Islands embody all the qualities stars taking time out from the limelight are usually in search of – tranquillity, privacy and the promise of escape. The word itself goes hand in hand with images of glorious beaches, gently nodding palms and an endless expanse of impossibly aquamarine sea. Here HELLO! takes a look at some of the world’s hottest isles and who loves to hang out on them.
Celebrity hideaways
Islands where the rich and famous have picked up holiday homes range from popular holiday spots like Majorca, vacation hot spot for German supermodel Claudia Schiffer to exclusive former backwaters such as Mustique, a favourite of the late Princess Margaret.
Mustique also worked its magic on Mick Jagger, who converted a two-bedroom cottage on the island into his own Japanese-style bungalow complex, and fashion guru Tommy Hilfiger. Indeed the work of the US designer often reflects time spent at his holiday home on the Granadine isle.
The island of Majorca, which is popular for its south coast resorts, has a more exclusive side. In addition to Claudia Schiffer, Hollywood heavyweight Michael Douglas is an on-off resident. The Basic Instinct star bought the stunning cliff-top retreat of S’Estaca while still married to his ex-wife Diandra. When the couple split up they agreed to share it between them, and Michael continues to vacation there with his current spouse Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Other celebs who’ve discovered island paradises include Eric Clapton and former 007 actor Timothy Dalton, who both plumped for Antigua. While Princess Caroline and her husband Prince Ernst of Hanover have reportedly invested in Croatia’s Brijuni Islands, where potential neighbours could include Sharon Stone and Clint Eastwood, both of whom have expressed an interest in buying in the area.
