of lush tropical greenery, with waves from the clear blue Atlantic Ocean gently lapping against its shores.

To read the full article visit the Jerusalem Post

Private Island Among World’s Best Wedding Destinations

The Islomaniac® — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:17:21 +0000

The relatively unknown Florida Island of Anna Maria is being touted as one of the world’s best destinations for a beach wedding. With an average of 361 days of sunshing a year the island practically guarentees clear weather for the most improtant day of your life. the islands is also known for its beautiful beaches and romantic sunsets. The 7-mile coastline of the island has a selection of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With exquisite, almost white sand, the beaches are clean and often quiet, with the more popular beaches offering plenty of amenities for families.

The island also has a wonderful choice of wedding venues and accomodations. It is possible to get married virtually anywhere on Anna Maria Island. Popular choices include The Sandbar and The Beachhouse Restaurants. But becoming increasingly popular are luxury vacation rentals.

To read more about Anna Maria Island click here.

Jumby Bay

The Islomaniac® — Fri, 28 May 2010 05:15:13 +0000

The London Evening Standard is the latest newspaper to discover Jumby Bay the exclusive Caribbean Resort that has been making waves among well heeled travelers around the world. The article notes that what makes Jumby Bay special is that it has the feel of a private island in the old school sense, because most of its accommodation is privately-owned, individually designed villas and estate houses, many with their own beaches, while the rest remain solely for the use of their owners. But then, it has 40 beautifully-designed hotel suites (28 of which are brand new) arranged along a stretch of white beach lapped by impossibly turquoise waters.

While these rooms don’t come cheap, they do offer a slice of the action for a snip of the price of a villa rental.

To read the full article visit the Evening Standard

Rent a Private Island

The Islomaniac® — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:12:04 +0000

The Economic Times published a great article on the advantageous of renting a private island. The article notes that unlike many other things that the rich like to indulge in, private islands come in short supply and are finite. The article also acknowldge that islands are in very short supply, and they are not increasing—what’s existing now is the only supply.

The most precious of them are in the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands. Billionaires own them, but you can experience the life for a while. The good news is that most of such owners, who include people like Richard Branson, are ready to rent them out. You can also get the island where Marlon Brando lived for years in rustic fashion on Tetiaroa in French Polynesia.

The article makes a point of acknowledging that renting an entire private island is not in everyone’s budget and recommends renting part of an island. “Castles with six or more bedrooms, and those with a celeb touch to it fetch around $2000 a night”. The properties that cost more are like the castle where actress Gwyneth Paltrow got married, but still they are much more affordable.

Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rented an entire island so that their six children could celebrate Easter in peace. Brangelina, as they are called by the tabloids, took their children to the Venetian island of San Servolo for a day of Easter activities. “From now on that island will fetch a higher rent,” says Pande, which might work out to around $200,000 for just one week.

To read the full article click here.

Scrub Island BVI

The Islomaniac® — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:02:33 +0000

Looking for luxurious spa treatments without having to leave your hotel room, then Scrub Island is for you. Perfect, sunny days filled with countless activities — scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, swimming and more — make for a busy, but fun, getaway at Scrub Island in the British Virgin Islands. Just don’t forget to leave time for a bit of pampering and, with the launch of a new in-room spa treatment menu, guests can now ease all their tensions, aches and pains in the privacy of their luxurious suite.

Scrub Island is the first luxury development to open in the British Virgin Islands in more than 15 years. Ideally nestled on a breathtaking 230-acre island, Scrub Island resort offers its guests a world-class marina, shopping, pristine beaches, a selection of fantastic dining establishments, an upscale spa and top-notch fitness center as well as luxe, ocean view accommodations.

At Scrub Island, highly trained therapists deliver masterful spa experiences that entice the senses and rejuvenate the mind. Spa treatments feature antioxidant rich products crafted with natural botanicals, all designed to indulge your senses and relieve stress. Available in-room treatments include:

Ixora Massage: A customized treatment inspired by the blooms of the beautiful Ixora plant, the Ixora Massage melds Swedish, Thai and Aromatherapy methods to magically ease stress and tensions.

Eterno Massage: Using products rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, the Eterno anti-aging massage stops time using the age-defying power of berry essence and relaxing massage techniques.

For more information on Scrub Island or available packages and specials, visit www.scrubisland.com or call (877) 890-7444.

Antigua: Movin on up

The Islomaniac® — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:52:36 +0000

Although well-known in the island world , Antigua has largely gone unnoticed in the mainstream. This is changing with a growing number of Europeans scouting real estate on the Caribbean island of Antigua, lured by its legendary 365 beaches and the explosion of upscale properties that have come on the market in recent years.

Jumby Bay a exclusive private island resort is leading Anituga’s reimaging with the recent completion of a 28$ renovation. In addition to the hotel, where rooms are furnished with mahogany four-poster beds and marble baths, there are 49 privately owned homes. Prices generally start at about $4.25 million but can be more than $30 million.

Accessible only by private ferry, the island is owned and operated by Jumby Bay Island Co., and individual homeowners are shareholders. The hotel is managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the luxury company that also runs The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas.

33M Island in Fiji

The Islomaniac® — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:31:51 +0000

Got an extra $33M and would like to live adjacent to Mel Gibson. If so, you may be interested in a private island in Fiji is being sold online for $33.39 million Located in the far east of Fiji within the Lau group, Blue Lagoon Island lies adjacent to U.S. actor Mel Gibson’s Mago Island.

The 225-acre island is one mile long and a third of a mile wide. It is encircled by a 5,000-acre lagoon that offers protection from extreme tides, providing the island with calm tranquil waters, which are said to offer clear views 200 feet underwater.

It is accessible via a 3,400-foot runway.

The scarcity of private islands coupled with the growing popularity of Fiji as a tourist attraction, increasingly favored by Americans and Europeans, has further increased demand for the ultimate seclusion that a “private” island ensures, according to eBay.

The island property was appraised at US$10 million in 1999, prior to any development according to the listing. Recently two accredited valuation companies concurred that the current value is estimated at $25 million euros.

The article doesn’t say what the neame of the island is, but according to sources it may be Katafanga Island which you can see here.

To read the full article visit here: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018352576#ixzz0ko4tCjTr

Your Own Private Island

The Islomaniac® — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:17:48 +0000

msnbc recently published an article on how the average joe can get a luxury private island vacation on the treat. Here are some of the islands that they featured.

Dunbar Rock, Honduras
In the eastern corner of Honduras’s Bay Islands chain, the whitewashed, six-bedroom Villa at Dunbar Rock sits atop a 2,000-square-foot granite islet. Balconies encircle each of the three floors, and up to 12 guests can take in sweeping 20-mile views of the Caribbean on one side and, on the other, Guanaja island, an easy swim or 90-second boat ride away

Palagruza Island, Croatia
Two apartments in an 1875 lighthouse on an 104-acre island. Dinner is either something you bring over on the ferry or whatever the lighthouse keeper catches that day. Each apartment sleeps four. 011-385/1-2415-611, privateislandsonline.com, $233 per week.

Trinity Island, Ireland
A three-bedroom, solar-paneled lodge on a 150-acre island that’s a two-hour drive from Dublin. The island has the ruins of a 750-year-old monastery, as well as rowboats and canoes for guests to explore the interconnecting rivers and lakes of the island.

To see the full list of island that made it on the list visit msnbc