Hedonist hideaways: the top island hotels to escape to

Ready for an escape? We can't fly you around the world, but we can offer this Wallpaper* round-up of island gems for a luxury retreat right at your desk.

Park Hyatt, Zanzibar, Tanzania

The beachfront hotel is rooted in two buildings, one of them Mambo Msiige: a Unesco-appointed Zanzibari mansion that dates to the 17th century, where detailed carvings and a serene open courtyard give an immediate sense of heritage. It sits adjacently to the newly built Zamani Village, whose sympathetic architecture makes direct references to the Swahili culture, whilst also noting the Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences on the island

Hotel Sant Francesc, Mallorca, Spain

An 1880 manor house, located on Palma’s historic Plaza San Francicso, has been transformed into a 42-room hotel. Remaining unchanged for 135 years, the neoclassical mansion commanded a specially appointed team of creatives to carefully enhance the building’s authentic character

Writer: Micha Van Dinther

Hotel Sant Francesc, Mallorca, Spain

Architect Tolo Cursach, interior decorator Maria Jose Cabré and landscape designer Ana Esteve worked closely with the Soldevila Ferrer family, owners of the property, to successfully merge original features such as the Baroque façade and ornate ceiling frescoes with present-day designs from Antonio Citterio, Jaime Hayon and Paola Navone

JW Marriott, Venice, Italy

Built on Sacca Sessola, the largest of the hundreds of islets scattered across the Venetian lagoon, the newest launch from hotel group JW Marriott, appears like a floating slice of countryside, with all of its 20 buildings – which comprise a luxury hotel, private villas, and a spa and wellness centre – surrounded by a lush park of green grass, olive trees, ivy-trellised terraces and a vegetable garden that furnishes the resort’s two restaurants with fresh produce daily

Writer: JJ Martin

JW Marriott, Venice, Italy

All of the treatment rooms in the spa as well as the rooftop infinity pool offer views of the Venetian skyline. ‘You can see the sunset at Piazza San Marco,’ says the architect. ‘It’s fantastic. It’s so rare to actually see Venice in Venice’

JW Marriott, Venice, Italy

‘This is a return to nature,’ observes Milan-based architect Matteo Thun, who together with partner Luca Colombo not only designed the buildings and its interiors, but also the landscaping that unfurls freely across the 160,000 sq m property

Alila Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

The newly opened Alila Seminyak takes its cues from its perfect beachfront location a short walk from Seminyak town’s hippy slash hipster collection of smart restaurants, art galleries, itsy local spas, and surf-shops

Writer: Daven Wu

Alila Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia

Brief in hand, architect Gaurang Khemka and his team at Singapore firm URBNarc have created a secret garden amidst the hustle and bustle of Seminyak, laying out the resort’s 240 rooms around a sequence of naturally shaded public spaces that are dominated by four swimming pools, one of which literally sits atop the entire length of the restaurant

Zaborin, Kutchan, Japan

Set amongst the leafy canopy of a peaceful forest, against the serene backdrop of Hokkaido’s pristine landscape, Zaborin is the area’s newest retreat, just a short drive south from the city of Sapporo. Comprising just 15 villas – all of which overlook the endless bucolic terrain – the property sits snugly within the surrounding greenery, providing optimum immersion into the area’s idyllic location

Writer: Debbie Pappyn 

Zaborin, Kutchan, Japan

Local architect Makoto Nakayama boosted the characteristics of a traditional ryokan, with the addition of floor-to-ceiling glass, modern furnishings and concrete details

Tri, Galle, Sri Lanka

Tri has just opened on the edge of the scenic Lake Koggala, a leisurely half hour drive from Galle. With just 11 suites – three of which sit in a 40m high water tower that’s set on a hillock – a treetop yoga platform and a 21-metre cantilevered pool, the green resort offers wild tropical nature, tranquillity and seclusion in spades

Writer: Daven Wu

Tri, Galle, Sri Lanka

Somewhat unusually, Raefer Wallis of Sri Lanka and Shanghai-based A00 Architecture, has laid out the resort in a whorl that spirals the suites from the water’s edge upwards to the water tower

Myconian Ambassador, Mykonos, Greece

The fact that the Myconian Ambassador has been running since 1979 owes much to its incredible location on Mykonos’s Gialos beach and lovely panorama of the sea and distant islands and rocky outcrops

Writer: Daven Wu 

Myconian Ambassador, Mykonos, Greece

A refurbishment by Lebanese-based architect Galal Mahmoud has returned the 69-room Myconian – its sturdy silhouette of tessellated white cubes that are linked Escher-like by angular staircases – to one of gleaming white prominence in the neighbourhood. Granted, Grecian tropes loom large, not least the blue and white colour theme, but depth and warmth have been added by way of Thassos marble, tropical hardwoods, and splashes of pastel hued Marimekko-like fabric

