Page 54 - OVATION Magazine (Issue 1)

WHERE TO BE
Île du Soleil
Guy Laliberté’s suitably spectacular private island goes public (kind of).
It’s been more than a decade since Guy Laliberté, the bil- lionaire cofounder of Cirque du Soleil, bought Nukutepipi, a very remote Polynesian island in the Tuamotu Archipelago, located some 400 miles from the nearest port.The entre- preneur, who has more recently gained acclaim as
a DJ, originally laid out the island as an escape for his family and friends, building a
two-bedroom master residence with a private pool, a pair of two-bedroom junior villas (also with pools), and 13 individual bungalows. But the Xanadu that resulted was apparently too good to keep to himself: Earlier this year, Laliberté opened his island as a private resort for as many as 50 guests, available only for full buyouts at the rate of more than $1 million for a six-night stay.
Because Nukutepipi is truly marooned—in the best possible way—the island offers an endless list of things to do.There’s kayaking, stand-
up paddleboarding, surfing, fishing, and whale watching, as well as land activities includ- ing yoga, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and even mini golf. For those who prefer the indoors, a villa with a cinema, a game room, and an observa-
tory with a telescope powerful enough to view Jupiter will do just fine. But perhaps the best amenity Laliberté brings to his guests is the power of his connections: Guests can enlist his chef, personal butler, trainer, and masseuse—or call on the services of his favorite Polynesian dancers, DJs, and tattoo artists, should the mood strike for a celebration. sunset luxuryvillas.com —rima suqi
5
5
O
4 4|
9
|
N
OV
V
A
AT
TI
IO
O
NF
FA
AL
LL
L
2
2
0
01
1
9
@LM CHABOT (L’ÉLOI)