Luxury hotels are a dime a dozen. The likes of Rosewood, Aman, and Mandarin Oriental properties are just about everywhere. And while they offer a magnificent product that we genuinely love, sometimes, it’s not just not enough. If you’re looking to step up your vacation game with a truly exclusive and over-the-top experience, you’ll have to stray from the beaten path of big hospitality brands and look for the few lesser-known nuggets of luxury peppered around this world. Does that include private islands in paradisical destinations? You betcha. 

Banwa Private Island

Private island vacations need to meet three criteria to be worth your precious time. Warm climate, turquoise waters, and palm trees. And as luck would have it, Banwa Private Island checks all the above boxes. Not only that, but the island is located in the Philippines’ Palawan archipelago, and is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, so it’s not only warm, beautiful, and lush. It’s also absolutely pristine and protected.

Banwa Private Island comprises only six modern waterfront villas. The spacious villas range from one to four bedrooms and can house between 2 and 12 guests. So, whether you’re looking for an intimate stay with your beloved, or a unique destination where to gather your family and friends, there’s enough room to accommodate everyone. Every single villa is tucked away in its own little nook and is surrounded with thick greenery to provide total privacy. It goes without saying that each villa has its own swimming pool, Jacuzzi, beach access, terrace, and gardens. 

But there’s a lot more to Banwa Private Island than its striking villas. There’s a top-notch restaurant whose menu features ingredients from Banwa’s organic farm, and there’s a host of wellness facilities. From the gym to the pilates studio, the yoga platform, and the Meridian spa, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to indulge in serious self-care. For more sweaty and adrenaline-pumping endeavors, there’s a tennis court, a golf course, a table tennis corner, and, most importantly, a dive center. The waters around the island are teeming with colorful marine life. 

Because Banwa is private and secluded, you can only access it by helicopter or seaplane from Manila, Palawan, Cebu, or Puerto Princesa. It’s a quick ride to the island, but it’s one that’s very scenic — so keep your eyes peeled. 

And the best part about Banwa Private Island? It’s mosquito free.

Eden Rock Villa Rockstar

Being the most deluxe island in the Caribbean, St. Barths makes for an excellent destination for those seeking an extravagant tropical vacation. But there’s only one place that will take your island stay to the next level: Eden Rock’s Villa Rockstar.

Eden Rock has an abundance of villas on St. Barths, but Villa Rockstar trumps them all. The reason for this, is that this six-bedroom home is surrounded by 10-foot-tall walls for maximum privacy. Not only that, but it has views of the ocean from its immense outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi. The very spacious living room and fully-equipped kitchen don’t disappoint. But, we bet you’ll spend more time taking in the sun and the vistas in one of the pool loungers than indoors. 

While the villa itself is impressive, it’s the services provided by Eden Rock that guarantee a flawless vacation. Think private chef, breakfast delivery, personal butler, maid service, airport transfers, and in-villa spa treatments (including 24k gold facials). And if it’s something a little out of the ordinary that you’re looking for, say a beach picnic, a yacht cruise, or a helicopter tour, all you need to do is ask the 24-hour concierge at your disposal.

Velaa Private Island 

When in doubt, head to the Maldives. The archipelagic country is glorious in every way, and its many ultra-luxury properties make it easy to have an excellent vacation. But if you want your trip to be as swanky as possible, opt to stay at Veela Private Island. 

Velaa Private Island, with its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and palm trees is away from it all in the Indian Ocean. That said, it’s only a five-hour luxury yacht ride or a quick seaplane flight from Malé or Maafaru. In short, it’s the perfect balance of remoteness and accessibility. 

The island comprises 18 over-water villas, 25 beach villas and houses, and four residences. Each one is exceptional in its decor, privacy, and amenities. That said, we have a slight preference for the Romantic Residence. It’s only accessible by boat and completely separate from the rest of the island for maximum seclusion. Also, it has a private gym and spa, a large infinity pool, a Jacuzzi, a sundeck, a sunken bath, and a large terrace for all your sunbathing and daydreaming needs. And there’s a private butler that will cater to all your needs and wants.

And, of course, you probably don’t want to spend your entire time on Vella Private Island lounging. You can sweat your heart out at the state-of-the-art gym, on the tennis, padel, and squash courts, up the climbing wall, at the yoga pavilion or on the football pitch. There’s even a professional golf course. If it’s water sports that you prefer, you can dive, snorkel, flyboard, hoverboard or even take a jetovator ride. You’ll never get bored.

If you’re not inclined to share the premises with other travelers, know that you can rent the entire island. 

