_Unraveling the secret appeal of luxury Caribbean island Mustique

For an island of less than six square kilometres, Mustique has an incongruously giant reputation. Say the name anywhere around the world, and you’ll instantly conjure up images of the rich and famous partying together at the most exclusive island on earth.

It turns out that there’s good reason for this characterisation. Over the years, high-profile homeowners have included royalty and rock stars, artists and aristocracy, as well as a few fashionistas, socialites and billionaires.

And with iconic names such as Mick Jagger, Tommy Hilfiger, Bryan Adams and David Bowie among those associated with the island, Mustique could easily be renamed Mystique thanks to its legendary status.

Originally bought by Lord Glenconner – Colin Tennant – in 1958 for just £45,000 as a place to entertain his closest friends, Mustique soon gained an image as a hideaway for society’s elite. Tennant himself was central in portraying that role when, two years later, he gave Princess Margaret a 10-acre plot as a wedding present. And when royalty built a house here, the island’s reputation was sealed.

^{Above: Mick and Bianca Jagger at the gold themed 50th birthday party of Hon Colin Tennant in Mustique in 1976}

Today, the 104 houses here rarely change hands – reflecting the power of the island to make its residents fall helplessly, head-over-heels in love with it. The reason? It could be the glorious Caribbean sunshine or the perfectly pristine beaches that this idyllic island offers.

Incidentally, sustainability here is hugely important and conservation laws are strict – the coral reefs off its shores, for example, have been praised as the best-kept in the Southern Caribbean. But insiders will tell you it’s the atmosphere on the island that really seals the deal.

As the original private island getaway, Mustique provides a blueprint that many other islands have tried – and failed – to copy. The main reason for this lies in its complete lack of commercialism – the island is run by a consortium of residents without any financial motive in mind. Here, they aren’t looking for dynamic growth but rather retaining an aura of old-school Caribbean charm. ‘There’s no island in the world that is run like Mustique,’ says Roger Pritchard, Managing Director of the Mustique Company.

‘It’s a community, not a resort.’

Put simply, Mustique isn’t glitzy. ‘If you want to be showy and be seen and self-publicise, you go to St Barths or Barbados,’ explains Pritchard. ‘That’s where people will take photos of you that will appear in glossy magazines. But people come here really to get away from that; to have a rest rather than to self-promote. We’re very well-placed for that.’

Instead of glitz, the focus remains on complete privacy and absolute discretion – particularly when it comes to the press. ‘Over the years we’ve had a lot of fun throwing them off the island when they try to sneak in,’ adds Pritchard.

^{Above: A gingerbread style house nestled on Mustique's Endeavour Hills on the market with Knight Frank} 

‘We had one Spanish photographer who had come to the island to capture a celebrity wedding, but was caught with photos of other celebrities on his camera. He triedto claim we had no right to check his photos, but we have our own jurisdiction here. He was promptly booked on to the next plane out.’

Of course, the ability to retain this level of anonymity unlike anywhere else in the world comes from a mutual understanding – everyone here knows and respects the fact that they are all equally high profile. But the measures taken on Mustique to respect that privacy undoubtedly help.

‘We’re surrounded by the sea, we have our own private airport with private plane to collect you and private moorings,’ says Pritchard. ‘It’s probably the most secure place in the world.’

With guaranteed seclusion, it’s unsurprising that the residents take the opportunity to let loose. In the words of Tommy Hilfiger, the island is ‘endlessly social’, with a reputation for throwing unmissable parties – there’s everything from Barbie and Ken-themed fiestas to peacock balls and toga parties, with the island’s New Year’s Eve bash being the pinnacle event.

The social hub for these escapes is usually the Cotton House, a boutique hotel, which throws a cocktail party every Tuesday night. A tradition continued from Colin Tennant is tenure, the cocktails are hosted in the hotel’s majestic Great Room and are attended religiously by the island’s residents.

‘People are always intrigued to see who is staying that week,’ explains Pritchard. ‘That’s why people turn up. Even the royal family will make an appearance when they are here.’

But, as Pritchard attests, this is no ordinary cocktail party. ‘It’s the sort of party where anything can happen,’ he explains. ‘If we have musicians on the island, for example, they’ll suddenly start playing the piano there and have a sing-a-long. It can be a quiet affair or it can be completely riotous with people dancing on the tables until 5am – it depends on the crowd. It’s colourful, it’s glamorous and it has the capacity to get out of control.’

As to what exactly those riotous escapades entail, you’ll be hard pressed to find out. ‘The saying ‘What happens in Mustique stays in Mustique’ definitely holds true,’ says Pritchard, who is tight-lipped on the subject. Thankfully, not all the guests are quite as discreet.

According to Jeremy Clarkson, drunkenly driving a dune buggy (known as a ‘mule’ and Mustique’s only form of transport) around the island at 30mph is far more exciting than driving a Ferrari down the M4 at 140mph. Meanwhile, it has been known for the teenage sons and daughters of guests to have a nude race along the runway at 3am on New Year’s Eve.

^{Above: A secluded beach} 

But while the focus might primarily fall on the island’s secret revelries, the island has garnered a more wholesome image in recent years. Today, the busiest time on the island falls during school holidays and the parties often come with a purpose – namely to raise funds.

The Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) was set up to help disadvantaged communities and individuals in St Vincent, in areas from education to health care, diabetes clinics to pediatric support. So far, the charity has raised over $10 million to support the local community, providing invaluable aid for the recent storm damage.

The 50th anniversary of the Mustique Company this year is set to be another big fundraiser, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of when Tennant first bought the island. By all reports, residents are already gearing up for the most outrageous party yet.

Just don’t expect to hear anything about it…

View properties for sale in Mustique