departures march-april features laucala island

8/7/2019 Departures March-April Features Laucala Island

1/4

-


2/4

---------------------- ----------

THE-- NEXT RESORT

an elevated boardwalk.,~Ir

~~'''''.'''''r.I~'jI

can only be reached viaLaucala's Peninsula villa

11m

YourOwnPrivateLaucala

efore the opening of Laucala, Fiji 's newest privateisland resort, no one quite knew what to expect.Owner and Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitzwasn't talking; he hates publicity. Yet the Austrianbillionaire bought the 4.7 - square-mile islandfrom the heirs of Malcolm Forbes for a reported$10 million back in 2003 and several years later began construc-

tion so extravagant that housing had to be created on a neigh-boring island for 2,000 workers. Just entering the resort's websiterequired (and still requires) registration and a password. The is-bnd certain]y had nature to recommend it: mountains coveredin wild tropical forest; mangroves and primeval-looking marshes;d,'sntl'd white-sand beaches; and, just offshore, magnificent,pl'rfn tly preserved coral reefs. But that was it.!\ftl'f two solid years of construction, Laucala opened in~()OH wll h 25 villas, or bures, as they're called in Fiji. Made

'"z;::f-~..,'"'"8L>

The Austrian billionaire who created RedBull-yes, Red Bull-is behind one spectacularnew resort in Fiji.BYLAURELDELP

IVIfIIV 1111"1'1RTURES.CG

-- --


3/4

THEXT RESORT

The sprawling resort takes up only 15 percentof the island-the rest remains untouched.p of connecting thatched-roof pavilionssome enclosed, some open) with one tohree bedrooms, they dwarf any roomyures elsewhere in the region: airyedrooms with sitting areas, dress-ng rooms with vanities, full swim-ng pools, yoga platforms, indoor

nd outdoor granite tubs and rainowers. Accommodations begin atn awesome $3,SOOper night, andhree stand out from the rest: Aix-bedroom hilltop manse of threellas offers 360-degree views; a two-edroom, over-the-water bungalowas its own jetty; and the Peninsula, ane-bedroom villa atop a seaside cliff, cannly be reached via an elevated boardwalkhrough pristine jungle. A wooden staircaseeads from the villa to a private beach.The resort is on the north side of theisland and takes up only 15 percent ofhe land. "This is it for developnlel;t,"ays Thomas Kilgore, the German I{\t'-er hotelier who, together with his wil(:,

()

Maja, manages the property. "No morevillas, no more buildings." The rest willremain untouched. Even the IS-holegolf course, designed by ScotsmanDavid McLay Kidd, was carefullylaid out so as not to disturb the

existing flora and fauna,Laucala's terrain is perfectfor hiking, mountain bik-ing and horseback riding. Anequestrian center stables Shiredraft horses brought over from

England and spirited Fijianhorses crossed with Australianracing Thoroughbreds. There aretennis courts, a lagoon-like central

pool, a library, a gym, a replica of anauthentic Fijian village and a fleet of 15boats for deep-sea fishing and sailing. Thef()ur-bungalow spa is hidden in a moun-tainside and has a kitclreTF-where~all thetreatment products, including the resort'sSo:1pSand candles, aremadefrom home-!4l"Owningredients. CONTINUED

"

GETTING THEREA direct flight from Los Angeles

.=.~~r\!!!~9nal Airport to Nadi Internationaltakes about 11hours. Then It's another45-minute flight by private jet to Laucala.Airfare-starts at $1,140 on Air Pacific, plus. $600 for the resort's King Air B 200.


4/4

THEEXT RESORT

The jet-landing strip here is the thirdrgest in Fiji, and Laucala is authorizedshuttle guests arriving by private plane

rough customs. Those who fly com-ercial into Nadi InterI:\ational Airportre whisked to Laucala's private loungeor Champagne, espresso and a showerefore boarding the resort's King Air B00 for a 45-minute flight to the island.While other island resorts typically

mport most of their products, Laucalaims to be self-sufficient. An organic farm,ydroponic greenhouses and orchardsroduce exotic fruits and vegetables.he greenhouses harbor 120anilla vines and 3,500 orchids.ehives make honey. Livestockcludes sheep, cattle, pigs, chick-s and quail.Austrian laying hensoduce sublimely tasty eggs.Small plates are the orderere, with seven-course meals of

martly proportioned gourmetishes. The airy, colonial-styleantation House contains a fine-ining restaurant, a lounge andLaucala ailDs to be self-sufficient with anorganic farlD, greenhouses and livestock.

I,!j.,;

beginat $j,g()().fi;rHI;OliC()'~~-~e. For more information, call 679-X88-()(}Tl

to laucala.com.

Maja Ki lgore'with thei r dog: Treu;

departures march-april features laucala island

Documents