2017, the year of the private island
Despite the economic and political uncertainties of the coming year, there is one part of the travel industry that seems to be thriving — private islands, writes Claire Wrathall. Whether because they offer guests a retreat from the perceived risks of terrorism, or simply from a public disapproving of excessive displays of wealth, 2017 will see a swath of island resorts open their doors. These are some of the highlights.
Indonesia
Back in 2007, Australian Andrew Dixon quit his job in finance to open a hotel on Nikoi Island in the South China Sea, 8km off the east coast of Bintan. He and a group of other Singapore-based expats had previously clubbed together to buy the 15ha of white, shell-strewn beaches, virgin rainforest and extraordinary rock formations, as a weekend retreat. At first they used to camp there but as their families grew they built beach houses for themselves. Eventually it made better sense to expand it (there are now 15 villas) and open it to paying guests. A decade on, having acquired another island, Cempedak, 26km south, also unpopulated except by silvered leaf monkeys and other wildlife (if you’re lucky you may also spot a pangolin), Dixon is opening a second hotel. Due to open in March and this time intended as a retreat for couples without children in tow, it has 20 beautifully designed two-floor thatched bamboo villas with pools on their decks, but no TVs, phones or aircon. Villas for two from SG$600 (£434) per night.