Celebrity Life

The Maldives government is auctioning off 16 of the 1190 islands that make up its archipelago to private developers.

The post The Maldives Government Will Hold the First Auction of Private Islands in the World appeared first on LUXUO.

There’s no denying that 2021 has got off to a somewhat bumpy start, but with eight months left before it draws to a close, there’s plenty of time to make it a good one. And, if you’re feeling like luck is about to make a return to your side, then who knows? Play your cards […]

With the tourism industry experiencing a great reset during this pandemic period, here are some travel trends to look out for post-Covid-19.

The post The Great Reset: Travel Trends To Look Out for Post-Covid-19 appeared first on LUXUO.

The day we can travel stress-free and socially distanced may be closer than we think. And when that day comes, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has a new private island we can consider.

The Waldorf Astoria has announced the opening of Ithaafushi Private Island. Unveiled today, it's set to become the largest Maldivian private island. The property spans 32,000 square-meters, right at the heart of the Indian Ocean. It promises to be the ultimate escape with unparalleled levels of privacy and personalised service befitting the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts brand.

Ultimate Privacy on Ithaafushi Private Island

There are two ways you could reach Ithaafushi. The resort offers a 40-minute ride on one of its six luxury Princess yachts, or via a 15-minute seaplane flight. The private island only accommodates 24 guests across its sprawling estate, which houses two elegant villas and one sweeping four-bedroom residence.

A two-bedroom overwater villa is perfect for those who wish for an ocean experience, and comes with double dressing rooms, indoor and outdoor rain showers, a shared living room and an infinity pool and jacuzzi.

For those who wish to reside on land, there is the three-bedroom beach villa, hidden amongst lush gardens and coconut palm canopies for the utmost privacy, and comes with its own private beach access and two swimming pools.

For larger groups, there is the four-bedroom residence, with two king bedrooms, two queen bedrooms, jacuzzis and an expansive common living room, all with direct access to the beach.

Fine Dining at Every Turn

You might be surrounded by sea on a remote private island, but when it comes to dining, you'll be spoilt for choice. The private island's culinary team offers bespoke menus for any occasion you desire. You could choose to enjoy your meals in the villa, or at the estate's common living room, Haali.

Guests can also dine back on the main island, which features 10 other specialty dining venues such as The Ledge and Terra. The Ledge is created by Dave Pynt, the mastermind behind Singapore's Michelin-starred Burnt Ends restaurant. The Terra offers a unique dining experience. Guests dine in private hand-crafted bamboo dining pods located on the main island's highest point, surrounded by spectacular views.

Paradise Awaits

There's plentiful to do on Ithaafushi, no matter what your preferences are. Read about our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi here. Wellness seekers can head to the dedicated Wellness Concierge in the overwater spa. There's also a meditation and yoga pavilion with magnificent ocean views. The Young Discovery Park, where the water recreation area and various activities will capture the minds of young guests.

Health and Safety

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi operates with industry-leading standards of cleanliness and disinfection under the Hilton CleanStay programme. The programme adheres to the Maldivian health and safety guidelines. You could learn more about the Hilton CleanStay programme here.

The post Ithaafushi — Maldives’ Biggest Private Island Debuts appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Most Expensive Private Islands In The World We all dream of owning our own Private Island, perhaps something you can take your SuperYacht to on [...]

The post Most Expensive Private Islands In The World appeared first on Most Expensive Thing.

Located in Gladden, an island fringed with coral and white sand in the heart of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, this is the perfect island resort to get away from it all

The post Gladden is the Most Private Island Resort in the World appeared first on LUXUO.

According to island property broker, Farhad Vladi, few people can withstand the longing for their own private piece of land in the midst of vast oceans or an idyllic lake, far from the confinement of the rest of the world.
And he should know. For 40 years, Vladi has been the go-to deal-maker for movie stars, football heroes, tycoons and other well-heeled clients in search of their water-bound paradise, either permanent or temporary. He can even help them sell when they tire – or are forced to retire – from the castaway crew. Over the years, Vladi has sold more 2,650 islands.

