Category Archives: Private Islands

Looking for a post-lockdown getaway? Let Andrea Pearsonbe your guide with this selection of hotels on some ofScotlands most remote and beautiful islands...

Contrast the romance of the Orkneys Islands ancient past with the taste of contemporary Scottish cuisine at The Foveran, the islands beloved restaurant with rooms overlooking the sparkling waters of Scapa Flow.

The family-run hotel is a foodie paradise having twice won the Orkney Food Festival Best Evening Meal Award. Chef and proprietor Paul Doull sources local livestock, fish, and a surprising array of fruit and vegetables grown in the long hours of summer daylight to create seasonal menus. Kirkwall Bay scallops, lobsters and langoustines are among the star attractions, along with grass-fed beef, Grimbister Farm cheese and North Ronaldsay mutton which gets its distinctive texture and flavour from feeding on seaweed along the rugged island shoreline.

Finish the day with a dram of famous Highland Park whisky from Kirkwall. The kitchen also keeps the tradition of baking bere bunno or bannock, using stone-ground beremeal flour from the Barony Mill.

All eight of the rooms have recently been renovated to create the perfect stop between visits to some of the islands Neolithic sites.

http://www.thefoveran.com/

2. Jurassic lark

Perhaps Scotlands most romantic island, Skye offers rocky skylines, sandy beaches, castles, ancient monuments, and other-worldly geology if you are very lucky you might spot an actual dinosaur footprint. The four-star Marmalade hotel in Portree is a beautiful blend of historic manor house and contemporary architecture. Any time here is best spent sitting back to allow the dramatic landscapes envelop you like a huge tartan blanket.

The rooms and suites are contemporary and exquisitely stylish, but it is the views from the generously-sized windows that really make you realise that you are not in Kansas any more. Drink in the wonderful landscapes while enjoying complete comfort in your room with Nespresso coffee machines, Bose music systems, and beds draped in luxurious linens.

And new for this year is a stylish and Covid-safe outdoor seating area where the evening can be enjoyed around a roaring fire in the firepit.

By day, explore the lush gardens to enjoy the views over the harbour village and the Cuillins. Every stay in the hotel is completed by fine dining in the hotels excellent Chargrill restaurant.

perlehotels.com/marmalade

3.Remote control

Scarista House on Harris is quite simply one of the most beautiful and remote places to stay in Scotland, with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, heather-covered mountains, and a three-mile long sandy beach.

This comfortable, elegant hotel and restaurant is set within a 200-year-old manse with 3ft-thick walls, atmospherically creaky floorboards, and real fires.

Cooking is a serious business, and the menu is meticulously created using as much organic, wild and homegrown produce as is possible, while all bread, cakes, biscuits and ice cream are homemade.

Scarista House is the only Outer Hebrides restaurant to be featured in Alastair Sawdays Eat Slow Britain, and it is listed in the Michelin Guide. It is also the kind of place to bring the dog (by arrangement) for a good run on the beach and resident pooches Brodie and Maud are very welcoming.

scaristahouse.com

4.Private property

Ever dreamed about having your own island? A stay at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island can make this a reality.

And you dont even need to negotiate yourself on and off the CalMac ferry this island is joined to the mainland, just north of Oban, via a small, private bridge. Relax in your private island hideaway as Highland cattle graze, badgers visit, and otters and grey seals swim in and out of the sparkling seaweed along the shorelines.

Or live the sporting life by joining in traditional activities such clay pigeon shooting, archery or Viking-inspired axe throwing. With a nine-hole golf course and the chance of croquet on the lawn, it is very much a lairds weekend.

eriska-hotel.co.uk

5. For peats sake

For a truly indulgent break away filled with luxuries and seven miles of bleached white sands, it might be hard to beat the wonder that is the Machrie Hotel & Golf Links. Islay is, of course, peated whisky heaven and a birdwatchers paradise, but The Machrie now adds a championship links golf course into the mix.

Originally an 18th-century farmhouse, The Machrie reopened in 2018 with 47 new rooms, suites and lodges enjoying stunning views across the links or to the sea. Find apres-golf (or even anti-golf) treats at the hotels gym and spa or book a trip with Islay Sea Adventure to see seals, white-tailed sea eagles, and occasionally a basking shark.

On fine evenings, dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and top the day off with some of Scotland very finest whiskies. Slainte.

campbellgrayhotels.com/machrie-islay-scotland

6. Coll of the wild

The little island of Coll, all 13 miles by three miles of it, offers the epitome of social distancing. And if the call of Coll gets you in summer 2021, The Coll Hotel as the only hotel and pub on the island is where you will probably find yourself.

The hotel is known for delicious, freshly-caught seafood expect lobster, crab and langoustine as well as delicious Hebridean grass-fed lamb. As is the case with many a small island kitchen, homemade just about everything is the order of the day.

A stunning array of chutneys, marmalade, jams, pickles, breads, ice cream, and pastas are all made at the hotel. By day, explore the could-be-the-Caribbean beaches or take the binoculars to spot birds in the remote but spectacular RSPB reserve.

collhotel.com

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Staycation in Scotland: 6 remote and beautiful Scottish Island escapes - HeraldScotland

Party Like It's 1999: A February 2000 event at Mar-a-Lago. From left, then-real estate developer ... [+] Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Ghislaine Maxwell has had a tough winter. During January and February this year, her attorneys have filed serial motions to dismiss part or all of the charges against her that have yet to succeed. For their part, the prosecutors of the Southern District of New York have been hard at work digging up evidence to do the exact opposite, namely, to widen the scope of the case she faces at trial, still foreseen to begin in Manhattan on July 12. The new now-eight-count indictment of the British socialite, pictured above at a Mar-a-Lago party with Epstein and Donald Trump in 2000, was released on March 29.

