Category Archives: Private Islands

Theres a new private-island destination resort in the Caribbean.

Its called Lovango Resort + Beach Club, and its set on Lovango Cay just off the coast of St John.

The resort among the first new-build properties in the destination in three decades; its also home to a luxury beach club open to visitors traveling by yacht, ferry or boat.

Its the first Caribbean property for Little Gem Resorts, which is best known for owning and operating the Nantucket Hotel and Resort and the Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Marthas Vineyard.

The new resort is completely sustainable, powered by wind and solar energy, while converting seawater to potable water for drinking, bathing and cooking.

The resort is also partnering with the University of the Virgin Islands to restore the coral around the island.

The Beach Club restaurant, which is also now open, is helmed by Chef Stephen Belle, whose previous experience includes leading Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys.

The resort also includes Villa Lovango, a 5,400-square-foot villa with three bedrooms, an outdoor shower, a private patio and a private pool, among other amenities.

Over the course of 2021, the property will begin building a glamping offering that will consist of luxury tents; Lovango additionally plans to open new accommodations on the island each year through 2025.

Theres also a real estate component, with 14 private lots for sale, according to the company.

For more, visit Lovango Resort and Beach Club.

CJ

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A New Private-Island Resort in the US Virgin Islands - Caribbean Journal

Traveling together in vaccinated pods is giving people an increased level of confidence, said Kristin Hughes, a travel health and wellness expert. Theyre excited to go back out there, but its also a matter of control.

Travelers who are already vaccinated are 20 percent more likely than those who arent to have already booked their next vacation, a survey by the travel agency association Travel Leaders Network found.

But many are returning to the world with caution.

One of the most exciting parts of travel is interacting with locals, meeting new people, trying new foods, and even the mishaps, Hughes said. But right now I think people are easing into travel after taking a big break. And this is at least something.

Pods of family or friends are renting cottages together in the Catskills, cabins at family camps, entire inns and lodges, and even self-piloted houseboats on the Erie Canal. All-inclusive resorts are rebounding, since they preclude the need to travel off the property for drinks or dining. So are private home swaps.

The travel industry has taken note. Accommodations are adding pod concierges and arranging private pod excursions. Attractions are inviting pods to buy them out on certain days and times for private use.

Boston-based Overseas Adventure Travel has launched personalized private adventures for groups of as few as five and up to 16. The travel company Naya Traveler has come out with bubble trips to secluded destinations for small groups, from a private island in Belize to a villa at the edge of a nature preserve in the Turks and Caicos. Charter aviation company VistaJet has compiled a list of safe havens.

Montana and Wyoming, the least densely populated states after Alaska, are suddenly hot escapes. Dude ranches in particular are getting new business, including at luxury settings such as Red Reflet Ranch, a 28,000-acre guest ranch in Wyoming that has fully stocked cabins, private hiking, mountain biking and ATVing, and its own airport.

Canyon Ranch spas have seen an increase in group bookings, a spokeswoman said; Canyon Ranch in Lenox, along with other locations, lets pods book rooms, meals, activities, and fitness classes together.

Adventure travel companies report big increases in the number of people who want private tours; Heli, which offers adventure trips worldwide, said 90 percent reserved so far this year are private or semi-private, including a kite-surfing excursion to the Red Sea for which clients and crew will all be COVID-tested and live on a boat. In other cases, its arranging for immunity pods to book entire lodges.

People are calling and asking, Where can I go and do a full takeover? said Clark Winter, chief operating officer. A lot of lodges are starting to organize their dates in pods or groupings where different groups can take over the whole lodge.

The Inns of Aurora in New Yorks Finger Lakes region is letting pods fully book three of its inns, which have from seven to 11 guest rooms, and offers grocery delivery, private hiking and fishing, and lakeside fire pits; so far eight families have booked the inns for private pod vacations in the next few months, at $1,500 to $2,500 a night.

The Foundry Hotel in Asheville, N.C., which consists of five buildings, has seen guests ask for clusters of rooms in one or another of them so they can be on their own, said Nikki Phillips Stewart, director of sales.

