Fiji has long been known for its grand resorts, but Laucala, a private island getaway in the northeast of the archipelago, raises the bar on excess. A 12-square-kilometer isle purchased by Malcolm Forbes in 1972 and now in the hands of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, Laucala Island is very much a world of its own: it has its own workshops and medical center; the kitchens use island-grown produce and livestock; spa products and shampoos are made on-site; and more than 300 smiling staff are on hand to keep everything in order, at least until their shift ends and a boat whisks them home to the island of Qamea, which lies across an azure lagoon.

Places of note: The private island has just 25 sprawling villas—each with its own pool and wine-stocked fridges—and a host of spare-no-expense facilities, such as horse stables, five restaurants, and bars, a fleet of sports boats for fishing and diving, and a David McLay Kidd–designed golf course. Guests can also explore far-flung corners of the island with guided walking tours that will take you to a cultural local village.

Best time to visit: Visit during the dry season, which runs approximately from from April to early December.

How to get there: Well off the beaten track—the resort flies guests in from Nadi on its own 10-seat turboprop, a 50-minute flight.

For more information, visit Laucala.