Category Archives: Private Islands

One of the organizers of the disastrous Fyre Festival has been arrested and charged with wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York.

Billy McFarland was arrested Friday in New York and accused of making false representations to investors in his company, Fyre Media LLC, and in a luxury music festival that had been set to take place in the Bahamas over two weekends in April and May.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said in a statement Friday that McFarland allegedly presented fake documents to induce investors to put over a million dollars into his company.

William McFarland promised a life changing music festival but in actuality delivered a disaster, Kim said. Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, McFarland will now have to answer for his crimes.

McFarland, 25, appeared Saturday before a judge and was released from jail on a $300,000 bond, according to Variety.

McFarland had promoted the Fyre Festival as MORE THAN JUST A MUSIC FESTIVAL, promising not only live music, but luxurious accommodations, gourmet meals and mingling with celebrities on a private island in the Bahamas. In exchange, festivalgoers paid anywhere from $450 to $250,000 to attend.

Expectations were high.

Instead, the festival collapsed in spectacular, public fashion. When attendees arrived in the Exumas, a group of islands belonging to the Bahamas, they discovered that the luxury accommodations were actually disaster-relief tents on the beach, some still not set up. Cheese sandwiches made up the gourmet meals, and festival organizers seemed to be equally in the dark, sometimes literally, about what was supposed to happen. Blink-182, one of the festivals headliners, had pulled out at the last minute.

On social media, the collapse of the elite festival was unfurled live for all to see under #fyrefestival, #dumpsterfyre and other unprintable hashtags.

In April, McFarland and his Fyre Festival co-founder, the rapper Ja Rule, had defended their intentions amid accusations that they had set out to defraud people.

We were a little naive in thinking for the first time we could do this ourselves, McFarland told Rolling Stone then. Next year, we will definitely start earlier. The reality is, we werent experienced enough to keep up.

But the U.S. Attorneys Offices complaint against McFarland alleges that the entrepreneur deliberately orchestrated a scheme to defraud investors, including at least two people who had invested about $1.2 million in Fyre Media.

One way McFarland did so was by artificially inflating his companys revenue and income, telling investors that Fyre Media had earned millions of dollars of revenue from thousands of artist bookings from July 2016 until April 2017, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

In reality, during that approximate time period, Fyre Media earned less than $60,000 in revenue from approximately 60 artist bookings, the attorneys office said.

The complaint alleges that, with at least one investor, McFarland backed up his claims to vast sums of money with a doctored brokerage statement that made it appear he owned shares of a stock worth more than $2.5 million.

In reality, the shares he owned in that stock were valued at less than $1,500, the complaint states.

McFarland truly put on a show, misrepresenting the financial status of his businesses in order to rake in lucrative investment deals, William Sweeney, assistant director-in-charge of the FBIs New York field office, said in a statement. In the end, the very public failure of the Fyre Festival signaled that something just wasnt right.

Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Representatives for Fyre Media referred questions to an attorney, Stacey Richman, who did not respond to email request for comment Saturday.

The New York Times on Friday described Richman as an attorney for Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins.

Mr. Atkins is not under arrest and we dont perceive him to be a subject of this investigation, Richman told the newspaper.

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Founder of disastrous Fyre Festival arrested, charged with fraud - The Denver Post

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I don't know exactly where Barack Obama and his family are as of this writing, but I really do hope he's enjoying himself.

Being president is a terrible-sounding job. If it were offered to me tomorrow I would not accept it. And so the impulse to spend one's first six or so months out of office visiting estates in Palm Beach, country clubs in Oahu, private islands owned by slightly dotty billionaires and deceased Academy Award-winning actors, and $2,000-a-night resorts in Bali is totally understandable. (All of this is assuming one has written enough bestselling memoirs or given the requisite number of paid speeches on Wall Street to afford what one American poet memorably termed "a license to chill.")

I have a hard time making sense of the criticism Obama is receiving from the left about things like his recent stint at a no-doubt delightful "restored medieval hamlet with five villas and 22 bedrooms that can only be rented for a three-day minimum, in its entirety." To accuse him of hypocrisy after the fact because he is unashamed of being rich, of selling out to the 1 percent just because he indulged in a "kitesurf vs. foilboard learning contest" with Richard Branson, one would have to be operating under the assumption that our 44th president was ever a man of the left in the first place.

