This was published 10 years ago
Richard Branson plans huge party as his $64,000-a-night private island reopens
By Robert Upe
Sir Richard Branson has promised to raise the roof with the first party at his new Great House on Necker Island, rebuilt and reopened this week after a fire destroyed the original in 2011.
The entrepreneur, always on the lookout for a good time, has tweeted about his party plan and has released the first photos of the new house.
The tycoon has also announced a tennis tournament next month at the 30-hectare private escape, with The New York Times reporting that Sir Richard will team up with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal against musician Jimmy Buffett and retired tennis pro Andy Roddick.
The Great House is part of the Virgin Limited Edition, a collection of ultra-luxury properties around the world, that are available to rent exclusively.
The Great House, popular with celebrities including Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood and singer Natalie Imbruglia, is in the British Virgin Islands. It is surrounded by turquoise water, coral reefs and tropical rainforest, and is available for $US60,000 ($A64,000) a night when Sir Richard is not in residence.
"Necker Island has been my home for more than 30 years and for me it is the most beautiful place in the world," Sir Richard said.
"The brand-new Great House is the heart of the island and I'm thrilled with the results. This signals a new dawn for Necker, which I'm very excited about."
Actor Kate Winslet famously rescued Branson's 90-year-old mother from the 2011 fire.
"Thankfully nobody was hurt in the fire, although yours truly did fall into a cactus naked," Sir Richard said recently.
The Great House is inspired by Balinese style and has views of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and neighbouring islands.
There are eight guest rooms with balconies, king-size beds and en suites, and a master suite on the upper level that includes a spa and a stand-alone outdoor bath.
The house also features an outdoor terrace with hammocks and sofas, a crow's nest, and a zip-line down to the beach.
The house sleeps up to 30 people, plus six children in a bunkroom.
On certain weeks rooms can also be rented "hotel style".
The Virgin Limited Edition collection includes Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa; The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant in London; Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco; and The Lodge in Verbier.
It also includes Necker Belle, a luxury catamaran; Necker Nymph, a three-man aero submarine; and Mahali Mzuri, a luxury tented safari camp in Kenya.
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