They have their private entryways and exits, Stewart said. Its definitely a trend, and we think its going to stick around at least for this year.

Secret Bay, whose biggest markets include Boston, reports 19 inquiries from immunity pods just since the beginning of the year. Eleven have booked cabins there, which start at $838 a night.

A lot of other secluded travel options also tend to cater to the well-heeled. For $130,000 a week, for instance, pods can book Quasar Expeditions motor yacht Grace for a private Galapagos Cruise. At the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, guests can call the pod concierge to arrange private beach parties and private tours of nearby El Yunque National Forest. The Ritz-Carlton Residences on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu also has a pod concierge who can organize private cocktail hours, meals, and activities.

Private activities, away from crowds and strangers, are in high demand. Norris Hot Springs, a geothermal pool in Montana, can now be booked for two hours at a time by groups of 15 or fewer. Bruliam Wines in Sonoma County, Calif., is offering private group tastings.

As people emerge from COVID and their desire to travel expands, theyre going to be selective about what they choose to do and who they choose to travel with, proprietor and winemaker Kerith Overstreet said.

Private home-swapping is also trending. Home-swap company HomeExchange, in a survey of its members, found theyre looking for less crowded destinations and 85 percent prefer to stay in single-family homes. The UK-based Love Home Swap reports a 282 percent year-to-year increase in home exchanges.

People want to be able to control the environment theyre in, said Celia Pronto, managing director. They dont doubt that staying in a hotel will give them safety in their bedrooms. What they dont like is the public spaces, such as the lobbies and the pools.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of the vaxication craze are resorts with free-standing cabins or cottages. Chatham Bars Inn has homes with kitchens and gas grills. So does the Winnetu on Marthas Vineyard. The Roxbury, in the Catskills, has added cottages with pop-culture themes Draculas lair, comic book superheroes, Austin Powers created by a theatrical set designer. The Sagamore Resort on New Yorks Lake George has debuted its newly renovated First House, and will deliver prepared meals to it. And the Chalet at Urban Cowboy Lodge in the Catskills has added a new freestanding cabin.

These types of destinations that have separate units are positioning themselves as places where a group of friends can travel safely, said Leora Halpern Lanz, chair of the masters in management hospitality program at Boston Universitys School of Hospitality Administration.

Conventional resorts arent the only places that have cabins. So do family camps. Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisc., has had so many bookings that its building new cabins, owner Tereasa Surratt said. Its also setting aside separate coves, picnic tables, and even beach zones for visiting pods.

People have been isolated in a home for so long and this is a chance for them to get out with their bubble, Surratt said.

Winnetu owner Mark Snider and his wife, Gwenn, had the good timing to add a private island to their portfolio (the Sniders also own the Nantucket Hotel); their Lovango Resort + Beach Club opened in December in the US Virgin Islands, with a private villa and more planned.

Though guests can travel the 10 minutes by ferry to St. John and St. Thomas, said Snider, half of them never leave the grounds.

People do like the fact that they can travel again and feel a sense of freedom, he said. But safely.

Jon Marcus can be reached at jonmarcusboston@gmail.com.

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Immunity pods of family and friends start to venture out on private vaxications - The Boston Globe

In a pivot to court affluent travellers and cater to post-pandemic needs, FlyEast Philippines is offering luxury tours replete with security escorts, chartered planes and choppers, bespoke yachts and Rolls-Royces, alongside the most opulent meals and accommodations in the islands.

For travellers with safety concerns, security escorts can be arranged that dont end in land, sea or air travel but can be extended in hotels and tours, said Yoav Golan, co-founder and chairman of FlyEast Philippines, a satellite branch of FlyEast Israel, in a recent webinar hosted by the Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chartered planes and choppers are at guests disposal to reduce travel time from Makati to Tagaytay to 20 minutes from two hours by land, and from Makati to Banaue to an hour from nine hours by land, said Golan.

For 120,000 pesos (about US$2,500) a pop, a chopper flies guests from Makati to one of the countrys most exclusive restaurants, Antonios in Tagaytay, with a mesmerising view of Taal Volcanos crater lake.