Specifically, federal attorneys have increasedthe time frame of her alleged criminal activity by seven years, to 2004 from 1997, and, based on evidence from a new witness, have added two significant new charges, the first, conspiracy to sex traffic (with Jeffrey Epstein), and the second, sex-trafficking of a minor. Both charges are based on the government's evidence obtained from an alleged victim named by the prosecutors as "minor victim-4." In other words, the new charges do more than just bring the number of counts she faces up by a third. The indictment now brings to four the number of minor females that the government has found who allege that they were recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein's subsequent exploitation.

Royal Ascot Race Meeting, Ladies Day: Prince Andrew, Duke Of York and Ghislaine Maxwell At Ascot. ... [+] (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Maxwell's attorneys have yet to respond, but the increase in time frame in which her alleged criminal behavior occurred and the existence of minor victim-4, who was reportedly recruited by Maxwell when she was fourteen, presents Maxwell and her legal team with yet another direct accusation of tremendous gravity with which they must contend. As first submitted in summer 2020, the indictment presented the Maxwell team with a highly complex, multi-pronged fight. Now, that will be layered with, presumably, a believable then-young witness who reportedly underwent serial abuse from Epstein and Maxwell at the beginning of her teenage years. Suffice it to say that any jury would be moved by listening to testimony such as that.

Drinks With Friends: Ghislaine Maxwell and Piers Morgan attend a party in 2013 in New York City. ... [+] (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Unlike that of Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, whose testimony is not included in the trial, the narrative of minor victim-4 does not include national or international travel, but that, according to the indictment, was only because she turned down the invitation from Ghislaine Maxwell to help her get a passport.

For her part in further investigating Epstein, U.S. Attorney Denise George is not done with her assessment of the many Epstein flight logs into and out of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in whose jurisdiction Little Saint James, Epstein's private island, falls. What that means for Prince Andrew and many other denizens of Epstein's 'little black book' who visited Little Saint James at Epstein's invitation, remains to be seen.

Despite that unresolved flight-log investigation, the redoubled pretrial federal pressure on his good friend Ghislaine Maxwell means that Andrew's difficulties in being able to find ways to delay his cooperation with the U.S. prosecutors will grow rather than diminish. The Southern District of New York prosecutors have also announced that they will be submitting at the Maxwell trial evidence from their investigation of Epstein, himself, that includes statements from an extraordinary 250-plus additional witnesses, which, as in the Virgin Islands inquiry, will include service staff.

In short, in addition to the hard, direct accusations of criminal behavior within the March 29 amended indictment, Ghislaine Maxwell's prosecutors are literally bringing a mountain of circumstantial evidence that places their quarry firmly at the center of Epstein's operations. In other words, the prosecutors will present a detailed schematic of the Epstein procurement operation's reporting structure, in which Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly exercised a tremendous amount of responsibility. That will increase the likelihood of Andrew's presence at this or that Epstein venue or event coming into the courtly discussion, for instance, his presence at the dinner held in his honor in Epstein's mansion in December 2010, attended by, among other denizens of the Epstein black book, Woody Allen, Katie Couric, disgraced former broadcaster Charlie Rose, and political pundit George Stephanopolous.

The indictment raised the question of whether Ghislaine Maxwell's defense team would have the time to prepare to fight these additional charges by the July 12 start of the proceeding. Clearly, by releasing the amended indictment more than 90 days before that courtroom date, the government's opinion is that three-plus months is sufficient. In light of their to date unsuccessful attempts at winnowing the charges facing their storied client, it's considered likely that Ms. Maxwell's attorneys will be arguing that point differently.

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Ghislaine Maxwell Faces Two New Trafficking Charges, Raising Pressure On Prince Andrew And Others Listed In Jeffrey Epsteins Little Black Book -...

Washingtons San Juan Islands are a dreamy year-round destination with scenic countryside and waterfront attractions aplenty.

While San Juan County boasts 172 named islands and reefs, three islands are the most populous and offer ferry service to and from the mainland.

Whether you prefer the art and cuisine of San Juan Island, the history and culture of Orcas Island, or the laidback friendly vibes of Lopez Island, theres an idyllic getaway perfect for your taste. Keep reading to find your next island getaway.

Tucked along the north edge of San Juan Island, Roche Harbor Resort is a historic seaside treasure surrounded by lush gardens. Guests may choose between the historic hotel, picturesque cottages or luxurious contemporary homes.

Roche Harbor Resort

With its waterfront focus, whale watching tours are popular here, as are kayak and boating excursions. Yet in addition to outdoor adventure, the resort offers a full-service spa for pampering body treatments, complimented by eucalyptus steam rooms and a fireside relaxation lounge.

Roche Harbor Resort also offers a range of restaurants onsite including fine dining at McMillins Dining Room, bistro bites at Madrona Bar & Grill, and quick-serve breakfast and lunch at Lime Kiln Cafe. The onsite farm provides sustainable fresh produce and flowers for the resort and local community.

Just outside Friday Harbor, Lakedale Resort is situated on 82 wooded acres and surrounded by Lake Neva, Dream Lake and Fish Hook Lake. As such, the resort offers an incredible assortment of leisure activities ranging from canoeing and kayaking, fishing and boating, cycling and hiking, and swimming when the sun is just right.

Lakedale Resort

Lakedale offers five different accommodations with a cozy lodge and dog-friendly log cabins for more traditional travelers, while a yurt village, campsite, and canvas cabins offer outdoor immersion for the nature lover.

Resort log cabins are a true treat for families, with up to six guests comfortably accommodated and up to two dogs welcome. Cabins feature spacious family rooms with a gas fireplace, full kitchens packed with cookware amenities, and large cedar decks for savoring morning coffee.

Friday Harbor House is one of the most popular resorts on San Juan Island for good reason. With luxurious contemporary accommodations framed by waterfront views, and Friday Harbors downtown attractions right outside your door, this resort is a great getaway for weekenders and outdoor explorers alike.

