Beaches you’ll have to yourselves, a laidback vibe that means there’s no diktat to dress for dinner and like-minded people who can’t quite believe their luck at sharing this little patch of paradise. At the heart of the island, and surrounded by some of its most impressive private villas (including those owned by Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger), you’ll find The Cotton House, Mustique’s only full-service hotel. The main building consists largely of a giant veranda, where breakfast is served – think cheese and ham galettes, chocolate and banana crêpes and juice straight from the guava.
It’s also where island residents gather every Tuesday to enjoy free cocktails – so hanging out with some of those celebs is more than a possibility. Word has it that Jagger visits every Christmas and likes to perch at the circular beach bar, and you may also find yourself sharing island time with 9.
HOURS THE COTTON HOUSE MUSTIQUE
Kate and Wills, who come more often. Food is a big focus here and there can’t be anything more spoiling than lying on the beach in the morning with nothing between you and the crystal-clear waters, watching the fishermen deliver their catch onto the sand. Seafood is readily available, as you’d expect, but there are also curry and BBQ nights at the beachfront restaurant. Or hop in a golf buggy and take a picnic to one of the idyllic beaches – the hotel can reserve a pergola for you. If you want to eat with the locals, try The View restaurant: we loved the slaw and pumpkin dhal. For the best seat on the island to watch the sun go down, head to Firefly and sit on the terrace (Margarita in hand) overlooking the sea.
But the real beauty of staying here is that you never need to wait for anything, as the staff-to-guest ratio is so heavily in your favour. You can book a spa treatment, play tennis or take a trip to another island at relatively short notice. Or simply grab your snorkel and head to Britannia Bay to swim with the turtles. Whether or not you’ll be able to drag yourself away from the rum punch long enough to do any of that is another matter. Be warned: the locals describe this particular cocktail as ‘a creeper’ – by the time you realise you’ve had too many, it’s too late!
OUR KIND OF LUXE
Lagoon Bay has the sort of picture-postcard beach you think only exists in your imagination. Cast away here and the nearby Gelliceaux Bay and dine out on the Insta-bragging for months. GO Garden View Cottages start from £225 per night, per person (B&B basis); mustique- island.com. British Airways (ba.com) flies from London to St Lucia, from £520 return; transfers to Mustique are from £350 return.
