When the super-rich want to escape the rat race, there’s a hidden world that only the top 1% can access. From Idyllic breaks located in the most breathtaking locations, a multimillion-pound Caribbean estate with first class services to match or going back to basics at a retreat so exclusive it’s invite-only, we discover a secret world of luxury.
One of the most sought-after destinations for the ultimate dream escape is to the Caribbean, with its sun-soaked islands, crystal clear turquoise sea and miles of sandy beaches. In St Lucia, sat between the famous Pitons, sits La Belle Helene, a private villa where brothers Ben and James, whose family own the property, are arriving to check out the results of its recent £4m renovation. We join the brothers and their friends as they give the colonial- style villa a test run before it reopens for bookings. There’s also a surprise up their sleeve; they’re going to announce their acquisition of the land next door including a property once owned by Lord Glenconner which, after a multi-million-pound renovation, they plan to transform into a high-end restaurant.
On the Cornish coast, we open the doors to a £13,000-a-week clifftop villa, where mother and daughter Amanda and Grace are enjoying some quality time with their own private beach.
We head to the frozen depths of the Arctic where, deep in the forests of Finnish Lapland, we meet Noora and Henri who are looking for the chance to reset at a retreat so exclusive that guests have to be personally invited by the owner. Back to basics for billionaires, Octola is surrounded by nature where foraging, fishing and sauna are on offer to guests who are willing to part with up to £100,000 a night.
And in Ibiza, we go on the road with Alex, who runs elite villa rental company Black Book Ibiza, where properties can rent out for six figure sums. Alex meets the owner of a potential new villa which he hopes will meet the expectations of his ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Rating 383,000 (peaking at nearly 500,000)