Private chartered planes stand ready to transport travellers to various places around the archipelago, while bespoke yachts are available for island hopping. As well, Rolls-Royces a rarity in the Philippines are on hand for land transfer at 80,000 pesos per four hours.

FlyEasts range of accommodations on offer include the private island of Banwa, which at US$100,000 per night, is the worlds most expensive accommodation, according to Golan. Posh facilities include six villas with private butlers. Theres also Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao at US$1,800 per night, and Eskayas presidential suite.

Other unique accommodations include the MacArthur Suite at the Manila Hotel where General Douglas MacArthur stayed, going for 500,000 pesos per night; Okada Manilas villa for US$10,300 a night; and Conrad Manilas presidential suite at US$5,400 per night.

Included in FlyEasts exclusive dining list are the Nobu restaurant at the Nobu Hotel in the City of Dreams Manila, and Mirio at Raffles Hotel in Makati.

Golan said, though, that travellers should manage their expectations about the term luxury. He cited as example the areas around the Banaue Rice Terraces, where accommodations are few and not five-starred. FlyEast uses Native Village Inn in Uhaj, which are nipa huts with shared toilets. While the mountain lodge has modest-sized rooms and lack luxe amenities like Jacuzzis, guests are treated to an amazing view of the rice terraces.

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Security escorts, chartered planes, Rolls-Royces: Inside the luxe tours of FlyEast Philippines - TTG Asia

Crowded airports. Long lines. Jam-packed seating. Nuisances in the best of times; nightmares during a pandemic. With much of global travel grinding to a halt over the course of 2020, a safer, and swankier, solution has arisen: private plane vacation packages. While far from a new idea, theyve never been more popular and prudent, and theres a growing contingent of hotels, resorts and tour operators who are looking to whisk you away.

So it was that with a fresh negative COVID-19 test stashed in my pocket and a mask on my face, I hopped aboard a Makers Air private flight at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport bound for Andros Island in the Bahamas. There were four passengers on the plane, including myself, and two bottles of sparkling wine. I liked my odds. The destination was Caerula Mar Club, a luxury resort on South Andros offering private beachfront villas and suites with direct pool or beach access.

If the hotel sounds familiar, then youve been keeping up to speed with your reality television during lockdown. The resort and its owners, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, are the subject and stars or vice-versa, depending on your perspective of HGTVs Renovation Island, a show which follows the couples hands-on transformation of the property from shuttered and out of date to a classy, modern and now finally reopened boutique hotel.

A Makers Air flight sailing over the Caribbean

Makers Air

Caerula Mar is currently offering the Caerula in Style package, which includes round-trip private flights from FXE airport and five nights in a private villa for up to eight guests, as well as all meals and alcohol, and a number of other inclusions, starting at $40,000 for travel through the end of August 2021. From private plane to private villa, the idea is that you can vacation with your family (or whomever youve ensnared in your pandemic pod) and be as safe and isolated as possible while still capitalizing on a supremely luxe travel experience.

People still want to travel, but they have a much higher expectation of safety and security than in the past, says Sarah Baeumler. Instead of leaving things to chance with commercial air carriers, flying private gives travelers control. Its also perfect for groups who have been quarantined together to get away safely. Its much easier to get where youre going, its more comfortable and isolated.

Her resort has partnered with Makers Air for flights from Florida as well as Apollo Jets for flights from across the U.S. All you have to do is show up with the appropriate negative PCR test and matching health certificate visa from the Bahamas, and the rest will be taken care of for you.

The private flights allow our guests to get here hassle-free, so they can spend more of their vacation relaxing and enjoying the island, Baeumler says. Were definitely seeing an uptick in requests and bookings for villa accommodations, particularly extended villa stays, so it seemed natural to pair the villas with our private flight offering.

