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.

Necker island has reportedly reopened following a fire on August 22^nd which destroyed the eight bedroom Great House. It was reported that Kate Winslet was staying on the island at the time and actually assisted in the rescue of Branson’s elderly mother from the main residence.

Following the reopening, guests will have use of six newly refurbished Bali Houses. Temple House, Branson’s private home, will also be on offer alongside his 105-foot Necker Belle catamaran.

Branson plans to rebuild the Great House in the same Balinese style with views of the Caribbean, although he promised several “innovative twists.”

The fire was triggered by a lightning strike during Hurricane Irene.

Souce: Breaking Travel News

According to the paper last year a record 150 islands, from Croatia’s coast to the Caribbean and the South Seas, were bought by Italians.

Many VIPs who buy them like to keep quiet, but there were unconfirmed reports that Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani bought a small Greek island for more than £100 million (R1.1 billion).

Customers with £440 000 or more can start enquiring about the coast of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Maldives. Islands in the Caribbean went for £6.2m.

Islands off the coasts of Norway, Brazil and Greece have also proved a draw for Italian customers.

And according to newspaper La Repubblica, the Italian demand for islands looks set this year to outstrip that of last year.

The choice of islands has never been better, as governments seek to refill coffers emptied by recession. In 2009, Croatia said it was putting its Brioni Islands in the Adriatic on sale, in the hope of making more than £880m.

To read the article visit iol travel.

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

“We love to travel and we love Necker Island,” Lachey, 37, tells People. “We’ve vacationed there multiple times, and when we got engaged, we both immediately thought of the island as the perfect place to have our wedding.”

Adds Minnillo, 30: “We were on a boat, on vacation, passing the island and we both looked at each other and he said, ‘Yes!’ I was so glad he said what I was thinking. Nick saw it in my eyes.”

The 74-acre island was the picture perfect backdrop for their intimate nuptials, which were filmed for a TLC special.

“We used a lot of what the island had,” says Minnillo. “It was timeless, beautiful and romantic.”

“While discussions about private-island holidays have only recently been bandied about by the average traveller, at least one place here has, for some time, been pre-empting that trend. Pulau Pangkil Kecil, to Singapore’s south-east, is the grand-daddy of private-island resorts in the region, having been around for more than a decade, and it’s been something of a repository for early adopters of the commercial private-island vacation genre. ‘

The article also features Song Saa Island in Cambodia, the first private island resort development in the country.

Guests, then, can enjoy Song Saa guilt-free as they lounge about in its 27 luxurious villas (from US$550 per night for doubles and from US$40,000 per night for the whole island) after arriving via private plane from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Some of the accommodations are over water, others on the beachfront and yet others nestled within rainforest; all have been built with sustainable materials.

There’s also a top-notch restaurant and lounge, for which the owners have flown in a chef direct from the Seychelles’ North Island, and a raft of activities - such as champagne sunset cruises to other secluded islands, kayaking and rainforest hikes - are available should you choose to leave your villa.

To read the full article visit the Business Times

The island is steeped in history having been inhabited since about 300 A.D. when it was home to Celtic pagans. Throughout history it has been the site of fierce battles including the Massacre of Taransay in 1544, when the Morrisons of Lewis invaded.  It was recently home to a different kind of battle as it was home to the television show Castaway. Here is what Easier Property had to say. 

” The original buildings on the island were renovated and since 2002  have been used as self-catering holiday cottages.
The traditional farmhouse has been recently refurbished and combines comfortable modern accommodation with truly outstanding views across the beach.  The old school chalet has also been upgraded to a high standard with open plan accommodation overlooking the bay, whilst the bothy offers more basic accommodation, ideal for a group of up to 10.   

The island also offers the country sportsman an abundance of activity whilst protecting the biodiversity of the island, with hill lochs teaming with brown trout, first class coastal and sea fishing, as well as a herd of around 200 head of red deer providing some enjoyable and sustainable stalking. ”

For further information on the Isle of Taransay please visit: ckdgalbraith.co.uk

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.