Friday Harbor House in Friday Harbor, Wash, on San Juan Island

Friday Harbor House is perched on a bluff over the marina so guests may take in sun-kissed skies and surrounding natural beauty, while being mere steps from area eateries and boutiques. The outdoor dining space focuses on seasonal fare from area farmers and fishers, while indoor dining features floor to ceiling windows so the panoramic view is always within reach.

Each guestroom at Friday Harbor House features a gas fireplace and oversized jetted tub for two while suites include an outdoor balcony. Guests may savor San Juan Island Coffee Company with Chemex pour-over carafes provided in room, while bath salts and lavender pillow spray alongside LOccitane bath products provide cozy comforts for a luxurious night in.

Set along the marina and waterfront on Lopez Island, guests at Lopez Islander Resort have a variety of accommodations for a laidback getaway. Standard rooms and suites feature bayview decks, as do vacation homes which also offer kitchens and spacious family gathering spaces. RV sites and seasonal camping is also an option here, and of course the marina welcomes those arriving with their own floating home base.

Lopez Islander Resort

The focus of Lopez Islander resort is relaxation, recreation, and restoration. Onsite fine dining is complimented with a tiki lounge, while a seasonal outdoor pool provides a space for families to cool down in the summer months. Guests are welcome to explore the area with onsite provided bikes, while sea kayaking is also a popular activity at this quiet waterfront destination.

Massage services are available upon request, while an indoor jacuzzi room is available year-round. Pet-friendly accommodations are available.

Guests in search of a bed & breakfast with a resort-like ambience may find MacKaye Harbor Inn on Lopez Island a winning combination. This waterfront property offers a private sandy beach and tranquil accommodations with just five rooms. That means youll have ample private space to carve out relaxing downtime after enjoying a fresh-prepared daily breakfast.

MacKaye Harbor Inn

Ideal for two, the Harbor Suite includes a cozy fireplace and private, covered deck for soaking in coastal views. The inn offers bicycles for guests eager to explore the local natural setting, or to enjoy a nine-mile ride into Lopez Village for wine tastings, baked treats, and boutique shopping.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island overlooks East Sound and Cascade Bay. Guests can explore some of the remarkable history here by self-touring the Moran Mansion at Rosario where photographs and furnishings from the late 1800s and early 1900s recall Seattle shipbuilder Mayor Robert Morans legacy.

The resort is spread across 40 acres, so there is plenty to explore on land but kayaking the bay is a popular activity here, as are sunset and wine cruises. The onsite spa offers massage therapy and skin care, while the adult-only therapeutic indoor pool offers a tranquil space for relaxation. The resort features two seasonal outdoor pools, one for adults and another for families.

Rosario Resort and Spa

Guests may opt for bayside rooms or expansive luxury suites. The historic Roundhouse Suite offers a little extra indulgence and is perched on a bluff overlooking the marina and bay. This unique suite was built as a childrens playhouse in 1913, though now it caters to guests with a fireplace in the living space, a separate bedroom, and private outdoor deck.

Alongside Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, WorldMark Deer Harbor offers resort suites ranging from 426 to 1,480 square feet. Vacation rentals come with a kitchenette or full kitchen and a private deck, so casual home-cooked dining is a breeze at this relaxing destination. A shared barbeque area is also available.

WorldMark Deer Harbor

The studio deluxe cottage provides a romantic getaway with a private whirlpool on the deck and a fireplace warming the gathering space. The two-bedroom presidential suite offers the same, yet with two dedicated sleeping spaces for family comfort.

A fitness center and seasonal outdoor pool provide onsite workouts, while Moran State Park is just a few miles away for additional recreation.

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Best resorts in the San Juan Islands - seattlepi.com

Ashton Kutcher, Snoop Dogg, and Tyra Banks are only a few of Hollywood's most savvy business minds.

Celebrities often splurge and spend their fortunes on fancy cars and luxurious homes. There are endless reports of private jets that are used to travel to private islands. The lifestyles of the rich and famous are filled with fun times and limitless spending.... sometimes. There also happens to be a small group of celebrities that happen to be far more guarded about their finances. They are known to spend more wisely, and in many cases, take on some seriously impressive investment portfolios. There are a significant number of celebrity investors that quietly dominate the market and find clever ways to exponentially grow their wealth. Insider reports that many of the top celebrity investors find ways to dominate the market without anyone even knowing about their impressive skills.

One of the top investors happens to be the ultimate OG, Snoop Dogg. He has been the driving force behind many cannabis start up companies such as Leafs By Snoop, Eaze, Merry Jane, and FunkSac, through his fund, Casa Verde Capital. He also has a lot of money tied up in Reddit and Robinhood.

It's safe to say that Snoop Dogg's investment portfolio is very much representative of what he feels like, and how he is doing, and clearly, he just hasn't been ok.

RELATED:Millionaire Investor Reveals Dark Side Of The Gamestop & Robinhood Situation

Robert Downey Jr. has super strength and super smarts, and he has used his powers to investa good chunk of money into Loot Crate and Masterclass, which is a site that offers interactive video courses that are taught by major celebrities.

Most fans have no idea that Robert Downey Jr. puts his faith in his investments, but he definitely remains focused on growing and expanding his fortune, and stocks lead the path.

Justin Bieber has had some flighty moments as a teenager, and he definitely blew a lot of money on partying, and fast cars. However, now that he has matured and has settled into his fame in a more fluid, organic way, he has taken his finances far more seriously and has invested into Spotify as well as Selfie App Shots. His money now earns him more money, and his net worth just keeps on growing.

