The Age, March 22 2006

Tropical luxury

Location: Ubud, Bali.

What: Luxury villa.

Sleeps: 10 adults and up to 10 children on fold-out beds.

Cost: $6930 to $11,560 a week, depending on the season.

Information: Villa Getaways. Website: www.villagetaways.com; email: sales@villagetaways.com.

The party: Chefs prepare the Balinese banquet favourite, suckling pig, followed by traditional black rice pudding and platters of tropical fruits such as durian, papaya and mangosteen.

After dinner, a troupe of Balinese dancers will come to the villa for a private show. In the early hours, everyone ends up in the jacuzzi.

George Ormond, of Villa Getaways, says that even though the rental rate for this villa seems hefty (his company deals in the high-end of the villa market), the price can work out cheaper than a resort when divided among a number of people. For example, this villa sleeps 10 adults, and has room for five to 10 children with fold-up beds. Included in the price is a private tennis court, pool, billiard table, spa, movie theatre, five maids and three cooks.

You wish ...

Location: The Maldives.

What: Private island.

Sleeps: 15 adults.

Cost: About $40,000 for a weekend escape.

Information: Villa Getaways. Website: www.villagetaways.com; email: sales@villagetaways.com.

The party: Margaritas at your private bar followed by dinner on the beach cooked by your personal chef. Then guests can go out on their handcrafted sailboats and sleep under the stars.

For the ultimate 40th birthday bash, how about hiring a private island for a group of your favourite people?

For the cost, you get a 24-hour butler, a personal chef and your own fully stocked bar. Handcrafted Maldivian sailboats are available for guests to potter about on, each one fitted with day beds and luxury appliances.

No expense has been spared on the six beach bungalows either, with some of them having their own plunge pool.