Photo The 14-villa Miavana resort on Nosy Ankao, Madagascar. Credit Dook Clunies-Ross for Time & Tide

Shared lodging and communal spaces may be trending, but for those seeking more privacy than a Do Not Disturb sign offers, a spate of new private island resorts play to castaway-in-comfort fantasies.

In the South Pacific, Kokomo Island Fiji opened this spring with 21 beachfront villas and five three-bedroom to six-bedroom residences on a 140-acre island. It is near the Great Astrolabe Reef, among the worlds largest, where travelers can scuba dive, snorkel, sail and fish. On land, the resort features trails, an infinity pool and a childrens club. Villas start at $1,995 a night, which includes meals and many activities.

Guests at the new Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles have exclusive access to three white sand beaches on Flicit Island. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the resort offers surfing, migratory bird-watching and island-hopping trips by boat. Its 30 villas, each with its own pool, start at $1,339 a night, which includes breakfast.

About 150 miles northeast of Singapore, Bawah Private Island in Indonesia is scheduled to open in August (rates have yet to be determined). The 35-room resort will span five uninhabited islands in the Anambas archipelago, with access to over 700 acres of forest, three lagoons and 13 beaches. Guests can choose between safari-style tents or over-water bungalows.

Off northeastern Madagascar, the 14-villa Miavana just opened on Nosy Ankao. It shares access to a five-island archipelago with local communities, and offers blue safaris, which allow visitors to see, swim with or catch indigenous marine life. Villas are $2,500 a person a night, which includes food, drinks and most activities.

A version of this article appears in print on June 25, 2017, on Page TR2 of the New York edition with the headline: Private Island Getaways.

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Four Resorts for a Private Island Vacation - New York Times

If you think it's only Bond villains and billionaires who can have their own islands then think again.

Here's a chance to have your very own secluded and at a bargain price too.

For this magnificent opportunity you can rent your own private isle for just 500 a month.

But there's a catch, the new caretaker of this unbridged tidal island will have to stump up refurbishment of the farmhouse.

With stunning views and acres of rolling green land, Ynys Giftan Island in Gwynedd overlooks the picturesque Italianate village of Portmeirion, and is just three miles from the popular town of Harlech.

The 18-acre island is situated within Snowdonia National Park and gives panoramic views of stunning coastline, mountains and the Irish Sea.

Located in the Afon Dwyryd estuary, the island is steeped in history and is said to have been a gift to the current Lord Harlechs ancestors by Queen Anne in the early 1700s. From this point onwards, the land became known as Ynys Giftan (Annes Gift Island).

The island had previously been run as a working farm, but it has now been uninhabited for around 10 years.

The tenant will be responsible for renovating the farmhouse on the island, which is currently in a derelict state.

The farmhouse is a stone-built two floor property and sits in a prime location on the east shore of the island and looks towards the neighbouring village of Talsarnau.

The building is structurally sound, but needs a lot of work to make it habitable again. There is currently no electricity supply and although there is an existing waterpipe and septic tank, it is unclear if they are functioning.

Thomas Hanmer, of Strutt & Parker, said: This is a blank canvas offering. Already we have had numerous interested parties putting forward proposals to enhance the islands potential for tourism.

The estate owner is keen to maximise this strength and maintain and enhance the wider publics affection for the island and north Wales.

The flexibility of use being offered and the opportunity to put forward a rental offer based on a scheme of the applicants choosing to reflect their investment is a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There are only 43 unbridged tidal islands in Britain, and rarely do they become available to the public.

Proposals from anyone wishing to take up the lease should contact Strutt & Parker before August 31.

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Think a private island is just for Bond villains and billionaires? This Gwynedd estate is up for rent and you won't ... - Daily Post North Wales

Necker Island, BVI

GEORGIA, USA, Wednesday June 21, 2017 For those who long to escape and kick back far from the madding crowd, vacationing on a private island is a logical if costly choice.

CNN recently chose Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats, and the Caribbean outdid itself, claiming four out of the five spots in the shape of Necker Island in BVI; The Meridian Club in Turks and Caicos; St Vincent and the Grenadines Petit St Vincent; and Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino.

Heres what travel writer Jill Becker had to say about each:

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

One of the most famous and over-the-top private islands is this Caribbean compound owned by Sir Richard Branson.

The 74-acre Necker Island retreat is where the Obamas vacationed after leaving the White House back in January. (You probably even saw the pics of the former president having a kite surfing battle with Branson.)

You, along with 33 of your best friends and family, can live it up here as well for a cool US$80,000 a night.

For that sum youll have access to the islands 17 guest bedrooms, along with the bunkhouse that sleeps up to six kids; multiple pools; tennis courts; spa; a full staff, including Michelin-trained chefs; all sorts of recreational toys and watersports (theres even a zip line); and more.

If the entire island is a bit out of reach, you can also sign up for one of what they call their Celebration Weeks, when you can rent out an individual room for three to 10 nights.

$80,000 per night for the entire island for up to 34 people; $4,280 per couple per night during Celebration Weeks.

The Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos

One of the most attractive components of a private island retreat is, of course, the beach, and the dreamy Meridian Club on its own 800-acre plot called Pine Cay boasts some of the prettiest stretches of sand in the Caribbean, not to mention calm, clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling and diving.

All of the rooms here look out onto the water and feature a screened-in porch where you can sit back and savour the view.

Another major perk of a stay here is that the Meridian Club is all inclusive, so everything from your meals to your equipment rentals is included. Heck, even the postcards are included.

Rates start at $895 per night.

Petit St Vincent, St Vincent and the Grenadines

No shoes, no phone, no TV, no Internet, no problem. Thats the thinking at Petit St Vincent, an unspoiled 115-acre paradise in the southern Caribbean boasting just 22 luxe cottages and villas.

The way you get the staffs attention here is with flags; hoist up the yellow flag to let them know you need room service, transportation somewhere or have some other request, and let the red flag fly when you just want to be left alone.

Here, amid the miles of white-sand beach and tropical woodland, you can fully unwind and take a break from all of the texts, emails and phone calls that bombard our daily lives.

Your only tasks involve sampling some locally caught seafood at one of the weekly beach barbecues, enjoying an alfresco massage at the hillside spa and taking a leisurely barefoot stroll under the starlit sky.

Rates start at $1,100 a night.

Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino, Aruba

If the thought of unplugging entirely or having an entire island all to your lonesome brings up a whole scary Tom Hanks in Castaway scenario for you, you can always opt for a stay at a resort like the Renaissance Aruba, which isnt on its own private island, but which has its own private island that you can zip off to whenever the mood strikes.

Just head to the boat dock on the lower level immediately below the lobby for the eight-minute ride to the resorts 40-acre private enclave, where you can feed the flamingos, go snorkelling, grab lunch and a cocktail, or simply kick back in a hammock with a good book.

The island is even separated into two distinct sides one for families and one for adults only. Room rates start at $168.

Rounding off CNNs favoured five is Spruce Island off Maine in the United States, a remote 80-acre refuge in the heart of New England, popular with sailing, fishing and badminton buffs.

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Four Caribbean Properties Named Among Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats - Caribbean360.com (subscription)

Yes, it's cheesy and full of tourists. But taken on its own terms, National Harbor works surprisingly well.

Darrow Montgomery

Walking back down the pier at National Harbor after a ride on the Ferris wheel, something caught my eye: a lighthouse. More accurately, it was a miniature replica of a lighthouse set incongruously on top of a building whose brushed-chrome panels and greenish glass seemed to whisper luxury condos. And next to the little lighthouse, amazingly, there stood a woman gazing out toward Virginia, her skirt and scarf billowing in the breeze. It was a lovely day and the view up there must be great, but even so: What the hell was she doing?

