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The Best Beach Resort in the World- Part 1

It simply doesn't get any better than this. Anywhere. Really, I know everyone says it but now you've found it. I travel the world reviewing luxury resorts and private islands for the travel industry. This is the largest private island in the world, formerly owned by Malcolm Forbes, and it's what every destination resort aspires to be. With only 25 private villas and over 300 staff, the staff:guest ratio exceeds most resorts guest:staff ratio. The island exudes understated luxury. Every need is met before it's realized. The most unusual request has been heard a dozen times. Make no mistake, this is Jurassic Park minus the dinosaurs, currently. They commandeer a flotilla; luxury, stunt & historic aircraft; one of only a handful of acrobatic submarines in the world; and by my estimate about 100 golf carts. There's the most picturesque palm tree lined David McLay Kidd golf course -and PGA pro- that averages less than 150 rounds of golf a year. When you want the best of the best I humbly present to you, Laucala Island.

Arriving by private jet or yacht your coordinates are 16.7527° S, 179.6863° W, proceed directly to the island to clear customs without having to visit the main island of Fiji. One signature villa has a dock equipped for private yachts so VIP can disembark directly into their living room for the absolute ultimate in privacy, no one knowing they've even arrived. Connections to and from commercial flights at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu are made via private charter jet, arranged by the resort upon request. On arrival guests are immediately provided their own personal golf cart (one per bedroom) and a cell phone with speed dial for your butler, dining reservations, activities, and emergency assistance. Your luggage is whisked away to your villa as your personal attendant escorts you around the grounds. Traversing miles of hand laid brick golf cart paths the locations of various restaurants are revealed en route to your private villa.  Only the resort proper in the top portion of the island is accessible by golf cart, but that's enough that you can spend half a day driving around gleefully getting lost in seas of palm trees. Don't worry about the kiddos. If anyone ventures too far "off course" they'll be shadowed by staff to be sure everyone makes it back safe. The rest of the island is dedicated to the golf course, farm, and jungle, all explorable via guided expedition Jeep, Land Rover or horseback.

Most 1 and 2 Bedroom villas share a similar layout and decor with either garden or beachfront settings. A handful of signature villas are located at key points around the island. Villas are split between two palm thatched roof bures. Lounge bures, stocked with Bombay and Veuve are separated by a covered walkway from the bedroom bure. Platform beds set above a sunken lounge area overlook the private pool and beach.  A 5 fixture bathroom featuring a hand carved wooden soaking tub opens to reveal another covered, full outside bath with shower, stone carved soaking tub and sink overlooking your private pool and private beach.  Full custom interiors designed using local materials whenever possible reference Fijian and island culture. Complete villa control is at your fingertips next to your pillow. We're not talking close the blinds, dim the lights... I mean turn on the fire torches surrounding the infinity pool. A private pool for every villa that's larger than the main pool at most resorts in Fiji. Inviting 1,000 count linens and silk duvets, but we can sleep when we're home. This is a truly amazing villa that will make you never want to leave, but the moment you catch your breath you'll remember you're on the most rare, unique, exclusive private island in the world and never ending breathtaking adventure awaits.

You've seen the pool on TV and in magazine covers and wondered is that real?  If it's real where is it and how do I get there? Welcome, you have arrived.

There are cool infinity edge pools. There are zero entry sandy bottom pools. There are pools with waterfalls and bridges. But it's never all been done at the same time, at this scale, to such a high degree. Truly too good to be true until you see it. And when you actually get in it? Died and gone to heaven. Rated #1 pool in the world by many more than just me. It's the iconic floating, glass walled infinity lap pool, set within another waterfall fed pool flowing underneath the main golf cart path of the island, transitioning over 2,000 square meters into natural sandy edge lagoons ending gently at a beach with the ocean lapping at your feet... Hyperbole is impossible for a pool like this and a photo is worth a thousand words, so here are 6,060 frames of pure, pool bliss.

This is a pool people fly around the world just to visit. This is a pool that begs for a buyout, and we can get 60 of your closest friends there at the same time. Inquire about private 757 and 777 all First Class, lie-flat luxury air charters.

Continue to "The Best Beach Resort in the World - Part 2"

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Brian Harris