Mustique: The Island of Secrets, Scandals, and Serious Luxury
- Le Monocle Voyageur
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 12
Imagine a place where privacy is sacred, champagne flows like water, and the world’s elite escape the prying eyes of reality. Welcome to Mustique, the Caribbean’s most exclusive playground, a 1,400-acre fantasyland where rockstars, royals, and reclusive billionaires hide away in sun-drenched opulence.
How Mustique Became the Ultimate A-List Hideaway
This slice of paradise wasn’t always a magnet for the jet set. Back in the 1950s, Mustique was nothing but a mosquito-ridden rock until it caught the eye of British aristocrat Colin Tennant, later Lord Glenconner. With a flair for the dramatic (and a keen eye for real estate), Tennant bought the island in 1958 for a mere £45,000—a sum that wouldn’t even get you a modest London flat today.
Tennant had a vision: transform this desolate island into an exclusive retreat for the world’s elite. His masterstroke? Gifting a prime piece of land to his friend, Princess Margaret, who built the now-legendary Les Jolies Eaux villa. Soon, where royalty went, the rich and famous followed. By the 1970s, Mustique had become the place for the ultra-wealthy to let their hair down—far from paparazzi lenses and judgmental headlines.
The Glittering Guest List: Royals, Rockstars, and Scandals
Over the decades, Mustique has played host to an enviable list of glitterati. Mick Jagger owns a sprawling villa here, as did David Bowie, whose futuristic, Japanese-inspired estate, Mandalay, remains the stuff of legend. Meanwhile, the late Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, made headlines for her love affairs and infamous parties, proving that what happens in Mustique almost stays in Mustique.
Fast forward to today, and the island still attracts the crème de la crème. Prince William and Kate Middleton are frequent visitors, often seen enjoying the beaches in blissful seclusion. Supermodel Kate Moss has partied here (reportedly in spectacular fashion), while billionaires like Roman Abramovich and Jeff Bezos have been known to drop anchor off its pristine shores.
Where to See and Be Seen: Mustique’s Hottest Spots
Basil’s Bar – The Island’s Beating Heart
No trip to Mustique is complete without a night (or three) at Basil’s Bar, the island’s most iconic watering hole. Perched on stilts over Britannia Bay, it’s where barefoot billionaires sip cocktails alongside rock legends. The legendary Wednesday Jump Up parties feature live music, dancing under the stars, and more than a few hazy morning-after stories.
The Cotton House – Where Old Money Meets Island Chic
Once a sugar plantation, The Cotton House is now Mustique’s only hotel—a dreamy, colonial-style sanctuary where understated luxury reigns supreme. The Beach Café is the perfect place for a long, lazy lunch, while the Great Room Bar is where royals have been known to sip their evening gin and tonic.
Firefly – The Best Sunset Spot on the Island
For an intimate, ultra-glam night out, Firefly is the spot. With its panoramic views and impeccable service, it’s the kind of place where you might find yourself at the next table over from a tech mogul or a Grammy-winning musician. The cocktails are dangerously good, and the crowd is effortlessly chic.
How to Do Mustique Like a Billionaire
1. Stay in a Private Villa – Forget hotels; Mustique is all about lavish private villas with infinity pools, personal chefs, and butlers who anticipate your every whim. Top picks? Mandalay (Bowie’s old haunt),
The Terraces (palatial grandeur), or Les Jolies Eaux (Margaret’s old stomping ground).
2. Embrace the Dress Code – Mustique has an unspoken rule: effortless elegance. Think kaftans by day, linen by night. And always barefoot.
3. Arrive in Style – Commercial flights? Not here. Private jets land at St. Lucia or Barbados before guests hop on Mustique’s tiny puddle-jumper plane—where you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with a prince or a pop star.
4. Ditch the Schedule – Time moves differently in Mustique. Days are spent horseback riding on the beach, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, or indulging in sunset picnics prepared by your villa’s private staff. The biggest decision? Rosé or rum punch.
The Final Word on Mustique
This isn’t just another luxury getaway—it’s a lifestyle, a private club for those who have everything yet crave absolute seclusion. It’s where deals are made over cocktails, affairs begin under moonlit skies, and the world’s most famous faces finally get to breathe.
Because in Mustique, reality is left behind the moment your plane touches down. And really, isn’t that the dream?
Comments