50 Cent routinely takes to Instagram to brag about his luxurious lifestyle and flaunt the flashy items that his fortune has afforded him. His wealth hasn't entirely come from his music, though. He has quite a bit invested in Glaceau's superior water, and he has even founded SMS Audio, a company that deals with consumer electronics.

When fans think of Will Smith, 'savvy investment guru' isn't quite what comes to mind. Best known for his actingin the role of Will on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air,he also happens to be a great source of wisdom when it comes to turning big profits with his investments. Smith has invested in the mental health start up company called BioBeats, and has also invested a significant amount of money in his men's clothing company which is called Vastrm.

One of the biggest contenders when it comes to investments happens to be Ashton Kutcher. He has extensive knowledge of the market and has had a genuine interest in investments from a very young age.

Kutcher is known to have one of the most diverse portfolio, and easily beats out the competition when it comes to dollars spent... and dollars earned. He has financially backed Airbnb, Box, and Bebo. He's not just the pretty face that appeared on the big screen for Dude, Where's My Car?, he alsohappens to be one of the most active investors in all of Hollywood.

Tyra Banks knows a good thing when she sees it, and is trained to appreciate beauty and potential in all forms. She opted to invest in The Muse, which works to assist those looking for jobs by guiding them throughthe various levels of technology, and now she has a whole other slew of assets that have nothing at all to do with the fashion world.

Banks has graced the largest stages and has walked the runway for some of the biggest designers of our lifetime. She has earned a fortune as a model and even as a host, and she keeps ongenerating impressive income as well.Her investment in The Muse allows her to represent something that remains near and dear to her heart; the strength of women in business. In 2016, The Muse was already worth $100 million, and it continued to grow and soar with success since then.

READ NEXT:Ashton Kutcher's Wise Investments Earned Him A $200 Million Net Worth

Sources: Celebrity Net Worth,Insider,Money and Markets

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Leena is a writer and editor that has a passion for life and keeps her finger on the pulse of current news and events. Her spare time is spent anywhere the sun happens to be shining.

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7 Successful Celebrity Investors | TheRichest - TheRichest

Singapore is a nation of jet-setters.

The city-state, which is smaller than New York City, is the ideal jumping-off point for the region thanks to its six-hour flight radius from any Southeast Asian country. In 2015, Singapore residents were the world's seventh-highest spenders on overseas travel, forking out a combined $22.5 billion, according to a 2016 Visa report.

"The lifestyle here it doesn't matter whether you're a local or an expat is very much about being on a plane and seeing the region and doing weekends away to Vietnam," Andrea Savage, an interior designer who caters to Singapore's high-net-worth crowd, told Insider. "It's sort of equivalent to going to the Hamptons."

That all changed in March 2020 with the COVID-19 outbreak. Singapore's borders closed, and 13 months into the pandemic, most who are allowed into the city-state must undergo a strict 14-day quarantine. While the city-state's ongoing contact-tracing mandates and group-size restrictions have proved effective at controlling the spread of the virus, they have also left its population of 5.7 million to keep themselves entertained in their own 280-square-mile city.

Singapore is smaller than New York City. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Singapore's populace is a prosperous one. The city-state is home to 3,732 people who are worth at least $30 million, including 26 billionaires, according to the 2021 Knight Frank Wealth Report. While China and the US lead the world in their total numbers of billionaire residents, Singapore's affluence is concentrated in a city-state that's less than half the size of London.

Insider spoke with experts who cater to Singapore's ultrawealthy from real-estate agents to event planners and interior designers about the ways their lifestyles have changed during the pandemic.

"What clients are spending money on hasn't changed during the pandemic, as much as where they're spending it has changed," Veron Shim, the CEO of the Singapore-based Envysion Wealth Management, which manages the wealth of high-net-worth families, told Insider. "Since clients can't travel, there's been a surge in support for luxury goods and fine-dining restaurants locally."

Before the pandemic, Arron Goh, the founder of the high-end-events company The Inside Access, spent his days organizing parties on yachts, in restaurants, or in some of Singapore's most exclusive private homes. And these events didn't come cheap: Goh curated events that had a starting cost of 300 Singapore dollars, or $223, a person.

When the pandemic struck, Goh made a pivot to virtual events, but once Singapore started allowing small in-person gatherings, his clients started requesting he organize intimate get-togethers.

"Events are still happening," Goh said. "It's really thinking outside the box. We can't do our usual parties."

Instead of huge yacht parties, Arron Goh has been planning intimate yacht dinners for six guests during the pandemic. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

For one client, he planned a dinner for six aboard a yacht in late February. They sailed to Lazarus Island, an uninhabited island south of Singapore's main island, where they had a meal of rustic French cuisine alongside a full open bar with cocktails, Champagne, wine, and beer.

"When we do a yacht party, you can have eight [people] now and me and my team are considered a part of [that] eight," Goh said, referring to the maximum group size currently allowed in Singapore. "So we are very selective and very careful about how we do all this stuff."

Another one of Goh's clients is a managing partner at a Singapore professional-services firm. Goh is organizing a 12th birthday party for her son. Even though the party will include only five boys, Goh is going all out with the plans: He's booking a DJ to teach a masterclass at the party, getting burgers catered by the local restaurant Three Buns, and setting up a milkshake bar.

Once it became clear that there would be no significant travel in the near future, Singapore's residents settled for booking staycations.

Virtually every five-star hotel in Singapore, whether Raffles Hotel or The Fullerton Hotel, started offering staycation packages. The society magazine Tatler has been publishing a staycation review series at hotels including the Marina Bay Sands and Capella Singapore Sentosa.

Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Athanasios Gioumpasis/Getty Images

Goh, the event planner, said many of his clients had spent much of the pandemic hotel-hopping around Singapore.

"They basically go around Singapore trying all sorts of hotels," he said. "They've probably never stayed in hotels in Singapore all their life they're always flying."

