How to Vacation on Necker Island

With white sand beaches, limitless Caribbean views and a dedicated staff of 50 catering to your every desire, a vacation on Necker Island is the ultimate luxury getaway. Virgin Atlantic owner Sir Richard Branson bought this private paradise in the British Virgin Islands for his own family's pleasure, and he'll open its delights to you. If you've got the resources, follow these steps for an unforgettable vacation on Necker Island.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Choose your companions. You can rent the whole island for yourself, you and your honey or you and up to 27 of your nearest and dearest, at rates that begin at $47,000 a day. (Of course, that includes all that staff, all you can eat and drink and a world of pleasurable activities, plus priceless privacy.) During September and October, you can also choose to attend one of the island's Celebration Weeks for couples and singles, where the all-inclusive rates start at $22,500 a week, but you'll have to share the island with others.
2. Review the facilities, rates and policies at the Necker Island website. When you're ready to book, contact the island's preferred booking agency, Sanctuare, at [phone]. You can also book stays on Necker Island through other Caribbean luxury rental agencies, such as Caribbean Way. For private rentals, you'll need to make a 20 percent deposit to confirm your booking; two further payments of 40 percent will be due 9 months and 3 months prior to your stay. For Celebration Week stays, a 30 percent deposit is required to confirm booking, with the remaining 70 percent due 3 months prior to arrival.
3. Get to Necker Island via flights to Virgin Gorda or Beef Island, BVI, from San Juan, Antigua or St. Thomas. Speedboat transfer to Necker Island from Tortola, Beef Island or Virgin Gorda is included in your stay. Necker Island also has facilities for arrival by helicopter or private yacht.
4. Enjoy a stay in one of the island's Balinese-style luxury accommodations—the Great House, atop a hill; the Bali Hi and Bali Beach houses on the beach; the Bali Lo and Bali Buah complex located in the island's secluded, forested interior and Bali Cliff, with its breathtaking bedroom cantilevered out from a cliff over the breaking waves. All are fully appointed with open air balconies and access to pools. The Great House features gathering spaces, libraries (with movies and music as well as books) and a formal dining room seating 28, and guests are given golf carts to travel between locations.
5. Do exactly what you want to do—or nothing at all. There are no schedules on Necker Island; you can swim in the two freshwater pools or the ocean pool with its waterfall, swim-up bar and floating dining terrace, scuba or kite-surf, snorkel, play tennis on two lighted courts or laze in a hammock. The staff prepares and serves whatever you want for meals, whenever and wherever you want it served, or you can serve yourself. A fully-equipped gym and office services (if you can't tear yourself away from the business deals that paid for this trip) are available 24 hours a day, and you can indulge in a range of pampering spa services for an additional fee.
6. Celebrate special occasions. The staff of Necker Island is capable of helping you plan your dream wedding, business retreat or family reunion. Request rates and further information when you call about booking.

Tips & Warnings

• Children are welcome on Necker Island when you reserve the whole island, and there are ample facilities for their enjoyment. Babysitting can be arranged at additional cost. Children are not allowed during Celebration Weeks, when the island is reserved for romantic adult getaways.
• A 2.5 percent service fee, due with the final deposit installment, is distributed among Necker Island staff. However, you may tip staff additionally at your own discretion.
• Because of the exclusivity of the Necker Island experience, you must book well in advance.
• Purchase travel insurance for your Necker Island vacation. All deposits are nonrefundable.