Amanera, Cabrera, Dominican Republic

A hitherto untouched stretch of land on the Dominican Republic’s northern shore is now home to the Aman group’s 29th retreat, Amanera. Artfully scattered over 60 foot cliffs, which overlook Playa Grande beach, the resort respectfully slots into its lush environs, which includes jungles, waterfalls and the spectacular Cordillera Septentrional mountain range

Writer: Ella Marshall

Amanera, Cabrera, Dominican Republic

Ensconced in any one of the 25 casitas, guests can expect to encounter designer John Heah’s raw, organic interiors which incorporate stone from local quarries, indigenous handmade Aguayo tiles and Dominican art and artifacts, while floor-to-ceiling windows give way to views of landscaped private gardens

Setouchi Aonagi, Matsuyama, Japan

Fans of architect Tadao Ando will be pleased to hear of the recent opening of this intimate seven-room retreat just outside the city of Matsuyama on Japan’s smallest island, Shikoku

Writer: Jens H. Jensen

Setouchi Aonagi, Matsuyama, Japan

Completed 17 years ago as a private guesthouse, the building was later turned into a small modern art museum before re-opening as the Setouchi Retreat Aonagi

Setouchi Aonagi, Matsuyama, Japan

Overseeing each of the transformations, Ando’s signature minimalistic approach has remained clear, from the large exposed concrete, bright white surfaces and straight lines throughout the space

Grand Villa Noi, Phuket, Thailand

In the Asian context, the pool villa, once a fantastical ideal of the ultimate beach vacation, has become a quotidian feature. The Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa and its brand new Grand Villa Noi–on a corner of the resort with its own beach frontage– is a game-changer

Writer: Daven Wu

Grand Villa Noi, Phuket, Thailand

Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag has mined the look-books of Mies, Corbusier and Lautner to create an airy complex of rectilinear silhouettes that is anchored by modern takes of salas, or outdoor pavilions, and room sets lined with floor to ceiling glass walls, and 420 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. From every angle is a glimpse of sky, greenery or sea

Ariara Island, Philippines

At the right end of the Palawan archipelago, Ariara is one of the last remaining undiscovered Calamian Islands. Owners of the 125 acres, Brits Charles and Carrie McCulloch, sought to create a private refuge for travellers who, like them, just 'don't do' hotels. Says Charles: 'I have always disliked the lack of freedom and individuality imposed by hotels, however stunning the location.'

They commissioned Filipino architect Jorge Yulo to design the contemporary eco-resort and furnish it with pieces from local carpenters and craftsmen, who weaved their own rattan, sewed cushions from tribal fabrics and carved a bath from a single block of Romblon marble.

Lodging - including two Jungle Villas, four Beach Cottages and the secluded North Beach Lodge - hugs the main beach. In the main lodge is a restaurant helmed by Jacqueline Haessig Alleje, the Philippines-based Swiss chef who has developed a healthy menu of international favourites, including soy sake shrimp with ginger aioli, and banana and cashew ice cream with pineapple sorbet. Life on Ariara thrives on indulgence without limits; guests do what they want, when they want, without compromise.

From Manila to Ariara: A short flight from Manila to Busuanga where guests are transferred to Port of Coron nearby to board the Karen-Joy, Ariara's 100ft trimaran. Cruising time: four hours. Alternatively, up to eight guests can make the journey in Ariara's 33ft speedboat in just over an hour

Ariara Island, Calamian Islands, Palawan; Email: bliss@ariaraisland.com; www.ariaraisland.com

Writer: Sara Henrichs

Black + Bright House, Møn, Denmark

With its spectacular white cliffs, long stretches of sandy beach and dense forestry, it would be an understatement to describe the scenery on Møn as dramatic. Here, in a quiet spot on Råbylille beach, just 300m from the sea (but a good two hours by air and road from Copenhagen), sits Black + Bright House. Designed by skilled German architect Jan Henrik Jansen, it can accommodate up to eight people with three bedrooms, a loft, two bathrooms and a central sauna accessible from the bathroom and terrace (which is itself equipped with an outdoor shower). Few homes would be more suitable for experiencing the therapeutic Nordic landscape.

Black + Bright House, Råbylille beach, Møn, Denmark; Email: janhenrikjansen@hotmail.com; www.hausaufmoen.de

Writer: Lauren Ho

Spinguera, Boa Vista, Cape Verde

The view from Boa Vista, the easternmost of Cape Verde's ten islands, lives up to its name. And vice versa: the coast features miles of sandy beaches, fresh dunes and wild grasses. If the mere 4,000 residents are too many for you, head to Spinguera, an abandoned fishing village that's secluded even by the island's standards.