I drew closeralmost in the shadow of the buildingbefore I realized. The woman was a mannequin, a store-window prop draped in flowing garments. Welcome to National Harbor, where relentless fakery has somehow, in a few short years, birthed a real place.

When people in D.C. and its innermost suburbs talk about National Harbor, its often with a sense of confused annoyance. What is it, where is it, and why would anyone go there? I first visited back in 2008, when only a lonely row of buildings along the water and the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel on the East Coast, occupied the space.

I returned last week to find a downtown jammed with people. Yes, National Harbor is cheesy and full of tourists. But its also home to a few thousand permanent residents. And taken on its own terms as a city-fragment devoted to fun, it works surprisingly well.

Located in southern Prince Georges County, in a crook of Potomac River shoreline just south of I-495 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, National Harbor is the do-over of a redevelopment plan called Port America that died on the vine in the 1980s. The ultimate project is a 350-acre resort destination, according to its website, that combines an approachable, resort-like personality with a singular, dynamic experience for local residents and visitors alike.

As such breathless real estate speak suggests, National Harbor is not a downtown in the usual sense, but the fiefdom of a private developer, the Peterson Companies. That accounts for the comfort-food vibe of the place, how it offers up the flavors of a city in a way that your palate immediately recognizes, with nothing bitter or spicy to spoil your digestion.

The chefs know what theyre doing. Peterson led the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring in the 1990s, turning a shopping district that had seen better days into the nerve center of eastern Montgomery County. There are commonalities between Silver Springs Peterson precinct and National Harbor: the mall-like branding, the rent-a-cops, and even a square of AstroTurf like the one that Silver Spring loved and lost (Silver Springs was eventually replaced by a landscaped plaza, over protests).

But the developers have upped their game at National Harbor, recognizing the need to keep antsy conventioneers from hailing a cab to Alexandria or D.C. All manner of entertainment beckons: the Ferris wheel, a carousel, pedal boats, a mock pirate ship, outdoor movies, and dozens of restaurants. The mothership, of course, is the new MGM Casino up the road, which opened late last year.

Darrow Montgomery

National Harbor proper is the work of several architecture and planning firms, helmed by Development Design Group (architecture) and Sasaki & Associates (landscape architecture and environmental graphics). The buildings have a Control-C, Control-V look to them: red brick, yellow brick, balconies with scrolled railings, decorative cornices and crowns like cake toppers. Theyre not unattractive, and theyre very good at concealing parking garages behind false fronts.

The spaces between and around the buildings are thoughtfully laid out. On Mariner Passage, I spotted a narrow pathway threading between two buildings and underneath a third through a low archway. Intrigued, I let the path pull me along until I emerged onto the two-block-long Main Street of National Harbor, American Way.

Barcelona its not, but I couldnt help thinking of that city and its boulevards, with medians generous enough to support social life. The broad median of American Way is outfitted with benches and cafe tables and chairs. That afternoon, every last one was taken. Kids ran around a small playground. Teenagers posed for selfies with statues. Across from them, grown-ups sipped wine on a restaurant patio. The developers couldnt have hoped for a better promo shot.

This Is How You Harbor, ads proclaim on the street corners, and apparently how you harbor is with a boatload of kitsch. Theres a garish painted statue of Rosie the Riveter, a giant inflated chick outside the Peeps store, and of course, the dwarf lighthouse with its eerie plastic inhabitant. Thats before you set foot inside the Gaylord, where faux colonial buildings are arranged like dollhouses under a vast glass roof.

The rise of privately-owned public space in American cities is a problematic trend, and very much at play herepersonally, Id prefer my Sunday stroll without a pitch for a timeshare. But just as teenagers used to hang out at Orange Julius in the Eighties and old folks still gather at McDonalds to nurse coffees, highly commercialized environments can foster real social connection.

Urbanists ding National Harbor for its woeful lack of connectivity to the rest of P.G. County and D.C., and the criticism is deserved. The nearest Metro station is Huntington, four miles away and across the river in Virginia. The MGM casino is a mile away, but only someone with a death wish would try to walk or bike there along National Harbor Boulevard and the Beltway feeder road. National Harbors downtown, the casino, and the Tanger Outlets are islands. The developers have created an archipelago of destinations rather than a necklace.

Two Metrobus lines do service National Harbor, making it possible for some of the several thousand people who work there to commute without cars. Visitors complain about the high cost of parking ($3 an hour, going up to $18 for the day and $12 for the evening). Peterson should keep parking pricey, but make National Harbors circulator bus free and increase the frequency of the Metrobuses on the companys dime. (The company already pays part of the cost of running the buses.)

On the crest of the hill behind the Gaylord, a metal fence cuts off a subdivision of new brownstones from an older suburban neighborhood. The roads of Oxon Hill dont connect to National Harbortheres only one way in or out. This was a concession to locals concerned about traffic, but Balkanizing the area was a bad move, sheltering P.G. homeowners from inconvenience in the short term while cutting them off from waterfront access and real-estate gains in the long term.

After my outing (pro tip: skip the Ferris wheel and ride the Gaylord elevators for free to the 19th floor for the same view), the contrast I kept coming back to was with CityCenter DC. With its designer boutiques and minimalist architecture, CityCenter is tasteful where National Harbor is vulgar. Yet CityCenter feels like a ghost town and National Harbor is hopping.

The more exclusive D.C. becomes, I suspect, the more of a market there will be in its ever-growing suburbs for destinations where you can entertain a family without spending a fortune. P.G. County in particular has lacked these kind of destinations, causing its economic development to drag. National Harbor helps fill the gap, with better than average urban design internally, even if its connections to the world outside are lacking. Now, if only it would lay off the kitsch.

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National Harbor Is a Private Urban Island Designed for FunIf You Can Get There - Washington City Paper

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Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, is emerging from a major makeover that has brought new and revamped food venues, rebuilt cabanas and expanded areas of powdery white sand.(Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

GREAT STIRRUP CAY, Bahamas Cruising's original private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is emerging from a major makeover.

As can be seen in the photo tour above, the 268-acre beach getaway owned by Norwegian Cruise Line has been spruced up over the past year with new and revamped food and drink venues, rebuilt cabanas and expanded areas of powdery soft sand. A large number of additional lounge chairs have been brought in, and there's a new underwater sculpture garden for snorkelers. The company has spent more than $1 million on new landscaping.

More is coming. Still in the works is a new upscale lagoon area for passengers staying in the exclusive Haven cabins on Norwegian ships. It'll feature 38 private villas with up to two bedrooms, a two-story restaurant and swim-up bar. There's also a new spa area taking shape.

"It's a substantial investment," the Norwegian executive in charge of the overhaul, Carlos Gonzalez, told reporters during a recent tour. "This is the biggest (makeover) of the island ever."

Peek inside the cruise ship that just began weekly Cuba trips

Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located in the Bahamas' sparsely populated Berry Islands chain, about 62 miles from Nassau. During a typical week, it's visited by several Norwegian Cruise Line ships for what, essentially, is a beach day. It also gets the occasional visit from the vessels of Norwegian's sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

A staff of more than 60 people lives full time on the island to prepare it for ship visits.

Showing off new structures such as a taco eatery near the beach, Gonzalez says the aim of the overhaul is to give the 40-year-old retreat a more relaxed, resort-like feel. The new landscaping includes more than a thousand trees to cast more shade on island visitors. Pathways have been paved to offer a more elegant experience getting around. Additional seating areas have been added around a number of venues to create a cozier experience.