[caption id="attachment_206807" align="alignnone" width="1643"] Pumpkin Key, Florida; Vladi Private Islands[/caption]

The quote above is taken from the opening lines of the Vladi Private Islands’ website, which is dedicated to this specialist corner of the realty sector. The Hamburg-based company also has offices in alifax, anada, and Wellington, New Zealand – both locations are close to significant numbers of desirable island properties.
There are several other companies that specialise in obinson rusoe getaways, notably Toronto- headquartered Private Islands Online, whose gorgeously illustrated catalogues are a sheer joy to browse. International auction houses hristie’s and otheby’s also have less extensive island sites with useful information and stunning pictures.
Acquiring an island, especially in a foreign country, is not for the faint- hearted, but fortunately the digital domains of reputable brokers provide extensive, well-written information on necessary legal, financial and common-sense considerations, which inevitably differ vastly from one country to the next.
Vladi has even devised a 12-point list of crucial factors to consider, which he says enables clients to “enter transactions with their eyes wide open”. The emphasis, he says, is on habitable private islands.

[caption id="attachment_206806" align="alignnone" width="1749"] Lataro Island, Vanuatu[/caption]

Each factor is worth two points, for a maximum of points. f the score comes to less than 18 (66 percent), Vladi doesn’t recommend proceeding. If they total 12 points or less, then the property won’t even be listed on the ladi site. Briefly summarised, the most important factors are:

ONLY CONSIDER UNENCUMBERED FREEHOLD TITLE

This is one criterion where there’s no compromise, Vladi says. As the buyer, you should insist on receiving an unencumbered freehold title for the entire island against the purchase price, though sometimes the existence of a small property – such as a lighthouse – held by a third party can be acceptable. Freehold means that you own the property 100 percent.
Leasehold means that somebody else owns it, and you only have the right to use it for specific purposes and for a specific time. Moreover, you can’t insure your island against expropriation, as you don’t own it.

THERE MUST BE MEDICAL SERVICES WITHIN A 90-MINUTE RADIUS OF THE ISLAND

You should not consider buying an island from which a hospital, clinic or medical-service station cannot be reached within 90 minutes, or, even more preferable, one hour.

FAUNA AND FLORA

Buyers often underestimate the consequences of mosquitoes and sand flies. n some areas, mosquitoes need to be sprayed with chemicals, which is not good if you are allergic to the sprays. ome islands, like many in Australia, are home to highly venomous snakes. However, as only about four people die from snakebite each year Down Under, anywhere within 24 hours of a hospital is acceptably safe. Plants can present their own dangers some are toxic and others can cause allergic reactions. And yes, falling coconuts can be deadly.

[caption id="attachment_206808" align="alignnone" width="1736"] Kaulbach Island, Nova Scotia, Canada[/caption]

FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE SUBJECT TO THREE POSSIBLY LEGAL SYSTEMS:

Free market: foreign investments can be made in the country without restrictions. One can sell and buy as much as one wishes. This applies to the nited tates, anada, ermany, rance and reat Britain, to name a few. Free markets pose little concern for reselling, but investors should consult a local chartered accountant on tax issues.
Restricted market: foreigners can buy only with a government sanction, such as providing jobs. There are two groups of countries with restricted markets. For example, witerland, ew ealand and Australia have their own local market where foreigner sellers can expect to receive market prices for the property. Other countries, such as Tahiti, renada and the eychelles, require government permits for selling the property. If these are denied, sellers are often restricted to the lower prices offered by local markets.
Foreigners banned from buying: in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and others in the Asia-Pacific region, foreigners are not permitted to buy freehold land, including islands. In such countries, people are better off renting an island for their holidays and awaiting government policy to change in their favour before making an acquisition.

[caption id="attachment_206810" align="alignnone" width="1839"] Ideally, islands should be easily reachable by boat[/caption]

ACCESS

Reaching the island in all seasons and all weather is as important as being able to leave the island. heck whether the island has a natural anchorage or a small protected bay where a boat can be moored, and preferably where a path from the bay to the house can be built. Don’t consider islands subject to rough seas where no anchorage is possible (even if only for a few days each year).

[caption id="attachment_206809" align="alignnone" width="1719"] Kaulbach Island, Nova Scotia, Canada[/caption]

INFRASTRUCTURE

Your island should offer fresh water, a legal sewage system, and electricity, telephone and internet (you could perhaps do without telephone and internet, even power, but not water!).
If there’s no water and the groundwater table has sunk too deep, then a desalination system will be required (and cost up to US$50,000). Islands with their own water supply fall into a much more valuable category.

BUILDING PERMITS

Islands are in two types: developed with existing homes and undeveloped. Buyers should ask if homes were built legally and if a building permit is available to inspect. Where there’s been no building, buyers should find out whether permits are available. We strongly advise that they consult professionals, such as architects and surveyors.