With only a few dozen rooms including the villas, Caerula Mar feels like your own private paradise even when your personal pod crosses paths with one or two others. Youll basically have the run of the joint and its pristine, white sandy beachfront, and all the while, you can fill your days with snorkeling or diving excursions, sailing trips, secluded beach picnics, hikes to one of the islands blue holes or even cooking classes with the chef, Sebastian Perez, who makes it his mission to interact with every group and cook something special based upon their preferences. (Cheat code: Lobster mac n cheese.)

Whether it was a mid-flight sip of Champagne while looking down on strings of small islands or the first taste of a toes-in-the-sand pia colada while observing the impossibly blue Bahamian waters, early on in this endeavor something clicked. A major stress relief valve was opened deep in the interiors of my psyche, and a wave of contented relaxation crashed down upon me. Its what Baeumler refers to as experiencing the essence of their barefoot luxury approach, and what I call simply savoring the moment. Unhinged Twitter timelines, vaccine waiting lists and political conspiracy theories seemed millions of miles away.

Such a mental escape, momentary as it may be, feels more important and more necessary than ever, and all the better if you can experience it while taking proper precautions to keep yourself and those around you safe. A private plane vacation was always thought of as a nicer option, but I think now its been rebranded as a safer one, Baeumler says.

When it comes to private plane vacations, youre always encouraged to dream big. Thankfully, theres no shortage of options as you prepare to plan for your 2021 adventures.

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Private Plane Vacation Packages Are the Big New Thing in Resort Travel - InsideHook

We couldnt believe our luck. Each part of our trip seemed to get cooler and cooler, and this time it was not just the setting, it was the weather. The Society Islands are tropical, and therefore rain is always a possibility, especially between November and April. Today that possibility came to life as the thunderstorm we had listened to in our cabin aboard the catamaran had caught up with us. We disembarked the yacht on to the pier of Le Tahaa in an absolute downpour. Le Tahaa is on its own island or motu off the coast of Tahaa. It is extremely remote and very private. We were greeted by their staff and handed umbrellas to make the trek to the lobby. When walking in, we were taken back by its showpiece, a 100-year-old Polynesian canoe built from one piece of wood. private island Tahiti

Le Tahaa looks like it was taken straight out of the Swiss Family Robinson. They want the place to seem authentic, and with 80 percent of the materials sourced locally, it definitely has that feel. It has been recently renovated, and the attention to detail is perfect. It was amazing to hear that it takes 35 square kilometers of bamboo to renovate the resort completely.

We were escorted to our room through the rain, and we couldnt believe our eyes. It was gorgeous. The selfie we took of us walking to our bungalow located over the water was the most popular of our trip. The rain could not spoil the crystal clear ocean, beauty of the curved walking bridge, or the warmth of the resort.

We made the most out of our trip by having a poolside lunch between rain showers, drank Champagne, and saw sharks and rays through the glass window of the floor of our room.

1. The traditional wing shot from the plane accidentally capturing Bora Bora.

2. Half underwater/half overwater. Example: Fish below and paddle board above. This requires a semi-waterproof camera.

3. Your overwater bungalow (this one is a killer).

4. Drinks next to the pool at The St. Regis Bora Bora on a Monday (your friends may unfollow you at this point).

5. Yourself with the wildlife (sharks or rays preferred). Tahiti

6. A video of your captain. The 56-foot catamaran while pumping Jay-Z and pretending you are Beyonc.

7. A picture of your fianc smiling with her engagement ring.

8. Any picture of you relaxing in the hammock at Le Tahaa.

9. Pictures of fish (or your swimming fianc) through the floor of your St. Regis bungalow.

10. Cant forget to take a foodie shot! Any one of your phenomenal breakfasts, lunches or dinners will do just fine.

private island Tahiti

Le Tahaa Private Island & SpaTahaa RdPtio, French Polynesia689.507.601

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Your Own Private Island in Tahiti Is Only a Flight Away - Locale Magazine

LONDON, March 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Royal Caribbean International is setting a spectacular soundtrack this summer with its return to the UK. The cruise line has announced that Anthem of the Seas, a firm favorite in the region, will begin sailing from Southampton, England as soon as this 7th July. UK families can choose from a combination of 4-night Ocean Getaways in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as Liverpool, England, Kirkwall in Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Plus, in recognition of the tremendous efforts of the emergency services, National Health Service (NHS), social care sector and armed forces over the last year, Royal Caribbean will offer 999 free staterooms on its first Ocean Getaways to those UK residents in these professions.

