An

island destination is considered by many the nirvana of holiday travel, with the allure of endless pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unrivalled privacy and exclusivity for the elite traveller. But when it comes to design it’s easy to pigeonhole these paradise island resorts with a natural rustic styling that lets the natural beauty of their surroundings take centre stage.

And what if our style choices are not of the ‘barefoot chic’ variety? Or if we want to select holiday wardrobes from bolder trends fresh off the s/s catwalks for an island vacation? Luckily the plethora of luxury resorts that have been steadily growing over the last decade in the most remote corners of the globe means that island resort no longer needs to simply mean rustic.

The resorts selected here all share essential elements expected of an island paradise, but vary hugely in style: From a modern tropical Thai retreat, via a Madagascan bolt hole entirely in pastel pink stone, an architecturally bold overwater Maldivian resort, to a Seychelles retreat opening as we go to press with a contemporary nod to 19thcentury colonialism. Which means whether you prefer the season’s Hawaiian meets crayola colours meets world traveller vibe, louche retro pastel glamour, sharp sports influenced modernity, or the latest clean-cut take on safari, there is a luxury island resort to suit.

So grab your copy of Robinson Crusoe, it’s time to start island hopping…