This is nonsense. If anything, the case could be made that Barack Obama, the man who punted on single payer in favor of passing the Heritage Foundation's health-care plan, who decided to fight a war in Libya because Wall Street's favorite ex-senator convinced him to, who set a record for deportations, who tried to railroad American workers into another job-killing trade deal, who reluctantly endorsed same-sex marriage, albeit after the issue was already out of his hands, was more right wing than all three of his immediate predecessors. You might even say that Obama was our first libertarian president. Of course he's palling around with gazillionaires.

But there is another, more important reason why I am totally sanguine about the prospect of a never-ending post-presidential world tour of ultra-exclusive luxury hotels and bespoke extreme rafting trips for Obama and his family.

Frankly speaking, I never want to hear his voice again.

Many critics of his recent trips have compared his conduct out of office unfavorably with that of Jimmy Carter, a man who was given only four years to inflict his particular brand of syrupy tedium on the nation while quietly setting the stage for the Reagan Revolution, but who has now spent something like four decades admonishing not only Americans but all the people of the world Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, as he might put it in his futile hectoring Sunday school teacher voice on issues ranging from Israel to assault weapons to same-sex marriage to North Korea. It's not even that he's wrong about everything: It's just that he's so insufferable that you don't want him to be right.

Many Americans have always felt the same way about Obama. His cool young teacher brand of omnidirectional uplift, his unhesitatingly smarmy optimism, his smug insistence that everyone who has ever disagreed with him is a cynical meanie-head, his obsession with getting things done at all costs and without regard for the consequences who could miss any of this? Which is why I do not exactly relish 40 or so years of books and PBS specials and late-night TV appearances la Carter.

So please, Mr. President, I am begging you: Do not follow your illustrious predecessor's example. Stop reading the papers. Ignore world affairs. Consider deleting your Twitter account. Don't write any more memoirs. See more of the world.

Think about it. There are so many more exotic locations to visit and vapid rich people to befriend and high-end consumables to enjoy. You could climb Mt. Everest with Emma Watson! You could go on an eco-friendly Amazon jungle learning cruise with George Takei and Bill Nye and Neil DeGrasse Tyson, or a private tasting tour of Bordeaux with Anthony Bourdain and a handful of retired New York Times wine critics! You could enjoy pearl-encrusted crme brle made from the organic milk of million-dollar Holstein cows with diamond-studded silver spoons on the rooftops of Dubai with the Ghostbusters cast member of your choice! You could eat champagne-infused astronaut ice cream with Elon Musk on the red cliffs of Mars as the blue sun melts away in the infinite-seeming distance like the tears of the last unicorn! You could even take up smoking again.

The options are unlimited, but the time isn't. Don't slow down. You only live once.

The rest is here:

I'm glad Obama is on vacation - The Week Magazine

By definition, the private islands and destinations offered by many cruise lines are already secluded retreats away from most other ships. So, why would you want to pay extra for a cabana?

Well, actually theres plenty of reason to.

Yes, a private island may be away from other ships, andgenerallythere are plenty of beaches to spread your ships guests around comfortably. However, it still is a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to setting up camp. Finding that ideal chaise lounge with the right amount of shade for the entire length of the day can indeed be a challenge when hundreds to thousands more have the same goal in mind.

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Still, the main benefit to this is that its free of charge, and the early bird gets the worm. The sooner you seek out your spot, the more rewarded you will be.

Alternatively, if you prefer to be pampered and not rushed, a private cabana can be the best way to go because its all yours, reserved exclusively.

Of course, variations exist from island to island and from cruise line to cruise line, but the idea is generallythe same regardless of the destination. A covered open-air or air-conditioned cabana accommodates a party of guests with dedicated amenities such as any combination of loungers, tables, chairs, outdoor hammocks, showers, fans, refrigerators and more. They are often directly serviced with food and drinksether included or extraas well.

The immediate consideration is certainly cost and whether or not its worth spending hundreds of dollars on such a facility.

The answer is yes in many cases, particularly if you are planning on sharing it with the maximum capacity. Once that number is split evenly, the individual price becomes far easier to swallow.

