More on Plopping – Moskito Island Exclusive Luxury

Did you act on your New Year’s Travel Reservations yet? Did it include reserving a private compound in the BVI’s?

A new definition of luxury is now firmly on the map in the British Virgin Islands as the highly anticipated, brand-new the Richard Branson Moskito Island recently made its debut. Indulge in the typical island activities of snorkeling, swimming, diving, kite surfing and water sports.

Moskito Island BVI’s

After more than 14 years in the making, Moskito has quickly become the newest, and one of the most exclusive, private islands in the Caribbean – a secluded billionaire’s playground, home to privately owned villa estates, all brought together by first-class communal recreational amenities. The 125-acre resort features a recreation area, pristine beaches and exclusive luxury villas.

Two brand-new estates: The Point Estate and The Oasis Estate are the latest additions joining the existing 11 bedroom Branson Estate on Moskito Island, under the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio. Each estate brings its own sense of style through striking architecture and one-off design, to create exceptionally unique island retreats.

Sprawled across 125 acres, sitting across from its famous sister island Necker, Moskito Island brings a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience to the Caribbean. It is where the best of coastal living is brought to life through unparalleled ocean views and unmatched barefoot luxury, complemented by the stunning architectural design of each individual estate.

Celebrated for hyper-personalized service in incomparable destinations around the world, Virgin Limited Edition is Sir Richard Branson’s global collection of eight unique retreats and luxury hotels.

Moskito Island is the newest jewel of the Caribbean; a truly one-of-a-kind escape where visitors can enjoy the luxuries of the most stunning unspoiled surroundings, while having the convenience and luxury of a beautiful private home to serve as the center of the activities.

THE OASIS ESTATE, Moskito Island

THE OASIS ESTATE
Perched on the highest point of Moskito Island, you’ll find the expansive nine-roomed Oasis Estate. Offering the very best of contemporary living, the Oasis Estate exudes a uniquely chic aesthetic, with sleek, modern design and broad sweeping gestures. The ultimate entertaining abode, the four-story main house is positioned on top of the hill, and seamlessly utilizes the natural landforms, with stunning transparent split-level terraces that emerge from the central core of the estate. Featuring multiple bars – including a swim-up pool bar – an expansive billiards and movie room, and rooftop deck that boasts unobstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding territory, the estate provides the perfect balance of fun, privacy, and relaxation to cater for guests every need.

Accommodation

Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors throughout the entire house provide an abundance of natural light, all opening fully to allow for harmonic indoor-outdoor living, while a flat grass-filled rooftop adds a unique urban design element. A curved wraparound master pool brings a luxurious cooling element to the space and joins the main house with three individual guest pods, which sit at the edge of the estate, providing their own sense of privacy. Also minimalistic in nature, the poolside pods each come fitted with their own kitchenette and living areas, as do each of the guest rooms in the main house.

The Main House Rooms

The crown jewel of the estate is the 812 sq. ft. master guestroom, featuring an open-plan bedroom and living area that seamlessly transitions onto an extensive 180 degree decking and entertaining area, offering some of the best views on the estate. Guests will wake up to sunrise views overlooking Sir Richard Branson’s iconic neighboring Necker Island, before later soaking up sweeping sunset views from the freestanding outdoor bathtub. The ample wraparound terrace features sun loungers and a dining table to create the perfect entertainment space at this beautiful private retreat.

THE POINT ESTATE
The eight-bedroom Point Estate is nestled cliffside, overlooking the island’s stunning Manchioneel Beach and neighboring Virgin Gorda. Drawing design inspiration from the homeowners’ travels across the world, The Point Estate is built up the cliff offering free-standing accommodation and one main entertaining hub house. The expansive communal area of the main house brings the estate together as a dining and entertainment space, with contemporary kitchen and bar and huge infinity edge pool offering 180-degree views of the surrounding turquoise waters. A unique open-air seaside dining pavilion is impressively built right at the cliff edge and offers arguably the best viewpoint of the dramatic BVI sunsets than any other spot on the island. Guests staying at The Point Estate have exclusive, direct stair access to Manchioneel Beach – Moskito Island’s primary beach – complete with a dining pavilion, stocked bar and guest facilities.