Springuera's ecolodge takes the place of the old ramshackle fishing cottages, 12 in all. They've been beautifully restored but not modernised: don't expect TV, internet, mobile coverage or even air conditioning. And the décor is simple, in keeping with the surroundings.

Spinguera's isolation extends to the dining options, of which there are none nearby - but thankfully the owner more than makes up for this with what she cooks up in the lodge kitchen. You might also want to check with her before diving into the deep blue: sharks have been known to make an appearance

Spinguera, Boa Vista, Cape Verde; www.spinguera.com

Writer: Sara Henrichs

Villa 11, North Island, Seychelles

You can go anywhere in the Seychelles for a spectacular view, but if you're after a proper off-the-radar escape head to this resort on the North Island. There are only 11 rooms, built by conservationist Andy Payne to finance a rehabilitation project for the island, now restored to the wilderness sanctuary it once was. Payne hired architects Silvio Rech and Lesly Carstens to create a design hotel as imagined by a shipwrecked visionary. They led a team of local craftsmen, who used driftwood wood, bamboo and local stones to fashion the interiors, approaching each 450sq m villa individually, where you'll find twig stools, log tables, thatched cabanas and organic linens. Our tip is the 750sq m Villa 11, which features indoor and outdoor living areas, a swimming pool, cinema and dramatic ocean-view dining.

North Island operates a no-menu policy; chef David Godin collaborates with guests on a bespoke, organic carte du jour each day. The meals can be taken back at the villa, on a private beach or in a picnic basket, to be enjoyed after a cycling tour around the tropical forest with the resident ecologist

Villa 11, North Island, Seychelles; tel: 248 4 293 100; www.north-island.com

Writer: Sara Henrichs

Cerês am Meer, Rügen, Germany

The island of Rügen, off Germany's northeast coast, has never been a magnet to the elite like Sylt. But, surrounded by the warmer Baltic Sea, and with perfect stretches of beach, pretty villas and a seaside promenade, it offers less fuss than its Mercedes-clogged rival.

The island's first design hotel is Cerês, named after the dark, remote planet that orbits independently around the sun. Accordingly, this remote inn is outfitted in a palette of black, white, anthracite, platinum and natural stone, with floor-to-ceiling French windows opening onto terraces in each of the 42 rooms and a suite with a domed glass skylight.

You can watch the splendid northern lights on the roof terrace (while sipping a fruit-infused martini), then head off to Negro for Andreas Krüger's delicious menu of reimagined north German specialities like baked tandoori plaice on wild herb risotto. The restaurant also features an international water menu, with the finest from Norway, Wales, Japan, South Africa and Canada. But if water's your thing, you'd be better served by algae and sea fennel massages at the Senso spa.

Cerês am Meer, Strandpromenade 24, 18609 Ostseebad, Binz; tel: 49.3 8393 6667; www.ceres-hotel.de

Writer: Sara Henrichs

The Shed, Tokavaig, Isle of Skye

On a stony, seaweed-strewn beach along the west coast of the Sleat peninsula lies the highland hamlet of Tokavaig. Overlooked by the ruined Dunscaith Castle, the place also known as the Garden of Skye is one of the two best on the island from which to view the Cuillin mountain range – in fine weather, that is.

It was for these views that Mary Arnold-Forster embarked on building the Shed. A contemporary version of an agricultural store, the house is defined by its corrugated-iron roof and locally sourced Scottish larch façade. Architect Arnold-Forster designed the house as well as the interior, and those of you craving an authentic island getaway will appreciate that the four-bedroom, three-bathroom property has no neighbours.

The Shed, Tokavaig, Isle of Skye; Email: mary@dualchas.com; www.skyeshed.com

Writer: Lauren Ho

Song Saa Private Island, Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia

Part of the little visited 61 islands in the Koh Rong Archipelago, this resort is 30 min by boat from Sihanoukville international airport. Australian owners Rory and Melita Hunter took inspiration from the local fishing villages when designing the accomodation, which comprises over-water villas with thatched roofs, rough-hewn natural timbers and drift wood furnishings. Each of the 27 villas comes with a private pool and outdoor showers overlooking the ocean and the royal villa has its own jetty.

The beach bar is the perfect spot for star gazing after dinner and enjoying the 360 degrees views over the Gulf of Thailand. Spa treatments include the Song Saa rainforest harmony, traditional Khmer or warm stone massages. The resort is having a soft opening in November so book now to be one of the first.

Song Saa, Koh Ouen, Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Tel: 855.7777 7439; www.songsaa.co

Writer: Sara Henrichs