"We're trying to create these spaces where people can come and hang out," Gonzalez says as he stands in front of a new roof-covered, open-air seating area at Abaco Taco.

Gonzalez notes the island now has 3,000 lounge chairs, up from 1,200 before the makeover. In the past, visitors who got to the island late sometimes would struggle to find a chair. Now there are more than enough for everyone even when the biggest ships visit.

The main buffetdining venue, Jumby Beach Grill, has been revamped to have four food lines instead of two, greatly speeding up service and cutting down on crowds. A new deck with umbrella-shaded seating has been added in front of the venue, and two associated bars were moved to a better location. The bars also were made twice as big.

Jumby Beach also received significant behind-the-scenes upgrades that will result in food being cooked faster and staying hotter and fresher," Gonzalez says. The total cost for upgrading Jumby Beach alone was around $750,000, he notes.

The improvements at Great Stirrup Cay also included the rebuilding of the island's 22 private cabanas, which are available for rent starting at $299 for a group of six. Each cabana now has its own ramp down toward the beach and is filled with premium lounge furniture a small refrigerator.

Also getting upgrades were the Patron Bar and Bertram's Bar. Enhancements to the latter include new machines to create frozen drinks and other new equipment to speed up bar service, which Gonzalez says is two to three times faster now.

The mojito- and daiquiri-serving Bacard Bar, meanwhile, received more than half a dozen newtables and umbrellas at an outdoor seating that also features a band stand for live music. Overlooking the beach, it now has more of a destination feel.

While mostly done, the work to upgrade Great Stirrup Cay is likely to continue through the end of the year. The new lagoon area for passengers in Haven cabinswill be the last element of the overhaul to be completed. In addition to Haven guests, the exclusive area will be open to passengers who book a spa treatment on the island. Alimited number of day passes to the area also will be sold.

Could Harvest Caye be the Caribbean's new cruising hot spot?

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Peek at the private island for cruisers that just got a major makeover - USA TODAY

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Executive Team of Australian-based global training company Development Beyond Learning (DBL) continue to break the rules and take on the world by mixing with the biggest names and minds on the planet. Specialists in leadership development programs, DBL recently attended the invite-only Change Makers Rule Breakers program on Sir Richard Bransons luxury private island, Necker Island.

These gatherings have become incredible incubators of brilliant ideas in magical settings. Im honoured to host entrepreneurs who have the vision to see the potential of a better world." SaysSir Richard Branson.

Over 5 days, DBL and 31 entrepreneurial business leaders from around the world were challenged by Sir Richard Branson, and each other, to think outside the box on how they're responding to the big social, environmental, technological and political challenges of our time. This is timelier than ever in the wake of recent world changing events.

As specialists in leadership development, we are inspired to challenge global organisations to think differently when developing their future leaders. Says Angela Hands, Global General Manager. Meeting and collaborating with a diverse group of entrepreneurs on Necker Island allowed us to think bigger with how we do this.

DBL was inspired by the diversity of the topics discussed, from space-technology, to the impact of business on the plight of the worlds oceans. Leadership in organisations was identified as a key enabler to making external change happen. DBL also mentored local entrepreneurs from the British Virgin Islands.

We believe in self-selected leadership, giving people the opportunity, confidence and skills to lead in this world, at any level in organisations. Says Gary Lear, Chairman. After spending the week on Necker Island, it's clear to me that the opportunity organisations and leaders have for a better world is enormous.

DBL is hosting a series of senior think tank events for C-suite leaders in Sydney and London in September called Leadership at Light-speed building on DBLs incredible once in a lifetime experience.

Our many interactions with Sir Richard Branson while on Necker were eye-opening what an incredible experience. However it was very evident that real impact is to be made by those of leading businesses on the frontline. Says Josh Mackenzie, Managing Director. It's time leadership development programs played their part in developing more externally aware and globally responsible leaders. Our think tank events provide C-suite leaders the chance to be part of this movement.

To be shortlisted to participate in DBLs Leadership at Light-speed think tank events please email: DBL in London europe@developmentbeyondlearning.com DBL in Sydney apac@developmentbeyondlearning.com

About DBL:

DBL is an award winning, forward thinking specialist provider of professional development for leaders, managers and young professionals. DBL partners with global organisations to deliver multi-faceted programs that are designed specifically to put on-the-job learning first.

From humble beginnings in 2005, DBL was created to change lives by having a positive impact on people and their organisations. In 2017, DBL has global offices in Sydney & London and supports thousands of participants in 16 countries. DBL challenges leaders and future leaders in its network to think about the role they and their organisations play in the bigger issues affecting the world.

Learn more about DBL at: http://www.developmentbeyondlearning.com

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Development Beyond Learning: Breaking Rules and Igniting Leadership at Light-Speed on Sir Richard Branson's ... - Business Wire (press release)

by Matt Alderton | June 16, 2017

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino (Oranjestad, Aruba) The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casinooffers 556 accommodations across two hotels: the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and the adults-only Renaissance Marina Hotel. Both settings offer access to the resort's eight restaurants, bars, and cafes; its 24/7, 3,500-square-foot fitness center; its spa; and its 15,000-square-foot casino. Although the resort has 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, groups looking for something a little more special can take an eight-minute water-taxi ride to Renaissance Island (pictured above). Along with Aruba's only private beaches -- including one that's family-friendly and one that's adults-only -- the 40-acre island has a "spa cove" where guests can receive seaside spa treatments, a renovated beach bar and restaurant, and a water sports program offering snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing cruises, ocean kayaks, and paddleboats. Groups can reserve part of the island or rent it out in its entirety.

El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Fajardo, Puerto Rico) Spread across 500 acres overlooking the Caribbean Sea where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, El Conquistador Resort is a Waldorf Astoria property that counts among its many amenities an 18-hole golf course; seven swimming pools; more than 23 restaurants, bars, and cafes; a 26,000-square-foot spa; and an onsite water park. Unquestionably, however, the highlight of the 918-room resort is Palomino Island, a 100-acre private island where guests can enjoy activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and horseback riding. The island also can be transformed into an outdoor event venue for groups up to 1,400, who also will have their run of the resort's 100,000-square-foot conference center.

Sandals Royal Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica) At Sandals Royal Caribbean, British traditions loom large in honor of Jamaica's history as a British colony. There's the resort's Georgian-style "Great House," for instance, which is surrounded by manicured gardens and roaming peacocks, as well as its English amenities, including afternoon tea and croquet. Groups will trade Britain for Thailand, however, when they board a dragon boat to the resort's private offshore island. Inspired by the East, the island features a private beach, a circular pool, a Jacuzzi, a swim-up pool bar, private cabanas in which to receive spa treatments, and an on-island Thai restaurant, not to mention diverse entertainment options such as tropical cocktail parties, Reggae concerts, and bonfires.

Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius (Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius) Thanks to its remote location in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, the island nation of Mauritius already feels pretty private. Just in case it doesn't feel secluded enough, however, Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spaon the country's east coast offers its own, even more private island. Two of them, in fact: Ilot Mangnie and Ile aux Cerfs. The former is open exclusively to hotel guests and features a beach club with private cabanas and on-island butlers. The latter is home to an 18-hole championship golf course that was designed by pro-golfer Bernhard Langer, as well as water sports such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and windsurfing, just to name a few. Both make spectacular event venues.

