by There is so much noise around the luxury travel market that I wonder where it will end up. It seems that every luxury choice goes regularly through some kind of restart or inevitable upgrade, the kind of experience you are led to believe is fashioned from the very elixir of divine extravagance. At the top of the market, consumer expectation has never been higher, due to a variety of reasons – post-green hysteria that has morphed into a form of petulant travel entitlement; former White Lotus desire for destination bragging rights; and the foundation (in both senses of the word) of social media one-upmanship.
All of which means that seven-star travel is more business than ever. Saint Birt. Saint Tropez. Ibiza. The Hamptons. Palm Beach. Forte dei Marmi. You name it. Each resort and resort hotel now promises a lifestyle experience of a lifetime, capitalizing on our relentless ambition to enjoy a customized life.
Or maybe it’s just me. Either way, there are plenty of options out there, and whether your desire is for the latest Maldivian water villa hideaway, a Mediterranean luxury hotel, a floating nightclub or your own private island, there will be someone to help you. to relieve from your. stress, your social anxiety and your money (although not necessarily in that order).
Those who made Mustique their choice of luxury getaway, have long considered themselves to be above this type of preening designer, and with good reason. The Caribbean island has become the gold standard of luxury retreats, frequented by royalty and rock stars (the Prince and Princess of Wales stayed there last summer, for example, and Kate Moss will celebrate her 50th birthday in January) and still never brags about it. This is where you bump into entertainment executives playing beach volleyball, where you’ll trade beers with Hollywood household names, and where you’ll find yourself at dinner sitting next to the author of your book . he spent the whole day reading.
Mustique is that kind of place, a luxury paradise that doesn’t encourage excess or ridicule. No designer shops, no dress codes, no clubs (apart from Basil’s, which is the kind of place where local legislation means the bar band has to play Hot Hot Hot every 20 minutes… for 20 minutes), no chance to ponce around wearing watches that look like gem-encrusted lunar modules. And that’s how everyone likes it. The island is chic, quiet and extremely expensive. And a good chance rarely changes.
Although Mustique has been changing since then. The good governors of the island don’t run when they can walk, but they are carefully, slowly upgrading the island and what it has to offer in more sophisticated and predictable ways. There is a new path to Gelliceaux beach, making it easier to walk around barefoot. There’s a new Pétanque piste, new menus at the Beach Cafe, and an increasing number of organized sports activities and cocktail parties (if you book the right week you can even find yourself playing tennis with Tim Henman).
The island is chic, quiet and extremely expensive – and the chances of it changing are rare.
Perhaps with an eye on the ever-yielding US market, they’re even building a state-of-the-art gym, something the homeowners thought would never happen. A lot of thought has gone into the landscaping of the new building, the idea being that the surrounding area looks “untouched” almost immediately. There will be a large natural pond with nesting wildlife and birds, as well as large windows to let the outside in, and Lotty Bunbury fabrics used throughout. It will include a dedicated free weights and cardio area, a yoga studio for indoor classes and a physio/consultation/treatment room for more dedicated sports massage/body composition analysis.
Many regular visitors to the island think the gym is long overdue, especially since the same guests seem to spend most of their time trying to compete for Whispering Angel consumption.
The most talked about house on the island is The Terraces (there are only a hundred or so, most of which are available for rent – including Bryan Adams and Tommy Hilfiger, although not Sir Mick Jagger) is The Terraces, a huge house under construction. available for rent for the first time (it’s for sale, too, if you’ve got $200 million to spare). It overlooks its own 17-acre plot with a floodlit tennis court, hand-painted Venetian-style fresco ceilings throughout, nine huge bedrooms, a home theater (of course) and a cast of 18 as well as a completely separate Miami-style entertainment . building. The cost? Well, it’s £150,000 a week, and for that you still have to buy your own Whispering Angel. It is beautiful though. Big, but beautiful.
Another addition to the rental pool is Sundance, one of the island’s best kept secrets. It is immaculate, designed in a slightly Long Island style and would be perfect for a large group with six or 10 bedrooms available. It is also slightly more reasonable, costing £32,000 per week.
The island became so popular during the stop-start lockdown period that not only did more people become aware of it (especially Americans, who suddenly realized it was a short jet trip) but it is almost as popular now in the off season. as it was at Christmas and Easter. It is therefore busier than ever, making it the perfect year-round Caribbean destination. Oh, and a tip: pack lightly. You’ll never have to wear half of what you take, because this is an island of shorts and T-shirts. By all means take a few “Hello, I’m here!” shirts, but leave the ball gown at home.
One week at Tetto Rosso costs from £10,000 per week based on six people sharing including three staff. For more information and bookings call the Mustique Company UK Office on +44 207 201 6831 or visit mustique-island.com
