Is this Belize break the ultimate all-inclusive holiday?

The ultimate all-inclusive holiday: Stay on a castaway barrier reef island then transfer by helicopter to a stunning jungle hideaway (for an altogether more welcome kind of isolation)

  • The three-night first stage of the package sees guests flown by helicopter to Gladden Island 
  • It’s a mesmerising paradise island in the dazzling Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest coral reefs on earth
  • The next stage is four nights at Gladden’s sister property, a recently opened jungle lodge called Valley Stream
  • What’s included? Almost everything, from meals by personal chefs to ‘unlimited jungle excursions’ 

All-inclusive holidays don’t get much posher than this – a breathtaking seven-night break to not one but two paradise enclaves, one at sea and one on land, with helicopter transfers (and a whole lot more) thrown in.

For anyone who’s been saving for a post-Covid trip of a lifetime, it’s surely a contender.

The three-night first stage of the ‘surf and turf’ package, by Private Islands Inc, sees guests flown by helicopter to Gladden Island, a mesmerising castaway island in the dazzling Belize Barrier Reef. Here they can allow feelings of lockdown cabin fever to float away in the warm Caribbean air.

The three-night first stage of the ‘surf and turf’ package, by Private Islands Inc, sees guests flown by helicopter to Gladden Island (pictured)

The staff at Gladden Island reside ‘unseen’ on a smaller island, ‘ready to respond to any request at a moment’s notice’

Private Islands Inc describes the accommodation there as ‘a casually elegant villa designed for just one or two couples, with the all-inclusive service of a luxury resort’.

We’re told the staff reside ‘unseen’ on a smaller island behind Gladden, ‘ready to respond to any request at a moment’s notice’. 

They can set up a dining experience anywhere on the island, and in-between meals guests can casually loll in the warm waters or perhaps call the boat captain for a trip ‘to some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving spots’.

Private Islands Inc describes the accommodation at Gladden Island as ‘a casually elegant villa designed for just one or two couples, with the all-inclusive service of a luxury resort’

Activities on Gladden Island that are available include spearfishing, kayaking and generally lolling around in atolls

Belize’s Unesco-listed barrier reef system, at 300km in length (186 miles), is one of the world’s largest coral reefs and harbours coastal lagoons, offshore atolls, mangrove forests, marine turtles and over 500 species of fish. 

The waters can also be explored using Private Island’s Hobie Cat, kayaks and paddleboards.

Spearfishing and deep-sea fishing are also available.

The next stage of the almost preposterous package is four nights at Gladden’s sister property, a recently opened jungle hideaway called Valley Stream.

Luxury in the tropics: Valley Stream, the incredible jungle-y sister property of Gladden Island

Private Island says that Valley Stream, with its ‘master suites tucked under a roof of native thatch’, is the ‘ultimate jungle hideaway’

Secluded: Guests at Valley Stream are immersed in Belize’s magical tropical vegetation

It’s a 30-minute helicopter ride away from the island in a thickly forested spot that’s about a one-hour drive from Belize Airport.

Private Island promises ‘the same unparalleled level of solitude, service and amenities as Gladden’.

It says of the property: ‘A waterfall cascades past the 5,000-square-foot timber and stone house, its pair of master suites tucked under a roof of native thatch, creating the ultimate jungle hideaway. Access to the richness of Belize’s mainland activities – ancient Mayan ruins, treetop zip lines, cave tubing – are just moments away.’

At Valley Stream, Private Island promises ‘the same unparalleled level of solitude, service and amenities as Gladden’

At Valley Stream, access to the richness of Belize’s mainland activities – ancient Mayan ruins, treetop zip lines, cave tubing – ‘are just moments away’

The ‘surf and turf’ package includes all meals, cooked by a private chef – and wine, Champagne and spirits

One of the luxurious ensuites at Valley Stream, where your all-inclusive dreams come true

The price of the holiday isn’t cheap – it’s US$25,865 (£19,025) for two or US$30,905 (£22,732) for four.

But what’s included is eye-opening – those helicopter transfers from Belize Island to Gladden and then on to Valley Stream (said to be jaw-dropping), land transfers to the airport on departure, exclusive use of both properties (there are no other guests), all meals prepared by a personal chef, a personal boat and captain on Gladden, massages and spa treatments on Gladden, couples massages at Valley Stream, using of mountain bikes at Valley Stream and unlimited mainland excursions, plus a half-day of diving at Gladden.

And yes, wine, Champagne and spirits are thrown in, too. But not the really good stuff. That’s extra.

For more information, visit www.gladdenprivateisland.com/valley-stream. Other mind-blowing trips to paradise are available.

The price of a Private Island ‘surf and turf’ holiday isn’t cheap – it’s US$25,865 (£19,025) for two or US$30,905 (£22,732) for four. But the extras are impressive

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