Is this the ultimate paradise getaway?
I’m standing waist-high in an infinity pool wrapped around a billionaire’s home with views of a bright turquoise sea.
Emerald islands can be seen in the distance with peaks smothered in verdant green leaves. House music is playing and glamorous guests relax on bright inflatables with cocktails.
Their attention is caught by the appearance of a canoe drifting towards them stuffed with tropical flowers and ice, with Champagne bottles squeezed in between.
It’s being slowly pushed down the pool, a boat filled with sushi following on.
As I settle in for my stay on Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, I’m discovering that floating booze buffets are one of many exotic perks favoured by the super-rich.
MailOnline Travel’s Sally Meeson visited Moskito Island (above) in the British Virgin Islands
Moskito (above) was bought by the owner of neighbouring island Necker, Richard Branson, in 2007 – and then he sold off plots for his billionaire friends to build breathtaking homes on, explains Sally
You may not have heard of Moskito, but you’ve almost certainly heard of its famous next-door neighbour, Necker Island.
Moskito was bought by Necker’s owner, Richard Branson, in 2007, and then he sold off plots for his billionaire friends to build breathtaking homes on.
And when they are not staying in them, you can… if you have very deep pockets.
My house, or estate, is called The Point, has nine bedrooms and you can book a minimum of five of them from $25,000 (£19,365) per night in high season (November – April).
Sally stays at an estate on Moskito Island called The Point (above), which has nine bedrooms
The Point ‘has private access to a beautiful white-sand beach where you feel like you’ve been cast away in paradise’
The Point’s features include ‘a large, communal indoor space, day beds facing a large TV, a pool table, glamorous soft furnishings and large potted trees’
Dreamy: Pictured above is one of the luxurious bedrooms at The Point
It has a large, communal indoor space by the pool with a sunken bar, day beds facing a large TV, a pool table, glamorous soft furnishings and large potted trees.
Its master bedroom sits below the pool and has round skylights, enabling you to peer up into it.
My room is in a luxurious freestanding Caribbean-style beach hut with a terrace complete with an outdoor bathtub, hammock and lounger with epic sea views.
The Point also has private access to a beautiful white-sand beach where you feel like you’ve been cast away in paradise.
Thrillingly, I explore the three other estates on Moskito, as well as The Branson Beach Estate, which can be booked separately through Virgin. Each of them has a unique style, suited to their entrepreneur owners.
Sally takes a speedboat to Virgin Gorda, where she has lunch at The Bitter End Yacht club (above), ‘a laid-back family run outpost where you can stay in Marine Lofts hovering over the water’s edge, dine in a blue-and-white beachy restaurant, play water sports or simply chill in a hammock on the beach’
Gorda blimey: Sally visits The Baths (above) and Devil’s Bay national parks, where she explores caves and pools
Virgin Gorda is known for its incredible beach boulders. Above – the island’s Spring Bay
I have cocktails and canapés at The Oasis, which is based on the design of a superyacht, has an LA feel and wouldn’t look out of place on Selling Sunset.
Cape Stout throws us a Halloween party and has more of a Dallas feel, with retro furnishings and even a swimming pool that runs like a river through the interior.
And The Village is regularly referred to as the party estate, with funky design features such as a DJ booth that emerges from the floor and a spiral staircase surrounded by disco lights that climbs up to a rooftop hot tub.
The Branson Beach Estate is as lavish as it sounds, with three separate beach-hut-style villas connected by wooden bridges and a central living space made up of marble floors, huge white sofas begging to be sunk into and black-and-white photos of members of the Branson family, giving a real sense of living in their home. Rumour has it that celebrities from the Obamas to Kim Kardashian have holidayed there.
Paradise found: Pictured above is Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda, which nestles beside turquoise waters
And who could blame them?
As well as the sheer luxury and beauty of the island, the service is outstanding.
All food and drink is included in the price, which means you can stay up till dawn drinking cocktails in your hot tub or continuously help yourself to bottles of Moet from the mini-bar.
The staff are friendly and nothing is off limits to make your stay more comfortable.
If you want something, such as a bespoke, action-packed itinerary, a Michelin-style meal from your private chef or a specific type of garnish for your cocktail, they will find a way to source it.
There are also many other beautiful British Virgin Islands to explore nearby.
I take a speedboat to Virgin Gorda, where I have lunch at The Bitter End Yacht club, a laid-back family run outpost where you can stay in Marine Lofts hovering over the water’s edge, dine in a blue-and-white beachy restaurant, play water sports or simply chill in a hammock on the beach.
Geology rocks: Above is one of the breathtaking beaches at The Baths National Park
At Virgin Gorda (above), Sally boards a luxury catamaran by company Dream Caribbean Blue
Sally sails to Jost Van Dyke (above), an island that she explores on a quad bike
Sally writes: ‘A trip to the BVI wouldn’t be complete without visiting Jost Van Dyke’s famous Soggy Dollar beach bar, which created the islands’ famous “Painkiller” cocktail.’ Above – White Bay beach on Jost Van Dyke
Here, I also visit The Baths and Devil’s Bay national parks, where I explore caves and pools and marvel at huge natural boulders lining the beach.
From here, I board a luxury catamaran by company Dream Caribbean Blue, which sails me to more beauty spots including Jost Van Dyke, an island that I explore on a quad bike, before lunch at Ivan’s Stress Free beach bar (as chilled as it sounds) and a massage on a floating spa with windows to the tropical fish below the treatment tables.
And a trip to the BVI wouldn’t be complete without visiting Jost Van Dyke’s famous Soggy Dollar beach bar, which created the islands’ famous ‘Painkiller’ cocktail: a blend of Pusser’s rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut poured over crushed ice. The perfect sundowner, whether I’m sitting atop a catamaran, lounging outside a billionaire’s summer home or simply wriggling my toes into a sandy beach.
