The world’s best private island hotels, from Australia to England


If you want to push the boat out and book a holiday that’s firmly in the ‘paradise’ category, then try one of these stunning private island hotels. 

And what we mean by ‘private island hotel’ is that, yes, the hotel is the only piece of accommodation on the island. MailOnline Travel has scoured the globe and found some of the most enticing examples, from the Arctic wilds of Finland to the sunny reaches of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Surrounded by nothing but water and no roads in sight, these idyllic outcrops invite travellers to unwind and switch off. Scroll down to discover some of the planet’s most remote, exclusive and stunning resorts… 

Hotel Vartiosaari, Finland – from £175 per night

Hotel Vartiosaari is located on a private island in Finland. It is described as a ‘quiet spot surrounded by nature’ and prides itself on being a perfect location to see the Northern Lights

In total there are 11 rooms on the islet, all showcasing Scandinavian design with clean lines and contrasting cuts of wood

In total there are 11 rooms on the islet, all showcasing Scandinavian design with clean lines and contrasting cuts of wood

Hotel Vartiosaari is located on a private island in Finland. The tiny outcrop is nestled in the heart of Lapland and is described as a ‘quiet spot surrounded by nature’ and the ‘perfect location to see the Northern Lights’.

In total there are 11 rooms on the islet, all showcasing Scandinavian design with clean lines and contrasting cuts of wood. Three of the rooms have private saunas.  

The hotel and onsite restaurant are currently undergoing renovation and will reopen in December.   

Palm Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines – from £479 per night

Palm Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines invites holidaymakers to live out their Robinson Crusoe fantasies. The 135-acre sandy isle is completely secluded and only accessible via boat (or, presumably, parachute)

Palm Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines invites holidaymakers to live out their Robinson Crusoe fantasies. The 135-acre sandy isle is completely secluded and only accessible via boat (or, presumably, parachute)

There are 41 rooms on the private island and two villas. Above, a peek inside the Seagrape Suite

There are 41 rooms on the private island and two villas. Above, a peek inside the Seagrape Suite

Palm Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines invites holidaymakers to live out their Robinson Crusoe fantasies. 

The 135-acre sandy isle is completely secluded and only accessible via boat. It is an eight-minute ride from Union Island, where there is an airport. 

There are 41 rooms on the private island and two villas. Rates include all meals and beverages, with two restaurants and bars to alternate between. 

Monkey Island Estate, Bray – from £275 per night 

Monkey Island Estate, which has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire

Monkey Island Estate, which has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire

After a hiatus, the hotel reopened this spring. Manicured gardens now flank 27 rooms across two grand, Palladian-style buildings containing Wedgwood plasterwork

After a hiatus, the hotel reopened this spring. Manicured gardens now flank 27 rooms across two grand, Palladian-style buildings containing Wedgwood plasterwork

Monkey Island Estate, which has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire. 

The grassy outcrop has a rich history and it was once owned by Charles Spencer, the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Winston Churchill, who built a fishing lodge and a fishing temple there. 

A hotel was established on the island in the 1840s and, after a hiatus, it reopened this spring. Manicured gardens now flank 27 rooms across two grand, Palladian-style buildings containing Wedgwood plasterwork. 

Hayman Island, Australia – from £300 per night 

Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, which are located off the coast of Australia's Central Queensland

Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, which are located off the coast of Australia’s Central Queensland

Hayman Island's management was taken over by the InterContinental group following cyclone Debbie

Hayman Island’s management was taken over by the InterContinental group following cyclone Debbie

The property underwent a $100million (£80million) makeover with 166 rooms set to offer guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury

The property underwent a $100million (£80million) makeover with 166 rooms set to offer guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury

Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, which are located off the coast of Australia’s Central Queensland. 

The private island, which is owned by a Malaysian conglomerate and home to a luxury resort, was forced to close two years ago after it was hit by tropical cyclone Debbie.

Its management was taken over by the InterContinental group following the storm and it will reopen this July. The property underwent a $100million (£80million) makeover with 166 rooms set to offer guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury. 

The island has been used as a location for hit sitcom Modern Family. 

Malolo Island, Fiji – from £278 per night

Malolo in Fiji is described as an 'island paradise', which is home to 'abundant coral reefs, swaying coconut palms and azure seas'

Malolo in Fiji is described as an ‘island paradise’, which is home to ‘abundant coral reefs, swaying coconut palms and azure seas’

The private resort offers 46 guest rooms. The wood and straw hut structures, locally known as 'bures', are set amongst lush tropical gardens and are only a few lazy steps from the beach

The private resort offers 46 guest rooms. The wood and straw hut structures, locally known as ‘bures’, are set amongst lush tropical gardens and are only a few lazy steps from the beach

Malolo in Fiji is described as an ‘island paradise’, which is home to ‘abundant coral reefs, swaying coconut palms and azure seas’. It is accessible by private water taxi or seaplane. 

The private resort offers 46 guest rooms. The wood and straw hut structures, locally known as ‘bures’, are set amongst lush tropical gardens and are only a few lazy steps from the beach. There are no televisions, so guests can truly switch off.

For families there is a free children’s club for four to 12-year-olds and activities on offer include kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. 

No Man’s Fort, UK – from £179

No Man's Fort is a unique man-made island off the coast of Portsmouth offering 23 guest rooms

No Man’s Fort is a unique man-made island off the coast of Portsmouth offering 23 guest rooms

The fort dates back to the 1860s and has been operating as an adult-only hotel since 2015

The fort dates back to the 1860s and has been operating as an adult-only hotel since 2015

No Man’s Fort is a unique man-made island off the coast of Portsmouth offering 23 guest rooms. 