READ MORE:The Great Caribbean Private Destination Race

You will also want to ponder what your plans are for the day. If you intend to relax by the beach for the bulk of it not far from the cabana, then again, its certainly worth it. However, if youve filled the day with tons of excursions and activities away, you may not get the bang for your buck you were hoping for.

Lets take a look at what some of the specific private destinations offer in the way of cabanas.

Competitors are quickly gaining on it, but the industry benchmark for years has been Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Cay which actually has two sets of private cabanas: those for families and those just for adults.

My adult family has shared one of the latter twice and have relished the seclusion of not only Serenity Bay but also the quiet of the cabana itself. Located a straight shot out to the tranquil beach and ocean and nearby an available massage cabana and barbecue, its an oasis for sure.

READ MORE:Enhanced Great Stirrup Cay Impresses

Another Ive personally tried are the ones on Holland America Lines Half Moon Cay, which also has impressive double-decker villas available for rent.

Our single-story cabana was still wonderful, and I especially enjoyed plopping into the hammock and resting under the shade. We also liked the included fresh fruit, vegetables with dip and chips and salsa, as well as selection of soft drinks and bottled water. Its close proximity to the beach was also greatly appreciated.

Although I have yet to try them personally, Norwegian Cruise Lines cabanas are really starting to up their game with fully air-conditioned villa varieties at the brands new Harvest Caye.

Carnival Cruise Line similarly provides air conditioners for its cabanas at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic as does Princess Cruisesat Princess Cays. Otherwise, Royal Caribbean Internationals at Labadee and CocoCay are more of the traditional open-air versions.

Next, it will be interesting to see how MSC Cruises finally outfits the cabanas at its first Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve when it opens in October 2018.

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Are Private Island Cabanas Worth It? - TravelPulse

Photo The 14-villa Miavana resort on Nosy Ankao, Madagascar. Credit Dook Clunies-Ross for Time & Tide

Shared lodging and communal spaces may be trending, but for those seeking more privacy than a Do Not Disturb sign offers, a spate of new private island resorts play to castaway-in-comfort fantasies.

In the South Pacific, Kokomo Island Fiji opened this spring with 21 beachfront villas and five three-bedroom to six-bedroom residences on a 140-acre island. It is near the Great Astrolabe Reef, among the worlds largest, where travelers can scuba dive, snorkel, sail and fish. On land, the resort features trails, an infinity pool and a childrens club. Villas start at $1,995 a night, which includes meals and many activities.

Guests at the new Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles have exclusive access to three white sand beaches on Flicit Island. In addition to diving and snorkeling, the resort offers surfing, migratory bird-watching and island-hopping trips by boat. Its 30 villas, each with its own pool, start at $1,339 a night, which includes breakfast.

About 150 miles northeast of Singapore, Bawah Private Island in Indonesia is scheduled to open in August (rates have yet to be determined). The 35-room resort will span five uninhabited islands in the Anambas archipelago, with access to over 700 acres of forest, three lagoons and 13 beaches. Guests can choose between safari-style tents or over-water bungalows.

Off northeastern Madagascar, the 14-villa Miavana just opened on Nosy Ankao. It shares access to a five-island archipelago with local communities, and offers blue safaris, which allow visitors to see, swim with or catch indigenous marine life. Villas are $2,500 a person a night, which includes food, drinks and most activities.

A version of this article appears in print on June 25, 2017, on Page TR2 of the New York edition with the headline: Private Island Getaways.

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Four Resorts for a Private Island Vacation - New York Times

If you think it's only Bond villains and billionaires who can have their own islands then think again.

Here's a chance to have your very own secluded and at a bargain price too.

For this magnificent opportunity you can rent your own private isle for just 500 a month.

But there's a catch, the new caretaker of this unbridged tidal island will have to stump up refurbishment of the farmhouse.

With stunning views and acres of rolling green land, Ynys Giftan Island in Gwynedd overlooks the picturesque Italianate village of Portmeirion, and is just three miles from the popular town of Harlech.

The 18-acre island is situated within Snowdonia National Park and gives panoramic views of stunning coastline, mountains and the Irish Sea.

Located in the Afon Dwyryd estuary, the island is steeped in history and is said to have been a gift to the current Lord Harlechs ancestors by Queen Anne in the early 1700s. From this point onwards, the land became known as Ynys Giftan (Annes Gift Island).

The island had previously been run as a working farm, but it has now been uninhabited for around 10 years.

