The 16 Best Private Island Resorts in the World
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
The best private island resorts, strewn across the world’s most coveted tropical spaces, are often the very definition of paradise. By keeping room inventory low and prices justifiably high, these islands reserve their experiences for the select few. From Indonesia to the Maldives to Turks and Caicos, these exclusive island escapes deliver a rare mix of personal space, endless privacy, natural beauty, and effortless luxury.
Yet no two private islands are exactly alike. Some promise barefoot castaway fantasies, where sustainability and slow living reign supreme; others offer full-throttle adventure, with underwater worlds, jungle trails, and helicopter safaris just beyond your villa door. Some offer the best of both worlds. The majority operate as all-inclusive enclaves—with fine-dining, libations, and even spa treatments included—while others lean into the freedom of wide-open landscapes and off-the-menu experiences designed just for you. Whether you’re seeking an eco-chic hideaway surrounded by untouched reefs, a palatial villa perched above a turquoise lagoon, or a beach house framed by nothing but sand and sky, these are the world’s best private island resorts—each a destination unto itself.
How we choose the best private island resorts in the world
Every resort on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
Courtesy Pine CayhotelPine Cay, Turks & Caicos
$$$Pine Cay doesn’t rely on flashy amenities—it doesn’t have to. This private island in Turks and Caicos boasts some of Earth’s most extraordinary beaches, with sandbars that stretch for miles across luminous shallows, making it feel as if you’re walking on water. Simple, beach-chic rooms with blonde wood finishes and screened-in porches keep Caribbean blues always in view, while each unit comes with its own private beach tiki—no loungers to fight over here. The vibe is pure digital detox: no TVs, limited cell service, and a pace that shifts with the tides. Daily guided activities introduce visitors to the island’s best, both on land and under the sea, but more intrepid types can grab an island map and find their own way to its natural treasures. Depending on the season, expect flamingo sightings, mating glowworms illuminating the waters, and languid mornings in the “aquarium,” a placid lagoon perfect for kayaking and snorkeling among rays and sea turtles. Preserved by resident homeowners and painted in ever-changing colors, Pine Cay feels less like a vacation and more like a secret you’ll never want to share.
andBeyondhotelandBeyond Mnemba Island, Tanzania
$$ |
Gold List 2025Just shy of two miles off the coast of Zanzibar’s main island, Mnemba is a tiny, casuarina-forested sanctuary surrounded by a private marine reserve. Home to just 12 shell-shaped, thatched bandas, designed with understated elegance by Fox Browne Creative and Jack Alexander Studio, it’s the antithesis of bling. A recent seven-month rebuild expanded the villas into curvaceous, nautilus-like spaces, blending natural materials with breezy open-air design. Guests can explore turquoise shallows on catamarans, dive vibrant reefs, or simply lounge in their private beach bandas watching noddies and plovers whirl above the sandspit. Luxury outfitter andBeyond’s deep conservation mission underpins everything here, with $100 per guest per night donated to Wild Impact projects. The spa, yoga deck, and Oceans Without Borders education center enrich the experience, while South African chef Celeste Kotze curates menus that range from sushi boxes to lobster ravioli, served under the stars. Service is impeccable, with a charming butler, a jovial bar team, and Tanzania’s first local dive master leading ocean explorations. Despite Zanzibar’s tourism boom, Mnemba feels like a world apart—exclusive, untouched, and deeply serene. With a staff-to-guest ratio of over 3:1, every detail is handled, leaving you to do exactly what you’re meant to here: absolutely nothing.
