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Private Islands

Private Island Resorts: The Complete Editor's List

A private island resort is the rare hotel where the lobby is the only beach you'll cross all week. The category remains small — fewer than fifty serious properties worldwide — because the maths only works when the island is small enough to staff and large enough to absorb the guests.

Below: the private-island resorts where the seclusion is genuine, the marine programme is serious and the food matches the setting.

51 properties listed

The Editors Answer

Frequently asked

How much does a private island resort cost per night?
Entry-level overwater or beach villas at private-island resorts start around €2,500 a night (Soneva Jani, Velaa). The flagships — North Island Seychelles, Laucala Fiji, Cousine Island — sit at €5,000–€15,000 per villa fully inclusive. Whole-island buyouts at Necker run roughly €100,000 per night.
Can you book the whole island?
Yes at most of them — Necker, Cousine, Calivigny, Petit St Vincent and Song Saa all routinely sell as full buyouts for weddings, milestone birthdays and corporate retreats. Soneva Jani, Velaa and Laucala will quote whole-island rates on request but rarely close to outside guests.
Which private island resort has the best diving?
North Island Seychelles for granite drop-offs and turtles; Soneva Fushi for whale sharks and the Maldives reef system; Cousine Island for protected coral; Laucala Fiji for shark and ray encounters. All run dedicated dive centres with house reefs reachable from the beach.
How do you get to a private island resort?
Most require a seaplane, helicopter or speedboat transfer from the nearest international hub (Malé for the Maldives, Mahé for the Seychelles, Nadi for Fiji). Transfer time ranges from 20 minutes by helicopter to 90 minutes by speedboat — and is usually included in the nightly rate at this level.

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