Absolutely Private Vacations:10 Prime Resorts To Take Exclusively – Forbes

Dinner on the beach at andBeyond's Mnemba Island off the coast of Zanzibar.

Safety is the new luxury is a phrase that crops up repeatedly when people in the travel industry discuss what travel will look like amid COVID-19. So is jetpooling:sharing the cost of a private jet with people you know rather than braving the uncertainties of commercial travel if youre not chartering on your own. Privacy, exclusive use, seclusion are essential.

Virtuoso was seeing interest in exclusive-use travel before the pandemic, and we anticipate the desire for private will continue to grow, explains Misty Belles, Managing Director, Global Public Relations of Virtuoso, the global network of travel agencies. While people are eager to get back to traveling, physical distancing will not go away immediately when restrictions lift; its now a mindset. Villas and property buyouts are the perfect solution for those who want to travel, but still keep their distance from other guests. After being separated for so long, there will be a strong desire to reconnect with loved ones, especially grandparents. We anticipate a surge in multi-family travel meaning grandparents, all the kids and all the grandkids traveling together. Villas and hotel buyouts are ideal for small group travel like this.

Amanda Teale, director of referral/invitation only London-based Minerva Private Travel & Lifestyle Management, is already seeing this among her clients and in addition to arranging hotel buyouts recently started a subset Minerva Private Homes in which clients can rent their palatial homes to each other. They dont want to rent to strangers, she explains. Everyone is known to me and we can bring a hotel experience to a private home: chefs, a tennis coach, spa therapist, all certified and COVID compliant. Every one of the staff is tested and they remain on site.

Teale is also offering private jet shares for the first time; all private jet companies are noting increases in business. According to Ron Silverman, Chief Business Officer of the on demand private jet booking platform XO, their entry level membership RISE is attracting five times the number of requests as they did pre-COVID as people flying private for the first time are signing on.

Where should travelers go? Destinations can change based on how well a country is handling the coronavirus and whether borders are open to international visitors but there are a number of properties around the world that are perfect for a secluded, exclusive and safe vacation.

Sweet Bocas, a seven bedroom villa attached to a private island off the coast of Panama offers ... [+] splendid isolation.

Sweet Bocas Its hard to be more private than this colorfully decorated seven bedroom villa on stilts in the Caribbean connected to a 15 acre private island off the coast of Panama. Its location in the Bocas del Toro archipelago offers a diverse underwater ecosystem for snorkeling and diving and serious surfing breaks; would-be surfers can learn from resident pro surfer Terry Sims. Ingredients are grown on the island or sourced from the local communities with which the resort has an educational/development relationship. And theres a 30 foot yacht for other explorations.

Pier House, one of the five houses comprising Musha Cay in the Bahamas.

Musha Cay Resort and the Islands of Copperfield Bay. Magician David Copperfields property encompasses 11 private islands totaling 700 acres in the Exumas out islands of the Bahamas surrounded by some of the most startlingly blue water in the world. One of the islands contains an airstrip allowing private arrival. There are 12 bedrooms in five separate houses on the main island each with its own beach but if guests get bored with their own, there are 40 beaches overall and a variety of boats for reaching them and for diving, snorkeling and fishing. Meals can be arranged at several different locations and accompanied by wines from a 500 bottle cellar.

One of the grand salons at the 614 acre estate Ballyfin in Ireland.

Ballyfin The most opulent Regency mansion in Ireland and one of the most secluded is located on 614 lush acres in County Laois, just over an hours drive from Dublin. The grand salons and 20 bedrooms are lavish, filled with Irish art, antiques from around the world and sumptuous fabrics but the environment isnt formal and stiff, as evidenced by the supply of theatrical costumes and the encouragement to dress up in them for dinner. The grounds with their extensive gardens are prime for hiking, archery, clay pigeon shooting, horseback riding and fishing or boating on the estates lake.

The secluded location of Bawah Reserve in the Anambas Archipelago of eastern Indonesia.

