Escape to fantasy island - island hideaways of CEOs - CEO at Leisure

Chief Executive, The, May, 1992 by Brenda Fine

In line with that decision, the Johnsons built three luxurious guest houses in the style of Fijian bures: individual cone-shaped cottages of indigenous hardwoods and bamboo. Appealingly long on native charms, these quarters also incorporate such upscale touches as spacious living and bedrooms, wet bars with stocked refrigerators, and oversized baths with walk-in showers that open onto the beach.

Elsewhere in Fiji, David Gilmour, a Canadian who was formerly a magnate in the lodging, oil and gold-mining industries, holds sway over the island of Wakaya. When Gilmour first bought the island, it was totally uninhabited. But gradually, he completed a home for his own use, eight guest bures, an airstrip, 26 miles of roads, and an entire Fijian village complete with a school and church.

"There was no one living here, so I had to create a native village," recalls Gilmour. "Best of all, I was able to populate this village with 125 Fijians, the most talented craftspeople, artisans, musicians. I provide everything for them--even [educational] scholarships for the children. They, in turn, provide the beautiful environment."

Gilmour's Wakaya Club, which opened in 1990, is a runaway success. "So far, everyone who has stayed here booked a return visit before they left," he reports.

It's not hard to understand why. Wakaya Island, which comprises some 2,200 acres, rolls across soaring cliffs, lush sprawling fields, talcum powder beaches, and virgin forests teeming with wild ponies and deer.

Gilmour's guest bures, like those of the Johnsons, combine indigenous design and amenities, "I think people love creature comforts, especially after a day of beach and sun," Gilmour says. So he has outfitted his bathrooms with six-foot soaking tubs, stand-up showers, three sinks and a bidet. The beds, with their extra-firm mattresses, measure seven feet square. And complimentary sports equipment is state-of-the-art. "I don't want my guests hacking around with junk," says the baron of this manor. So, there's Ping equipment for golfers, and Wilson's Profile-line gear for tennis players.

Indeed, even to the visiting guest, none of these island paradises comes cheap. But the flat that guests pay covers all costs, usually including even the air or water transportation to reach the island from the nearest international airport. Oddly enough, many guests consider the rates a downright bargain, and voice fears that word-of-mouth referrals might spoil their tranquil getaways.

"We put what we thought was a high price on our island--$1,000 a day," said Jay Johnson. "But the word from most of our guests is that we're not charging nearly enough."