LUXURIOUS PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT OPENS

 It offers white sand beaches, plush villas and plenty of amenities. But with a price tag of $100,000 a night, Banwa Private Island is among the most expensive getaways anywhere in the world.

The resort, in the works for years, and benefits from year-round sunshine thanks to its location close to the equator. It features six villas and additional suites, meaning 48 people can stay at any one time. So if you have plenty of friends, it might be worth splitting the bill.

The resort’s surounding Puerco Island, sits serenely off the coast of Palawan, an island province. Guests heading for Banwa will need to hop on a helicopter or seaplane for the final leg.

Once there, guests will be able to explore the entirety of the archipelago, relax in a hammock or sip cocktails at a bar.

Each villa has its own infinity pool and hot tub and a team of chefs will supply food and drink. Freshly caught fish and newly picked vegetables feature heavily on the menu.

Guests can also meet some of the island’s fauna, including sea turtles and tabon birds. There’s even an on-site wildlife expert.



Other amenities include a tennis court and a short golf course, plus access to a variety of boats. Jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing and kayaking are available. Of course, the gorgeous beach that stretches around the island is also a draw.

If all that sounds too strenuous, there’s also an on-site spa. “Get dropped off at the road by Las Cabanas beach about four kilometers (2.5 miles) outside of El Nido Town.

“Walk all the way to the end of the beach, then ask the people at the coconut stand for Mark and Camille’s house.” Those are the instructions to find The Birdhouse – a jungle glamping retreat in El Nido, a remote corner of Palawan island in the southwestern Philippines.

The hard-to-find address is the brainchild of Mark-Anthony and Camille Dimson Villaflor, who built The Birdhouse after traveling around the world on a 16-month-long honeymoon – documented on their blog 365 Travel Dates.

Inspired by the couple’s transformative trip around the world, the rustic-luxe tents offer a romantic refuge for honeymooners and adventure travelers.

The Villaflors’ love story started in 2009 when they met through a friend. Two years later, Mark was down on one knee at the W Hong Kong, proposing to the tune of Train’s “Marry Me.”

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