Courtesy Time + TidehotelMiavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar
$$$ | Gold List 2024 
Hot List 2018A nothing-is-impossible hideaway for adventurous high-fliers, Miavana by Time + Tide is set on remote Nosy Ankao in northern Madagascar, only reachable by helicopter. With ease, the private island merges barefoot luxury and a deep commitment to conservation and community support. Just 14 villas, built from sun-bleached Malagasy wood and hand-hewn limestone, sprawl across private gardens and powder-soft beaches. Interiors channel a beachy Palm Springs vibe, with sunken bathtubs, pastel SMEG appliances, and fully stocked kitchens, offering a luxurious home-away-from-home feeling. The central Piazza serves farm-fresh menus that change daily, while off-menu requests are happily fulfilled. Though there’s no stand-alone spa, therapists deliver seashell massages and herbal body wraps directly to your villa. Service is breezy yet impeccable, with butlers anticipating every need—whether folding laundry, crafting green juices, or lending sunglasses. Miavana by Time + Tide’s eco-efforts are serious: villas rely on natural ventilation, solar panels power much of the resort, and local conservation programs protect turtles, lemurs, and coral reefs. While private island life is great, take time to explore mainland Madagascar’s iconic baobab forests or Tsingy formations (both can be arranged by helicopter safari from the island).
Courtesy The BrandohotelThe Brando
$$$ | Gold List 2019, 2025 Hot List 2015 
Readers' Choice Awards 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024Actor Marlon Brando’s legacy flourishes at his former private getaway in French Polynesia, now a hyper-exclusive, eco-minded retreat where travelers go to escape it all. Relax in one of 35 stylish, palm-thatched villas, each a grand fusion of indoor and outdoor space, the beach just footsteps away (alternatively, go even bigger with the island’s sole over-the-top residence). Enjoy island bike rides, treatments in the stickwork cocoons of the Varua te Ora Polynesian Spa, and French-tinged, Polynesian-influenced dining by French celebrity chef Jean Imbert. Nature tours led by in-house researchers offer a deeper connection to the island, while daily cultural experiences like Polynesian dance classes, ukulele lessons, and traditional weaving sessions introduce guests to local traditions. Make sure to save time to explore the other islands of the Tetiaroa Atoll, which also belong to the Brando family, where untouched beaches, preserved reefs, and thriving seabird colonies are as gorgeous as when Brando first encountered the location in 1960. One of Earth’s most dazzling lagoons beckons just beyond your doorstep, perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, va’a (Polynesian outrigger canoe) excursions, or snorkeling vibrant coral gardens where more than 160 species flourish. Daily naturalist-led tours spotlight the atoll’s rare birdlife and ancient Polynesian temples, while undeveloped motus offer a true castaway fantasy. All meals, libations (including Champagne), in-room dining, and daily spa treatments are bundled into the all-inclusive rate, allowing for carefree indulgence at every turn. And although The Brando immerses guests in barefoot ultra-luxury, it also quietly stands as one of the world’s most sustainable resorts—powered by solar energy and cooled by innovative seawater systems—preserving the paradise Brando so deeply loved for generations to come.
Islas SecashotelIslas Secas
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2022, 2023Set within the jungle-cloaked splendor of Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí, Islas Secas offers an exclusive, eco-minded escape across a private archipelago of 14 untouched islands. At its heart, the resort’s eight light-footed accommodations—including casitas, safari-style tents and new open-air mansion Casa Cavada—blend flawlessly into the landscape, each with sweeping hilltop views and living spaces that celebrate the outdoors. Guests have exclusive access to this entire island chain, blanketed in tropical flora and fringed by white- and gold-sand beaches. Days unfold as you please across the various islands: kayak through emerald waters, snorkel vibrant coral gardens, hike jungle trails to ancient artifacts, or island-hop to wide, sparkling beaches where staff can arrange private beach BBQs. Water adventures abound, too, from fun on pricey water toys like hydrofoils, flyboards, and seabobs, to fishing and whale watching, all included in the resort’s personalized, all-inclusive program. On the main island of Isla Cavada, find a stunning open-air beachfront restaurant, a swoon-worthy jungle spa, a Hemingway-inspired bar, and an infinity pool perched high above the rainforest coastline.