Canoe Island Lodge (Diamond Point, NY)You don't have to drop big bucks and travel thousands of miles to partake in private-island life. Closer to home, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, isCanoe Island Lodge, a historic resort that's been welcoming individual and group guests to the shores of Lake George since 1948. The family-run property can accommodate groups of up to 175 guests in accommodations ranging from lakeside chalets to traditional log cabins. Although the vibe is more "summer camp" than "beach vacation," there's just as much fun to be had on Lake George as there is in the Caribbean. Activities include hiking, sailing, fishing, and waterskiing, just to name a few. Plus, groups can utilize the natural-sand beach on Canoe Island -- the resort's private island, located three-quarters of a mile across Lake George -- for barbecues, clam bakes, and beach volleyball.

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5 Hotels With Private Islands - Successful Meetings

Enjoy the entire island for just one couple. Staff reside on the smaller island, full service and all inclusive.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) June 14, 2017

HGTV host Chris Krolow (CEO of Private Islands Inc.) and developer David Keener (Founder of Vision Properties) have partnered to create for the first time a private island resort for just one couple, with no other guests in sight. Even the staff reside on a separate island.

Located on the most picturesque part of the Belize barrier reef, with a single villa and all-inclusive fully tailored service, Gladden Private Island takes privacy and luxury to a whole new level. The staff resides out of sight on a smaller island right behind Gladden where a 24/7 butler, chef, and concierge are ready to serve any request at a moment's notice. Everything from meals and drinks to spas and excursions is included. In case 2 is a lonely number, there's a second master suite in the villa to accommodate friends or family and an additional room on the staff island for a nanny or security.

A lot of people considering a once-in-a-lifetime trip find themselves troubled with expensive flights and long journeys half way across the world. Gladden is a short and affordable flight from most major cities in the United States and Canada. A 7 day stay even includes a one-way 35-minute helicopter ride with breathtaking aerial views of the barrier reef; a lifechanging bucket list item of its own.

"I'm so excited to see this dream project come to life and that we were able to price it so competitively," says Chris Krolow, host of HGTV's Island Hunters. "I cannot wait for you to experience what is truly one of the most amazing locations on earth."

Visit http://www.gladdenprivateisland.com

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We welcome interview requests. Please email info(at)privateislandsinc(dot)com.

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World's Most Private Island Resort Opening September 1, 2017 ... - Benzinga

Editor's Note CNN Travel's series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However, CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy.

( CNN ) Whether you're in search of an all-inclusive luxury resort or a chilled-out beach villa, the Philippines has no shortage of remote retreats to whisk intrepid travelers off the grid.

Home to more than 7,000 islands, the Southeast Asian archipelago counts abundant marine life, colorful reefs and pristine beaches among its selling points.

But you'll want to get there soon.

While the cluster of resorts along Manila Bay are easy enough to find, you'll have to work a little harder to check out these far-flung hotels.

Amanpulo is one luxurious adventure.

Claiming a plot of sand on its own private island, Amanpulo is all about off-grid luxury.

The exclusive address sprawls across 89-hectare Pamalican Island in the Sulu Sea -- about an hour's flight southwest of Manila.

The only catch? To get here, travelers must spring for a chartered flight -- the 15-seat jet lands on the island's own private airstrip.

But, then again, if you're staying at Amanpulo, you can probably afford it.

Upon arrival guests settle into a beautifully appointed villa, designed using natural materials such as Cebu marble, coconut shell table tops and pebbled walls.

The experience includes a personal butler, private plunge pools and even personal chefs in some of the top-end villas.

Active types, rejoice: Most days will revolve around exploring the pristine surrounds -- think jungle trekking, diving, snorkeling, cycling, turtle spotting and tennis.

For those looking for peace and quiet, Qi Palawan is about as secluded as it gets.

To access this family-run retreat, travelers must catch an hour-long flight from Manila to El Nido Airport, followed by an hour's drive to the northeastern edge of Palawan island.

You know you're close when the van bumps along a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.

Once there, it's nothing but sea views, breezy hammocks and lush gardens.

Taking eco-conscious measures to reduce its carbon footprint, the retreat features back-to-basics luxuries such as locally made soaps, an organic herb garden and open-air architecture.

There are seven bamboo villas, a yoga pavilion and an open-air restaurant helmed by one of the best chefs in Palawan.

Guests can try their hand at kiteboarding on the beach or take a day trip to nearby dive sites and remote islands.

Other highlights include a picnic lunch, snorkeling or a venture to the lush Linapacan island group, considered one of the most pristine locations in the Philippines.

Hummingbirds, dense forests, limestone cliffs, waterfalls and lakes -- Caramoan Island is an idyllic corner of south-central Philippines.

In the middle of it all is Tugawe Cove Resort. Built along a hillside above Lauing Bay, the elevated outpost offers panoramic views of Sombrero, Loto and Litao islands in the distance.

There's an open-air restaurant and an infinity pool perched at the top of the hill, and a path that leads down to the water.

At the beach, guests can hop into a kayak, don snorkeling gear or try their hand at paddle boarding.

The rooms' warm wood finishes and ocean tones echo the surrounds -- with options to stay in three distinct areas: by the nearby lake, along the hillside or at the very top.

Reaching Tugawe Cove Resort requires careful planning to align with the limited flight schedules.

Expect an hour-long flight from Manila to Virac, followed by a 45-minute ride to Codon port, and a 30-minute boat ride to the resort.

Amarela embraces with an all-natural aesthetic.

A low-key beach resort overlooking the Bohol Sea, Amarela is at home on a secluded beach on Panglao Island.

All about the carefree island lifestyle, the 31-room retreat is a one-hour plane ride from Manila to Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital, followed by a 30-minute car transfer.

Amarela's location is far enough away to feel remote, but close enough to offer relatively easy access to a few worthwhile attractions on Panglao island.

The main draws include the photogenic Puntod sandbar, Hinagdanan cave and lagoon, Balicasag's colorful reefs, and pristine Alona Beach.

Keeping with the all-natural aesthetics, the resort's rooms have been designed to complement the surrounds -- picture reclaimed wood, antique furniture, local art and a warm, earthy palette.

Located on Panglao Island in south-central Philippines, Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa stretches across 16 scenic hectares of rustic gardens and dramatic cliffs.

The luxury resort feels remote thanks to its position on the southernmost tip of Bohol, but it's relatively easy to reach -- just a one-hour flight south of Manila, followed by a 30-minute drive.

Relaxed yet refined, all the thatched-roof villas feature private pools, but the hotel's infinity pool is the pice de rsistance.

The water's perfect shade of turquoise tricks the eye into thinking the pool spills into the ocean.

The pool may look inviting but there are plenty of other water activities at this oceanfront address -- from dolphin watching to sunset cruises, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and island hopping.

Apulit Island's over-water cottages promise unobstructed views.

El Nido Resort is usually one of the first names to pop up when researching hotels in Palawan.

The string of boutique properties was one of the first luxury ventures to touch down in El Nido more than 30 years ago, when there were only a handful of modest beach bungalows in the area.

The most remote in the El Nido Resorts portfolio? Apulit Island.

Situated on the eastern coast of Palawan in lesser frequented Taytay Bay, this eco-adventure spot is surrounded by imposing limestone cliffs.

A vacation here offers an adrenaline-filled few days of diving -- there's a Japanese shipwreck just off the coast -- snorkeling, cliff jumping, rock climbing, rappelling, spelunking, snorkeling and island hopping.

Built on stilts, the 50 over-water cottages promise unobstructed sea views and easy access to the turquoise water below.

Most travelers budget at least a week to enjoy the area, due to the lengthy trip.

Plan for a one-hour flight from Manila to El Nido, followed by a 1.5-hour drive east, and an hour-long boat transfer.

