The best speakeasy is usually the one you don’t know about. You might not have heard of Mustique — a magical Caribbean island whose doors haven’t always been open to the public. We have decided you are now cool enough to read about it. Congratulations.
Not all that many years ago, a person had to be pre-approved before stepping onto this tiny volcanic rock just west of Barbados in an island-chain called St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Originally purchased by Scottsman Colin Tennant (Lord Glenconnor), Mustique became a Robinson Crusoe-style hideaway for friends, family and royalty — most notably Queen Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret.
The island, about 1,400 acres in size, consists of 100 villas owned by the likes of Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger. The lack of commercialism and limited admittance has helped keep the island and its luxurious beaches as pristine as any in the world. It is a natural habitat for many frogs, crabs, lizards, iguanas, and various flora and fauna, and its conservation area extends 1,000 feet offshore, so the waters are filled with gorgeous marine life and a majestic coral reef. The many unpaved roads feature little signage, all the phone and power lines are buried underground, and automobiles are not allowed on the island. There are no golf courses, but for those who don’t want to take the short walk to any other point on the island, there are golf carts and horses for transportation. Horses!
Today, Mustique is open to tourists with several options for high-end accommodations. The 17-room beachfront Cotton House, the only hotel on the island, is a former cotton warehouse and sugar mill that now features a pool, spa and a historic windmill. For a more intimate and slightly less expensive experience, the Firefly Mustique is one of the island’s original homes overlooking Britannia Bay and now rents out its four guest rooms. Most people, however, rent one of the 72 villas in the island’s rental program. The massive nine-bedroom Shogun Villa goes for as much as $50,000/week, while smaller two-bedroom places like the Bali Hai start at $5,000. Even Princess Margaret’s five-bedroom Les Jolies Eaux is available, complete with an autographed picture of the other famous Margaret (Thatcher). While it’s a surprise these prices don’t include a Dom Pérignon shower, they do include the services of a full-time staff to cook, clean and maintain the property.
Though technically open to the public, the costs effectively limit visitors to celebrities, royalty and business tycoons like David Bowie, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Phil Collins, Calvin Klein, David Geffen, and the King and Queen of Greece. It’s the perfect island getaway for people who truly want to get away, but should you want to mingle with the island’s more social guests, Mustique features three restaurants and the world famous Basil’s Bar.
Go ahead and have a few; paparazzi don’t exist on the island of Mustique — but don’t tell anybody you heard it from us.