Indian Ocean islands may be on the Gulf's doorstep, but the world offers many alternative selling options to clients seeking island hideaways says Kathi Everden.
With regular reports of exclusive resort developments on Nakheel's 'The World' project where 'Thailand', 'Ireland', 'China' and 'Australia' are already among the island havens promised within a few years, there is potential for 'global' travel just a ferry ride away from Dubai within a few years.
But in the meantime, for those seeking the real thing - the storybook appeal of private islands and Robinson Crusoe seclusion coupled with designer luxury - there's landfall at any number of islands in the world's oceans as the hassle of everyday life encourages more travellers to seek a back-to-nature vacation.
Of course, just four hours' from the Gulf, the Maldives are the epitome of tropical island magic, every one of which provides the nodding palm tree, silver beaches and turquoise waters that are the stuff of dreams.
But, despite the many resort names dropping into the market, from Shangri-La and Raffles to W and Conrad, few of the tiny islands fulfil the true image of the island hideaway given their multiple accommodation and restaurant facilities.
Exceptions include Per Aquum's Dhoni Mighili, where guests are offered a choice of accommodation aboard a luxurious appointed 65-foot dhoni as well as a beach bungalow with private bar, outdoor bathroom, waterfall showers and more at the 'marina' home island, plus a few extras such as personal chefs, private butlers and an island spa.
"The entire island can be exclusively contracted for between two and 30 guests, but normally the resort accommodates a maximum of 12 people, many of whom might be sailing off in to the wild blue yonder at any one time," says Per Aquum managing director, Tom McLoughlin.
"Nowhere in the world can guests experience such a perfect blend of local tradition and sheer luxury, on both land and sea."
Taking this concept just that bit farther, in an admitted bid 'to be different', Banyan Tree countered with its tented pool villa resort on Madivaru last year, a castaway concept with just six 'villas' priced from US $3900+ per night.
Hardly camping in a pup tent, each 260m2 unit comprises three individual tents equipped as living, sleeping and bathing areas, the latter including a pair of spa beds for in-villa treatments, while furnishing generally extend beyond canvas to include timber flooring, rattan and teak furniture and handcrafted wooden handicrafts and ceiling canopies.
While there is an all-day dining restaurant and a bar lounge, most guests tend to opt for private dining either in their villas or on lagoon sandbanks, enhancing the Banyan promise to "create cherished memories".
According to area general manager Jamal Hussain the popularity of this secluded resort has been fantastic with rave reports flooding in since it opened last August.
"We also offer a combination using our new six-cabin Velaa 98-foot gullet, which also helps to diversifies the Maldives product," he explains.
"At the Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives Velavaru we have two huge islands with just one tented suite each."
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