Hidden away in the southeastern Bicol Region of the Philippines, Ticao Island Resort enjoys a long stretch of sand all to itself.

It's a well-earned reward after a long trip. To reach the island outpost, expect an hourlong flight to Legazpi City from Manila, followed by a 1.5-hour drive and a 2-hour outrigger boat ride.

Upon arrival, guests quickly settle into the laid-back island life thanks to full-board rates and nearly all-inclusive activities.

The beachfront cabanas and rustic surrounds are perfect for back-to-basics getaways -- picture simply appointed thatched roof huts, breezy decks, an open-air restaurant and uninterrupted ocean views.

Thanks to the manta ray and whale shark populations nearby, the address has developed a reputation for its diving classes and tours.

One of the hotel's partners is also the founder of the Manta Bowl dive site. Ideal for experienced divers, the site is like an underwater ride thanks to a current that pulls divers through the water alongside fevers of rays.

Back on land, Ticao Island Resort offers a full roster of activities, including jungle treks, horseback riding, billiards, darts and outings to nearby Mayon Volcano.

Atmosphere Resort & Spa conveniently sits opposite the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary.

An independently owned resort, Atmosphere Resort & Spa is run by two British expats -- a scuba diver and an architect -- who met in the Philippines more than 15 years ago.

The husband-and-wife duo couldn't have picked a better location -- picture dark volcanic sand beaches in the shadow of Mount Talinis.

Thanks to minerals in the sand from the nearby volcano, the area's marine life is unique and varied, attracting underwater photographers and divers from all over the world.

The address conveniently sits opposite the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary, which makes for easy snorkeling and diving excursions.

Emphasizing health and wellness, Atmosphere comes fully equipped with a gluten-free and vegan-friendly bakery, daily yoga classes by the beach and a secret garden-like spa where treatment pavilions are surrounded by waterfalls.

The destination is relaxing, but getting here takes some effort.

To reach the resort, travelers fly into Dumaguete airport -- about an hour-long flight south of Manila -- followed by a 40-minute drive.

A recently opened resort on its own outlying island -- off the coast of El Nido in Palawan -- Cauayan Resort aims to attract a well-heeled crowd.

To reach the private island resort, travelers typically fly from Manila to El Nido, followed by a 15-minute transfer to the port and a 30-minute boat ride.

The stylish resort offers a mix of private villas, a few scattered around a lagoon and the rest right on the beach, where baby whale sharks swim freely.

Each of the 24 bungalows is decked out with teak wood, king-sized beds and rain showers, while the Grand Cauayan Pool Villa features two bedrooms and a private pool.

Aside from the bamboo bungalows and some wooden steps, Cauayan Island is still an untouched tropical jungle, so expect back-to-nature experiences with insects, birds, and unexpected animal encounters.

To make the most of its location in scenic Bacuit Bay, the hotel runs daily island hopping outings, which may include stops at the aptly named Secret and Hidden beaches nearby, as well as the iconic Big and Small lagoons, accessible by kayak.

Every detail has been designed to celebrate the area's natural beauty.

This is the place for carefree island vibes and a stretch of empty sand.

Dedon Island is a remote outpost on Siargao Island in the far south of the archipelago, about a five-hour trip from Manila via Cebu, followed by a 40-minute ride in the hotel's jeepney bus.

The luxurious retreat offers all-inclusive rates, so you can spend your time sipping sundowners rather than counting coins.

From open-air pavilions to coconut tree groves, frangipani gardens, a hidden treehouse, romantic day beds and bird's nest woven chairs, it seems every detail has been designed to celebrate the area's natural beauty.

The upscale address is also a favorite among well-to-do surfing enthusiasts, thanks to its proximity to Cloud 9 -- a break in the Philippine Deep trench known for picture-perfect tubes.

Can't balance on a board? No to worry -- there's a wide lineup of activities, including deep-sea fishing, kayaking, wakeboarding, island hopping, biking and relaxing evenings at the outdoor cinema.

A personal butler, airport transfers, poker nights, an outdoor cinema and a gorgeous pool -- Siargao Bleu Resort and Spa is not a typical beach retreat.

There are 40 villas and hotel rooms -- some with Jacuzzis, and all with ocean views.

The hotel operates tours all over the island, including trips to the nearby rock pools, crocodile sanctuary, mangroves and even water buffalo rides at sunset.

Just a five-minute walk to the famous Cloud 9 swell, the resort also offers a special package aimed at experienced and aspiring surfers.

To get here? It's a one-hour flight from Cebu to Del Carmen in Siargao, then a 45-minute complimentary van transfer to the hotel.

See the original post here:

Luxury travel: The most remote resorts in the Philippines - CNN

( CNN ) How do you avoid the throngs of sun seekers when you just want a waterfront vacation away from it all?

A private island, where you're secluded from all but a handful of staff and fellow guests, may be just what the doctor ordered.

Here are four tropical, and one not-so-tropical, island getaways where you can escape and unwind.

Necker Island is available for $80,000 a night.

One of the most famous and over-the-top private islands is this Caribbean compound owned by Sir Richard Branson.

You, along with 33 of your best friends and family, can live it up here as well for a cool $80,000 a night.

For that sum you'll have access to the island's 17 guest bedrooms, along with the bunkhouse that sleeps up to six kids; multiple pools; tennis courts; spa; a full staff, including Michelin-trained chefs; all sorts of recreational toys and watersports (there's even a zip line); and more.

If the entire island is a bit out of reach, you can also sign up for one of what they call their Celebration Weeks, when you can rent out an individual room for three to 10 nights.

$80,000 per night for the entire island for up to 34 people; $4,280 per couple per night during Celebration Weeks

The Meridian Club's Sand Dollar Cottage is steps from the beach.

All of the rooms here look out onto the water and feature a screened-in porch where you can sit back and savor the view.

Another major perk of a stay here is that the Meridian Club is all inclusive, so everything from your meals to your equipment rentals is included. Heck, even the postcards are included.

Rates start at $895 per night.

The way you get the staff's attention here is with flags; hoist up the yellow flag to let them know you need room service, transportation somewhere or have some other request, and let the red flag fly when you just want to be left alone.

Here, amid the miles of white-sand beach and tropical woodland, you can fully unwind and take a break from all of the texts, emails and phone calls that bombard our daily lives.

Your only tasks involve sampling some locally caught seafood at one of the weekly beach barbecues, enjoying an alfresco massage at the hillside spa and taking a leisurely barefoot stroll under the starlit sky.

Rates start at $1,100 a night.

The Renaissance Aruba ferries guests to its own private island.

Just head to the boat dock on the lower level immediately below the lobby for the eight-minute ride to the resort's 40-acre private enclave, where you can feed the flamingos, go snorkeling, grab lunch and a cocktail, or simply kick back in a hammock with a good book.

The island is even separated into two distinct sides -- one for families and one for adults only.

Room rates start at $168.

Of course, not all islands have swaying palms and sandy beaches. Take this remote 80-acre refuge in the heart of New England. Its landscape is mostly spruce forest, surrounded by a granite shoreline and clusters of small neighboring islands almost as far as the eye can see.

A vacation here reminds you a bit of summer camp, with sailing and fishing, horseshoes, badminton and roasting marshmallows over a toasty fire.

Proprietor Colie O'Donnell, who bought the island back in 1986, says that kids who stay here often just pitch a tent and sleep out by the water's edge, despite the fact that the property has a total of 18 beds in both the big main house and the bunkhouse.

Rates start at $8,500 a week in peak season from mid-June to Labor Day.

