On my amazing Necker Island vacation, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Richard Branson. A reader asked if that was the highlight of my trip. The answer: no, not really. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to meet Sir Richard, but Necker Island is so special that meeting him didn’t make my top 5 list.
In a future post I’ll cover the question of whether a week on Necker Island is really worth the 1.2 million Virgin Atlantic miles I paid. In this post, I’ll cover a few of the reasons to argue for it. Here are my top 5 reasons Necker Island may be worth 1.2 million miles…
#5 Food & Drink
It’s all included. And, except for a few minor bumps, the food has been excellent.
#4 All Inclusive Activities
Tennis lessons, water sports, off-island excursions, parties, and even food & drink related lessons are all included (with the exception of massages, which are extra). I went scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling; I took kite surfing lessons; sushi making lessons; and much more.
#3 Stunning Views
This, for example, was the view from our balcony…
And this too…
#2 Incredible Service
The staff here make all of the difference. Every one is genuinely outgoing and friendly. There are few designated roles. Ask any staff member for anything and it is their job to handle it for you. And, in most cases, they’ll ask you how they can help before you even realize you need something.
Oh, and daily laundry services are included too. It’s incredibly nice to have all of your clothes washed and ironed daily!
#1 Lemurs
If you love animals, you gotta love these guys…
Background
My wife and I are currently enjoying a 1 week vacation on Sir Richard Branson’s private island: Necker Island. The usual price for a Celebration Week* on the island is just north of $30,000. Instead, we paid 1.2 million Virgin Atlantic miles. For additional background, please see “Considering the 1.2 million mile Necker Island challenge,” and “Days away from Necker Island.”
* The island is normally hired exclusively for up to 34 guests sharing 17 bedrooms on an all- inclusive basis. Rates start from $78,000 per night ($2,294 per person per night). It can also be shared with others during Celebration Weeks; these are held several times each year and allow guests to book individual rooms as opposed to hiring the entire island. Prices for Celebration Weeks start from $30,000 for a 7 night stay.
See Also
- Necker Island Day 1
- Necker Island Day 2
- Necker Island Day 3
- Necker Island Zip Line lunch with Richard Branson