The new summer itineraries open for bookingson 7th April. Sailing with fully vaccinated crew, the cruises at this time will be available to UK residents above the age of 18 who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those under the age of 18 with negative test results. These current health and safety measures, like others, may evolve as they are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Pre-registration for guests eligible for one of the 999 free staterooms open on 13th April, and final names will be drawn from a ballot by the end of April.

"The UK is a place we hold near and dear to our heart at Royal Caribbean. We miss our UK guests and are as eager as they are to get back to cruising from Southampton,"said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International."We are delighted with the UK government's recent announcements regarding cruising and excited to set sail again with a phenomenal ship and favorite such asAnthem of the Seas.After a tough year, we all need a holiday, but no one more so than the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces who will have the long-awaited opportunity to get away and relax with total peace of mind."

Welcoming guests of all ages, each and every aspect of Anthem of the Seas has been designed to repeatedly make this ship a top hit and favorite in the UK.From globally renowned entertainment and high-adrenaline activities, to a variety of cuisines from around the world, the award-winning ship makes for the perfect high-tech playground and relaxing getaway that will consistently wow and delight from bow to stern. Top highlights on board include:

On land there is adventure to be had in Liverpool, Scotland and Belfast. Liverpool is not only the birthplace of The Beatles and home to Premier League football clubs, but also a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that boasts a wealth of maritime history and modern art. Plus in Kirkwall, on north Scotland's enchanting Orkney Islands, guests have in store some of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK and the opportunity to discover and learn about the Viking heritage of this ancient Norse town. Belfast presents the perfect gateway to exploring Northern Ireland, known for its historic landmarks, ancient Irish castles and stunning natural terrain.

Guests can rest assured their well-being and that of the crew members and communities visited are Royal Caribbean's top priorities. Details on the health and safety measures to be implemented for the summer cruises in the UK will be announced at a later date. The comprehensive, multilayered health and safety measures will continue to be led by science and leverage expert guidance from theHealthy Sail Panel, Royal Caribbean Group's Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, and local government and health authorities.

Royal Caribbean's new UK sailings continue the cruise line's measured and safe return to cruising the world once again. They follow months of successful cruises in Singapore, with more than 50,000 guests to date who have sailed aboard Quantum of the Seas, as well as the recently announced plans for the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas to cruise from Haifa, Israel, and cruises from The Bahamas with Adventure of the Seas, Bermudawith Vision of the Seas and Cyprus with Jewel of the Seas. For more information on Anthem's limited series of summer cruises, visit RoyalCaribbean.uk.

Notes to Editors

To be eligible for one of the free sailings, UK residents must be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card, which is available to those working in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces.Free sailings can be secured by pre-registering through the Royal Caribbean International website starting 13th April 2021. Pre-registrations will be entered into a ballot to be drawn by the end of April. Further terms, conditions and information on how to pre-register for the free sailings will be available from 7th April on the Royal Caribbean website.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean Internationalhas been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas,Perfect Day at CocoCay,the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in theTravel WeeklyReaders' Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following@RoyalCaribPRon Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of itsHealthy Sail Panelof public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation onall ofits sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements.U.S. cruises and guests: Formore information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-caribbean-thanks-emergency-services-nhs-and-armed-forces-with-uk-homecoming-set-for-this-summer-301259261.html

SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

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Royal Caribbean Thanks Emergency Services, NHS And Armed Forces With UK Homecoming, Set For This Summer - KPVI News 6

Velaa Private Island has appointed Wayne Milgate to the role of general manager.

He will oversee daily operations and manage all aspects of the guest experience at the hotel.

Having started his career as an assistant manager at the five-star Gold Coast International Hotel, Australia, Milgate has acquired a wealth of experience, with his career spanning two decades in luxury hotels and resorts around the world.