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5 idyllic private island retreats - CNN International

Observer

Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Honeymoon Needed No Filter Observer Shortly after their wedding, the newlyweds jetted to Laucala Island resort in Fiji, a destination perfect for total privacy since you have to board a private plane in order to get there. It's one of three privately owned islands in the area; Red Bull ... and more »

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Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Honeymoon Needed No Filter - Observer

Blackfire RED Aims to Save Consumers From 'Entertainment Islands'

With RED, Blackfire envisions a home network of compatible devices that can all send and receive audio and video streams where needed.

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Blackfire Research takes the wraps off Blackfire RED today, a distribution framework designed to make device-to-device streaming within the home easy and ubiquitous. RED stands for "real-time entertainment distribution," and the company says it will prevent consumer's entertainment choices from being confined to their own private islands. With RED-enabled speakers, for example, consumers can create multi-room streaming audio systems that are perfectly in synch using speakers from a variety of manufacturers. Or, with a RED-enabled TV they could stream high-resolution video from a set linked to an online subscription service to another in the home that isn't.

RED can stream 5.1 audio and 4K video, and is sophisticated enough to strip out a video's audio channel and send it to RED-enabled speakers. The framework includes three parts: a software engine built into consumer electronics devices, a communications protocol that can work around interference, and a programming interface for real-time distribution. Blackfire is leaving mobile app creation up to its partner CE companies; there won't be one master RED app that controls all of a home's devices. Instead, each partner will create their own app.

The first RED-enabled devices will debut this month and are all audio-related. The company says there will be roughly 90 product lines shipping by the end of the year, including products from Harman Kardon, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Integra. Shoppers will see a RED logo on the packaging of supported products. RED-enabled TVs should hit the market next year.

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Related Articles

UltraViolet becomes a little less restrictive thanks to a Vudu feature that lets members share the contents of their online libraries.

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Blackfire RED Aims to Save Consumers From 'Entertainment Islands' - StreamingMedia.com

Unless you are a sailor youve probably never heard of Meganissi. It is one of the Ionian Islands in western Greece but at less than nine square miles it is overshadowed by its much larger sister islands Corfu and Lefkas.

Getting to Meganissi from London involves an easyJet flight from Gatwick to Preveza airport on the mainland, a 20-minute drive over a sea-crossing bridge to Lefkas and then 20 minutes by sea taxi. Travellers pass the private island of Skorpios, once owned by Aristotle Onassis, before arriving on green Meganissi with its coves, beaches and whitewashed villages.

Its a journey that Oscar Tymon knows well. In 2005 he and his wife Sue, both former City workers, bought a 10-acre plot on Meganissi and two years later started building a home there. Door to door it takes eight hours from our house in Bromley, says Oscar. Or five hours from when the plane leaves London.

Regular trips: Oscar and Sue Tymon of Bromley, with children Abby, Alexis, Eve and Charlie, holiday for up to seven weeks a year in the villa the couple built on Meganissi

SAIL TO SECRET COVES

By early 2009 the project was complete. Oscar, Sue and their four children, Abby, Alexis, Eve and Charlie, now aged 16 to 27, have loved their Greek holiday home ever since.

Meganissi is wonderful for boating with safe waters and good wind, says Oscar. The sailing community know it as a place with untouched coves and bays. We have a boat and love to explore Ithaca, Kefalonia or Lefkas where even in summer theres always somewhere to moor for a waterfront lunch.

Paradise: Oscar and Sue Tymons villa, Akrothea, has a large infinity pool overlooking the Med

Peaceful and private, Meganissi is unspoilt with a year-round population of 1,500. Theres a supermarket, a few boutiques, butchers and patisseries, several tavernas and hotels and one nightclub.

It is like the land that time forgot, laughs Sue, an award-winning garden designer. All the necessary infrastructure is there, it just doesnt always look like it is. And you cannot overestimate the friendliness of the locals.

Their house, Akrothea, has five double bedrooms and a large infinity pool overlooking the Med. The family visit for six or seven weeks a year and otherwise rent it through The Thinking Traveller for 3,966 to 10,163 a week.

3,966-10,163 a week: Oscar and Sue Tymons villa, Akrothea, sleeps 10

An acre building plot on Meganissi would cost 128,000 to 170,000, and on Corfu it would be 215,000 to 256,000. New-build three-bedroom villas on Meganissi start at 280,000 through Rokka Villas. On Corfu, Sphere Estates has a four-bedroom detached east coast villa with pool for 467,000.

HOW TO RENT OUT YOUR HOLIDAY HOME

Since 2013 British couple Oscar and Sue Tymon have rented out their villa on Meganissi through The Thinking Traveller, a London-based company with 200 exclusive properties on its books, founded and run by Huw and Rossella Beaugi.

Mining gems in the Med: Huw and Rossella Beaugi run London-based villa rental firm The Thinking Traveller

Half the companys properties are in Sicily and a further 45 are elsewhere in Italy, but they also cover the Ionian Islands, with seven villas on Meganissi.

Their best villas rent for an impressive 30 weeks-plus each year with an average weekly rent of 6,000.

Says Huw: The Holy Grail for villa renters is a pool, a sandy beach and an easy walk to local restaurants. Combine that with peace, views and top-quality furnishings, and you have the perfect villa.

Read more from the original source:

London family who built a Greek island getaway: unspoilt Meganissi ... - Homes and Property

Cruise lines know their ships are crucial elements in attracting travelers to book, but they also understand that where they sail is extremely important too.

Thats why the latest push has been for companies to develop private islands and destinations that deliver the best shoreside experience on par with the shipboard one.

For decades, the Caribbean has been a mainstay of cruise port calls and excursions, but only the private concept ensures end-to-end quality control dictated by the cruise line.

While Norwegian Cruise Lines Great Stirrup Cay, for instance, had been around for longer, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Cay was really the first to set the gold standard with its attached pier that did not require tendering ashore and its overall pristine attractions and facilities.

MORE Cruise Line & Cruise Ship

Great Stirrup Cay is among the destinations receiving recent attention, taking cues from Norwegians other new Harvest Caye, which also has its own dock. Interestingly, several new destinations are beginning to eclipse Castaway Cay with more elaborate features like zip-linesalready at Harvestand on their way for Great Stirrup.

The question is whether Disney will try and catch up or stick to its tried-and-true formula.

There wastalkof the line working to develop another island destination, but that project has apparently been abandoned for now.

READ MORE:Carnival to Build Largest Cruise Port in the Bahamas

In the meantime, the race continues with other lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises most prevalently. Holland America Line has already updated its Half Moon Cay some, but bigger attractions are expected from the other three companies.

The idea seems to be to offer as many experiences to guests on shore that the ships can't provide onboard, as well asfacilitating more of the ship opportunities for longer on land.

MSC Cruises first private island of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is set to open in October 2018, with not only a pier but the unique chance to stay off the ship into the evening. Since the cruise line owns the island, it will not be restricted to keeping the ships casino closed either. Also ashore will be extensions of the MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship complex and privileges as well as attractions such as zip-lines.

Now that its Labadee destination in Haiti is well established, Royal Caribbean International is focusing on enhancing its other CocoCay with an attached dock, ziplinesand a water park, according toSeatrade Cruise News. Other excursions and sports will also be on the docket.

The project is likely to put both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian neck and neck for the best pair of private cruise destinations.

READ MORE:Enhanced Great Stirrup Cay Impresses

Carnival Cruise Line could be another to soon tout two destinations, with existing Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic being one, but its not entirely certain that its newly announced development on Grand Bahama Island will be a private destination per se.

For now, its said by the company to be the largest purpose-built cruise facility ever constructed in The Bahamas, according to a press release.