The tenant will be responsible for renovating the farmhouse on the island, which is currently in a derelict state.

The farmhouse is a stone-built two floor property and sits in a prime location on the east shore of the island and looks towards the neighbouring village of Talsarnau.

The building is structurally sound, but needs a lot of work to make it habitable again. There is currently no electricity supply and although there is an existing waterpipe and septic tank, it is unclear if they are functioning.

Thomas Hanmer, of Strutt & Parker, said: This is a blank canvas offering. Already we have had numerous interested parties putting forward proposals to enhance the islands potential for tourism.

The estate owner is keen to maximise this strength and maintain and enhance the wider publics affection for the island and north Wales.

The flexibility of use being offered and the opportunity to put forward a rental offer based on a scheme of the applicants choosing to reflect their investment is a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There are only 43 unbridged tidal islands in Britain, and rarely do they become available to the public.

Proposals from anyone wishing to take up the lease should contact Strutt & Parker before August 31.

Read more from the original source:

Think a private island is just for Bond villains and billionaires? This Gwynedd estate is up for rent and you won't ... - Daily Post North Wales

Necker Island, BVI

GEORGIA, USA, Wednesday June 21, 2017 For those who long to escape and kick back far from the madding crowd, vacationing on a private island is a logical if costly choice.

CNN recently chose Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats, and the Caribbean outdid itself, claiming four out of the five spots in the shape of Necker Island in BVI; The Meridian Club in Turks and Caicos; St Vincent and the Grenadines Petit St Vincent; and Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino.

Heres what travel writer Jill Becker had to say about each:

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

One of the most famous and over-the-top private islands is this Caribbean compound owned by Sir Richard Branson.

The 74-acre Necker Island retreat is where the Obamas vacationed after leaving the White House back in January. (You probably even saw the pics of the former president having a kite surfing battle with Branson.)

You, along with 33 of your best friends and family, can live it up here as well for a cool US$80,000 a night.

For that sum youll have access to the islands 17 guest bedrooms, along with the bunkhouse that sleeps up to six kids; multiple pools; tennis courts; spa; a full staff, including Michelin-trained chefs; all sorts of recreational toys and watersports (theres even a zip line); and more.

If the entire island is a bit out of reach, you can also sign up for one of what they call their Celebration Weeks, when you can rent out an individual room for three to 10 nights.

$80,000 per night for the entire island for up to 34 people; $4,280 per couple per night during Celebration Weeks.

The Meridian Club, Turks and Caicos

One of the most attractive components of a private island retreat is, of course, the beach, and the dreamy Meridian Club on its own 800-acre plot called Pine Cay boasts some of the prettiest stretches of sand in the Caribbean, not to mention calm, clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling and diving.

All of the rooms here look out onto the water and feature a screened-in porch where you can sit back and savour the view.

Another major perk of a stay here is that the Meridian Club is all inclusive, so everything from your meals to your equipment rentals is included. Heck, even the postcards are included.

Rates start at $895 per night.

Petit St Vincent, St Vincent and the Grenadines

No shoes, no phone, no TV, no Internet, no problem. Thats the thinking at Petit St Vincent, an unspoiled 115-acre paradise in the southern Caribbean boasting just 22 luxe cottages and villas.

The way you get the staffs attention here is with flags; hoist up the yellow flag to let them know you need room service, transportation somewhere or have some other request, and let the red flag fly when you just want to be left alone.

Here, amid the miles of white-sand beach and tropical woodland, you can fully unwind and take a break from all of the texts, emails and phone calls that bombard our daily lives.

Your only tasks involve sampling some locally caught seafood at one of the weekly beach barbecues, enjoying an alfresco massage at the hillside spa and taking a leisurely barefoot stroll under the starlit sky.

Rates start at $1,100 a night.

Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino, Aruba

If the thought of unplugging entirely or having an entire island all to your lonesome brings up a whole scary Tom Hanks in Castaway scenario for you, you can always opt for a stay at a resort like the Renaissance Aruba, which isnt on its own private island, but which has its own private island that you can zip off to whenever the mood strikes.

Just head to the boat dock on the lower level immediately below the lobby for the eight-minute ride to the resorts 40-acre private enclave, where you can feed the flamingos, go snorkelling, grab lunch and a cocktail, or simply kick back in a hammock with a good book.