THE PERFECT VILLIAN'S ISLAND

Given Vladi’s long and broad-ranging experience in island-hunting, we asked him only half in jest if he’d ever visited one that would be perfect for James Bond or a supervillian. Without pausing he suggested Dark Island, located just inside the New York State side of the St Lawrence River that forms the border with Canada. The sprawling and imposing granite othic-revival castle was built in the early 1900s by the Frederick Gilbert Bourne, the fifth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The eccentric Bourne had tunnels and passageways built into the walls from where, it’s said, he could eavesdrop on his dinner guests after excusing himself from the table. Today, Singer Castle is a popular tourist destination.

The post What to Consider Before Buying an Island of Your Own appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

For some, having a piece of Maldivian paradise all to yourself is something only dreams are made of. Well wake up and smell the private island, because now you can, thanks to an ultra-exclusive buyout option offered by The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. This stunning island resort, with its 77 villas that usually accommodate up to 154 guests, can be all yours with their full-island buyout experience available for an easy HK$1.9 million (US$250,000) per night.

The extraordinary island experience was created for travellers looking for elevated privacy and exclusivity. Couple that with what The St. Regis brand is known the world over for -- world-class amenities and the highest calibre of service -- and I believe you have the recipe for a phenomenal getaway like never before.

[caption id="attachment_191465" align="alignnone" width="1011"] The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Rresort from above[/caption]

As you set foot on the island, a dedicated team of St. Regis Hosts are on hand to offer the signature St. Regis Butler Service, in which curated itineraries can be crafted to suit your every need. From dolphin cruising and snorkelling through crystal-clear waters; cruising on the resort’s very own Azimut Flybridge 66 Yacht named Norma; to relaxing ayurvedic healing treatments at the Iridium Spa; and beachfront barbecue dinners by the infinity pool paired with wines from their award-wining Decanter wine cellar, these are just a few example of the activities you can partake in.

For those that like to wine and dine, the buyout also includes daily breakfast at their all-day open kitchen restaurant Alba, which promises delectable Italian cuisine. Thereafter, food and beverage credits are given to use across their six unique restaurants and bars, including the Whale Bar, an overwater lounge with stellar views overlooking the Indian Ocean and their private coral reef.

[caption id="attachment_191482" align="alignnone" width="1014"] The infinity pool by restaurant Alba[/caption]

When it's time for slumber, buyout guests can take their pick of the ultra-luxe villas. All of which are inspired by an ecological element and reflected into four villa types with different designs and interiors. Perhaps you'll want to be like water and rest in the Overwater villas that echo the fluidity of the lagoon; reside in the golden Beach villas; stay in the lush greenery of the Garden villas; or occupy the Maldivian style family villas which resemble traditional dhoni boats. Highlights include the overwater John Jacob Astor Estate and equally exquisite beachfront Caroline Astor Estate.

[caption id="attachment_191466" align="alignnone" width="1105"] Bedroom views from the John Jacob Astor Estate[/caption]

So there it is, probably one of the most stunning private island buyouts on our radar right now in untouched tropical landscape, kissed with sparkling sand and ocean, for just under two million Hong Kong dollars. Scroll through our gallery below for more of an inside look.

[gallery ids="191475,191473,191463,191469,191464,191470,191472,191467,191476,191482"]

The post The Stunning Maldives Island You Can Have All to Yourself for HK$1.9 million per Night appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Venice, a magical floating city, immersed in its historic landscape, transforms into the globe’s ultimate contemporary art destination during La Biennale di Venezia. Celebrating its 58th year, the six-month-long exhibition entitled, “May You Live in Interesting Times,” invited patrons to reflect and be open to new perspectives. With 79 international artists, 90 national pavilions, more […]

The post The San Clemente Palace Kempinski is Venice’s Most Luxurious Island Resort appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Luxury Airbnbs are whole other level when it comes to accommodations! Who wouldn’t want to spend a week in a castle or a private island? Now you can!

Airbnb was founded on the basis of having your own home when traveling abroad. The company has been growing in the last few years and is finally looking at the luxury travel industry, offering everyone the chance to stay in a castle or private island.

Continue reading The Most Amazing Luxury Airbnbs You Can Rent at Luxxu Blog.

The getaway provides a mindful holiday that gives respite for mind, body, and conscience.

The post Why Cambodia’s private island Song Saa is an embodiment of barefoot luxury appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The getaway provides a mindful holiday that gives respite for mind, body, and conscience.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.