2020 is a year of double celebration: it marks the 20th anniversary of Virgin Limited Edition and, remarkably, 50 years since Sir Richard Branson founded the Virgin Empire.
A highlight of the year will be the opening of Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, which Sir Richard bought in 2007, two miles from his beloved Necker Island. When the work on Moskito Island is finished, it will be home to ten private estates, including Richard’s three- villa complex. Many of the estates on the island will eventually be available for rent, with the Branson Estate being the first to welcome guests from March 2020.
There are many reasons to be optimistic. The most compelling being the professionalism, charm and sincerity of
the staff
Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s home, will be fully restored to its former glory after two-and-a-half-years’ reconstruction, following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma. Guests booking the island from April 2020 will be among the first to see its new Bali-Hi complex, allowing the island to offer 20 rooms exclusively, or individually, during one of its popular Celebration Weeks. For the first time, guests will also be able to stay on a shared non- exclusive basis.
The opening of Moskito Island will bring the number of properties in the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio to eight. As well as Necker Island, the group offers hotels and retreats in some of the world’s most desirable locations. There is Mahali Mzuri, a luxury tented safari camp in Kenya’s world- famous Maasai Mara, right in the path of the annual Great Migration. In South Africa there is Ulusaba, which consists of two game lodges, Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge, in the Sabi Sand Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park and, for a complete change, Mont Rochelle. This spectacular hotel and vineyard in Franschhoek, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is a foodie’s paradise. Combining South Africa’s wildlife with its winelands is the ultimate adventure and it’s easy to experience the morning game drive at Ulusaba yet be at Mont Rochelle for pre-dinner drinks.
In the foothills of the Atlas Mountains is Kasbah Tamadot, a divine hideaway designed to evoke the spirit and charm of Moroccan culture. Renowned for its traditional Berber hospitality – 98 per cent of its staff are from the surrounding villages – the hotel has an enviable reputation for its work in the local community. The Son Bunyola estate on the northwest coast of Mallorca covers 680 acres of stunning landscape and includes three villas, which can be rented for the perfect getaway with friends and family. Finally, there is The Lodge in Verbier. Perched high in the Swiss Alps, it is an alpine paradise, both in summer and winter.
One of the biggest challenges the brand will face in 2020, much like the rest of the British economy, will be the effects of Brexit. There are, nonetheless, many reasons to be optimistic, the most compelling being the professionalism, charm and sincerity of the staff. They are what make the destinations so special, the real stars of the show and the reason why guests return year after year.