The island is even separated into two distinct sides one for families and one for adults only. Room rates start at $168.

Rounding off CNNs favoured five is Spruce Island off Maine in the United States, a remote 80-acre refuge in the heart of New England, popular with sailing, fishing and badminton buffs.

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Four Caribbean Properties Named Among Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats - Caribbean360.com (subscription)

By: Filza Jawad Hai

Out of 200 hundred countries in the world there are 36 countries that have allowed visa free entry to Pakistanis. It is always good to save up the hassle of assembling and submitting the documents for visa. Out of the 36 countries the top three places where you can fly straight, without any visa restrictions are:

Madagascar:

It is a huge Island off the Southeast coast of Africa. It is an amazingly beautiful place and probably unlike any other islands you have been to. Not only does it have incredible attractions to explore but it also is a dream destination for those who love outdoor activities.

Its a home for many animal species, like their signature animal lemurs are not to be found elsewhere in the world. Other than lemurs there are fossa, colorful chameleon, several species of sharks and many other interesting creatures. Their trees and plants are quite impressive and distinct, like uniquely shaped baobabs, which is something we have never seen around.

Madagascar is quite an exciting place to explore as it has ultimate landscapes and cultural insights. There are rainforests, beaches, desert, reefs, mountains and fertile hills. For those who want an adventurous trip can go for hiking and diving.

this is the worlds fourth largest island with incredible diversities where you can enjoy outdoor activities or their cultural festivals, visit their amazing landscapes and explore various wild species or relax on a remote island at a private resort.

Tanzania:

Next best alternative to Madagascar is Tanzania. It is an East African country within the region of African Great Lakes. Tanzanias Serengeti famous park is a famous spot because Lion King was made here and also because it is the best spot for an African Safari. It is a known place for wildlife and being able to see The Big Five (Elephants, Lion, Leopards, Buffalo and Rhino). The African Safari is also followed by trekking on the highest mountain site of Africa.

Zanzibar is probably the most beautiful unspoiled beaches of Tanzania, where you can find incredible diving opportunities. Who wouldnt love to scuba dive in such a lovely clean sea with amazing species around.

They have plenty of national parks where you may be able to find The Big Five species roaming around the place. Many people are not even aware that in Tanzania they can view two oldest stone age sites in the world.

Maldives:

One of the most beautiful and surreal place which looks exactly hoe its shown in its pictures. The vibrancy in the pictures of Maldives is not deceptive at all, this place is truly eye soothing and relaxing.

Maldives if one of the most geographically dispersed South Asian Island, located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the Arabian Sea. The amazing white-sand beaches, crystal clear blue water and underwater world has undoubtedly made this island one of a kind.

Every resort here is on a private island with the worlds top competing hotel brands. It is definitely the best place for honeymooners and those who wish to have a relaxing vacation in a luxury resort with all the exclusive facilities in a beautiful tropical gateway. Other than five and six-star resorts there are other islands that provide a decent budget for families and divers who wish to enjoy the marine life and nature experience.

Its one of those amazing places where you will actually love going for snorkeling and scuba diving. The water and marine life species are so vibrant and flawless that it will actually please your eyes and give you an unforgettable experience of natural beauty.

The people living in this paradise are extremely courteous and their hospitality makes these coral island seem like home. The generosity of people and uniqueness of this island makes it one of the top vacation destination.

Story first published: 22nd June 2017

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Top three visa free destinations for Pakistanis - SAMAA TV News Pakistan

Yes, it's cheesy and full of tourists. But taken on its own terms, National Harbor works surprisingly well.

Darrow Montgomery

Walking back down the pier at National Harbor after a ride on the Ferris wheel, something caught my eye: a lighthouse. More accurately, it was a miniature replica of a lighthouse set incongruously on top of a building whose brushed-chrome panels and greenish glass seemed to whisper luxury condos. And next to the little lighthouse, amazingly, there stood a woman gazing out toward Virginia, her skirt and scarf billowing in the breeze. It was a lovely day and the view up there must be great, but even so: What the hell was she doing?

I drew closeralmost in the shadow of the buildingbefore I realized. The woman was a mannequin, a store-window prop draped in flowing garments. Welcome to National Harbor, where relentless fakery has somehow, in a few short years, birthed a real place.

