Looking to get away with your extra-special somebody—and, preferably, nobody else? These 4 romantic private island resorts deliver sun, surf, sand, and seclusion, at off-the-path oases that you'll have (practically) all to yourselves. It's like being marooned on a desert island but with all of the amenities of a luxury resort, along with a doting staff. Each of these ultimate get-away-from-it-all island retreats are private paradises tailored for two—just be prepared to pay for the privilege of playing at castaways.
COTTON HOUSE
Where: Mustique
The choice island of the British royal family, Mustique is best known for its '70s playboy hedonism, when barons and princesses threw headline-hitting scandalous parties. Cotton House, the sole full-service hotel on the isle, boasts plenty of awards alongside its impressive guest book brimming with celebrity signatures. Opulent mansions of the rich and famous, like those of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, speckle the remote hills. Private golf buggies enable the few privileged guests to explore nine bewitching beaches, where you'd be hard-pressed to see another soul. The 17 spacious pool suites span 13 lush acres. Plentiful activities keep the adventurous occupied with trails for hiking, diving, and boating charters (at an extra cost).
PETER ISLAND RESORT & SPA
Where: British Virgin Islands
The largest private island resort in the British Virgin Islands, Peter Island Resort & Spa has been welcoming Caribbean-bound couples in search of easy-going elegance for more than 30 years. The 1,800-acre tropical isle brings together five beaches (including dreamy Deadman's Beach), countless coves, swaying palm trees, and forested mountains for an unspoiled island escape. Bunk down in one of 55 units, including indulgent private villas with your own staff and incredible ocean views; beachfront junior suites, set just steps from the sea; or value-friendly ocean-view rooms. Couples can opt for treatments at the Ayurveda-inspired spa (book one of the open-air bohios for couples' massages); book private beachfront dining experiences (like picnics in secluded coves or tiki torch-lit dinners); throw back cocktails with a Caribbean steel drum band; or partake in activities like snorkeling, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing, hiking, or diving (some activities carry fees). Guests enjoy a three-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, with intuitive service to attend to your every need—from unpacking your bags to crafting your customized island itinerary.
CAYO ESPANTO
Where: Belize
Just off the coast of Belize, this intimate private island paradise—measuring just four palm-forested, turquoise water-enclosed acres—beckons honeymooners for pampering and privacy. Sign up for optional activities like world-class sportfishing, snorkeling, or diving on the world's second longest barrier reef, and indulge in all-inclusive meals, catered to guest preferences (served at your villa, on the beach, or the dock). Retreat for romance at one of just seven beachfront villas, complete with private infinity edge plunge pools (one over-water villa boasts a glass-floor instead), alfresco showers, and private docks—plus the on-call services of personal butlers.
PARROT CAY RESORT
Where: Turks & Caicos
Once said to be a hideout for pirate Calico Jack Rackham and his lady cohorts Mary Read and Anne Bonny, the 1,000-acre cay between Fort George Cay and North Caicos is now the site of an ultra-exclusive hideaway resort. This private paradise—a favorite for celebrities and other jet-setters—comes with all the trimmings you'd expect for the substantial price. Elaborate oceanfront villas border the island, and their wooden, Asian feel contrasts with the rather bland hillside terracotta–and–stucco building that houses the spacious suites. Suite and villa interiors are a minimalist yet sumptuous mix of cool-white interiors, Indonesian furnishings, and four-poster beds. Expect sorbet, cold bottled water, and cold, lemon-scented refreshment towels around the beach and pool. Service is unmatched in its ability to anticipate and meet your needs. The villas are the ultimate indulgence, with heated lap pools, hot tubs, and butler service. The giant Como Shambhala Spa takes destination spas to a whole new level with Indonesian and Balinese therapists.