Courtesy Laucala IslandhotelCOMO Laucala Island
$$$ | Gold List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2024With stunning blue lagoons, lush coconut groves, dramatic volcanic mountains, and endless beaches, the natural beauty of 3,500-acre COMO Laucala Island is some of the most remarkable in the South Pacific. Strewn across this extraordinary landscape are 25 over-the-top, authentically design-driven Fijian bures (pronounced boo-rays), each with private swimming pools and amenities fitting for one of the world’s priciest resorts. This includes a multi-acre lagoon-style pool that begins with a raised, 80-foot-long (approximately 20 meters in length) glass lap pool and ends with a gradual slope into sands of the surrounding beach. A personal residence buggy facilitates access to the rest of the island, the spa, activity venues, multiple bars and restaurants serving local and international cuisine, a par-72 championship golf course, and a Cultural Village where guests can learn about the traditional ceremonies, rituals, and dances.
Courtesy Four SeasonshotelFour Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021Sprinkled across the Indian Ocean, the 115 islands that form the Seychelles, Africa’s smallest nation, reveal a striking contrast: soaring mid-ocean granite peaks and low-lying coralline islets. The latter dot the nation’s southern reaches, remaining largely uninhabited—except for a few glorious exceptions like Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island. Here, nine miles of coastline, vibrant coral reefs, a thriving population of Aldabra tortoises, and 71 villas—each styled in timeless whites, woods, and natural textures—set the stage for an unforgettable escape. Guests can explore the island’s full sweep via dozens of organized activities, from deep-sea fishing and tortoise feeding to yoga sessions held on the private runway. Of course, you can just as easily embrace the island’s slower rhythm: lounging by your private pool (every free-standing villa has one), wandering deserted beaches, biking hidden trails, or relaxing at the Circle of Connection Spa. At Desroches’ southwestern tip, a tiered lighthouse turned restaurant delivers one of the most memorable sunset experiences in the Indian Ocean. For a longer Seychelles sojourn, combine your stay with the equally impressive Four Seasons Resort Seychelles on Mahé, set amid the granite boulders and powder-soft white sands of Petite Anse Bay.
Little Palm Island Resort & SpahotelLittle Palm Island Resort & Spa
$$$ | Hot List 2021 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024This adults-only private island is a study in tropical chic, redefining the castaway fantasy right on American soil. There are a total of 30 thatched-roof bungalow suites (some freestanding, some within larger bungalows) across the four-acre island, many with four-poster beds and outdoor copper bathtubs. Thanks to a smart layout and smarter landscaping, you’ll encounter other people less often than you’d expect (a strict cap at 60 guests helps). All suites have water views, outdoor showers, and furnished decks; most also overlook private slivers of white-sand beach and are kitted out with hammocks, loungers, and fire pits. The Dining Room has sweeping sea views, and the spectacular SpaTerre complex is underscored by a breezy, two-story atrium. Paddleboard or kayak through mangrove mazes as eagle rays swim by, laze the day away on a beachfront hammock, or simply enjoy the day resting on a poolside lounger. Also, don’t miss a snorkeling trip to Looe Key Reef, part of the third largest living coral reef in the world and site of ongoing reef restoration efforts by MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, a Florida-based independent, nonprofit marine research institution. Little Palm Island has partnered with the organization to create the “Paradise with a Purpose” package, which includes a half-day in Looe Key Ref, a donation to MOTE Marine, accommodations, and breakfast.
ADAMSLAMA/Necker IslandhotelNecker Island
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2022Necker Island is the creation of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, who has transformed what was once a scrubby, 74-acre British Virgin Island cay into a fortress of lush greenery, serene Balinese villas, exotic animals ranging from local flamingos to endangered lemurs and tortoises, and solar panels and wind turbines that make the island self-sustaining. The resort is accessible only by boat from nearby Tortola—no private-plane runway here—which makes it feel more approachable and refuge-like, especially compared to some other private-island hospitality projects. Every inch of the place feels like a Bond hideaway: Tropical canopies give way to white-sand beaches all your own, lagoons filled with flamingos, infinity-pooled suites, and cozy lounges. A sprawling hilltop Great House has far-flung views of the azure waters around the island; there's also a billiards table, board games, a bar (just one of many on the island, including the self-serve one in your own villa), and dining nooks with incredible views where five-star, family-style dinners and healthy a la carte breakfasts are served.