Prior to joining Velaa Private Island, Milgate served as chief executive for Iniala Hotels & Resorts as well as general manager at Iniala Beach House for six years, in which time he developed an emerging brand into a successful boutique hospitality group.

He also brings a wealth of luxury private island experience having served as general manager to North Island, Seychelles in 2013 before a six-year tenure at Vomo Island, Fiji.

It is an honour to join the esteemed team at Velaa Private Island, world renowned for its refined island offering and exclusivity.

Velaas distinctive features and unparalleled positioning provided a unique opportunity to adapt and reinvigorate the guest experience in order to successfully navigate a challenging year.

I am confident well continue to pave the way for a new era of luxury travel at Velaa, commented Milgate.

With its name derived from the generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch, Velaa Private Island captures the hearts of all who visit the tropical constellation of islands that form Noonu Atoll in the Maldives.

An intimate and contemporary haven, 45-minute seaplane journey from Mal or six minutes from Maafaru International Airport for arrivals by private jet, Velaa Private Island features 47 luxurious villas.

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Milgate to lead Velaa Private Island in the Maldives - Breaking Travel News

France

Htel Delos, Ile de Bendor

Htel Deloswas designed by Paul Ricard, founder of the liqueur brand Pastis, who also bought the island of Bendor (home to the hotel), off the coast of Provence in 1950 (he also owned nearby le des Embiez). It quickly became the go-to spot for the creative set, including Salvador Dal, Marcel Pagnol and Gilbert Bcaud, who all came for its wild landscapes, impressive white rocks and blue, blue waters. The 19-room hotel, which was built with local stone, has sea views from its rooms, pool and terraces. The bar feels more Morocco than Med. Activities include tennis, hiking, watersports, sailing and diving.

Hotel & Spa des Pcheurs, Cavallo, France

Cavallo, known as the 'Mustique of the Med', lies in the Lavezzi archipelago between Corsica and Sardinia. Its a private island, belonging to a syndicate of property owners. Just over a mile from end to end, it has the outline of a jigsaw piece, which comes from promontories cupping rocky coves washed by a lapis lazuli sea. The water is lens-clear, which makes it great for snorkelling and diving. The 50-roomHotel & Spa des Pcheursis the smart place to be. Besides the spa, gym and outdoor pool all available to non-residents for 20 (18) a day there are bikes for hire and a pleasant seafront restaurant.

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Secret Mediterranean: where to stay on the best hidden islands - Telegraph.co.uk

Looking for a post-lockdown getaway? Let Andrea Pearsonbe your guide with this selection of hotels on some ofScotlands most remote and beautiful islands...

Contrast the romance of the Orkneys Islands ancient past with the taste of contemporary Scottish cuisine at The Foveran, the islands beloved restaurant with rooms overlooking the sparkling waters of Scapa Flow.

The family-run hotel is a foodie paradise having twice won the Orkney Food Festival Best Evening Meal Award. Chef and proprietor Paul Doull sources local livestock, fish, and a surprising array of fruit and vegetables grown in the long hours of summer daylight to create seasonal menus. Kirkwall Bay scallops, lobsters and langoustines are among the star attractions, along with grass-fed beef, Grimbister Farm cheese and North Ronaldsay mutton which gets its distinctive texture and flavour from feeding on seaweed along the rugged island shoreline.

Finish the day with a dram of famous Highland Park whisky from Kirkwall. The kitchen also keeps the tradition of baking bere bunno or bannock, using stone-ground beremeal flour from the Barony Mill.

All eight of the rooms have recently been renovated to create the perfect stop between visits to some of the islands Neolithic sites.

http://www.thefoveran.com/

2. Jurassic lark

Perhaps Scotlands most romantic island, Skye offers rocky skylines, sandy beaches, castles, ancient monuments, and other-worldly geology if you are very lucky you might spot an actual dinosaur footprint. The four-star Marmalade hotel in Portree is a beautiful blend of historic manor house and contemporary architecture. Any time here is best spent sitting back to allow the dramatic landscapes envelop you like a huge tartan blanket.