When people in D.C. and its innermost suburbs talk about National Harbor, its often with a sense of confused annoyance. What is it, where is it, and why would anyone go there? I first visited back in 2008, when only a lonely row of buildings along the water and the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel on the East Coast, occupied the space.

I returned last week to find a downtown jammed with people. Yes, National Harbor is cheesy and full of tourists. But its also home to a few thousand permanent residents. And taken on its own terms as a city-fragment devoted to fun, it works surprisingly well.

Located in southern Prince Georges County, in a crook of Potomac River shoreline just south of I-495 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, National Harbor is the do-over of a redevelopment plan called Port America that died on the vine in the 1980s. The ultimate project is a 350-acre resort destination, according to its website, that combines an approachable, resort-like personality with a singular, dynamic experience for local residents and visitors alike.

As such breathless real estate speak suggests, National Harbor is not a downtown in the usual sense, but the fiefdom of a private developer, the Peterson Companies. That accounts for the comfort-food vibe of the place, how it offers up the flavors of a city in a way that your palate immediately recognizes, with nothing bitter or spicy to spoil your digestion.

The chefs know what theyre doing. Peterson led the redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring in the 1990s, turning a shopping district that had seen better days into the nerve center of eastern Montgomery County. There are commonalities between Silver Springs Peterson precinct and National Harbor: the mall-like branding, the rent-a-cops, and even a square of AstroTurf like the one that Silver Spring loved and lost (Silver Springs was eventually replaced by a landscaped plaza, over protests).

But the developers have upped their game at National Harbor, recognizing the need to keep antsy conventioneers from hailing a cab to Alexandria or D.C. All manner of entertainment beckons: the Ferris wheel, a carousel, pedal boats, a mock pirate ship, outdoor movies, and dozens of restaurants. The mothership, of course, is the new MGM Casino up the road, which opened late last year.

Darrow Montgomery

National Harbor proper is the work of several architecture and planning firms, helmed by Development Design Group (architecture) and Sasaki & Associates (landscape architecture and environmental graphics). The buildings have a Control-C, Control-V look to them: red brick, yellow brick, balconies with scrolled railings, decorative cornices and crowns like cake toppers. Theyre not unattractive, and theyre very good at concealing parking garages behind false fronts.

The spaces between and around the buildings are thoughtfully laid out. On Mariner Passage, I spotted a narrow pathway threading between two buildings and underneath a third through a low archway. Intrigued, I let the path pull me along until I emerged onto the two-block-long Main Street of National Harbor, American Way.

Barcelona its not, but I couldnt help thinking of that city and its boulevards, with medians generous enough to support social life. The broad median of American Way is outfitted with benches and cafe tables and chairs. That afternoon, every last one was taken. Kids ran around a small playground. Teenagers posed for selfies with statues. Across from them, grown-ups sipped wine on a restaurant patio. The developers couldnt have hoped for a better promo shot.

This Is How You Harbor, ads proclaim on the street corners, and apparently how you harbor is with a boatload of kitsch. Theres a garish painted statue of Rosie the Riveter, a giant inflated chick outside the Peeps store, and of course, the dwarf lighthouse with its eerie plastic inhabitant. Thats before you set foot inside the Gaylord, where faux colonial buildings are arranged like dollhouses under a vast glass roof.

The rise of privately-owned public space in American cities is a problematic trend, and very much at play herepersonally, Id prefer my Sunday stroll without a pitch for a timeshare. But just as teenagers used to hang out at Orange Julius in the Eighties and old folks still gather at McDonalds to nurse coffees, highly commercialized environments can foster real social connection.

Urbanists ding National Harbor for its woeful lack of connectivity to the rest of P.G. County and D.C., and the criticism is deserved. The nearest Metro station is Huntington, four miles away and across the river in Virginia. The MGM casino is a mile away, but only someone with a death wish would try to walk or bike there along National Harbor Boulevard and the Beltway feeder road. National Harbors downtown, the casino, and the Tanger Outlets are islands. The developers have created an archipelago of destinations rather than a necklace.

