The world’s most expensive resort is now open: Inside Banwa Private Island

The world’s most expensive resort is open for business – and as you might expect, it’s jaw-dropping.

But so it should be for $100,000 (£76,800) a night.

It’s called Banwa Private Island, and while the price tag is eye-wateringly hefty it does secure guests the entire island.

The world’s most expensive resort is open for business – and as you might expect, it’s jaw-dropping

Banwa Private Island has a very hefty price tag, but it does secure guests the entire island

Banwa Private Island has a very hefty price tag, but it does secure guests the entire island

And what an island.

Nestling in the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines – regarded as ‘the last ecological frontier’, according to the resort’s website – it’s pretty much 15 acres of paradise on earth.

The resort website says that it’s ‘a private world where time stands still’ and where temperatures rarely dip below 30C.

The accommodation is luxury through and through.

There are six villas that each boast a private infinity pool, hot tub deck at the water’s edge and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Nestling in the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines – regarded as ‘the last ecological frontier’, according to the resort’s website - Banwa Private Island is pretty much 15 acres of paradise on earth

Nestling in the Palawan archipelago in the Philippines – regarded as ‘the last ecological frontier’, according to the resort’s website – Banwa Private Island is pretty much 15 acres of paradise on earth

The Banwa Private Island website says that the island is ‘a private world where time stands still’ and where temperatures rarely dip below 30C

The Banwa Private Island website says that the island is ‘a private world where time stands still’ and where temperatures rarely dip below 30C

The flashiest way of reaching the island is by seaplane or helicopter from Manila - but transfers aren't included in the price

The flashiest way of reaching the island is by seaplane or helicopter from Manila – but transfers aren’t included in the price

There’s also a restaurant that serves food that’s been freshly grown locally or freshly caught from the Sulu Sea, and a spa, where guests can enjoy an unlimited number of treatments at no extra cost.

Activity-wise, there are lots of choices – scuba-diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, catamaran sailing, yoga and tennis.

Plus golf, desert-island style. You tee off from a jetty and try to hit a floating target green with balls made of fish food.

The resort boasts a restaurant that serves food that’s been freshly grown locally or freshly caught from the Sulu Sea

The resort boasts a restaurant that serves food that’s been freshly grown locally or freshly caught from the Sulu Sea

There are six villas that each boast a private infinity pool, hot tub deck at the water’s edge and floor-to-ceiling windows

There are six villas that each boast a private infinity pool, hot tub deck at the water’s edge and floor-to-ceiling windows

The island has a spa where guests can enjoy an unlimited number of treatments at no extra cost

The island has a spa where guests can enjoy an unlimited number of treatments at no extra cost

The island offers golf, desert-island style. You tee off from a jetty and try to hit a floating target green with balls made of fish food. The image above illustrates the utter serenity that awaits well-heeled guests

The island offers golf, desert-island style. You tee off from a jetty and try to hit a floating target green with balls made of fish food. The image above illustrates the utter serenity that awaits well-heeled guests

The interiors of the villas are modern and chic, with easy-on-the-eye colours and patterns

The interiors of the villas are modern and chic, with easy-on-the-eye colours and patterns

Banwa Private Island is roughly 10 degrees north of the Equator - specifically latitude 10°19.15’N, longitude 119°28.85’E

Banwa Private Island is roughly 10 degrees north of the Equator – specifically latitude 10°19.15’N, longitude 119°28.85’E

There’s intriguing wildlife to investigate, too – including Hawksbill sea turtles and tabon birds – and there’s an on-site animal expert guests can chat to about it.

Possibly the flashiest way of reaching the island is by seaplane or helicopter from Manila.

It costs $990 (£760) per way for a nine-passenger seaplane and $11,580 (£8,900) for a five-passenger helicopter round-trip.

Now that's a sea view: Stunning vistas come at no extra cost, of course

Now that’s a sea view: Stunning vistas come at no extra cost, of course

The villas accommodate 48 people, so if you can gather that number of people together and split the cost it works out at $2,083 (£1,600) each per night, though there is a minimum stay of three or five nights depending on the time of year

The villas accommodate 48 people, so if you can gather that number of people together and split the cost it works out at $2,083 (£1,600) each per night, though there is a minimum stay of three or five nights depending on the time of year

Wildlife on the island includes Hawksbill sea turtles and tabon birds - and there's an animal expert guests can talk to

Wildlife on the island includes Hawksbill sea turtles and tabon birds – and there’s an animal expert guests can talk to

Activity-wise, there are lots of choices – scuba-diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, catamaran sailing, yoga and tennis

Activity-wise, there are lots of choices – scuba-diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, catamaran sailing, yoga and tennis

The official name for the island, according to Google, is Puerco Island, pictured

The official name for the island, according to Google, is Puerco Island, pictured

But however guests arrive, they’ll have to pay their way as transfers aren’t included. 

So on the face of it, this is a private island experience open to only the very richest people.

But there is a way to bring the price right down.

The villas accommodate 48 people, so if you can gather that number of people together and split the cost it works out at $2,083 (£1,600) each per night, though there is a minimum stay of three or five nights depending on the time of year.

OTHER EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PLACES TO STAY 

Necker Island, Richard Branson’s private island resort in the British Virgin Islands – $77,500 (£60,000).

The Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva-  $75,000 (£56,000) a night.

Five-Bedroom Terrace Suite, The Mark, New York – $75,000 (£57,473).

Penthouse Suite, Grand Hyatt Cannes, Martinez – $53,200 (£40,774).

Penthouse, Faena Hotel, Miami – $50,000 (£38,309).

Musha Cay, Bahamas, owned by David Copperfield – $42,000 (£32,300).

Hilltop Villa, Laucala Island, Fiji – $45,000 (£34,487).