Life after Covid-19? Give us private luxury island holidays to Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka … 6 dream resorts to add to your bucket list
Social distancing is easy at a luxury villa – and the private infinity pools, dedicated sustainability and wellness programmes, and sweeping sea and forest views are definitely a bonus
Gili Lankanfushi, The Maldives
At a private island resort with just 45 villas, some accessible only by boat, keeping your distance from other guests requires minimal effort. Overwater villas are some of the largest in the Maldives and start at a staggering 2,260 sq ft, with considerable space in between each one to ensure maximum privacy. The newly refurbished villa interiors are the epitome of barefoot, rustic luxury with lots of natural wood, earth tones and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows that place all the emphasis on the surrounding crystal-clear lagoon. And perhaps best of all, Gili throws itself wholeheartedly into sustainability – you will find no single-use plastic here.
The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia
As island nations go, French Polynesia is pretty far-flung, comprising over 100 islands dotted throughout the South Pacific Ocean. The Brando, a luxury resort on the private island of Tetiaroa just a 20-minute flight from Tahiti, takes this isolation one step further. One of the most eco-sustainable hotels in the world, The Brando runs at almost a completely neutral carbon footprint and is the legacy of the late Marlon Brando’s vision of a self-sustaining luxury property for guests, staff and scientific research. The traditionally designed one, two and three-bedroom villas are outstanding, but the real focus here is the island with its dazzling coral reefs teaming with marine life, bird-filled forests and pristine motus, or small islets scattered around Tetiaroa.
Fregate Island Private, The Seychelles
Fregate Island Private in the Seychelles is a genuine island paradise, an unfeasibly picturesque private granite island offering seclusion, luxury and wildlife for the ultimate socially distanced escape. There are just 17 villas, each with private pools and butlers, so despite the natural splendour endemic to the island, many guests choose to not stray far from their opulent abodes. For those that do like to explore, a private buggy is provided for each villa so you can discover this rugged, virtually untouched island under your own steam. There are resident giant tortoises and an array of colourful bird life visits throughout the year, while the azure Indian Ocean provides exceptional snorkelling, diving and deep-sea fishing. The island is also ideal for romance, with a selection of powdery white sand beaches, some of which that can be roped off for private use, along with private treetop dining and the enticing Rock Spa for a couple’s treatment. Guests can arrive in style for their first view of the island, with an incredibly scenic 15-minute helicopter flight from the main island of Mahé.