Exclusive holiday destinations earn their status through a mix of secluded locations, limited access, and ultra-luxurious experiences. These places offer world-class amenities and personalised services that are sure to create unforgettable getaways. From lavish private islands to seven-star city hotels, these destinations are high on the list of those who seek the ultimate indulgence and exclusivity.
Here’s a look at five of the most expensive holiday destinations and what makes them extraordinary:
Musha Cay, Bahamas
Musha Cay, owned by illusionist David Copperfield, is the epitome of exclusivity and is the only private archipelago of 11 islands available to rent anywhere in the world. The resort is intentionally vague about everything there is to do and see here because visiting indeed resembles being part of an exclusive club. The luxurious private island can host up to 24 guests across five guest houses consisting of four air-conditioned beachfront villas and a 10,000 sq. foot hilltop house, each with its own private stretch of beach. There are over 70 private beaches, so guests are sure to be spoilt for choice alongside private movie screenings in an open-air cinema, treasure hunts curated across the island, and access to a fleet of yachts, jet skis, and paddleboards. Musha Cay offers complete privacy – there are no other visitors except your party and the dedicated staff, ensuring an unmatched level of personalised service, from custom-tailored excursions to candlelit beach dinners. Every meal is prepared by a team of private chefs to ensure a fully bespoke dining experience. Accommodation starts at £37,000 per night for a minimum 5-night stay, making it one of the most exclusive and expensive getaways in the world.
North Island, Seychelles
Known as the "Royal Honeymoon Destination" after hosting Prince William and Kate Middleton, North Island in the Seychelles is pure paradise. With only 11 handcrafted luxury villas, it's an ultra-private escape, with each villa tucked away in lush greenery, panoramic views, and direct access to white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Guests are treated to fully customisable experiences, from private yoga sessions on the beach to bespoke scuba diving trips in the surrounding coral reefs; meals are tailored to your preferences, with fresh seafood and local produce crafted into gourmet dishes. As part of its ongoing "Noah's Ark" project, the island has worked to bring back native plants and animals, protect endangered species like the Seychelles Magpie Robin, and provide a haven for nesting Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Villas cost from £6,000 to £10,000 per night.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Part of French Polynesia, Bora Bora is renowned for its overwater bungalows with glass floors that let you watch the marine life below. Resorts like the Four Seasons and St. Regis offer private infinity pools, direct lagoon access, and butler service, whilst activities include private catamaran cruises, snorkelling with reef sharks, and sunset dinners on secluded motus (tiny islands). For the ultimate luxury, guests can book a helicopter tour over Mount Otemanu and the surrounding large turquoise. Bora Bora also hosts world-class spas where visitors can choose traditional Tahitian treatments, such as monoi oil massages and coconut body wraps. Luxury overwater bungalows range from £1,000 to £5,000 per night here.
Villa Cetinale, Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany's makes a perfect choice for those looking for an authentic taste of Italy. In particular, Villa Cetinale, a restored 17th-century estate near Siena, offers opulent interiors, perfectly manicured private gardens, and a swimming pool set amidst rolling olive groves. The villa houses 13 bathrooms and 13 bedrooms and can host up to 25 guests, at £25,000 per week for private estate rentals. Guests are treated to wine tastings at nearby vineyards like Antinori or Ornellaia and enjoy truffle hunting in the countryside, and private dining experiences with Michelin-starred chefs. For a touch of extra glamour, Tuscany’s rolling hills can be explored in a Ferrari or vintage Fiat 500, which are available for hire. The gardens – replete with terraced landscapes, statues, and tranquil woodlands filled with cypress trees can host Yoga sessions or alfresco massages and art lovers will appreciate the villa’s rich history, complete with architectural details that are reflective of the region’s Renaissance heritage.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Dubai’s Burj Al Arab redefines luxury, with a reputation as the first and only seven-star hotel in the world offering a level of sophistication that is hard to match. As part of the exclusive Jumeirah Icons Hotel Collection, duplex suites at the Burj Al Arab come with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Arabian Gulf, a 24-hour butler service alongside gold-plated interiors that begin from £1,200 per night.
The terrace features two swimming pools, 32 luxury cabanas, a restaurant, and a bar, while the hotel boasts eight signature restaurants, each with a meticulously designed menu that explores global flavours. Guests can dine in the underwater Al Mahara restaurant, which features a vast aquarium, sample Michelin-starred French and Italian fare at Al Muntaha, or enjoy cocktails on a private terrace suspended 200 metres above sea level. VIP guests enjoy private rooftop dining experiences with a personal chef and a carefully curated bespoke menu.
For families, the Burj Al Arab provides access to Wild Wadi Waterpark, an attraction just minutes away, where slightly adventurous travellers can embark on a yacht charter organised by the hotel to cruise Dubai’s coastline or even participate in private desert safaris with luxury camps.
These destinations offer something truly unique, redefining the concept of indulgence and ensuring guests leave with memories that can’t be replicated anywhere else. From the seclusion of a private island in the Bahamas, a historic Italian estate nestled amidst the rolling Tuscan hills, or the sheer extravagance of a world-renowned hotel on the Arabian Gulf, each destination promises an experience that the most discerning of travellers will remember for a long time.