The rooms and suites are contemporary and exquisitely stylish, but it is the views from the generously-sized windows that really make you realise that you are not in Kansas any more. Drink in the wonderful landscapes while enjoying complete comfort in your room with Nespresso coffee machines, Bose music systems, and beds draped in luxurious linens.

And new for this year is a stylish and Covid-safe outdoor seating area where the evening can be enjoyed around a roaring fire in the firepit.

By day, explore the lush gardens to enjoy the views over the harbour village and the Cuillins. Every stay in the hotel is completed by fine dining in the hotels excellent Chargrill restaurant.

perlehotels.com/marmalade

3.Remote control

Scarista House on Harris is quite simply one of the most beautiful and remote places to stay in Scotland, with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, heather-covered mountains, and a three-mile long sandy beach.

This comfortable, elegant hotel and restaurant is set within a 200-year-old manse with 3ft-thick walls, atmospherically creaky floorboards, and real fires.

Cooking is a serious business, and the menu is meticulously created using as much organic, wild and homegrown produce as is possible, while all bread, cakes, biscuits and ice cream are homemade.

Scarista House is the only Outer Hebrides restaurant to be featured in Alastair Sawdays Eat Slow Britain, and it is listed in the Michelin Guide. It is also the kind of place to bring the dog (by arrangement) for a good run on the beach and resident pooches Brodie and Maud are very welcoming.

scaristahouse.com

4.Private property

Ever dreamed about having your own island? A stay at the Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Island can make this a reality.

And you dont even need to negotiate yourself on and off the CalMac ferry this island is joined to the mainland, just north of Oban, via a small, private bridge. Relax in your private island hideaway as Highland cattle graze, badgers visit, and otters and grey seals swim in and out of the sparkling seaweed along the shorelines.

Or live the sporting life by joining in traditional activities such clay pigeon shooting, archery or Viking-inspired axe throwing. With a nine-hole golf course and the chance of croquet on the lawn, it is very much a lairds weekend.

eriska-hotel.co.uk

5. For peats sake

For a truly indulgent break away filled with luxuries and seven miles of bleached white sands, it might be hard to beat the wonder that is the Machrie Hotel & Golf Links. Islay is, of course, peated whisky heaven and a birdwatchers paradise, but The Machrie now adds a championship links golf course into the mix.

Originally an 18th-century farmhouse, The Machrie reopened in 2018 with 47 new rooms, suites and lodges enjoying stunning views across the links or to the sea. Find apres-golf (or even anti-golf) treats at the hotels gym and spa or book a trip with Islay Sea Adventure to see seals, white-tailed sea eagles, and occasionally a basking shark.

On fine evenings, dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and top the day off with some of Scotland very finest whiskies. Slainte.

campbellgrayhotels.com/machrie-islay-scotland

6. Coll of the wild

The little island of Coll, all 13 miles by three miles of it, offers the epitome of social distancing. And if the call of Coll gets you in summer 2021, The Coll Hotel as the only hotel and pub on the island is where you will probably find yourself.

The hotel is known for delicious, freshly-caught seafood expect lobster, crab and langoustine as well as delicious Hebridean grass-fed lamb. As is the case with many a small island kitchen, homemade just about everything is the order of the day.

A stunning array of chutneys, marmalade, jams, pickles, breads, ice cream, and pastas are all made at the hotel. By day, explore the could-be-the-Caribbean beaches or take the binoculars to spot birds in the remote but spectacular RSPB reserve.

collhotel.com

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Staycation in Scotland: 6 remote and beautiful Scottish Island escapes - HeraldScotland

Party Like It's 1999: A February 2000 event at Mar-a-Lago. From left, then-real estate developer ... [+] Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Ghislaine Maxwell has had a tough winter. During January and February this year, her attorneys have filed serial motions to dismiss part or all of the charges against her that have yet to succeed. For their part, the prosecutors of the Southern District of New York have been hard at work digging up evidence to do the exact opposite, namely, to widen the scope of the case she faces at trial, still foreseen to begin in Manhattan on July 12. The new now-eight-count indictment of the British socialite, pictured above at a Mar-a-Lago party with Epstein and Donald Trump in 2000, was released on March 29.