It will feature a one-mile-long beach; food, beverage and shopping options; water amenities and recreational facilitiesall of which are indeed likely to be exclusive with hybrid means to also access other areas and attractions on the island, not unlike Harvest Cayes relationship with greater Belize.

If it does turn out to be private, it will surely impress in scale as its also set to include a pier that can accommodate two of Carnivals biggest ships simultaneously. (Other private island docks can only tie off one ship at a time.)

In either case, the race is surely on, and it will be most interesting to follow other destinations like Castaway Cay and even the likes of Princess Cruises Princess Cays to see if they plan improvements as well. One thing that is for certain: those without attached piers and elaborate parks will soon be in the minority.

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The Great Caribbean Private Destination Race - TravelPulse

By Sarah Coles 8 Jun 2017, 14:50

Updated:8 Jun 2017, 14:50

Once you've reached a certain level of fame and fortune, then it's hard to get away from it all. Even with a beach house in Malibu, or a flash villa in a desirable resort, you're still going to have to spend your holiday with members of the public - and risk having your sunbathing interrupted by fans and selfie-seekers.

If you want to let your stomach muscles relax, strip down to your 'dad bod', or hang out with new friends without starting all sorts of colourful rumours - then it's time to invest in a private island.

See also: The most expensive homes in the world

See also: Seven island houses where you can shut out the world

And some famous faces have done just that - in some cases spending millions of dollars on an island getaway.

Johnny Depp invested in a Caribbean island - it apparently stretches over 45 acres and has six private beaches. He named one of the beaches after his daughter Lily-Rose.

Country power-couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have an island in the Caribbean of their own - this is spread over 17 acres, and is called Goat Cay. They built a main property for themselves - and separate cottages for visiting friends.

Steven Spielberg, meanwhile, went for an island in the Madeira archipelago. It's technically two islands merged into one - and the director apparently likes to have them both uninhabited.

Some stars, meanwhile, have decided to turn their private islands into money-spinners. Leonardo DiCaprio went for a Belizean island. He spent $1.75 on the unpopulated island back in 2005, and apparently plans to build an eco-resort there.

Perhaps the most famous Brit with an island of his own is Richard Branson who bought Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands almost 40 years ago. His famous guests have included Prince Harry, Tony Blair, and Kate Winslet (who was famously there when fire broke out in 2011). The multi-millionaire is still known to visit, but when he's elsewhere, the island is available for rental for up to 34 guests - at 1,866 per person, per night.

The rest is here:

Private islands of the rich and famous - AOL UK

Photo: Chronicle Photo Illustrations, The Chronicle

On Melissa: Club Monaco Dacko romper, $229, http://www.clubmonaco.com; and Zero + Maria Cornejo Luna sandals (on ground), $595, http://www.zeromariacornejo.com. On Amaryon: Club Monaco Connor stretch chino, $98.50, http://www.clubmonaco.com; Welcome Stranger lilac T-shirt with pocket, $55, Azalea, and Givenchy camo slides (on ground), $295, Saks Fifth Avenue, 384 Post St.

On Melissa: Club Monaco Dacko romper, $229, http://www.clubmonaco.com; and...

For those who can escape to a beach or some other retreat this summer, here are a few page-turners to keep your mind from atrophying from too much relaxation. For those who cant get away, Style offers a few beautiful books to make you feel like youre off on a dream vacation.

The beach reads:

Party Girls Die in Pearls: An Oxford Girl Mystery Vogue contributing editor Plum Sykes third novel, Party Girls Die in Pearls is a rollicking romp through 1980s Oxford University with plenty of glamour, gossipy prose and a murder! Sykes heroine, Ursula Flowerbutton, has one of the best character names since Tennessee Williams Blanche DuBois, and her love of Dynasty-era fashion and antics keep the style high and the morals decadently low in this juicy tome. Crisp and quip-filled, perfect with a cup of tea. (Harper Collins, $26.99)

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan The authors third novel chronicling super-wealthy Chinese and Chinese Americans (following the Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend), Rich People Problems takes us to the deathbed of a wealthy matriarch and lets the sparks fly as her greedy relatives compete for her fortune and any heirloom not nailed down. The novel takes readers from private schools to private islands and shows that no matter the bank balance, everyone has problems. ( Penguin Random House, $14.62)

Apprenticed to Venus: My Secret Life With Anas Nin by Tristine Rainer (Arcade Publishing, 384 pages, $25.99)Imagine being an inexperienced 18-year-old college girl from the San Fernando Valley and suddenly being thrust into the sophisticated big leagues when you find suddenly find yourself suddenly in the orbit of controversial writer and diarist Anas Nin. In Apprenticed to Venus, Tristine Rainer shares her experiences with the author of the erotic bestseller The Delta of Venus and lover of Henry Miller as she came into her own sexuality and womanhood. Nin comes across as a slightly sinister, taboo-breaking Auntie Mame, but undoubtedly one with a lot to teach. (Arcade Publishing, $25.99)

The escape books:

The Seaside House: Living on the Water If you dont have a house on the shore, flipping through Nick Voulgaris IIIs coffee-table tome is the next best thing. Douglas Friedmans photographs bring readers into some of the most jaw-dropping homes on the water, including Martha Stewarts famed Seal Harbor residence (Stewart also wrote the books foreword) and Donna Karans Zen hideaway in the Hamptons, and shows off interiors by noted designers including Steven Gambrel and Ken Fulk. (Rizzoli, $55)

House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth edited by Hamish Bowles, foreword by the Duke of Devonshire, text by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell and Charlotte Mosley, introduction by the Countess of Burlington Chatsworth is one of the most famous historic houses in England, and House Style features it magnificently alongside contemporary and historic fashion in an exquisite setting. The Cavendish family and the hereditary dukes of Devonshire have called the Derbyshire site home since Elizabethan times. Editor Hamish Bowles tells the stories of some of its most famous residents, including the scandalous Georgiana, the Dduchess of Devonshire; Kick Kennedy; and Mitford sister Deborah, the duchess of Devonshire who saved the house post-WWII. A lush feast for the eyes for anyone missing Downton Abbey or awaiting the return of The Crown. (Rizzoli, $45)

Ibiza Bohemia Riche but rustic hippie chic is the signature aesthetic of this Mediterranean hot spot that has attracted artists, musicians and decadent partygoers for decades. From the local characters to the scenic cliffs and indoor-outdoor homes that are envy-inducing escapes, Renu Kashyaps Ibiza Bohemia captures a slice of the lifestyle thats inspired numerous brands and resort collections. (Assouline $85)

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com

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Books to read on escape, or help you escape - San Francisco Chronicle

Getty Images; Melissa Hebeler / E! Illustration

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have been together for over 20 years, and while that kind of love is a reward in itself, it's also proven to have some other benefits, too.

Both Tim and Faithsaw quite a bit of success in the early '90s, and they ended up gettingtogether at the peak of their careers in 1996. Faith joined the country crooner on hisSpontaneous Combustion Tour, and they ended up falling hard and fast for one another. They married in October of that year and welcomed their first child, Gracie, into the world in May of 1997.

Many stories like this would continue by saying "the rest was history," but the rest was only about to get better for these two.

The next 20 years of marriage proved to not only be filled with love, family (including two more daughters, Audrey and Maggie), friendship and tons of memories, it also proved to be quite lucrative, too.

Tim and Faith have built a massively successful empire together...and by massive we mean $145 million worth.Just check out some of the numbers below...

Becky Fluke

$145 Million: Together, it's estimated that the couple is worth a whopping $145 million, which putsthem in the list of top earning celebrity couples.

