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WHO TO TRAVEL WITH
Bailey Robinson can organise trips
to any of these islands. A seven-night stay
on Laucala Island, for instance, costs from
£20,000 per person based on two adults
sharing, on a fully inclusive basis with transfers
and business-class ights. baileyrobinson.com
WHERE TO STAY
Coco Privé Kuda Hithi, from £19,620
a night for 12. cococollection.com
Frégate Island Private, £3,150 a night for
a double. fregate.com
Laucala Island, from £2,500 a night for a
water that laps straight up on to the beach.
Which is why Redbull co-founder and
Laucala owner, Dietrich Mateschitz - and
other private island owners - can charge
what they do (£36,000 a night for Necker,
sleeping 30, and £89,000 on Laucala for
up to 60, both all-inclusive). Because there
really is nowhere else like them.
Rooms with a view
Thankfully, for those of us whose bank
balances don't quite stretch to six- gure
holidays, several owners allow guests to visit
on a room-only basis. Necker sets aside a few
weeks a year for guests to come and mingle
with other strangers, and Laucala welcomes
non-exclusive guests whenever the island
isn't booked out privately.
Several Seychelles islands operate as
boutique hotels: the recently refurbished
Frégate Island Private, for instance, whose
16 private villas overlook a white-sand
beach that's widely considered to be one
of the most beautiful in the world. Or the
designer-decorated North Island (where the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed
their honeymoon), which has 11 excusive
villas dotted amid the jungly undergrowth
overlooking marine-rich seas.
In Mozambique, Vamizi has glamorous
Balinese-style rooms that are set far apart
for privacy, as well as large family villas for
those who fancy house party-style holidays.
Also in Mozambique, Quilalea, which is a tiny
dot of an islet, boasts spectacular snorkelling
spots inhabited by ancient turtles and
endangered dugongs.
There is a sense of security and isolation
that is found rarely in other parts of the world
when visiting island retreats such as these.
They're mini- efdoms, where millionaires
live how they want to, without worrying
about neighbours, security, or paparazzi.
And they're in some of the most spectacular
parts of the world.
As Richard Branson put it from his balcony,
overlooking his white beach lined with
yachts, sailboards and kitesurfers: 'You only
have to look around you to see everyone
wants to come here - whether that is [Google
co-founder] Larry Page, who lives nearby, or
Nelson Mandela, who we had as a guest. I
have never found anything as beautiful as this
island. You can't help but fall in love with it.'
double room only. laucala.com
Musha Cay, from £32,000 a night for
12. mushacay.com
Necker Island, from £16,350 a week for
a double. neckerisland.com
North Island, £4,200 a night for a double.
Quilalea, from £660 a night for a double.
The Brando, a new resort on Marlon
Brando's island, Teti'aroa, opens 1 July, from
£1,460 a night, for a double. thebrando.com
Vamizi, £1,300 a night for a double.
1. Peninsula Villa on Laucala 2. Spectacular diving
on North Island 3. One of Necker Island's terraces
4. Night-time on North Island 5. A beach house
bath on Musha Cay 6. A sea cave on Musha Cay
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CHAMPAGNE SPECIAL