25 Great Island Escapes
Travel + Leisure has scoured the
world for the best new island escapes
– from a rustic homestead on the
Russian island of Olkhon to Japan's
extraordinary Tadao Ando-designed
hotel, Fiji's first over-the-water bures
and (the anything but bookish)
Library on Koh Samui. In compiling
this list we consulted specialist travel
agents – experts who make it their
job to go beyond the hype and get to
really know these delectable places.
What did we discover? Read on; we'd
be surprised if you weren't reaching for
your fl ippers and your Factor 15 before
you get to the end of the list – if only in
your dreams.
1. MALLORCA, SPAIN
Why here, why now? L'Avenida, a tiny colonial mansion,
opened in the old town of
Sóller in March. The hotel is surrounded
by orange groves and
has just eight rooms, all fitted
out in a drop-dead-chic palette
of browns and whites. Also
worth a look is Orient-Express
Hotel's latest contribution to
luxury getaways at La Residencia
at Deia, called simply The Villa.
T+L Tip At L'Avenida ask for a
room with a view of the
awe-inspiring Tramuntana
mountains.
The Facts L'Avenida, +34 971
634 075; www.avenida-hotel.com; doubles from $287. The Villa, +34 971 63 6 046;
www.hotellaresidencia.com;
from $6894 a week.
2. NAOSHIMA, JAPAN
Why here, why now? This
eight-square-kilometre island
in the Seto Inland Sea is 13km
north of Takamatsu City. This
is your chance to stay in an extraordinary
hotel designed by
Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Guests choose between four
buildings, one of which is also
a working museum. Most of the
rooms are decorated with original
contemporary artwork.
T+L Tip Opt for the amazing
Oval building, which sits above
the rest of the complex and offers
a bit of privacy from the artseeking
public.
The Facts Benesse House,
+81 87 892 2030;
www.naoshima-is.co.jp;
doubles from $317.
3. OLKHON, RUSSIA
Why here, why now? This is
the largest island in Lake Baikal
and a true travel hot spot. The
place to stay is Nikita’s Homestead.
It’s an environmentally
friendly rustic guesthouse in the
largest settlement of Khuzhir
and is run by Nikita Bencharov,
a former Russian table tennis
champion, and his wife, Natasha.
And yes, there is a chance
to play table tennis.
T+L Tip Try one of the luxury
Mongolian yurts for something
a bit different.
The Facts Nikita’s Homestead,
+7 914 895 7865;
www.olkhon.info/en; doubles
from $54 including meals.
4. LE TAHA’A, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Why here, why now? Following
recent renovations, the Le
Taha’a Private Island & Spa now
has larger two-room villas that
are great for families. If you’re
looking for the latest and greatest
slice of tropical luxury, you
can’t go past St Regis on Bora
Bora, with its two-bedroom
over-the-water bungalows complete
with private pools, in case
you don’t feel like stepping from
your bure into the sea.
T+L Tip A good option for
families who are looking for a
relatively short fl ight and childfriendly
luxury.
The Facts Le Taha’a,
+689 508 445; www.letahaa.com; suites from $1089.
St Regis, +689 607 888;
www.starwoodhotels.com;
suites from $1200.
5. PANTELLERIA, ITALY
Why here, why now? Pantelleria
is a windswept island off
Sicily and 70km from the coast
of Tunisia. Giorgio Armani has
a holiday house here and the
island has always attracted a
highbrow fashion and art crowd
keen to escape the more wellknown
islands. Santa Teresa
Resort recently opened about
10 kilometres from the island’s
harbour. The resort is unusual
in its design – you’ll fi nd 18 chic
Moorish stone cottages set in
four mini-villages on a 40-
hectare olive farm. The sparse
whitewashed interiors owe as
much to Africa as they do to Italy.
T+L Tip The island is famous for
its warm mineral springs. Try a
mud bath at the Lake of Venus.
The Facts Santa Teresa Resort,
0011 800 3746 8357;
www.designhotels.com; doubles
from $164.
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