For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury travel, private island resorts offer unparalleled seclusion, personalized service, and extraordinary experiences. These exclusive sanctuaries redefine the meaning of luxury hospitality, each offering its own unique blend of natural beauty and world-class amenities.
1. COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
Starting Rate: $4,800 per night
This ultra-exclusive 3,500-acre private island paradise features just 25 villas, each with private pools. The resort operates its own farm, producing 85% of its food.
Amenities include an 18 hole championship golf course, diving excursions, horseback riding, and vintage sunboat sailing. The crown jewels in terms of accommodation are the overwater Wai Residence and the Udu Residence with private beach access.
2. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
Starting Rate: $105,000 per night for exclusive island use
Richard Branson’s private paradise accommodates up to 48 guests in absolute luxury. Features include Balinese-style villas, infinity pools, tennis courts, and water sports equipment.
The island is staffed by 175 personnel and includes a sustainability center with flamingos and endangered species. Individual rooms available during “Celebration Weeks” from $5,000 per night.
3. Little Palm Island Resort, Florida Keys
Starting Rate: $2,500 per night
This adults-only paradise features 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites accessible only by boat or seaplane. The resort offers French-fusion cuisine, world-class spa treatments, and a strict no-phones-in-public-areas policy to maintain tranquility.
Each suite features outdoor copper soaking tubs and private decks.
4. Kokomo Private Island, Fiji
Starting Rate: $2,500 per night
Surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef, this eco-luxury resort features 21 beachfront villas and five luxury residences. Amenities include a 5.5-acre organic farm, world-class diving, and a dedicated children’s club.
Each villa comes with a private infinity pool and personal butler.
5. Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort, Turks & Caicos
Starting Rate: $2,000 per night
This all-inclusive paradise spans 1,100 acres with 17 bungalows, 2 two-bedroom beachfront bungalows and 9 villas. Complimentary amenities include private plane transfers, guided nature walks and yoga classes.
This upscale Caribbean resort also features a state of the art fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and bonefishing flats. Guests can save up to 21% on stays of 5 nights or more.
Recharge at their Atlantic coast surf beach and Caribbean coast swimming beach and The Hangover Floating Tiki Bar. Don’t miss the sunset at Whale Watchers Point.
6. Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Starting Rate: $1,800 per night
This Relais & Châteaux resort on the Great Barrier Reef features 40 rooms and villas with direct access to 24 private beaches. Lizard Island offers research station tours and exceptional diving.
Guests can book a pampering treatment at Essentia Spa, workout at the gym or on the tennis court. There’s a variety of accommodation such as Beachfront Suites and Oceanview Plunge Pool Villas for ultimate privacy.
7. Islas Secas, Panama
Starting Rate: $2,500 per night
This eco-luxury archipelago resort of 14 volcanic islands accommodates up to 28 guests across eight casitas. 13 out of the 14 islands are left wild. Solar-powered and sustainable, the resort offers ethical fishing, diving, and whale watching.
Each casita features plunge pools and expansive terraces. Room rates are on an all-inclusive basis, including F&B, one spa treatment per guest/per stay, and a range of activities on and off-island. You can also opt for a total island buyout for a special occasion.
Islas Secas can be reached in just one hour from Panama City aboard the resort’s new Twin Otter private plane transfer service (operated by Air Panama). It seats up to 15 passengers per trip. For further information, visit islassecas.com.
8. COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Starting Rate: $1,100 per night
This 1,000-acre private island resort offers mile-long beaches and world-class wellness facilities. The COMO Shambhala Retreat provides holistic treatments, yoga pavilions, and Japanese baths.
Luxury villas feature private pools and butler service, with some residences owned by celebrities.
9. Isla Palenque Resort, Panama
Starting Rate: $1,000 per night
This 400-acre private island resort combines luxury with raw natural beauty, featuring eight beachfront casitas and one villa estate. The resort offers seven pristine beaches, ancient trails, and farm-to-table dining experiences using ingredients from their organic farm.
10. Niyama Private Islands, Maldives
Starting Rate: $1,500 per night
Spread across two islands dubbed “Play” and “Chill,” this luxurious Maldives resort features overwater pavilions and beach villas. Unique amenities include the underwater restaurant Subsix, overwater spa treatment rooms, and a children’s club with trampoline, splash park and a stage.
Niyama Private Islands are just 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport.
11. Petit St. Vincent, Caribbean
Starting Rate: $1,800 per night
Known as PSV for short, this 115-acre private island resort maintains its unique flag communication system – yellow for service, red for privacy. The 22 cottages and villas have no phones or TVs, offering true escape.
Features include two restaurants, hillside spa, and yacht charter services.
12. Amanpulo, Philippines
Starting Rate: $1,900 per night
Accessible only by private plane, this exclusive resort features 42 casitas and 16 villas inspired by native bahay kubo houses. Amenities include a turtle sanctuary, four tennis courts and pristine diving sites.
Each accommodation comes with a private buggy for island exploration. This upscale Philippines island has a particular focus on wellness, with an Outdoor Jungle Run obstacle course, Yoga & Meditation Pavilion, world-class spa and Pilates studio with Reformer machines.
Distinctive Luxury Features Common Across These Resorts:
- Private transportation (seaplanes, boats, or helicopters)
- Personal butler or host service
- World-class spa and wellness facilities
- Farm-to-table dining experiences
- Exclusive water sports and activities
- Stringent privacy measures
- Sophisticated eco-friendly initiatives
- Customized experiences and excursions