Specifically, federal attorneys have increasedthe time frame of her alleged criminal activity by seven years, to 2004 from 1997, and, based on evidence from a new witness, have added two significant new charges, the first, conspiracy to sex traffic (with Jeffrey Epstein), and the second, sex-trafficking of a minor. Both charges are based on the government's evidence obtained from an alleged victim named by the prosecutors as "minor victim-4." In other words, the new charges do more than just bring the number of counts she faces up by a third. The indictment now brings to four the number of minor females that the government has found who allege that they were recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein's subsequent exploitation.

Royal Ascot Race Meeting, Ladies Day: Prince Andrew, Duke Of York and Ghislaine Maxwell At Ascot. ... [+] (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Maxwell's attorneys have yet to respond, but the increase in time frame in which her alleged criminal behavior occurred and the existence of minor victim-4, who was reportedly recruited by Maxwell when she was fourteen, presents Maxwell and her legal team with yet another direct accusation of tremendous gravity with which they must contend. As first submitted in summer 2020, the indictment presented the Maxwell team with a highly complex, multi-pronged fight. Now, that will be layered with, presumably, a believable then-young witness who reportedly underwent serial abuse from Epstein and Maxwell at the beginning of her teenage years. Suffice it to say that any jury would be moved by listening to testimony such as that.

Drinks With Friends: Ghislaine Maxwell and Piers Morgan attend a party in 2013 in New York City. ... [+] (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Unlike that of Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, whose testimony is not included in the trial, the narrative of minor victim-4 does not include national or international travel, but that, according to the indictment, was only because she turned down the invitation from Ghislaine Maxwell to help her get a passport.

For her part in further investigating Epstein, U.S. Attorney Denise George is not done with her assessment of the many Epstein flight logs into and out of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in whose jurisdiction Little Saint James, Epstein's private island, falls. What that means for Prince Andrew and many other denizens of Epstein's 'little black book' who visited Little Saint James at Epstein's invitation, remains to be seen.

Despite that unresolved flight-log investigation, the redoubled pretrial federal pressure on his good friend Ghislaine Maxwell means that Andrew's difficulties in being able to find ways to delay his cooperation with the U.S. prosecutors will grow rather than diminish. The Southern District of New York prosecutors have also announced that they will be submitting at the Maxwell trial evidence from their investigation of Epstein, himself, that includes statements from an extraordinary 250-plus additional witnesses, which, as in the Virgin Islands inquiry, will include service staff.

In short, in addition to the hard, direct accusations of criminal behavior within the March 29 amended indictment, Ghislaine Maxwell's prosecutors are literally bringing a mountain of circumstantial evidence that places their quarry firmly at the center of Epstein's operations. In other words, the prosecutors will present a detailed schematic of the Epstein procurement operation's reporting structure, in which Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly exercised a tremendous amount of responsibility. That will increase the likelihood of Andrew's presence at this or that Epstein venue or event coming into the courtly discussion, for instance, his presence at the dinner held in his honor in Epstein's mansion in December 2010, attended by, among other denizens of the Epstein black book, Woody Allen, Katie Couric, disgraced former broadcaster Charlie Rose, and political pundit George Stephanopolous.

The indictment raised the question of whether Ghislaine Maxwell's defense team would have the time to prepare to fight these additional charges by the July 12 start of the proceeding. Clearly, by releasing the amended indictment more than 90 days before that courtroom date, the government's opinion is that three-plus months is sufficient. In light of their to date unsuccessful attempts at winnowing the charges facing their storied client, it's considered likely that Ms. Maxwell's attorneys will be arguing that point differently.

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Ghislaine Maxwell Faces Two New Trafficking Charges, Raising Pressure On Prince Andrew And Others Listed In Jeffrey Epsteins Little Black Book -...