Two Metrobus lines do service National Harbor, making it possible for some of the several thousand people who work there to commute without cars. Visitors complain about the high cost of parking ($3 an hour, going up to $18 for the day and $12 for the evening). Peterson should keep parking pricey, but make National Harbors circulator bus free and increase the frequency of the Metrobuses on the companys dime. (The company already pays part of the cost of running the buses.)

On the crest of the hill behind the Gaylord, a metal fence cuts off a subdivision of new brownstones from an older suburban neighborhood. The roads of Oxon Hill dont connect to National Harbortheres only one way in or out. This was a concession to locals concerned about traffic, but Balkanizing the area was a bad move, sheltering P.G. homeowners from inconvenience in the short term while cutting them off from waterfront access and real-estate gains in the long term.

After my outing (pro tip: skip the Ferris wheel and ride the Gaylord elevators for free to the 19th floor for the same view), the contrast I kept coming back to was with CityCenter DC. With its designer boutiques and minimalist architecture, CityCenter is tasteful where National Harbor is vulgar. Yet CityCenter feels like a ghost town and National Harbor is hopping.

The more exclusive D.C. becomes, I suspect, the more of a market there will be in its ever-growing suburbs for destinations where you can entertain a family without spending a fortune. P.G. County in particular has lacked these kind of destinations, causing its economic development to drag. National Harbor helps fill the gap, with better than average urban design internally, even if its connections to the world outside are lacking. Now, if only it would lay off the kitsch.

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National Harbor Is a Private Urban Island Designed for FunIf You Can Get There - Washington City Paper

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Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas, is emerging from a major makeover that has brought new and revamped food venues, rebuilt cabanas and expanded areas of powdery white sand.(Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

GREAT STIRRUP CAY, Bahamas Cruising's original private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is emerging from a major makeover.

As can be seen in the photo tour above, the 268-acre beach getaway owned by Norwegian Cruise Line has been spruced up over the past year with new and revamped food and drink venues, rebuilt cabanas and expanded areas of powdery soft sand. A large number of additional lounge chairs have been brought in, and there's a new underwater sculpture garden for snorkelers. The company has spent more than $1 million on new landscaping.

More is coming. Still in the works is a new upscale lagoon area for passengers staying in the exclusive Haven cabins on Norwegian ships. It'll feature 38 private villas with up to two bedrooms, a two-story restaurant and swim-up bar. There's also a new spa area taking shape.

"It's a substantial investment," the Norwegian executive in charge of the overhaul, Carlos Gonzalez, told reporters during a recent tour. "This is the biggest (makeover) of the island ever."

Peek inside the cruise ship that just began weekly Cuba trips

Acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line in 1977, Great Stirrup Cay is located in the Bahamas' sparsely populated Berry Islands chain, about 62 miles from Nassau. During a typical week, it's visited by several Norwegian Cruise Line ships for what, essentially, is a beach day. It also gets the occasional visit from the vessels of Norwegian's sister lines Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

A staff of more than 60 people lives full time on the island to prepare it for ship visits.

Showing off new structures such as a taco eatery near the beach, Gonzalez says the aim of the overhaul is to give the 40-year-old retreat a more relaxed, resort-like feel. The new landscaping includes more than a thousand trees to cast more shade on island visitors. Pathways have been paved to offer a more elegant experience getting around. Additional seating areas have been added around a number of venues to create a cozier experience.

"We're trying to create these spaces where people can come and hang out," Gonzalez says as he stands in front of a new roof-covered, open-air seating area at Abaco Taco.

Gonzalez notes the island now has 3,000 lounge chairs, up from 1,200 before the makeover. In the past, visitors who got to the island late sometimes would struggle to find a chair. Now there are more than enough for everyone even when the biggest ships visit.

The main buffetdining venue, Jumby Beach Grill, has been revamped to have four food lines instead of two, greatly speeding up service and cutting down on crowds. A new deck with umbrella-shaded seating has been added in front of the venue, and two associated bars were moved to a better location. The bars also were made twice as big.

Jumby Beach also received significant behind-the-scenes upgrades that will result in food being cooked faster and staying hotter and fresher," Gonzalez says. The total cost for upgrading Jumby Beach alone was around $750,000, he notes.

The improvements at Great Stirrup Cay also included the rebuilding of the island's 22 private cabanas, which are available for rent starting at $299 for a group of six. Each cabana now has its own ramp down toward the beach and is filled with premium lounge furniture a small refrigerator.