Pan Pacific Hotels Group, which has eight hotels in Singapore including Pan Pacific Singapore and ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay, has launched "an array of staycation experiences" for locals that start at about $235 a night at its five-star properties. With virtually no tourists entering Singapore, the domestic tourism market is still its main focus, Cinn Tan, the group's chief sales and marketing officer, told Insider in late January.

To entice local residents, Pan Pacific has offered deals ranging from spa discounts to getting 100% back in dining credits when guests book a stay at one of the four participating hotels.

Mike Harlow, the general manager of the global luxury-travel operator Scott Dunn, which has an office in Singapore, said that while some Singapore clients had requested stays at hotels such as Raffles and Capella, those in the upper echelon of wealth have shied away from staycations.

"The majority of them live in very nice landed properties on the edge of central Singapore, and they don't necessarily see the value in doing the staycations," Harlow said.

The pandemic has shaken up real-estate markets around the world, and Singapore is no exception.

Though the city-state had its worst recession on record in 2020, its property market has been on fire, with home prices at a two-year high as Singaporeans and foreign nationals snap up homes. Sunita Gill, the CEO and founder of the real-estate firm Singapore Luxury Homes, said she'd seen sales of landed luxury homes and penthouses "pick up a lot" during the pandemic as newly remote workers seek larger spaces.

A 24-bedroom "super penthouse" hit the market in Singapore last month for $104 million. Tristar Properties

The city-state has seen renewed interest from foreign nationals who are opening family offices in Singapore, Shim of Envysion told Insider.

"With the influx of wealthy family offices from overseas into Singapore, these families have been buying up real estate as well," Shim said. These foreign families are drawn by Singapore's stability, safety, and multiculturalism, she said.

And while travel restrictions may have kept some foreign buyers away in 2020, the region's ultrawealthy recently ranked Singapore as the most attractive location in Asia to buy luxury homes, according to Knight Frank's 2021 Wealth Report.

Others in Singapore have opted to spruce up their own home instead of buying a new one.

Andrea Savage, a partner at the high-end interior-design firm Design Intervention, said the firm saw a "huge increase" starting toward the end of 2020 of clients wanting to upgrade their primary homes in Singapore.

"It's not about having people over or showing off their homes," Savage said. "It's actually more about creating a space of well-being for them that makes them feel really good and gives them stability and a grounding factor in this pandemic."

Many affluent Singaporeans have put part of their travel budgets toward meals at some of Singapore's 41 Michelin-starred restaurants. Over the December holidays, many high-end restaurants were fully booked weeks in advance.

Emmanuel Stroobant, a chef and owner of two Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore, told Insider that his eateries had been thriving during the pandemic. As Stroobant put it, fine dining "remains one of the few forms of entertainment that consumers can experience in the current climate." Diners, he said, have also been willing to spend more; many have opted for the eight-course menu at his French restaurant, Saint Pierre, which costs 388 Singapore dollars, or $288, a person.

His other restaurant, Shoukouwa, a sushi restaurant that has two Michelin stars, has also been faring well during the pandemic especially because it can accommodate only up to eight guests at a time, Stroobant said.

"This exclusivity has fueled an even greater demand for diners to make their reservations months in advance," he said.

Saint Pierre. Saint Pierre

Goh, the event planner, said that while wealthy Singaporeans couldn't travel or throw parties, many had requested private dining packages at places like Odette or Les Amis, the only two Singapore restaurants with three Michelin stars.

As vaccines roll out across the globe and more countries plan to open up to tourists, Singaporeans are increasingly eager to turn their staycations into real vacations, Harlow of Scott Dunn said. Their clients who used to spend an average of 18,000 Singapore dollars on a vacation are beginning to plan travel.

"We've started to see more guests actually committing to trips now," Harlow told Insider. "At the beginning of the year we were just talking about ideas. Now, we're seeing confidence start to return, particularly at that ultra-high-net-worth end of the spectrum."

In January, the luxury-travel operator launched Scott Dunn Private, an invite-only membership service designed to cater to the private travel needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in light of the increasing complexities of travel.

Some affluent Singaporeans are booking private island vacations in the Maldives for later in 2021 or 2022. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Such clients are keen to book private islands and villas in destinations such as the Maldives and the Seychelles and luxury lodges in Australia and New Zealand with hopes of travel bubbles with Singapore, according to Harlow.

"We're definitely seeing guests wanting the extra space and controlled environments," he said.

Harlow said that despite Singapore's small size, there are certainly worse places to be stuck.

"It's a great city," he said. "The food is fantastic, and you've got a nice mix of beach and jungle and city. You realize how small it is when you can't go anywhere else."

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How the spending habits of Singapore's rich changed in the pandemic - Insider

ForNBA star Kevin Love and his fiance, model Kate Bock, home-cooked meals enjoyed at their dinner table are a treat. The engaged couple often finds that work takes them on the road, Love for the Cavaliers and Bockto far-flung beaches as a frequent SI Swimsuit issue model. Bock explains that one of their favorite rituals is tohave what they have dubbed "vegan nights,"especiallyonnightsafter his games. Eating plant-based helps the 6 foot 8 power forward recover faster (by eating tons of antioxidant-filled vegetables and whole foods) and sleepbetter (by staying away from meat and dairy), since on game nights dinner oftengets pushed toafter 11 p.m. Here, Bock shares everything she eats in a day, including the healthy meals she cooks forLove after he has burned well over 1,000 calories on the court.

Bock and Love's usual schedule involvescatching flights back andforth from New York, where her agency books fashion shoots, to Cleveland where Love holds court. In between the traveling chaos, Bock is busy prepping for 4 am call times, while Love sticks with his strict workout regime and drill workthat helped him become a five-time NBA all-star. The duohas no choice but to rely on proper nutrition to fuel up, with mealsserved by Bock with the help of Love, who she calls her "sous chef."

