There is so much noise in the luxury travel market that I wonder where this will end up. Every luxury resort seems to go through some sort of inevitable reboot or upgrade on a regular basis, promising the kind of experiences you’re led to believe are derived from the divine elixir of extravagance. At the top end of the market, consumer expectation has also never been higher, for a variety of reasons: post-quarantine hysteria that has morphed into a kind of fractious right to travel; The post-White Lotus goal is the desire for bragging rights; and the fundamental (in both senses of the word) superiority of social media.
All this means seven-star travel has become bigger business than ever. In St Bart’s. St Tropez. Ibiza. the hamptons Palm Beach. Forte dei Marmi. Name it. Now every resort and every resort hotel promises the lifestyle experience of a lifetime, shamelessly tapping into our relentless passion for enjoying a personalized life.
Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, there are plenty of options out there, and whether your inclination is for the newest water villa in the Maldives, a super Mediterranean hotel, a floating nightclub or your own private island, there will be someone who can help get you out of your doldrums. your stress, your social anxiety, and your money (although not in that order).
Those who have made Mustique their luxury getaway of choice have long considered themselves above such designer ostentation, and for good reason. The Caribbean island has become the gold standard for luxury retreats, regularly hosting royalty and rock stars (the Prince and Princess of Wales stayed there last summer, for example, and Kate Moss will celebrate her 50th birthday there in January), and yet it never boasts about it . This is where you’ll meet top executives of entertainment giants playing beach volleyball, swap beers with familiar Hollywood names, and find yourself sitting next to the author of the book you’re reading at dinner. He spent all day reading.
Mustique is such a place; A paradise of luxury that does not encourage excess and ostentation. No designer shops, no dress codes, no clubs (except Basil’s, which local legislation means the bar band must play Hot Hot Hot every 20 minutes… for 20 minutes), no opportunities to wander around. They wear watches that resemble jewel-encrusted lunar modules. And everyone likes it. The island is stylish, quiet and reassuringly expensive. And it rarely tends to change.
But Mustique is changing in a very subtle way. Good rulers of the island never run when they can walk, but they carefully and slowly develop the island and what it has to offer in predictably subtle and sophisticated ways. There is a new path to Gelliceaux beach, making it easier to get around barefoot. There’s a new Pétanque rink, new menus at the Beach Cafe and an increasing number of sports activities and cocktail parties (you might even find yourself playing tennis with Tim Henman if you book the right week).
The island is stylish, quiet and reassuringly expensive and tends to change rarely
Perhaps with the ever-prolific US market in mind, they’re even building a state-of-the-art gym; something the homeowners thought would never happen. A lot of thought went into the landscaping of the new building; the idea was for the surrounding area to appear “untouched” almost instantly. There will be a large natural pond with wildlife and nesting birds, as well as large windows to let the outside in and Lotty Bunbury fabrics will be used throughout. This will include a dedicated free weights and cardio area, a yoga studio for indoor classes and a physio/consultation/treatment room for more specialized sports massage/body composition analysis.
Many regular visitors to the island think the gym is overdue, especially since those same guests seem to spend most of their time trying to compete with Whispering Angel consumption.
The most talked about villa on the island (there are only about a hundred villas, and most of them are available to rent – including those of Bryan Adams and Tommy Hilfiger, though not Sir Mick Jagger’s) is The Terraces, a huge house being built. It will be available for rent for the first time (if you have 200 million dollars, it is also for sale). It overlooks its own 17-acre lot with a floodlit tennis court, hand-painted Venetian-style fresco ceilings, nine spacious bedroom suites, a home theater (of course) and a staff of 18, as well as a completely separate Miami-style entertainment venue. building. Fee? £150,000 a week and for that you still need to buy your own Whispering Angel. Still very beautiful. Big but beautiful.
A new addition to the rental pool is Sundance, one of the island’s best kept secrets. It’s immaculate, designed with a hint of Long Island style, and would be perfect for a large group with six or 10 bedrooms. It’s also slightly more affordable, costing £32,000 per week.
The island has become so popular during the stop-start lockdown that not only have more people taken notice (especially Americans who suddenly realize it’s just a short jet ride away), but it’s now almost as popular in the off-season. as it once was at Christmas and Easter. As a result, it’s busier than ever, making it a perfect Caribbean destination all year round. Another tip: Pack lightly. This is an island of shorts and t-shirts, so you’ll never wear half of what you buy. Of course, a few “Hi, I’m here!” shirt, but leave the prom dress at home.
A week at Tetto Rosso costs £10,000 per week, including six shares and three staff. For more information and bookings please call The Mustique Company UK Office on +44 207 201 6831 or visit mustique-island.com.