The fort dates back to the 1860s and has been operating as an adult-only hotel since 2015. Guests are transferred from the mainland via boat.

Onsite amenities include a helicopter pad, restaurant, spa and rooftop hot tubs. No Man’s Fort has two sister properties, including Horse Bank Fort and Spitbank Fort, the latter of which is exclusively for private hire. 

Calala Island, Nicaragua – from £1,559 per night 

Tucked away on a private atoll in a little-known corner of the Caribbean, Calala Island is a truly exclusive getaway set across 9.5 acres

Tucked away on a private atoll in a little-known corner of the Caribbean, Calala Island is a truly exclusive getaway set across 9.5 acres

The island can only accommodate up to eight guests set across four beachfront suites. There are 25 members of staff on the island to cater to every whim

The island can only accommodate up to eight guests set across four beachfront suites. There are 25 members of staff on the island to cater to every whim

Tucked away on a private atoll in a little-known corner of the Caribbean, Calala Island is a truly exclusive getaway set across 9.5 acres. 

The island can only accommodate up to eight guests set across four beachfront suites. There are 25 members of staff on the island to cater to every whim.

On the food front, there are two restaurants and travellers are told to expect ‘a bespoke menu of fresh-off-the-fishing-line seafood and organic, island-grown produce’ prepared by Michelin-trained executive chef, Lorne Emerson.

Cousine Island, Seychelles – from £1,764 per night

Cousine Island promises to offer guests an 'unforgettable exclusive castaway holiday', with the small island situated in the Indian Ocean, miles away from land. Guests are transferred to the shrub-covered outcrop via helicopter

Cousine Island promises to offer guests an ‘unforgettable exclusive castaway holiday’, with the small island situated in the Indian Ocean, miles away from land. Guests are transferred to the shrub-covered outcrop via helicopter

There are just five accommodation blocks on Cousine Island, with four French colonial-style luxury villas and one presidential villa nestled in the lush endemic vegetation, close to the beach

There are just five accommodation blocks on Cousine Island, with four French colonial-style luxury villas and one presidential villa nestled in the lush endemic vegetation, close to the beach

Cousine Island promises to offer guests an ‘unforgettable exclusive castaway holiday’, with the small island situated in the Indian Ocean, miles away from land. Guests are transferred to the shrub-covered outcrop via helicopter.

There are just five accommodation blocks in total, with four French colonial-style luxury villas and one presidential villa nestled in the lush endemic vegetation, close to the beach.   

In terms of amenities, there is a spa, restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Catamaran excursions to surrounding inner islands can also be arranged.   

You & Me by Cocoon, Maldives – from £295 per night 

You & Me by Cocoon in Raa Atoll, northern Maldives, is a private, adult-only island that opened in March

You & Me by Cocoon in Raa Atoll, northern Maldives, is a private, adult-only island that opened in March

The new resort offers 109 rooms and four a la carte restaurants including H20, the only underwater restaurant in Raa Atoll, and one of only six in the whole of the Maldives

The new resort offers 109 rooms and four a la carte restaurants including H20, the only underwater restaurant in Raa Atoll, and one of only six in the whole of the Maldives

You & Me by Cocoon in Raa Atoll, northern Maldives, is a private, adult-only island that opened in March.

Guests can reach the sandbar by taking either a 20-minute speedboat ride from the Ifuru domestic airport, or a 45-minute scenic seaplane flight from Male International Airport. 

The new resort offers 109 rooms and four a la carte restaurants including H20, the only underwater restaurant in Raa Atoll, and one of only six in the whole of the Maldives. Other facilities include a large swimming pool, spa, gym, an orchid garden and watersports centre. 

Le Taha’a, French Polynesia – from £811 per night

Le Taha'a is situated on an idyllic islet within the Society Islands archipelago in French Polynesia

Le Taha’a is situated on an idyllic islet within the Society Islands archipelago in French Polynesia

There are 45 over-water bungalows suspended above a glistening blue lagoon and 12 beach villas decked out with plunge pools and their own walled tropical gardens

There are 45 over-water bungalows suspended above a glistening blue lagoon and 12 beach villas decked out with plunge pools and their own walled tropical gardens

Le Taha’a is situated on an idyllic islet within the Society Islands archipelago in French Polynesia 

This coral sand island is a five-minute boat ride away from Taha’a island, a spot famous for its lush vanilla plantations and black pearl farms. 

In terms of accommodation, there are 45 over-water bungalows suspended above a glistening blue lagoon and 12 beach villas decked out with plunge pools and their own walled tropical gardens. To reach Taha’a, guests must board a private shuttle boat from the island of Raiatea.

Amanpulo, Pamalican, Philippines – from £905 per night 

Pamalican is a 220-acre private island that is home to Amanpulo, a unique escape from the luxury Aman Resorts group

Pamalican is a 220-acre private island that is home to Amanpulo, a unique escape from the luxury Aman Resorts group

Amanpulo's freestanding guest casitas and villas are modelled on traditional Filipino houses, with wood-shingled roofs and private decked terraces

Amanpulo’s freestanding guest casitas and villas are modelled on traditional Filipino houses, with wood-shingled roofs and private decked terraces

Pamalican is a 220-acre private island that is home to Amanpulo, a unique escape from the luxury Aman Resorts group. 

The outcrop is just one-and-a-half miles long and mostly covered in foliage, save for the pristine white-sand beaches fringing the shores. There is a private airstrip on the island, allowing guests to arrive by private plane from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Amanpulo’s freestanding guest casitas and villas are modelled on traditional Filipino houses, with wood-shingled roofs and private decked terraces. Facilities include a restaurant, library, beach club, swimming pool, tennis courts, a spa, and a Padi-accredited dive centre. There is also a water sports centre, where sea fishing and scuba diving can be arranged.



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