Love and Bock try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as they can every meal, but don't consider themselves plant-based. Bock may be one step closer to following a plant-based diet than Love since she's had a dairy allergy her whole life, and avoids dairy at all costs. For someone whorelies on dairy alternatives,Bock shares herfavorites, such asCocoJune plant-based yogurt.

She and Loveenjoy experimenting onvegan nights. They get home around 11 pm from 5-hour games because the "meals are easier to digest and we can get to sleep sooner." Bockfinds new recipes from cookbooks or online but she and her soon-to-be husband can't get enough of Daring Chicken, a meat alternative that tastesclose to the real thing. "Iwill normally whip together a large salad with chickpea croutons and add slices of the plant-based chicken orflip a switch and head in an Asian direction, with flavorful veggie-filled stir-fryswe both devour," she tells The Beet. Now, as an athlete incinerating more calories than the average person, these vegan mealsrefuelLove just fine, Bock adds.

Bock also uses vegan meals as her go-to diet before her various shoots, whether for a fitness magazine, an SI shoot, or a commercial ad. Herfitness goals couldn't be more different than those of her fianc. Bock focuses on eating clean, organic, foods to get lean, since the secret to a successful coverfor heris in not feeling or looking bloated. That means never eating airport food or the snacks served on the plane. When Bock travels to private islands to get the picture-perfect aspirational shot forSI, she's all about hydration on the flight. Sheeats before she leaves home and packs her own food, avoiding anything processed.

Here she shares everything she eats in a day, including almond butter pancakes made with Abby's Betterfor breakfaston the days when sheis not on set. To get the full lowdown on the diet habits of this power couple, weaskedBock for the details, so now you can incorporate their helpful tricks into your life whether or not you're looking to add calories like Love or look lean and toned, strong and healthy like Bock.

Kate Bock: It took me years to figure out how to eat in a way that I wassatisfied, and had energy. Now when I eat I feel good, and Iam enjoying my meals. Finding that balance can be challenging for everyoneno matter what they do in their career, or as their job. But once you figure out a way to eat, that works for you, that you feel good, it just makes everything else so much easier.

I've always incorporated almond butter into my eating, and I eat it in so many different ways every single day, whether it's as a scoop, just a spoonful of almond butter, as a snack on the go, or in a smoothie, or on pancakes, or finding different ways to incorporate it. I always include nut butter. So when I discovered Abby's and all of their flavors that really just brought a whole new spectrum of options in the almond butter world.

Kate Bock:I grew up eating mostly organic food, and I was very lucky that my mom was someone who really focused on giving us food with the least ingredients. We always had lots of fruits and vegetables, and we did eat pretty clean actually as a kid. I was probably more annoyed at that and wished I had moreprocessed foods, likeCheerios and stuff, but now that I'm an adult, I really appreciate that we were taught to eat healthy. I think that really helps me feel more drawn to those foods and notice the difference that when I veered from what I had grown up on, that I didn't feel as good or my skin didn't look as good, or I didn't have energy. Or when you're having a crash and you eat cookies or crackers or a soda pop with a lot of sugar that it doesn't actually make you feel better. So I think it just takes time and it's trial and error to see how you react to different foods and you really understand what they're doing for you.

Kate Bock:I'm dairy-free. I've been allergic to dairy since I was a kid, so I don't do any dairy. I do eat some chicken and fish, but actually, I eat lots of veggiesand as many fresh foods as I can. And j just eat things with the fewest ingredients, and I try to make as many things at home as I can.

Kate Bock: I drink Oatley. I find it's the best foaming non-dairy milk that I've found. So I like Oatley in my coffee, and I like Cocoa June coconut yogurt. They really nailed it. I think they're the best. I think I try not to specifically look for fake dairy things, Id rather just eat different options. I do have Kite Hill cream cheese. I do love that actually. Its a fake dairy cream cheese, but otherwise, I don't seek out fake dairy.

Kate Bock: I drink a ton of water alwaysfor your hair, skin, nails, everything. That always helps me feel my best. Also, I try to eat early, and not too late. Then I always try to pack food with me on a job, whether it means I'm flying. I never eat food on an airplane, unless it's my own, and the fresher, the food you can bring the better. On jobs, you just never really know what you're going to get when you get there. Sometimes they have great catering and sometimes not so much. So I always try to bring at least some snacks or some options in my bag so that I know I'm going to be covered because if you have a really long day and you're eating, not good quality food, it can really affect you.

Kate Bock: Yeah. Mostly.

Kate Bock: Me.He can be a sous chef. He does include himself as a sous chef, but he doesn't take the lead unless it's on a grill.

Kate Bock:We eat chicken basically for lunch every day, and we have big salads. I always have a lot of veggies. We make chickpea croutons, black bean croutons. We always have avocado. So we have a bunch of fun salad toppings in the fridge. So you can just throw a salad together really easily on the go here. I have daring fake chickenits my favorite vegan chicken. I like this lime one. And for dinners, we usually do chicken. We do fish or steak, or we have been doing vegan nights on game nights because we get home pretty late after games and eat dinner at 11 or so. And so just to kind of digest more easily and get to sleep sooner we go vegan.

Kate Bock:We've tried a bunch of different things. I love to look up new recipes online. We were doing beet noodles and kelp noodles. I liked the daring chicken a lot and just making a big salad or a bit like a stir fry. I love Asian-influenced meals. So anything Thai, I can just kind of make an alternative to the meat and use nuts or daring chicken or just find a way to just avoid the meat aspect of it.

Kate Bock:We love the product,soit really made sense,for both Kevin and I separately and together. And I think when you invest in a brand like this, it's really important that we care about the brand, and we learn about the brand, and we are actually consumers of the product. So we can kind of help with ideas for the future for different products that we can help promote it, that we cook with it, that we kind of try it and use it in recipes and can give any sort of tips or tricks to the public or back to Abby as some feedback. So it's kind of been really fun to get involved in the brand and give our opinions and, and really enjoy it.