Elang Bawah Reserve was already secluded, located on 815 acres of crystalline water in eastern Indonesias Anambas Archipelago reachable only by seaplane. But this collection of six private islands on three lagoons with 13 beaches will have an even more private aspect when it opens in September: Elang, the second island to be developed, with seven bedrooms located in six cliffside lodges composed of bamboo, driftwood, glass and stone. Guests can use the facilities on the main island a quick boat ride away if they want but this island will be self-contained with its own clubhouse and dining room, beach restaurant, infinity pool and spa.

Guests who take over Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand would have this golf course to themselves.

Robertson Lodges New Zealand was one of the most successful countries in combating COVID-19, an extra appeal to travelers on top of the countrys usual draws: beguiling scenery, outdoor adventures, a thriving wine and food scene and extremely hospitable locals. The 11 room Matakauri near Queenstown on the South Island offers spectacular views of the rugged Southern Alps and helicopter, hiking and jet boat tours around them. The 22 room Farm at Cape Kidnappers near Hawkes Bay offers hiking and horseback riding around the 6000 acre property, an elite culinary experience in a famous wine region and a world class golf course. The 23 room Kauri Cliffs on the northwest tip of the North Island offers unobstructed views over the Pacific, a world class golf course and an introduction to Maori culture.

The setting of Deplar Farm in Iceland.

Deplar Farm by Eleven Experience Iceland was another country that successfully contained the virus and this self contained 13 room cottage on a former sheep farm in the countrys northern Fljot Valley is set in a location to take advantage of the countrys natural attractions. In summer and fall, there is fly fishing in the nearby Fljta River for salmon and arctic char; in winter visits to frozen glaciers and snowshoeing along with views of the Northern Lights. Plus soaks in the geothermal pool and elevated cuisine by Icelands 2018 chef of the year.

The Reception Area of Masseria Trapana in the southern Italian region of Puglia.

Masseria Trapana This painstakingly restored stone farmhouse dating back to the 16th century located just outside of the city of Lecce in Italys southern region of Puglia is only available as an exclusive buyout this year. The ten suites are spacious and decorated with rustic, elegant simplicity as are the common rooms. And for those who want time away from each other, the 148 acre grounds are split into six separate gardens each dotted with orange and lemon trees or plum trees in the garden containing the pool. Guests who want to learn how to prepare the earthy Apulian dishes served here can also take cooking lessons from the chef.

Island Aerial of The Brando

The Brando Several families have already arranged to take over this French Polynesia resort, Marlon Brandos former residence in the atoll of Tetiaroa, a 20 minute flight from Papeete. Its fairly large: 35 villas in one, two and three bedroom configurations and in a setting worthy of its previous status as a retreat for Polynesian royalty: turquoise water surrounded by a rich coral reef populated by 167 species of multicolored fish with visits from dolphins, whales and turtles laying their eggs. While the setting may be relaxed, though, the culinary efforts are serious: the three restaurants serve classical French cuisine, Polynesian dishes and Japanese teppanyaki favorites.

The chateau La Chartreuse de Cos dEstournel attached to the esteemed winery in France's Bordeaux ... [+] region.

LaChartreusedeCosdEstournel The chateau in Bordeauxs Northern Medoc region belongs to Michel Reybier, the owner of the La Reserve hotels, so the dcor, services provided and location are top of the line. Set in a 200 acre vineyard producing esteemed wines available to guests to taste from the wine cellar, the eight room and suite chateau has dcor by famed designer Jacques Garcia mixing European antiques with Asian tapestries plus indoor and outdoor pools and a hammam for onsite experiences. The staff will also take guests on a sail in a traditional pinasse boat on Arcachon Bay, known for its oysters, and visits to other vineyards in the region.

A banda at andBeyond Mnemba Island

andBeyond Mnemba Island Not easy to get to but absolutely private once you do, this 12 banda (villa) private island off the coast of Zanzibar is the ultimate in barefoot luxury: the resort is built on sand and from the moment you land, youre walking in it. The island, less than a mile in size, is surrounded by an atoll with rich coral reefs for snorkeling and diving with the only outside visitors turtles coming ashore to the white beaches to lay their eggs. But as simple as the overall experience is, the individual details are sophisticated from the complex woodcarving by Zanzibar artisans in the bandas to the culinary creations from local ingredients served by candlelight on the beach.