8/11/2008

Dean Stattmann

A comprehensive list of the 10 hottest celebrity getaways of the year.

Winning awards, rolling cars, flying planes and saving the world: It's a different world when you're a Hollywood A-lister. It's a world with nowhere to hide, where nothing is sacred and where the cameras never turn off. And with an increasingly aggressive, and resourceful, paparazzi never skipping a beat, celebrities have to search far and wide to find those few places, those few rare, unknown sanctuaries, where everything means nothing, and nothing itself, means everything. And now we're going to tell you where they are!  
  
  
  
1\. Turtle Island, Fiji  
  
What do you get when you add one island, 100 staff, 14 private beaches and a maximum of 14 couples? Celebrity heaven. But don't forget to minus about $2,000, per night. This privately owned island in the South Pacific accommodates no more than 28 guests at any given time, creating an environment of total privacy and seclusion. Common activities range from lobster and champagne picnics on the island's white, powdery beaches, to horseback riding through its tropical terrain. With its perfect balance of modern building techniques and traditional Fijian style, Turtle Island has played host to couples like Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, and Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Any of the island's 14 beaches can be reserved; however, if that is not enough there's always the option of shelling out $300,000 to reserve the whole Turtle for one week.  
  
  
  
2\. St. Moritz, Switzerland  
  
When the beaches get old, and the powder is fresh, St. Moritz is the ultimate location for a celebrity ski getaway. Set in postcard Switzerland at 6,125 feet above sea level, St. Moritz offers some of the world's finest (and most expensive) skiing. The resort town also offers a smorgasbord of high street shopping, world-class restaurants and exciting nightlife. When it comes to accommodation, Badrutt's Palace is a celebrity favorite. With its own cinema, disco and spa, not to mention some of the mountain's best views, it's no surprise that George Clooney occasionally stops by to party with the locals.  
  
  
  
3\. Anguilla  
  
If it's a Caribbean escape they're after, the stars will be out in Anguilla. Known for its miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches and gourmet dining, Anguilla offers celebrities a luxurious island experience. Stars like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Courteney Cox-Arquette, David Arquette, Kevin Bacon and David Duchovny have been spotted vacationing in Anguilla, and the Cap Juluca resort has become a symbol of the island's lavish splendor. Offering guests everything from a library to an aqua golf driving range, the resort commands its two miles of the island's beach with silent regality. Guests can also enjoy activities like sailing, water-skiing, tennis, wind surfing and croquet.  
  
  
  
4\. St. Tropez, France  
  
Ok, so this one is a no-brainer, but there is really no way to compile this list without mentioning the myth, the legend, that is St. Tropez. Just a small fishing village, clinging to its cultural roots, St. Tropez has become more famous for P. Diddy's yacht parties than for the town's coveted 16th Century citadel or famous Annonciade museum. But when the weather forecast is good, and the new yacht needs to be tested, celebrities can't help but flock to St. Tropez to experience the town's amazing clubs and exquisite French food. While Diddy may appear to have claimed St. Tropez, it has been visited by virtually every A-list celebrity that matters, and is frequented by stars like Pamela Anderson, Kid Rock, Lara Flynn Boyle and Jack Nicholson.  
  
  
  
5\. Lake Como, Italy  
  
As one of the lesser-known celebrity getaways, Lake Como is a sanctuary of total serenity and unrivaled scenery. Time stands still in this Italian haven, and strict property and agriculture laws prevent the villages surrounding the lake from changing with time. But with its picturesque villas, scrumptious Italian food, blooming gardens and sparkling, blue waters heated to perfection by never-ending sunshine, who would want to change a thing? Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whimbey spent their honeymoon in Como, and George Clooney has become a household name, often seen in his boat, skimming along the lake's glassy surface.  
  
  
  
6\. Cabo San Lucas  
  
When Hollywood's royalty need a fast escape, Cabo San Lucas is never far away. Waiting just two hours outside of L.A., "Cabo," as it is usually called, is never without its share of star power, reeling in the likes of Eva Longoria, Jessica Simpson, Dustin Hoffman, and past notables such as John Wayne, Ernest Hemingway and even former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. And when the big fish come to Cabo, they stay at One & Only Palmilla, the hotel that offers it all. Watch gray whales rise above the water as the ocean and the Sea of Cortez collide, sprawl out on one of the Baja Peninsula's magnificent beaches or experience the city's exhilarating nightlife. Just be prepared to pay anything between $500 and $9,000 per night.  
  
  
  
7\. Bora Bora  
  
Bora Bora is the personification of paradise. The unique geography of the island, set in the crystal-clear waters of French Polynesia, creates the ultimate exotic atmosphere. Therefore, for genuine South Pacific seclusion, celebs disappear to the untouched ivory-sanded beaches of Bora Bora. Only beauty can exist here, and the island's allure has proven irresistible to stars like Charlize Theron, Sharon Stone and Nicole Kidman. Amongst the island's vibrant greenery and sun-soaked terrain lies Le Meridien Bora Bora, possibly the most beautiful resort on the planet. Under a canopy of coconut trees, 99 tropical bungalows pepper the island's lagoon and beaches, offering guests a plethora of laid-back activities from Polynesian outrigger canoeing to swimming with hawksbill turtles.  
  
  
  
8\. Aspen, Colorado  
  
Like a Sinatra record, Aspen will never get old. This classic winter wonderland has been drawing in celebrities since it started snowing, and it hasn't stopped since. Now decked out in luxury resorts and colossal condos, Aspen hosts guests from Kurt Russell to Mischa Barton, and big names like Jack Nicholson have been coming here for years. With the resort town constantly growing in popularity, celebrities need to ensure that they are always a cut above the rest, hence the ultra-elite Mountain Club. For the small fee of $125,000, celebs can enjoy private ski lockers, exclusive parking rights and access to a members-only restaurant at the mountain's peak.  
  
  
  
9\. South Beach, Miami  
  
For those not fleeing the paparazzi, South Beach is the epicenter of beachy glamour, and with the hue of its silky beaches rivaled only by the powder of St. Moritz, it's no wonder why Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Madonna and Janet Jackson have all joined the celebrity exodus that descends upon South Beach each year. In South Beach, only the best will suffice, and The Setai is more than ready to deliver. Priding itself on its timeless grace, subtle charm and inspirational environment, The Setai is truly one of a kind. A typical afternoon may include relaxing by one of the hotel's three azure pools, taking advantage of poolside towel, water, magazine and iPod services, unwinding at the spa, or renting a jet ski directly from the hotel.  
  
  
  
10\. Maui, Hawaii  
  
Maui will always be a celebrity magnet, because in addition to its stunning scenery and close proximity to the mainland, it also offers some of the finest surfing in the country. The island has welcomed the likes of Britney Spears, Kelsey Grammer, Denise Richards, Oprah Winfrey, Ashley Tisdale and countless more. Even Pierce Brosnan has been spotted falling from his surfboard in the crashing Maui waves. Here, visitors can hike through the island's captivating terrain, snorkel above intricate tropical reefs or go aboard a boat for a few hours of whale watching. Its warm waters and luxurious resorts are ever welcoming, making Maui a staple on any celebrity vacation list.