Kate Bock:We started trying Abbys a year or two ago. And then we've been working on the investment for the last year.

Kate Bock:I just find theirs clean. It has not too many ingredients. They really tried to focus on using nature's ingredients in the product for the flavors. And she has so many different flavors. So almond butter isn't just almond butter, almond butter is date pecan or French toast or coffee. It can turn into so many different things. When I cook with it, I think it's just more fun. It kind of gives you a different option for every day, instead of feeling like you're eating the same thing all the time.

Kate Bock: Mine is coffee almond. I love that one. I could eat spoonfuls of that. Or I can drizzle it on my Coco June yogurts. I put it in smoothies. I love it. I put it on oatmeal. I can just throw that in a bag and have it as a snack on a plane or on a shoot. I just find it so delicious and always something I'm drawn to.

Excerpt from:

NBA's Kevin Love & Model Kate Bock Share What They Eat on "Vegan - The Beet

Betting that summer and holiday travel in 2021 will come back in full force in a post-pandemic world, British billionaire Richard Branson is opening one of his private islands in the Caribbean to the public this summer.

The 70-year-old founder of Virgin Group owns three islands, two in the Caribbean and one in Australia. The island hes going to open to the public is Moskito Island, a 125-acre property just two miles away from Necker Island, a 30-hectare property which Branson famously bought in 1978 at the age of 29.

Both islands are part of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Branson bought Moskito in 2007 and ordered a renovation project starting 2010. The island is made up of a collection of luxury private villas which can be rented by guests looking for the ultimate island hideaway with exceptional service, just like youd expect from a five-star hotel, according to the private islands website.

Bransons own three-villa, 11-bedroom estate on the island is already accepting reservations. Rates begin at $2,000 per night in a standard double room. Booking four rooms start at $12,000, while reversing the entire villa cost $25,000 per night in summer months, and the rate goes up to $36,000 in Christmas.

With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out globally, the travel industry is expecting a busy summer. In fact, demand for luxury vacation experience is higher than ever as the screw you 2020 mentality sets in, said Roman Chiporukha, cofounder of Roman & Erica, a New York-based luxury lifestyle and travel management firm.

People are looking for different and unforgettable experiences. The bystander vacation is no longer an option or a want for our members, and they are racing to book private islands, villas, and yachts without hesitation to avoid losing the property to another, Chiporukha told Observer.

Roman & Erica serves an exclusive clientele who pay an annual membership fee ranging from $62,500 to $180,000 for arranging vacation, travel, kids birthday parties and other lifestyle events.

Our member base are seeking a disconnect from the conventional vacation that exclusive private islands can provide. These exclusive properties bring forth the opportunity for a robust getaway while avoiding flooded tourist traps, Chiporukha said.

Bransons fortune is mostly tied to the various businesses and investments under Virgin Group. His net worth reached an all-time high of $7.3 billion in February 2020 just before the global coronavirus outbreak, according to Bloombergs Billionaire Index. He lost a third of his fortune, on paper, last summer as Virgin Group grappled with pandemic-related losses. However, thanks to a booming stock market in the second half of 2020, Bransons net worth quickly recovered to over $7 billion by February 2021. At press time, hes worth $6.5 billion.

More villas on Moskito is set to open before Thanksgiving. The island is a favorite vacation spot of A-lister celebrities, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and the late Princess Diana.

See the original post here:

Richard Branson Is Opening His Caribbean Private Island to the Public This Summer - Observer

FORGET buying a house in the UK - you could own an entire private island for the same price.

Starting from just 51k, you could own anything from a five-acre island in Central America to 12 acres in Canada.

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A UK property boom has seen prices increase by 7.6 per cent since November 2020, the fastest growth rate since June 2016.

London flats are now the. most expensive, costing 758,000 on average for a two-bedroom apartment.

However, there are also 201 private islands for sale around the world for the same price or for less.

Even in Birmingham which has some of the cheapest two-bed flats on average at 185,000, has 42 private islands which cost less.

Here are some of the best island you can buy instead of a UK property.

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For 185,000, you can buy a two-bed flat in Birmingham - or for a third or that, a Canadian island.

Located one mile from the mainland, Half Island in Canada is the biggest bargain for just $65,000 (51,539).

The six-acre private island has an air-stream campervan left behind for the owner to use, with the are popular for boating and sailing.

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The average two bed flat in Manchester is 227,000 - but for a third of that, you can get an even bigger private island in Canada.

The 12-acre Gillis Island remains relatively untouched since it was first discovered in 1750.

It is a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland which is close to a championship golf course, making it an ideal base for family camping.

It will set you back just $110,000 (87,219).

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Edinburgh isn't the cheapest city with the average two-bed flat costing 243,000.

Or, half the price of that is a six-acre private island in Belize in Central America.

Costing $150,000 (118,935), the Beachfront Parcel island faces the Barrier Reef.

There is enough coastline to go fishing, but is also just 30 minute boat ride from Dangriga Town with restaurants.

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Living by the sea isn't cheap in the UK, with average two-bed flats in Brighton costing around 323,000.

For $300,000 (237,870), a cool 100,000 less, you can have 12 acres of private island and coastline in Canada instead.

Bensley Island in Ontario is the easiest to access, being just seven minutes from the mainland.

It even has warm waters surrounding the island for open water swimming.

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Two-bed flats in Cambridge will set you back 346,000 on average, while a private island in the US is just $395,000 (313,196).

While the smallest of the islands, the two-acre Howard Island is located in Michigan.

It also has the most amenities already on the land - the main cottage has 2 bedrooms, with large windows looking out the bay, along with a quaint guest cottage in the woods which sleeps 4.

