Luxury: 5 of the best private islands

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Surely the most famous private island resort in the world, 74-acre Necker is owned by Richard Branson. Through Virgin Limited Edition, part of Virgin Hotel Group’s portfolio, guests can book the entire island – maximum capacity 28 – for $51,000 per night.

Throughout the year there are a number of ‘celebration weeks’, where guests can book a room or villa on the island for the bargain price of $25,400 per couple for seven nights.

The prices are sky-high, but there’s a lot on offer. Accommodation is either in the Great House, which sits on a hill with panoramic views, or in one of six private Balinese-style villas.

All activities, food and drinks – including champagne – are included in the rates, and this isn’t your standard buffet fare.

Lunch at the pool might comprise canoes filled with ice, decorated with flowers and decked with rows of sushi and shots of sake.

Sample product: Virgin Limited Edition is offering nine nights for the price of seven on exclusive use of Necker Island, from $357,000, on departures up until March 31 2010. virginlimitededition.com, 020 8600 0430

North Island, Seychelles

If it is private enough for David and Victoria, it should suffice for clients less likely to be hounded by the paparazzi.

The Beckhams took the expensive step of booking out the entire North Island – reportedly spending more than £150,000 – but as there are only 11 villas, most visitors should be happy enough with the sparse smattering of other guests.

The two-bedroom villas face Anse D’Est beach and have private plunge pools. Vast Villa 11 is set completely apart, with panoramic views from the main bedroom, lounge and bathroom, which has an oversized bath and a ledge for a champagne bucket. There is also a suspended deck for the outdoor shower, a private sunbathing terrace, and a plunge pool.

Beyond the main bar and restaurant, a walkway over a lily pond leads to the wine cellar, and a private dining room. Guests can dive or snorkel, or explore the rest of the island by bike or buggy – each villa has its own private, mini four-wheel drive.

Sample product: Elite Vacations offers five nights from £9,980 per person including return flights with Air Seychelles, complimentary lounge passes, private helicopter transfers and accommodation on a full-board plus basis. Prices valid until December 15. seychelleselite.co.uk, 01707 371000

Bedarra Island, Australia

Sitting two and a half miles off the tropical North Queensland Coast, Bedarra is a private island with benefits – the biggest being the Great Barrier Reef. If the promise of the world’s most famous collection of coral and marine life isn’t enough, give clients the lowdown on the resort itself.

Just 16 villas are dotted around the island, sandwiched comfortably between tropical rainforest and sparkling ocean. The emphasis is on natural materials and a contemporary look – think neat timber, punctuated by wide expanses of glass.

All food is included in the tariff, from à la carte meals from the menu that changes daily, to gourmet hampers that can be provided, along with a dinghy, so they can be shared in a secluded bay.

Guests can also explore by kayak, or wander through the rainforest. Spa treatments are available in room, as well as in the spa.

Sample product: Austravel offers four nights’ all-inclusive in a Hillside Villa from £1,635 per person. The package includes champagne and chocolates on arrival, a spa treatment, activities and return launch transfers from Dunk Island. Return flights from Cairns to Dunk Island start at £155. austravel.com, 0800 988 4834

The Taj Lake Palace, India

Looking less like an island than a hovering vision in white marble, this heritage hotel sits in stately splendour on four acres of natural rock foundations in the middle of Lake Pichola.

Udaipur’s Lake Palace Hotel, now part of the Taj group, started life in 1743 as Jag Niwas, the summer abode of Maharana Jagat Singh II, a Rajasthani royal who took his architectural inspiration from the Taj Mahal.

By the late 19th century the palace was falling into disrepair, and was converted into a luxury hotel in the 1960s. Taj Hotels took over management in 1971 and ever since, the property has been renowned as one of the most romantic hotels on earth. It has played host to Vivien Leigh and Jackie Kennedy, and featured in Bond movie Octopussy.

With the Aravalli Mountains to one side, and the marble palaces that led to Udaipur being nicknamed the White City to the other, the hotel is a dream of creamy stone punctuated by wide, column-lined courtyards and detailed mosaics. Rooms are fit for royalty, with opulent silks, richly coloured murals and ornately carved furniture. Even the butlers are descended from the original palace retainers.

Sample product: Somak Holidays offers three nights’ bed and breakfast in a double luxury room at the Lake Palace Hotel from £1,225 including return flights and transfers, valid on departures until August. Quote Travel Weekly when booking. somak.co.uk, 020 8423 3000

San Clemente Palace, Venice

If your clients want the benefits of Venice without the crowds, here’s the answer. The San Clemente Palace Hotel sits just off the coast of the main Venetian island on its own private piece of land south of Giudecca.

The earliest construction on San Clemente island was a church in 1131, which still remains, next to the classically handsome profile of the hotel itself.

The luxurious rooms are decorated in lavish historic style with heavy drapes, deep chairs and ornate mirrors. Two-thirds of the island’s 65,000sq metres are still open space. Green areas peppered with cypress, elm and linden trees connect the different sections of the hotel.

There are fountains in the open courtyards, and there is a large swimming pool. The island provides views of Giudecca, the Lido and St Mark’s Square, to which a complimentary shuttle service of elegant wooden boats runs.

Sample product: Kirker Holidays offers three nights’ bed and breakfast at the San Clemente Palace for £880 per person including flights, private transfers by water taxi, and guaranteed entrance to the Doge’s Palace. kirkerholidays.com, 020 7593 2283