Private Island's from visiting to owning the experience - 2026 trends from the industry
Written by Gareth Williams
The private island resort segment experiences remarkable expansion in 2026, with developments spanning the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean, and beyond.
Jan 14, 2026
These properties share common themes: environmental stewardship, architectural integration with natural landscapes, and experiences designed around immersion rather than isolation.
Zannier Bendor: A Mediterranean Jewel
Opening May 2026 off the coast of Bandol, France, Zannier Bendor transforms the 17-acre Île de Bendor into a boutique luxury destination. The property features 93 rooms across three distinct house styles: Delos, Soukana, and Madrague, each reflecting different aspects of Mediterranean character.
The island's 1,200-square-metre wellness centre offers indoor and outdoor pools, holistic treatments inspired by Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, plus tennis and pickleball courts. Eight dining and social venues ensure variety without the need to leave the island. Owned by the family behind Pernod Ricard, the property naturally incorporates exceptional wines and spirits into its offering.
Bulgari Resort Ranfushi: Italian Glamour in the Maldives
The Italian jeweller expands its hospitality portfolio with Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, a 20-hectare private island in the Maldives' Raa Atoll. The resort features 54 villas designed by ACPV Architects, ranging from beach villas with private pools to overwater accommodations. The crown jewel is the Bulgari Villa, occupying its own private island.
Four restaurants span Italian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines, while the signature Bulgari Spa and fitness centre anchor the wellness offering. Just 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, the resort balances accessibility with the seclusion discerning travellers demand.
The Red Sea Project: Saudi Arabia's Luxury Vision
Saudi Arabia's ambitious Red Sea development welcomes several landmark properties in 2026. Raffles The Red Sea opens as a private sanctuary on a pristine island along the country's western coastline. The low-rise architecture integrates carefully into the natural landscape, with villas positioned to preserve sightlines, biodiversity, and coastal ecosystems.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island anchors the project's central island, combining resort accommodations with branded residences. Miraval The Red Sea marks the wellness brand's first international property, offering 180 rooms and suites across three million square feet of beaches, with a 40,000-square-foot Life in Balance spa featuring Hammam Journeys.
Defining Trends for 2026
Maximalisation: More Meaning, Not More Miles
The HBX Group identifies "maximalisation" as 2026's defining travel theme, but this doesn't mean more destinations or activities. Rather, travellers seek richer experiences, deeper cultural immersion, and more meaningful connections within carefully curated journeys. Multi-centre itineraries combine luxury stays, adventure activities, and cultural experiences, but the goal is transformation rather than accumulation.
Wellness as Core Motivation
Wellness has evolved from amenity to primary travel motivation. Journeys increasingly incorporate physical restoration, mental clarity, and long-term wellbeing through medical wellness retreats, mindfulness programmes, and purpose-driven escapes. This shift appears across both yacht-style vessels, with expanded spa and fitness facilities, and island resorts, where wellness centres rival the accommodations in investment and innovation.
Sustainability as Sophistication
Environmental responsibility has become a marker of sophistication rather than a compromise. Viking's hydrogen-powered vessel, Orient Express's sailing propulsion, and the regenerative tourism principles underlying developments like the Red Sea Project demonstrate that sustainability and luxury now reinforce rather than contradict each other.
"Hushpitality": The Rise of Low-Stimulus Luxury
Classic Vacations' Luxury Travel Trends Report introduces "Hushpitality" as travellers increasingly seek calm, rest, and digital detachment. Whether aboard intimate yachts or secluded islands, properties emphasise peace, nature, and mental restoration. Related concepts include "Dead Zoning" (device-free breaks) and "Blue-Mind" ocean escapes.
Looking Forward
The luxury travel landscape of 2026 rewards those who understand that true indulgence lies not in excess but in essence. Whether choosing a Four Seasons yacht experience through Greek island harbours, a sailing voyage aboard the Orient Express Corinthian, or a restorative retreat at a private island sanctuary, today's discerning traveller seeks experiences that connect them to a destination, to others, and to themselves.
The convergence of yacht-style cruising and private island hospitality creates unprecedented opportunities for seamlessly blended journeys, where the transition from sea to shore enhances rather than interrupts the experience. As hospitality brands continue to expand across both segments, expect further innovation in how these experiences interconnect.
For those planning exceptional journeys in 2026, early booking remains essential. Approximately 75% of luxury travellers are booking five to eleven months in advance to secure preferred vessels and properties. With the limited capacity of boutique yachts and private island resorts, the most sought-after experiences will fill quickly.
The message from the luxury travel industry in 2026 is clear: meaningful experiences, authentic connections, and transformative journeys have become the true currency of luxury. The vessels and destinations launching this year provide the settings, but the stories written there will be deeply personal to each traveller who seeks not just to visit the world's most beautiful places, but to be changed by them.