With eight bedrooms, including a playful eight-bunk children’s room in the main house, the estate comfortably sleeps up to 22 guests and is an ideal family destination. The estate has two master bedrooms; Hillside Master, that overlooks the entire estate, and Seaside Master, a quiet cove at the bottom of the estate, boasting sensational water views. A mix of freestanding, outdoor, deep-soaking tubs, and outdoor showers, complete with spacious decking and sun loungers, feature across the guest accommodation, and sitting atop the main house great room is an impressive crow’s nest – an idyllic location to watch the sun rise and set over the island and enjoy a quiet respite.

THE BRANSON ESTATE

THE BRANSON ESTATE
The two new estates, The Oasis and The Point will join the enviable Branson Estate, designed, and owned by the Branson Family, and opened in 2020. Set in an idyllic location – next door to the island’s communal recreational facilities – The Branson Estate was the very first estate to be built on Moskito Island with three beautiful villas connected by elevated wooden walkways, including the main residence, Headland House, which is home to the estate’s main master living, dining and entertaining areas, master suite and two guest rooms. The four-bedroomed Beach Villa is a seaside oasis, with its own private infinity pool and living areas and adjacent, lies the four-bedroomed Mangrove Villa, nestled in the mangroves with striking views of the neighboring islands. In true barefoot luxury style, The Branson Estate is home to beautiful seaside dining and play areas that seamlessly blend indoor-outdoor living for a relaxing, private vacation.

The Master Suites

Each private estate on Moskito Island is brought together by a multitude of communal recreational amenities including the master Beach Pavilion, comprising a bar, gaming and movie areas, wrap-around pool, and a stunning communal beach. Two impressive floodlit artificial grass tennis courts – designed to match Necker Island’s courts which famously play host to the annual Necker Cup – can host group tournaments, lessons, or a casual knock about with friends.

Families and Groups

Guests can also enjoy a multitude of dining outlets on-island, private in-room or beachside spa treatments, watersports, and a myriad of activities that can be organized to cater for the full group – including game nights, guided hikes, beach Olympics and children’s pizza-making classes.

Off-island, the British Virgin Islands offers some of the best crystal blue waters in the world to explore, whether snorkeling the unspoiled reefs and shipwrecks, or swimming with the turtles.

Rates for Moskito Island start from $17,500 per night during low-season, based on a four-night minimum stay at The Point Estate for up to 16 guests. Rates include a dedicated Estate Manager, private chef, and a dedicated team of staff. As well as all meals, drinks, watersports, and a personalized itinerary from start to finish.

Barefoot Luxury- time to plan winter escapes!

The Branson Estate

More on Plopping…After A is B. Barefoot Luxury.

Besides the day-to-day stress, the unpredictable profound pandemic has created its own subset of stress. Is it safe to go, is it better to stay home still? Tahiti has very strict protocols in place.

A short list of Perfect Places to Plop. Some places you can feel, they cast their spell on you immediately, The Brando is certain to cast its spell the moment you arrive. Tetiaroa is treasured among Tahitians who know it as a sacred place. So sacred, that at one time the coconut-dotted white sand beaches and crystalline lagoon of this uninhabited atoll was an exclusive getaway for Tahitian royalty.

Tetiaroa

Tahiti – The Brando. When filming Mutiny on the Bounty here in 1962, Marlon Brando called the island of Tetiaroa “beautiful beyond capacity to describe,” so it’s only fitting that his namesake resort leaves visitors inadequately equipped to explain its appeal.  An epic island retreat, not just for former Presidents, a refresher to remind you of its infinite charms! Mere mortals can now safely gather at The Brando Island with the strict French Polynesian Govt. COVID 19 testing mandates in place. Travelers can feel secure escaping to this island paradise, as the Tahitian government has strict pre-arrival Covid-19 rules.

Tetiaroa Island - The Brando
Private Tetiaroa Island , The Brando
Pool The Brando Island

From the air, Tetiaroa Island is nary a speck of tall swaying coconut and vivid green palm fronds surrounded by the palest of brilliantly clear turquoise seas visible from your private plane that transports you from Papeete  to the private island. Your first glimpse is of startling gem blue seas contrasted by white sandy beaches punctuated with miles and miles of jade green palms – a beautiful necklace of sea surrounding the pristine white beaches. 