Mike Dell/Isla PalenquehotelThe Resort at Isla Palenque
This 400-acre private island retreat off western Panama channels barefoot tropical chic with eight A-frame beachfront casitas and a six-bedroom villa (renovated in 2023), all fringed by empty beaches and a lush jungle. Each casita claims its own stretch of sand, outfitted with driftwood furnishings, an Instagram-ready front porch swing, an oversized net hammock, and a fully open-air bathroom complete with a bathtub set in the sand. At the island’s sole restaurant and bar, the next day’s half- and full-day adventures—ranging from snorkeling excursions to wildlife hikes and visits to nearby coffee farms—are posted nightly on the chalkboard. On-site activities like cocktail-making classes are also available, or guests can simply explore on their own, following marked jungle trails or strolling the island’s continuous shoreline. Another highlight is Isla Palenque’s price point, particularly compared to the stratospheric rates of most private islands. Promotional offers can dip below $1,000 per couple per night during low season, including round-trip boat transfers from the mainland launch point at Boca Chica, daily activities, and all meals (alcohol not included).
Courtesy Kokomo Private Island ResorthotelKokomo Private Island Resort
$$$ | Gold List 2024 Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Located in the untouched Kadavu Islands, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Nadi International Airport, this private island balances romance and multi-generational travel in Fiji. Straddling the renowned Great Astrolabe Reef, the waters near Kokomo teem with colorful fish, manta rays, sea turtles, and thriving coral gardens, making underwater exploration a must for any visit (don’t miss the marine biologist-led manta snorkel excursion). Twenty-one beachfront villas range in size from a couples-friendly one bedroom to larger two- and three-bedrooms, each with a private plunge pool, private walled garden with outdoor shower, and direct beach access. Meanwhile, five hilltop luxury Grand Residences welcome larger families to multi-bedroom homes, inclusive of a private butler and nanny. Guests can also anticipate other water activities like sailing and kayaking, and three memorable meals daily, made of locally sourced produce from Kokomo’s 5.5-acre farm and hydroponics garden, and seafood from a sustainable, caught-to-order island initiative.
Courtesy Anantara Kihavah Maldives VillashotelAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024A magical mélange of 80 design-rich accommodations–some floating, some rooted in the sand–Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is exactly what tropical dreams are made of. True, it’s a constant tug of war deciding between the highly romantic, thatched-roof overwater sanctuaries (each with a private pool, each renovated in 2024) or the more residential-style, ultra-private beach pool villas (each with direct beach access and a private pool). But in either case, dreamy amenities reign standard. To start, consider: fantasy bathtubs, either with glass bottoms or surrounded by reflection ponds, and swinging daybeds. You’ll likely never want to leave your posh digs, but greater Kihavah’s elevated enticements constitute some of the Maldives’ best—and merit your attention. On this far-flung paradise, find a world-class overwater spa with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, with a strong focus on wellness including therapies rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, sound healing and energy healing. Finally, discover astronomy-themed rooftop bar SKY. Outfitted with the largest telescope and first overwater observatory in the Indian Ocean, there’s arguably no better place on earth to lay back and observe while letting some strong, innovative cocktails transport you to a galaxy far, far away. Enjoy a memorable meal at underwater restaurant SEA, where the likes of clown fish, grouper, and blacktip reef sharks put on show as you delight in a languid lunch or a multi-course dinner (including a full caviar menu.)
Gary JameshotelAmbergris Cay
Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2023, 2024Located off the main chain of Turks and Caicos, Ambergris Cay achieves billionaire-level relaxation with its serene azure waters, rugged nature, and waterfront villas. The island is home to 17 suite-style beachfront bungalows with private pools and 10 multi-bedroom rental villas (with another 20 privately owned), all spaced out over 1,100 acres. All meals and house beverages are included, meaning you’ll never go hungry—or thirsty—with cocktails made from fresh ingredients and a floating rum bar called The Hangover accessible only by boat. Suites sit on the sugar-sand beach leading into the Caribbean Sea, while sprawling villas are perched on craggy hilltops overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Interiors are beach-house chic, with wood-plank floors and shiplap walls. Guests roam the island via golf cart between the spa, tennis courts, beach activities, and the state-of-the-art fitness center encased in 180 degrees of glass. Service is breezy but attentive, with 24/7 concierge support via WhatsApp. The private island resort also houses one with the longest private-jet runway in the region (at 5,700 feet, it accommodates planes up to 28 meters long), making it easy for outdoor-minded billionaires and professional athletes to arrive in private jets for instant immersion into the tropical good life.
