As wealth has evolved, so too has luxury travel. In the 19th century, the height of indulgence was often a steam train sojourn across the Continent; by the 20th, it was Caribbean cruises, popularised by films like James Bond. Today, the priorities of high-net-worth travellers have shifted. The most expensive destinations are less about distance and bravado, and more about limited access, ecological awareness, and privacy. From private islands in the remote Pacific to historic ski chalets in the French Alps, here are five extraordinary destinations with provenance – and the price tag to match.
Musha Cay, The Bahamas
Privately owned by illusionist David Copperfield, Musha Cay is one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. Set in the Exumas and surrounded by 11 uninhabited islets, the 700-acre retreat is available only as a full-island buyout, with prices starting at $57,000 for five nights. Copperfield’s creative imprint is everywhere on the island: guests can snorkel in a surrealist underwater sculpture, dine in a ‘Secret Village’ accessible only through a hidden statue, or catch a film at ‘Dave’s Drive-In’ – a full-scale open‑air theatre built into the sand on ‘Copperfield Bay’.
Nature leads the way here – Musha Cay is home to giant tortoises, exotic birds, and a secluded pink-sand beach that’s only reachable by boat. The island wasn’t designed to be a resort: each villa is a personal residence and is intentionally understated. With a full staff of 30, the island is best suited to milestone occasions such as family reunions and weddings.
Courchevel 1850, French Alps
Few resorts have attracted as many royals, oligarchs and billionaires as Courchevel 1850. Founded in 1946, this exclusive ski resort sits within Les Trois Vallées – the largest interconnected ski area in the world. Many of the chalets here are accessed via ski-in/ski-out routes, and in peak season, prices can climb as high as $270,000 per week.
In terms of terrain, Courchevel has some of the most technically challenging skiing in the Alps, with steep black runs and difficult off-piste powder sections. The wider area famously hosted several events during the 1992 Winter Olympics and remains a key part of France’s high-performance ski infrastructure.
Courchevel 1850 occupies the highest point of the resort and has its own altiport for private jet arrivals, along with a branded retail promenade that includes Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel. The village has six Michelin-starred restaurants, including Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc and Le Chabichou, and a buzzing nightlife circuit. Most guests arrive through private travel networks and book through long-standing concierge contacts or family offices.
While Courchevel is part of a much larger ski area, 1850 functions as its own ecosystem – built for regulars and serviced at a private level.
The Brando, French Polynesia
Set deep in the remote Pacific, The Brando in Tetiaroa is a rare, forward-thinking island resort that balances sustainability with Polynesian heritage. The atoll was originally purchased by Marlon Brando in the 1960s after he filmed Mutiny on the Bounty nearby. Today, it operates as a carbon-neutral hideaway with just 35 beachfront villas – the largest of which costs around $24,000 per night.
Crafted to honour Brando’s vision of a natural, self-sustaining resort, it has its own marine research station, a deep seawater-powered cooling system, and a strong focus on reforestation and reef restoration. Spa treatments use tamanu oil and vanilla grown on site, and meals are cooked using produce from the resort’s organic gardens.
Brando was an outspoken advocate for indigenous activism, and that’s reflected in how the resort is run today. The Brando works closely with the Tetiaroa Society – a local non-profit dedicated to preserving the atoll’s natural and cultural heritage. Their guides lead walks and educational experiences that explore ancestral knowledge, marine ecosystems, and the stories that have shaped life on the island for generations.
Celebrities and environmentalists have long favoured The Brando for its balance of seclusion and sustainability. Barack Obama famously stayed here to work on his memoir, while Pippa Middleton honeymooned here in 2017. It is only accessible by private plane from Tahiti.
Aspen, USA
Aspen is the most culturally loaded ski town in North America – a place where high-altitude sport meets philanthropy, art collecting and legacy wealth. Located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, it draws a loyal crowd of families, financiers and founders who return each winter for both the skiing and the social circuit. In high season, luxury home rentals and hotel suites routinely surpass $100,000 per week, with off-market chalets often handled through established brokers or private networks.
The resort spans four ski areas – Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass, and, most exclusive of all, Aspen Mountain. Locally referred to as ‘Ajax,’ the slope takes its nickname from the old silver mine once located on the mountain. Terrain varies widely, from double-black diamond runs to beginner trails.
Off the slopes, the town’s cultural calendar includes exhibitions, classical concerts, and panels at the Aspen Institute, while the restaurant scene mixes fine dining with members’ lounges and cocktail bars. Après-ski might mean wine on the terrace at The Little Nell, or a private dinner in a Red Mountain chalet with views over the valley. It is no surprise that the Aspen real estate market is one of the most highly-valued in the States.
Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Necker Island is a 74-acre private island in the British Virgin Islands, long favoured by royalty and world leaders. Princess Diana famously brought Princes William and Harry here to celebrate the New Year in the 1990s – a trip that cemented its reputation as one of the most exclusive retreats in the Caribbean. Necker is available only as a full buyout or during ‘Celebration Weeks,’ when individual rooms are released. The standard full-island rate sits around $134,500 per night for up to 48 guests, placing it firmly among the most expensive holiday destinations in the world.
Necker operates more like a private estate than a resort, with accommodation spread across a series of open-air, Balinese-style villas overlooking the water. The staff-to-guest ratio is close to one-to-one, and days are loosely structured around a wide range of included activities, from sailing and snorkelling to tennis, yoga, paddleboarding and reef diving.
Like The Brando and Musha Cay, Necker Island is home to a significant wildlife programme. Over the years, Branson has reintroduced several endangered species to the island, including lemurs, flamingos and giant tortoises, all of which roam freely in the protected landscape.