If you fancy heading over the borders, it is just 12 miles from the Canadian border.

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The highest in the UK, an average two-bed flat in London has reached highs of 758,000.

Save 200,000 and you can still buy nearly five acres of private island in Central America.

Costing $650,000 (515,385), Treasure Caye is also near Dangriga Town with a short boat ride.

There is deep water around the coast, meaning you can dock large boats there easily.

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Or, you can buy entire Spanish villages for less than the price of a flat in London including a 6-house hamlet for 369k.

If you want to splash the cash further, then El Mortorio in Asturias is for sale for 1.6m which has 12 properties and room for expansion.

Here are some amazing private islands you can rent, including one in Italy.

Read the original here:

The stunning private islands that cost less than the price of a two-bed flat in England... - The Sun

If you're currently looking for a property in the UK right now, then you may want to search further afield than you were originally planning.

That's because some luxury private islands around the globe are cheaper than the average UK 2-bedroom home. Yes you heard...

With first-time buyers now needing an average deposit of 132,685 to buy a home in the capital, many may decide they want a little more for their money.

So what's better than waking up to your own private island every day?

Evoluted analysed 805 listings for tranquil private islands across two of the main online marketplaces (Private Islands Online and Vladi Private Islands), and compared them to UK city flat prices.

And we think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable they are.

Half Island is a 6-acre private island located less than a mile from mainland.

This makes it easy and convenient to visit your own private island within minutes.

It can be yours for just 51,539 - less than a 2-bed flat in Birmingham, which can go for an average 185,000.

The area has great fishing and beautiful wildlife. It is also famous for its boating, canoeing, and sailing.

You could spend your days paddling up and down the Inhabitants Bay and in and around the various coves.

Or you could spend your day fishing - looking for cod, sea trout, silver perch, mackerel, Atlantic salmon, lobster, oysters and mussels.

Surely better than your normal boring commute, right?

Located on the Pinette River, which just 30 minutes from Charlottetown, Gillis Island is an 11-acre private paradise.

It features a mixed forest with 200 feet of south-facing sandy shorefront and the island has remained largely untouched since the Acadians first settled the surrounding community of Eldon in 1750.

The island certainly won't break the bank, at just 87,219 - cheaper than the average 2-bed flat in Manchester, which sells for 227,000.

There is also canoeing and kayaking on the Pinette River and nearby championship golf courses, so you certainly won't get bored.

This 6-acre parcel is situated on Southern Long Caye directly facing the Barrier Reef.

Property hunters may be interested to know that it is cheaper to buy than an average two-bed flat in Edinburgh at 118,395 compared to 243,000 respectively.

If you got your hands on it, you'd be able to enjoy beautiful sunsets from the south-facing beach and all the wildlife of the largest reef in the western hemisphere.

It also features beautiful white sand with crystal clear Caribbean waters and offers fishing, snorkelling, diving, spearfishing, whale watching and sailing in the calm waters protected by the reef.

Amazing, right?

Bensley Island offers 12 acres of natural beauty with White Pine and protected coves and is described as "one if the finest private islands available on Lake Huron's North Channel".

If you fancy this stunning island, you'd only have to fork out 237,870 - less than an average 2-bed flat in Brighton, which would cost you 323,000.

The island is just seven minutes away from the marina and offers spectacular views from sunrise to sunset.

You can also swim and sunbathe in peace and the harbour supports boats up to 150 x 20'.

Sounds like heaven!

This hidden gem lies just off Drummonds shore and is within a half mile from Drummond Island Yacht Haven.

You could call it home for the reasonable sum of 313,196, which is less than the average 2-bed flat in Cambridge.

The main cottage on the island comes with 2 bedrooms, a fireplace, knotty pine interior, large windows looking out on bay, newly remodelled bathroom, and a new septic tank and field.

There is also a quaint guest cottage in the woods which sleeps four people, and comes with loft and fireplace.

As well as all this, there is a garage/boathouse located near the dock for all your necessities.

The L-shaped crib dock with deep water, can handle large yachts if you fancy buying one of those too.

The island offers beautiful views of the sunrise and sunset and is described as 'paradise'.

Treasure Caye is situated in the crystal clear waters just 9 miles of Dangriga Town in southern Belize, which is just 20 minutes by motor boat.

This beautiful private island, which comprises 4.878 acres, could be yours for just 515,385, meaning it is less than the average 2-bed London flat which go for 758,000.

Instead of the tube and busy streets, you can start your morning by going snorkelling and shopping for local fruit and vegetables in the nearby town.

What could be more idyllic?

Here is the original post:

Stunning private islands cheaper than average 2-bedroom home in the UK - Daily Star

Have you ever wanted to just drop everything and move to a remote island in the middle of nowhere?

Because you can.

If you have over $1 million that is. (Or, get 1,000 friends to chip in $1,000 each)

If you have more than $1.8 million at your disposal, why not splurge on your own island?

According to a listing from Private Islands Inc., a 67-acre island at the heart of Lac des Grandes Baies inNominingue is up for grabs for USD$895,000 ($1,125,686 Canadian).

Its an extremely rare location especially for those prioritizing tranquillity, diverse nature and precious wildlife, reads the listing.

A portion of the island is a protected wildlife reserve known as the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, meaning you will have neighbours just not of the human variety.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

According to SEPAQ, the island is home to moose, deer, bears, fish, and a variety of birds.

The listing says a maximum of 12 residential homes can be built on the island, so you and your 1,000 buddies can split it up as you all see fit.

Ownership on the island grants legal access to a private boat launch, a lakeside beach, and a private dock.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

The land is exactly 200 kilometres from downtown Montreal so you can be sure youre isolating yourself with the best of them.

Here is the original post:

This $1.1 million island in Quebec is for sale (PHOTOS) | Urbanized - Daily Hive