Lovango Resort & Beach ClubhotelLovango Resort and Beach Club
$$$Located across Saint John’s legendary Caneel Bay on an island all its own, this unpretentious seasonal resort (open December through July) features the USVI’s only private island beach club and eco-chic accommodation in the form of wooden treehouses, explorer-style tents, and one- to three-bedroom villas. Views of the surrounding jewel-toned waters abound, peaking at Treetops Lobby Tent, where bird's-eye views of St. John proper and St. Thomas can be admired in a single panorama. Indulge in island cuisine and rum-spiked fun at the resort’s Waterfront Restaurant (we recommend the smoked pineapple rum old fashioned and the signature Caribbean lobster paillard) or its fast-casual counterpart, Sand Pit, which services Lovango’s Beach Club and its cabana-lined swimming pool. For active and gastronomic pursuits in greater St. John, take the ferry to Cruz Bay, which runs regularly; for another incarnation of beach bliss, hop on the five-minute ferry to St. John’s Honeymoon Beach, which runs on select days.
Diego De Pol/Courtesy Kudadoo Private Island MaldiveshotelKudadoo Private Island Maldives
$$$This Yuji Yamazaki–designed property in the Maldives’s Lhaviyani Atoll is a next-generation, ultra-luxury experience like no other, underscored by a mind-blowing “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” fixed price policy, where few things are off-limits—nor cost extra—from floating breakfasts to most top-shelf Champagne to private fitness training. The island’s 15 ryokan-inspired overwater residences epitomize contemporary Japanese ocean elegance, offering ample room to relax and play against the backdrop of the Maldives’ lazuline beauty (units start at 3,300 square feet.). At Kudadoo’s core lies The Retreat, an impressive open-air minimalist overwater pagoda crowned by 984 solar panels (that power the resort in its entirety) and housing the island’s bar, restaurant, spa, fitness facilities, and lounge areas. Thanks to the Anything, Anytime, Anywhere policy, your residence, The Retreat, and the surrounding nature become your muses for fulfilling the utmost island fantasies. Request to be marooned on nearby Dream Island for a luxury-draped Robinson Crusoe experience or ask for a private toes-in-the-sand beach lunch on Kudadoo itself. Snorkel with giant mantas alongside a marine biologist or try your hand at jet skiing, parasailing, or fishing. Pencil in plenty of time for spa treatments—they are unlimited after all—before or after you figure out how to manage an entire staff of butlers, cooks, personal trainers, and yoga masters at your beck and call. Suffice to say, Kudadoo is the ultimate castaway narrative come to life—and the script is yours to write.
Photo by Raphael OlivierhotelBawah Reserve
$$$ | Gold List 2024 Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2021There are drop dead gorgeous private island resorts and then there’s Bawah, an entire nature and marine reserve comprising six islands, three blue lagoons, and 13 unspoiled white beaches in the heart of Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago. Sustainability lies at the core of the reserve with no compromises on luxury. In fact, the entire resort was constructed by hand using sustainable bamboo and locally sourced natural building materials and decorated in works from local artisans. The reserve oozes natural splendor, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of a swoon-worthy rustic-chic tented suite, overwater bungalow or pool villa. Come here for Indonesian coastal cuisine perfected, dinners in the treetops, spectacular sunsets, hikes through the jungle, island-hopping via transparent kayaks, and sublime snorkeling. To access Bawah’s remote location with ease, the reserve offers a door-to-door transfer from Singapore airport with short components by road and ferry, followed by a 75-minute seaplane that lands directly in paradise.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.