Thanda Island off the coast of Africa is one of the world’s newest private resorts, but it’s already won international acclaim.
Earlier this month, the private marine reserve – where a night’s stay costs just under £8,000 ($10,000) – was voted the World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island by the 2016 World Travel Awards.
To decide the WTA winners, thousands of travellers and people working in the industry voted to find the world’s best hotels, airlines and islands.
Thanda welcomed its first guests in August 2016. The hefty price tag includes full-board and drinks, as well as a huge range of activities including kayaking, snorkelling, cooking classes, and yoga on the beach.
Take a tour of one of the newest and most exclusive island resorts on earth.
Thanda Island opened as a private island retreat for the super rich in August 2016.
It has just been named the most luxurious private island on the planet in the 2016 World Travel Awards. For £7,962 ($10,000) a night, guests who book the island’s all-inclusive five-bedroom villa get exclusive use of the entire estate.
It is located 16 miles off the coast of Tanzania. Travellers can access the island from neighbouring Mafia Island, which is a 45-minute helicopter journey from Dar des Salaam on the mainland.
The best way to reach Thanda is by helicopter. It takes between 15 and 45 minutes to fly from Mafia Island, dependent on weather conditions. The island's rate also includes free transfers from Mafia Island by boat.
Once guests have checked in, they get exclusive use of the whole island, while private chefs and staff cater to their every need.
There's a minimum stay of three nights on the island, so renting its five-bedroom villa costs travellers almost £24,000 ($30,000).
While the island is as luxurious as they come, the owners — Swedish entrepreneurs Christin and Dan Olofsson — call it a "private marine reserve." Guests on Thanda can get a rare glimpse of the local wildlife (which includes whale sharks, turtles and dugongs) by going on a snorkeling safari.
Thanda Island is situated within the Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve, and the hotel has partnered with Tanzania Marine Parks on a number of conservation projects in the area.
If marine life isn't your thing, there's still plenty to do. Sea-kayaking is also a popular activity.
Thanda also has its own tennis court, for those who prefer to see the sea from a safe distance.
There's also a gym for visitors to keep fit while they stay.
Yoga classes can be requested.
The bedrooms are located in this giant villa, made with locally sourced materials to look like an island hut.
The villa sleeps up to 10 people. While the bedrooms have a more rustic feel than the rest of Thanda's facilities, they're beautifully furnished.
The facilities are solar-powered to limit the resort's impact on the local environment.
The rooms also provide stunning views of the beach.
But the best way to watch the horizon is with dinner on the beach. Everything is already included in the price, and bespoke dining experiences are easily organised.