The Brando Island

Photos provide glammy perspective, however the absolute beauty of the warm indigo seas, the stillness, occasionally interrupted by native birdsong, the natural beauty of the island must be experienced. A rare combination of nature and a man’s love for an island he called home for many years. The Brando experience is unlike any other – imagine balmy breezes, warm gentle seas teeming with flamboyant tropical fish and curious turtles, black night skies filled with thousands of stars, the Southern Sky is also a star at The Brando. The resort was designed to reflect Polynesian lifestyles and culture.

Needs are met before you even think of asking. The staff is extremely efficient and beyond friendly – they are fun, and they seem to be genuinely pleased to assist in any matter. The Villas – in total, 35 stand-alone unobtrusive villas, secreted on white sandy beaches with glorious water views, and nudged into a private thatch of shrubs, fragrant tropical flowers, and swaying coconut palms. The 22 villas along West Turtle Beach and 13 along South Mermaid Bay have been carefully designed to reflect the Polynesian lifestyle and traditions. If you enjoy seclusion, even while knowing there are villas nearby, this should become your tropical paradise. Each day, I saw more guests at dinner, however I felt like it was my own private pristine island as I rarely encountered other guests during the day. 

Out of this world Spa – So gorgeous, relaxing, and stunning architecture. A brief bike ride beneath the towering coconut fronds and you arrive at the secluded pond, the actual location where the Tahitian Royal family once withdrew to rest and indulge in relaxation routines. A natural haven, the spa villas are hidden amid the dense jungle; dragonflies and enormous Lilly pads adorn the scene from your perch above the pond.

Spa Hut The Brando Island
Path to The Spa, The Brando Island

The Brando is a fully inclusive Sanctuary: meals and beverages, a spa treatment each day and an excursion. The Brando is pure paradise. You won’t want to depart!

Paradise The Brando Island

Bora Bora is a tiny South Pacific Island escape northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia. From the sky, it appears as a shimmering green gem plopped into a sapphire expanse of ocean. Surrounded by tiny islets bordered with bright white sand, like a string of pearls floating in a turquoise lagoon ringed by a protective coral reef.

It is no less stunning once you land, the famed posh Four Seasons Resort – is our favorite, highlighted by thatched-roof bungalows hovering over the water, many with private pools. Bora Bora is a divers or snorkelers paradise; the healthy unspoiled reefs are rich with sea life. The dormant volcano rises in two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point is 727-feet and offers the most majestic views and great woodland hikes.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

There is a dreamy private island paradise that feels safe in this ever-changing global oyster; a pearl of a property. Many of our clients have escaped to this island paradise. Set on a motu (islet) on the northeast side of the lagoon, the Four Seasons Resort enjoys uninterrupted views of the dramatic peaks of Bora Bora, which are particularly captivating at sunset. Enchantment begins on the wooden power boat, speeding across the gorgeous aqua seas to the Four Seasons Bora Bora. The cool breeze and surf splashing as you breathe in the fresh air and absorb the astonishing tropical views.

The beach front Villa estates are secluded, have their own pools, and literally feel like private mansions on the pale azure Bora Bora seas. Each over water bungalow has sections of glass floors, you see fish, stingrays, and other marine life, nature at its best, swimming underneath your room! I found myself sitting on the floor, peering for underwater creatures. Furnished with large, plush, king-size beds, a full living room, a spacious outdoor deck, some with plunge pools and every amenity you’d expect to find in a 5-star hotel room.

The bungalows have been recently refurbished, inspired by a traditional Polynesian village, a collaboration between local architect Pierre-Jean Picart and San Francisco design firm BAMO. Additionally, six plunge pools were added to existing overwater bungalow suites, bringing the total number of overwater accommodations with pools to 27, and the total overwater room count to 108.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bor

This is also a perfect combo visit arrive first to The Brando – exhale, recover your balance and for a more active lifestyle mosey to PPT and jet over to Bora Bora. Both are hedonistic perfection!