“THE PLANET’S MOST PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT” OFFERS ALL THE WONDERS OF OWNING THIS MOST EXTRAORDINARY KIND OF REAL ESTATE, BUT NONE OF THE HASSLES

BY TIA KIM

If you hunger for the glories and singularities of private island ownership, but lack the funds of, say, Johnny Depp, who bought Little Halls Pond Cay in the Bahamas or Mel Gibson, who picked up Fiji’s Mago Island, what is there to do? Gladden Private Island Resort offers a not at all humble solution. Nothing less than, as its owner explains, “the world’s most private island resort,” this sanctuary for two to four guests, in the heart of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, is a single elegant villa, but with the all-inclusive services of a luxury hotel. A four hour flight from Miami (a helicopter covers the remaining 20 miles from the coast of Placencia) brings guests to a part of the reef referred to as the “Gladden Split,” where whale sharks congregate, among other natural wonders. A Gladden representative is at the ready at Belize customs and takes you directly to transport.

Staff resides unseen on a smaller island, ready to respond to requests at a moment’s notice (a “privacy alert” indicates if a chef, maid, or maintenance person is on the main island). Meals and drinks are included, of course, the former consisting of local specialties prepared by a rotating roster of chefs from celebrated kitchens around the world. Spa treatments and a boat/snorkeling charter are available through a personal concierge.

Rates are $2,950 for two persons, $3,550 for four (per night, plus 9% tax), with a minimum four night stay.

Gladden Private Island Resort
gladdenprivateisland.com