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It’s got everything you would expect from what was once Marlon Brando’s private island: a circular thatched-roof bar just steps from the aquamarine waters, an air-conditioned restaurant, Les Mutineers, in an overturned wooden ship’s hull perched atop a freshwater lagoon with a massive crystal model of the HMS Bounty (as in Mutiny on, the 1962 film that first brought Brando to Tahiti) suspended from the ceiling, and enormous, immaculate beach villas with private infinity pools dotting the beach in between sea turtle nests. The villas can only be described as “Presidential” in size and amenities (literally: Barack Obama decompressed here after eight years in the Oval Office).

More practically, the island is an eco-haven, growing most of its own produce, pumping cold seawater from the ocean floor to cool its guest accommodations, and relying on solar power for virtually all of the rest. Some of the room packages even include daily spa treatments, where you can take your massage in the island’s highest point: an elevated wooden Easter egg with a view line right at the forest canopy. When it’s time to dine, try Brando’s favorite cheeseburger recipe, or indulge in a sundae created in homage to the actor’s habit of taking to the lagoon for the day in a kayak with a single provision: a five-gallon tub of ice cream.

A river runs through it at this storied luxury lodge on New Zealand’s North Island in the town of Taupō–known for its eponymous, trout-filled crater lake that’s the country’s largest. Huka Lodge played host to Queen Elizabeth II four times during her reign. And what started in 1924 as a humble fishing camp now sports 20 luxurious guest suites with French doors that open to private patios shaded by pongas (silver ferns) as well as two owner’s cottages–all hugging the grassy banks of the crystalline Waikato River. For guests who want to try hooking catch-and-release rainbow trout, loaner fishing rods are at the ready.

A 3.5-hour drive south of Auckland (or 75 minutes by helicopter transfer), the property emerged in early 2025 from a $14 million makeover that included the main lodge’s expanded dining room and bar and an outdoor riverside patio with a roaring fireplace. Rates include a full breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and a gourmet dinner with premium New Zealand wines.

The lodge can arrange private fly fishing excursions and cruises to see Māori rock carvings on Lake Taupō with beloved local company, Chris Jolly Outdoors, as well as heli-hiking outings to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and scenic flights over geothermal sites. Make time for a treatment at the spa followed by a soak in the steaming outdoor hot tub, where the chorus of New Zealand’s bush birds—tūī, wood pigeons and fantails—is a symphony for the soul.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is the spiritual center of Australia, sacred to the local Pitjantjatjara tribe, with Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock) and other imposing rock formations jutting out of the red desert landscape. Visitors to this region are strictly controlled, and it is a true privilege to be staying at Longitude 131⁰, a luxury, tented resort, with its 15 tents set up such that each private terrace has a view of the red monolith and the landscape, a prime viewing spot for Uluru’s spectacular sunrise and sunset displays.

Theoretically, leaving the resort is unnecessary because there is a superb restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine, a pool and a spa, in-house artists, Aboriginal storytellers, and local plant life to be enjoyed against the spectacular backdrop of the red sand dunes. But leaving the tents’ perfect terraces can be rewarding, as Longitude 131⁰ is set up to offer not only an extraordinarily unique and luxurious stay but also bespoke experiences away from the crowds that allow visitors to learn about the local Indigenous heritage and the spectacular nature around the resort. Sunrise strolls, heli-trips, and guided walks around the base of Uluru are beckoning.

Venturing off the beaten path pays off in a big way at Pumphouse Point. Perched over the water in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park in western Tasmania, the once historic pumphouse, turned adults-only wilderness retreat and spa, now hosts guests for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury stay on Australia’s deepest lake.

Nineteen boutique rooms and suites are a nod to its previous era, with industrial lighting and native timber accents, yet provide all the modern trappings, from soaking tubs to locally crafted furniture. But the real indulgence is in the views: old-growth forest, misty mornings on the lake, and resident wombats can all be appreciated from any corner of the property.

Picnics are encouraged through the hotel’s included larder lunch, a hearty portion of local charcuterie-style products, and the perfect fuel for hiking, paddling a rowboat, or a leisurely bike ride. Evenings are for mingling, a beer or wine from the honesty bar, followed by a farm-to-table meal shared at communal tables. Relaxation comes naturally at Pumphouse Point, a retreat for all five senses, where you can relish the simple things, like fresh sourdough bread delivered on demand to your room by staff via a special bread bike, or painting with watercolors in one of the cozy communal areas.

There’s no shortage of private-island escapes promising barefoot luxury, but Turtle Island feels almost mythical. A 35-minute flight from Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, this emerald slip of paradise hosts just 14 couples at a time, tended to by a staff-to-guest ratio so generous you’ll be spoiled for the rest of your life.

Days unfold like a gentle ritual: sunrise breakfasts overlooking the cobalt sea, afternoons spent on one of the island’s dozen-plus private beaches—each reserved for a single couple. Here, castaway fantasy meets high indulgence: chilled Moët in the fridge, reef-to-table cuisine on your picnic blanket, and not another footprint in sight (partly due to how few guests there are and partly due to constant sand raking by diligent staff).

Evenings, though, belong to the island’s true magic—its people. There’s a warmth that transcends hospitality, a sense that you’re being welcomed not as a visitor but as kin. You’ll share stories at long communal tables, laugh beneath strings of lantern light, and realize, at some point, that the staff aren’t hosts and the guests aren’t strangers.

When they greet you with “Welcome home, family,” it’s more than a pleasantry. By the time you depart, heart heavy, you’ll understand: you haven’t merely visited Turtle Island—you’ve become part of it.