Also getting upgrades were the Patron Bar and Bertram's Bar. Enhancements to the latter include new machines to create frozen drinks and other new equipment to speed up bar service, which Gonzalez says is two to three times faster now.

The mojito- and daiquiri-serving Bacard Bar, meanwhile, received more than half a dozen newtables and umbrellas at an outdoor seating that also features a band stand for live music. Overlooking the beach, it now has more of a destination feel.

While mostly done, the work to upgrade Great Stirrup Cay is likely to continue through the end of the year. The new lagoon area for passengers in Haven cabinswill be the last element of the overhaul to be completed. In addition to Haven guests, the exclusive area will be open to passengers who book a spa treatment on the island. Alimited number of day passes to the area also will be sold.

Could Harvest Caye be the Caribbean's new cruising hot spot?

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Peek at the private island for cruisers that just got a major makeover - USA TODAY

by Matt Alderton | June 16, 2017

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino (Oranjestad, Aruba) The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casinooffers 556 accommodations across two hotels: the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and the adults-only Renaissance Marina Hotel. Both settings offer access to the resort's eight restaurants, bars, and cafes; its 24/7, 3,500-square-foot fitness center; its spa; and its 15,000-square-foot casino. Although the resort has 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, groups looking for something a little more special can take an eight-minute water-taxi ride to Renaissance Island (pictured above). Along with Aruba's only private beaches -- including one that's family-friendly and one that's adults-only -- the 40-acre island has a "spa cove" where guests can receive seaside spa treatments, a renovated beach bar and restaurant, and a water sports program offering snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing cruises, ocean kayaks, and paddleboats. Groups can reserve part of the island or rent it out in its entirety.

El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Fajardo, Puerto Rico) Spread across 500 acres overlooking the Caribbean Sea where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, El Conquistador Resort is a Waldorf Astoria property that counts among its many amenities an 18-hole golf course; seven swimming pools; more than 23 restaurants, bars, and cafes; a 26,000-square-foot spa; and an onsite water park. Unquestionably, however, the highlight of the 918-room resort is Palomino Island, a 100-acre private island where guests can enjoy activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and horseback riding. The island also can be transformed into an outdoor event venue for groups up to 1,400, who also will have their run of the resort's 100,000-square-foot conference center.

Sandals Royal Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica) At Sandals Royal Caribbean, British traditions loom large in honor of Jamaica's history as a British colony. There's the resort's Georgian-style "Great House," for instance, which is surrounded by manicured gardens and roaming peacocks, as well as its English amenities, including afternoon tea and croquet. Groups will trade Britain for Thailand, however, when they board a dragon boat to the resort's private offshore island. Inspired by the East, the island features a private beach, a circular pool, a Jacuzzi, a swim-up pool bar, private cabanas in which to receive spa treatments, and an on-island Thai restaurant, not to mention diverse entertainment options such as tropical cocktail parties, Reggae concerts, and bonfires.

Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius (Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius) Thanks to its remote location in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, the island nation of Mauritius already feels pretty private. Just in case it doesn't feel secluded enough, however, Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spaon the country's east coast offers its own, even more private island. Two of them, in fact: Ilot Mangnie and Ile aux Cerfs. The former is open exclusively to hotel guests and features a beach club with private cabanas and on-island butlers. The latter is home to an 18-hole championship golf course that was designed by pro-golfer Bernhard Langer, as well as water sports such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and windsurfing, just to name a few. Both make spectacular event venues.

Canoe Island Lodge (Diamond Point, NY)You don't have to drop big bucks and travel thousands of miles to partake in private-island life. Closer to home, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, isCanoe Island Lodge, a historic resort that's been welcoming individual and group guests to the shores of Lake George since 1948. The family-run property can accommodate groups of up to 175 guests in accommodations ranging from lakeside chalets to traditional log cabins. Although the vibe is more "summer camp" than "beach vacation," there's just as much fun to be had on Lake George as there is in the Caribbean. Activities include hiking, sailing, fishing, and waterskiing, just to name a few. Plus, groups can utilize the natural-sand beach on Canoe Island -- the resort's private island, located three-quarters of a mile across Lake George -- for barbecues, clam bakes, and beach volleyball.

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5 Hotels With Private Islands - Successful Meetings