The Royal Mansion at Atlantis The Royal

Dubai is the land of superlatives. It’s home to the tallest building in the world, the deepest pool, the largest observation wheel, and many, many more Guinness World records. So, it’s to be expected that one of the most expensive hotel experiences in the world is in the emirate. 

When it opened in January 2023, Atlantis The Royal put on a show like no other, with a Beyoncé concert, and a fireworks and drones display that was probably visible from the moon. So it’s no surprise that the property is outrageously luxurious. And while every room and suite is as high-end as it gets, there’s one corner of the hotel that is even more special than the rest: The Royal Mansion. This two-level penthouse will knock the socks off even the most blasé travelers.

Let’s start with the location. Atlantis The Royal looks very much like a handful of giant glittering Lego bricks, set on top of one another to form an unusual structure. The Royal Mansion is the central “brick,” set right in the heart of the building. As such, it provides the 10 guests it can accommodate with sweeping views of the Arabian Sea, Palm Island, and the city beyond.

Inside The Royal Mansion, it’s equally as impressive. There’s an immense terrace, an infinity pool, a dining room that can sit 12 people, four capacious bedrooms, a library, and a foyer home to real olive trees. The ceilings are incredibly high, making the generous space feel even larger, and the abundance of marble throughout adds to the opulence of the suite. Of course, amenities abound, including Hermès bath products, Frette bathrobes and slippers, and a steam room. There’s a kitchen in the suite, but you won’t be spending any time cooking. With floating breakfasts, celebrity-chef-cooked dinners, and the many restaurants on site, you’ll need for nothing. 

Guests who stay in The Royal Mansion have complimentary access to a wealth of amenities, including the Elements Retreat Wet Spa facilities, the AWAKEN Fitness Center, Nobu by The Beach, and Aquaventure Waterpark (the world’s largest waterpark, of course).

Lion’s Head Penthouse at One&Only Cape Town

There’s only two basic elements travelers need from their luxury Cape Town hotel: a good location and views of Table Mountain. And the Lion’s Head Penthouse at One&Only Cape Town has both. Not only is this property located on the V&A waterfront, one of the most upmarket and dynamic neighborhoods in the city, but the ultra-luxurious two-floor penthouse offers vistas of the famous flat-top mountain, Robben Island, and the ocean. So, that’s two for two. But, of course, there’s a lot more to love about this penthouse.

Lion’s Head Penthouse is the only penthouse at One&Only Cape Town, and it is huge with 8,590 square feet of space. There are four spacious ensuite bedrooms to accommodate up to 8 guests. There are also several lounges, a kitchen, a dining room, a bar, and no fewer than three large patios complete with dining and sitting areas and a plunge pool. The decor is elegant and modern, with contemporary art pieces sprinkled throughout, and a neutral color palette. And the best part is that all the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, so you never lose sight of the views. Oh, and there’s an elevator for you to go between the two floors without breaking a sweat.

The level of services and amenities for guests staying in the Lion’s Head Penthouse is sky high. They include a 24-hour butler, personal training sessions, and complimentary access to a poolside cabana.

Nukutepipi Private Island

Once you learn that the French Polynesian island of Nukutepipi is owned by Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté, everything makes sense. Who else but a creative genius could make up such a magical place? Because there’s no doubt that there’s magic at work on this private island atoll. 

Nukutepipi is a very small atoll whose nearest neighbor is 13 miles away — so you won’t be bothered by crowds. On the island itself, there are 16 accommodations: 13 Bungalows, two Junior Villas, and one Master Villa, all of which are located by the lagoon and have views of its sparkling waters. But if you want the place to yourself, you can book the entire island.

While the bungalows are nothing to turn up your nose at, the Junior Villas and the Master Villas take the luxury up a notch with private infinity pools, and complimentary bicycles and electric golf carts. The Master Villa even has a Jacuzzi and a cinema room. All the accommodations are built and decorated with Polynesian aesthetics in mind for you to fully immerse in your destination.

Those who want to do a little more than staring at the mesmerizing views can take part in all sorts of activities on the island — some of them a little surprising. You can try your hands at beekeeping, Polynesian weaving, pareo dyeing, archery, Polynesian canoeing, sailing, SCUBA diving, and more. There’s even a music studio for you to record your best album. Of course, there’s a spa for guests who want a more relaxing vacation. 

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FAQs

Q: How many villas are there on Bawan Private Island?

A: There are six waterfront villas on Bawan Private Island.

Q: How can I get to Velaa Private Island?

A: You can reach Velaa Private Island by seaplane (there are private or shared options) or by luxury yacht from Malé or Maafaru.

Q: How many villas, houses, and residences are there on Velaa Private Island?

A: There are 18 over-water villas, 25 beach villas and houses, and four residences on Vella Private Island.