There is so much noise around the luxury travel market that I wonder where it will all end. Every luxury resort seems to regularly undergo some kind of inevitable reboot or upgrade, promising the kind of experiences you think would come from the elixir of divine extravagance. At the top end of the market, consumer expectations have also never been higher, for several reasons: a post-lockdown hysteria that has turned into a kind of petulant travel law; a post-White Lotus desire for destination bragging rights; and the fundamental (in both senses of the word) one-upmanship of social media.
All this means that seven-star travel has become a bigger business than ever. Saint Bart. St. Tropez. Ibiza. The Hamptons. Palm tree beach. Forte dei Marmi. You name it. Every resort and resort hotel now promises the lifestyle experience of a lifetime, unashamedly leveraging our relentless ambition to enjoy a tailor-made life.
Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, there’s plenty of choice, and whether your preference is the latest water villa hideaway in the Maldives, a Mediterranean super hotel, a floating nightclub or your own private island, there will be someone who can help you find your to relieve worries. stress, your social anxiety, and your money (though not necessarily in that order).
Those who have made Mustique their choice for a luxury getaway have long considered themselves above this kind of designer polish, and for good reason. The Caribbean island has become the gold standard for luxury retreats, a place where royalty and rock stars regularly stay (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 nothing ever brags about on. This is the place where you meet the executives of entertainment giants playing beach volleyball, where you trade beers with Hollywood names, and where you sit at dinner next to the author of the book you wrote. I’ve been reading all day.
Mustique is one such place, a luxury paradise that encourages no excess or ostentation. There are no designer shops, no dress codes, no clubs (except Basil’s, which is the kind of place where local law means the bar band has to play Hot Hot Hot every 20 minutes… for 20 minutes), no opportunity to walk around the wearing watches that look like gem-encrusted lunar modules. And that’s how everyone likes it. The island is chic, quiet and reassuringly expensive. And rarely amenable to change.
Although Mustique is, very subtly, changing. The good island governors never run when they can walk, but they carefully and slowly improve the island and what it has to offer in predictably nuanced and sophisticated ways. There is a new path to Gelliceaux beach, making it easier to walk around barefoot. There’s a new boules track, new menus in the Beach Cafe and an increasing number of sports activities and organized cocktail parties (if you book the right week you can even play tennis with Tim Henman).
The island is chic, quiet and reassuringly expensive – and rarely subject to change
Perhaps with an eye on the ever-fertile American market, they’re even building a state-of-the-art gym, something homeowners thought would never happen. A huge amount of thought has gone into the design of the new building, with the idea that the surrounding area will almost immediately look ‘unspoilt’. There will be a large natural pond with wildlife and nesting birds, as well as large windows that let the outside in, and Lotty Bunbury fabrics have been used throughout. It will include a dedicated area for free weights and cardio, a yoga studio for indoor classes and a physio/consultation/treatment area for more specific sports massages/body composition analysis.
Many regular visitors to the island feel that the gym is long overdue, especially since those same guests seem to spend most of their time competing on Whispering Angel consumption.
The most talked-about villa on the island (there are only about a hundred of them, most of which are for rent – including those of Bryan Adams and Tommy Hilfiger, although not Sir Mick Jagger’s) is The Terraces, a gigantic house under construction . available for rent for the first time (it’s also for sale if you have $200 million to spare). It overlooks its own 17-acre plot with a lighted tennis court, hand-painted ceilings with Venetian-style frescoes throughout, nine master bedroom suites, a home theater (obviously) and 18 staff, as well as a completely separate Miami-style entertainment center. building. Costs? Well, it’s £150,000 a week, and for that you still have to buy your own Whispering Angel. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Big, but beautiful.
Another new addition to the rental pool is Sundance, one of the island’s best-kept secrets. It is immaculate, designed in a somewhat Long Island style and would be perfect for a large group with six or ten bedrooms. It’s also slightly more reasonable: it costs £32,000 a 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 ride away), but it is now almost as popular out of season. as it once was at Christmas and Easter. It is therefore busier than ever before, making it the perfect Caribbean destination all year round. Oh, and a tip: pack light. You never wear half of what you bring because this is an island full of shorts and T-shirts. At least take a few “Hi, I’m here!” shirts, but leave the ball gown at home.
A week at Tetto Rosso costs from £10,000 per week, based on six people and three staff. For further information and bookings please call The Mustique Company UK Office on +44 207 201 6831 or visit mustique-island.com