$80 Million:Faith's estimated net worth adds up to around $80 million thanks to her music career as well as her occasional acting roles on television shows and movies. She's also seen some payoffs from her fragrance line as well as her involvement with the NFL's Sunday Night Football.

$70 Million: Tim's estimated net worth comes in around $70 million, which can be chalked up to his music career as well as a couple acting appearances here and there.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

20 Million: Faith has sold over 20 million album units since debuting her first albumin 1993. She's released seven studio albums, four compilation albums and 42 singles.

40 Million: Tim has sold over 40 million album units since his debut album in 1994. Since then, he's released14 studio albums, 11 compilation albums and 67 singlesall of which havegrossed around $530 million.

$139 Million:After getting together, Tim and Faith decided they didn't want to spend more than a few days apart. Thus, they started touring together in 2000 with their first Soul2Soul tour. They followed that tour with the Soul2Soul II tour on which they embarked in 2006. The first grossed $50 million and the second grossed $89 million, becoming the highest grossing country music tour of all time (a record they held for several years). Together, the two tours grossed around $139 million. The couple has recently taken off for their third tour together, the Soul2Soul World Tour, which will only continue to add to their empire.

$18.3 Million: The couple just put their Franklin, Tenn., mansion on the market for $18.3 million.The 3,152square-foot home was built in 1800 and features three bedrooms with four baths as well as a master suite. The home also boasts sixfire placesand is part of a 622-acre property they own (though they sold off 131 acres of it in 2015). Faith and Tim bought the property in two separate transactions 17 years ago (in 2000) paying $13.75 million total for both.

20 Acres: The couple have recently transition theirpermanent residence to the 20-acre Bahamas islandthat they call "L'le d'Anges." They bought the land in 2003, and it took over a decade todevelopas they realized it was like building a small town. We can only imagine the cost that went into that!

Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan

$85,000: This is the base price listed for Faith's cara Range Rover, which she shared a photo of her hubby washing on Instagram not too long ago.

$149,000: Tim keeps a couple cars in his garage (that we know of), which add up to around $149,000. First and foremost, he's always talked about his red Jeep Wrangler, which he shared a photo of last year, noting "that's how I'll always be." He also owns a Land Rover Defender 90, which can cost around $70,000 as well as his late father's vintage Mercedes 200 series 280SL, which he could sell upwards of from $64,000.

Priceless: Although the couple is certainly not lacking when it comes to finances (they live on a damn island!), there's one thing money simply can't buy...20 years of marriage and unbreakable love.

"Tim has given me confidence and strength and my foundation," Faith said in an interview in 2000. "He makes me feel like I can conquer the world."

Tim, on the other hand, said, "I'm lucky to have her. She's the light of our whole family's life. She keeps everything going for us. We all strive to be like my wife, everybody in our family. If your wife holds the example for everybody in your family, that's a good thing."

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Inside Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's $145 Million Empire: Private Islands, Record-Breaking Tours and More - E! Online

No more parties in, around, or even related to L.A.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are a pretty low-key couple who like to spend most of their time out of the limelight, so it makes sense that they hosted a quiet and casual affair for Kanye's 40th birthday.

The family of four kept things small and intimate by renting out an entire private island in the Bahamas for a four-day vacation with their friends. The Kardashian-Wests booked out the Bakers Bay Golf and Ocean Club in the Abaco Islands for their stay, where they drank, played golf, swam in the ocean and had an all-round good time. According to Travel + Leisure, the trip put them back a cool $233,200 for the resort alone, and an extra $349,800 for the four private jets.

"Kim rented out an island and had all of Kanye's friends come and their families. They rented 4 planes and everyone left in secrecy and there was a no social media rule so no one would find them," a report from E! News read.

"It was a fun weekend for the family. Everyone hung out by the pool and the kids played on the beach making sand castles."

Check out some of the pictures below.

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Casual! Kim Kardashian Rented An Entire Island For Kanye West's 40th Birthday - ELLE

There's something to be said for having an island wedding with a "castaway" feeling, but it's not easy to achieve that and still give your guests the kind of luxurious accommodations that many of them crave when they travel to a tropical destination . Frequently, choosing a remote-feeling destination wedding location means having to ask your guests to make compromises. Unless you choose to get married on Palomino Island.

Palomino Island is one of only three privately-owned islands in Puerto Rico. It's just a little over 200 acres, and it has been owned by the same family for generations. The vast majority of the island has been rented to the Waldorf Astoria's El Conquistador Resort , a popular destination wedding venue on the east end of Puerto Rico, about an hour's drive from San Juan.

While El Conquistador's gardens and terraces on the cliff overlooking the water (and Palomino Island) are popular ceremony locations, for brides seeking a beach ceremony in an unforgettable locale, the resort has a very special treat for them on the shores of its private island.

There's a ferry that runs between the resort and the island every 30 minutes, free to guests of the hotel. It's only a 15-minute trip each way, and many couples choose to get married on the private island, and take their wedding pictures there, before returning to the resort for a fabulously posh reception. Choosing to get married before the regular ferries stop running at 5:30 pm keeps your budget in check, as all of your guests will travel to and from your ceremony for free. But not to worry, El Conquistador has kept the rates reasonable if you choose to charter your return trip so that you can capture sunset in your wedding photos.

For brides and grooms attracted to the Gilligan's Island -vibe of Palomino Island, it's possible to rent the entire private island for your wedding festivities. As in, you can get married on a beautiful Caribbean island that is entirely yours for the evening, and treat your guests to a fabulous tropical experience that is unlike anything they can experience anyplace else.

Just because Palomino evokes a castaway feeling doesn't mean your wedding ceremony or reception has to be any less elegant and sophisticated than you want. El Conquistador and its recommended vendors have designed numerous elaborate weddings, and other special events, on Palomino. You can have as many bells and whistles as your budget allows. For those who choose the private island for its Jimmy Buffet-esque appeal, you can stick with that theme and keep it casual while your guests party all night long. On a PRIVATE island that you and your fianc have rented for your entire wedding night.

Kamil Rivera Lopez, a catering sales manager at El Conquistador who plans weddings, explains that brides and grooms can literally have anything they want catered to their wedding reception on Palomino.

"We take everything over to the island on the ferries, and set it up exactly as the clients imagined it would look," Kamil says. The only caveat to her "anything you want and can afford" policy is elephants. The resort is popular for Indian weddings, and she's had that request more than once. There are no elephants available for rent in Puerto Rico. However, Palomino Island is equipped with beautiful horses that are frequently brought into service for wedding ceremonies and photo shoots.

See More: How to Choose a Wedding Planner for Your Destination Wedding

There are many lovely destination wedding venues on tropical islands, but El Conquistador is the only one in the Caribbean that boasts a private island that can be used exclusively by wedding couples for their wedding festivities. And since El Conquistador itself is located on the island of Puerto Rico, brides and grooms who choose Palomino Island as their wedding destination are getting married on an island, located off of an island. It makes their destination doubly special.

Another added bonus is the fact that this resort is in Puerto Rico, which means your wedding guests won't need passports for the trip, and they can use U.S. currency for their expenses. Don't forget to check out the off-season rateswhile temperatures in the continental United States become unbearable in the summertime, El Conquistador has stunning views and spectacular breezes on its cliffs year round.

Sandy Malone is the owner of Sandy Malone Weddings & Events and author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do-It-Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional. Sandy is the star of TLC's reality show Wedding Island , about her destination wedding planning company, Weddings in Vieques .

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This Destination Wedding Venue on a Private Island Is Actually AffordablePromise! - Brides.com