When John Melk wants to get away from it all, the co-founder of Blockbuster and owner of exclusive Fisher Island heads to his private retreat, a 150-acre Bahamian island called Musha Cay.
Melk has spent about $50 million developing a totally self-sufficient
island with its own power plant and utilities. There's a 10,000-sq.-ft. plantation house and several separate beach villas, each with private beach access and all the water sport amenities that go with an island paradise. He maintains a staff of about 30 and tries to go there once a month.
When he's not there, movie stars, millionaires and the power set rent it out. Country music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw took their family there recently.
The island's also available for business meetings and conferences. But there's a catch. "I only rent the entire island to one party at a time," says Melk. "It becomes your island."
MUSHA CAY: COST PER NIGHTNumber
of GuestsIn SeasonOff-Season20-24$44,500$38,75015-19 35,650 32,500 8-14 27,50025,000 2-7 20,000 20,000
AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Consider yourself an adventurous traveler? Norman Pieters, owner of Karell Travel in Coral Gables, organizes customized African tours and safaris. This month, Pieters plans to take groups on a 14-day Black and White Rhino Safari, trekking through Kruger National Park in South Africa, Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe and finishing off in Namibia. None of Karell's safaris involve hunting.
Pieters also offers birding safaris, a cycling and wine-tasting combo outside of Cape Town, fly-fishing and even a full moon Kilimanjaro climb.
The cost: From $2,500 to more than $9,000, depending on the length of stay and type of adventure.
KARELL'S AFRICAN DREAM VACATIONSTourDestinationCostFly-fishing in Southern AfricaJohannesburg to Maun
$9,150Africa's Super Predators SafariCape Town to
Maun$8,750Black and White
Rhino SafariDurban to
Windhoek$8,060Malawi and Zambia's Best Birding SafariLilongwe
$5,090Full Moon Kilimanjaro Climb
Muchame route$2,500
PARADISE FOUND
While the masses flock to the wildly popular Atlantis mega-resort in the Bahamas -- just 50 minutes from Florida by air -- the elite retreat to a more subdued, exclusive alternative on the island, the Ocean Club. The first hotel built on Paradise Island 42 years ago, the Ocean Club was recently renovated to the tune of $100 million. It offers two upscale restaurants, one a joint venture with NYC celebrity chef John George called Dune.
The resort has a 40% to 45% rate of repeat clientele, says General Manager Russell Miller, nearly double the industry standard. Visitors from Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Miami are on the rise.
The cost: $450 a night to $1,250 in the off-season; $650 to $1,750 in season.
FOR WOMEN ONLY
Boca Raton's Vistas and Visions Travel Group books upscale trips to London, Paris and Florence, Italy, several times a year. Partners Barbra Popkin, a former divorce attorney, and Nancy Rosen-krantz, a former nurse, started the company three years ago to cater to small groups of women travelers only. The trips focus on one city, offering personalized glimpses into its culture and history. The pair books rooms only at five-star hotels.
What you get: In London -- private tours of places like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the studios of world-renowned glass blower Peter Leyton. In Florence -- A private tour of a jeweler's workshop on the Ponte Vecchio and an Italian mosaics workshop that's been family-owned for centuries.
Popkin hopes to expand her specialized trips to the corporate market but intends to keep them limited to small groups and corporate women only.
The cost: In the $4,000 range.
INDEPENDENT-MINDED
If you're looking for something a little more off-beat or unique in a hotel, here are seven properties to consider:
HotelLocationRates*Amelia Inn
& Beach ClubAmelia Island Plantation$115-175The Marco Beach
Ocean ResortMarco Island$239-549Mayfair HouseCoconut Grove$229-419The PeabodyOrlando$345-775The Brazilian
Court HotelPalm Beach$465-725Casa MonicaSt. Augustine$199-239The CelebrationOrlando$129-350*Rates range from single rooms to executive suites in season
These properties all come under the umbrella of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, a grouping of luxury hotels that are independently owned and operated. They must meet exacting customer service standards to become part of the group. Each offers luxury service and something a bit out of the ordinary. The Peabody has its daily parade of ducks through the lobby. The Marco Beach Ocean Resort is a new building filled with old antiques. And Casa Monica is a restored historical building turned luxury hotel.