Ah, to be rich, famous and able to rock up at your own desert island via a private jet at the click of a finger... We can only dream. But while we’re waiting for that lottery win, let's get some inspiration from the destinations the rich and famous go to for some downtime. From the Beckhams' Canadian lakeside escape to Beyoncé's Caribbean hideaway, here are just some of the one percent's favourite holiday destinations.

You know you've made it into the upper echelons of society when Sir Richard Branson invites you to join him on his private isle, Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands. The likes of Barack Obama, Prince Harry, Kate Moss, Harrison Ford, Mariah Carey, Robert de Niro, Mel Gibson and Harry Styles – among many, many others – have been Sir Branson's guests at the super-exclusive retreat.

To say the island is luxurious would be an enormous understatement – but it's the barefoot, laidback kind of luxury. With room for only 34 people at a time, Necker Island offers the sort of privacy the most influential people in the world crave.

The accommodation options are enormous and elegant, the white sands and sparkling ocean are postcard-pretty, and in case lying on the beach isn’t for you, there's tennis, plus water sports and an unending supply of food and drink to keep you occupied.

Synonymous with luxury, the remoteness, peaceful surroundings and often astronomical hotel prices make the beautiful islands of the Maldives an instant hit with the rich and famous.

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There’s a feeling of total privacy on each of the Maldives’ islands, perfect for those desperate to escape the tyranny of the paparazzi. Plus, while enjoying a newfound sense of seclusion, there's plenty to do on each island, from stand-up paddle boarding and wine tasting to scuba diving and sunrise yoga.

Amilla Fushi is just one of the breathtaking hotels attracting an elite crowd, with Gordon Ramsay, Paris Hilton and Kate Winslet choosing the resort for an island getaway. With enormous, stylishly-designed houses, a butler for each guest and a whole host of chic restaurants, it’s easy to see why it’s the elite’s choice.

The picturesque Swiss ski resort of Gstaad is not so much about the skiing, but more about the people-watching. Fabulously glamorous people draped in jewels and furs, designer ski gear and expensive cars are just some of the things you’ll gawp at if you spend a week – or indeed, an afternoon – in this famous spot.

Gstaad is frequented by the true upper echelons of celebrity society: Sophia Loren, Madonna and Anne Hathaway. They all naturally flock to the resort’s top attraction: the glamorous, revered and yet somehow still cosy Gstaad Palace Hotel.

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But there are plenty of opulent chalets too: Bernie Ecclestone is just one of the super-wealthy celebrities with a multimillion-pound property in the destination.

The Cote d’Azur – also known as the French Riviera – has long been favoured for a sophisticated, elegant getaway. With world-class restaurants, famed hotels and a glamorous clientele, it's been a favoured hotspot for the jet-set for decades.

On the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France, the Cote d’Azur includes upmarket areas such as St Tropez, Cannes, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat, and don’t forget Monaco, the tax-free micro-state for the ultra-rich.

Numerous celebrities not only holiday in the area, but also own huge homes in various parts of the French Riviera. These include Bono, Elton John, Tina Turner and Rod Stewart – so even if your personal invitation to their properties gets lost in the post, there’s still a chance you could bump into the stars on a French getaway.

The island of Antigua has bags of Caribbean charm, with swaying palm trees, sunny skies and idyllic beaches. Fans over the years have included Justin Bieber, Ashanti and the late Princess Diana, who flocked to the destination in search of privacy and a more authentic experience.

The most elite of all Antiguan getaways is Jumby Bay, an exclusive private island off the coast of Antigua. The houses, owned by private homeowners but managed by Rosewood, are enormous, luxurious and seriously expensive.

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You’ll need a lot of cash to holiday here, but as far as privacy goes, it’s one of the world’s best: there’s no chance of being papped. Will Smith, Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey are just a few of the big names who’ve chosen the island for a private retreat.

If money was no object, many of us would undoubtedly choose to holiday in Bora Bora. No surprise, then, that the most wealthy people in the world flock to this exclusive French Polynesian island.

The incredible coral reefs, luxurious over-water bungalows and dramatic views are just some of the reasons it’s a top choice for celebrity holidays.

Celebrity visitors to Bora Bora have included Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman and Courteney Cox, plus more admirers of the island include the Kardashians (remember when Kim lost her $75,000/£63,000 diamond earring to the ocean?) and Usain Bolt.

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If you’re booking a holiday to St Barths, the swanky, French-speaking, super-luxe Caribbean island, then you’ve probably made it.

With breathtaking white sands, a vibrant coral reef and plenty of quirky restaurants and bars, the island offers everything a celebrity could need: beauty, luxury, and, of course, privacy.

One of the island’s most spectacular properties is the Hotel Eden Rock-St Barths. Owned by the Matthews family – that’s Spencer Matthews, of Made in Chelsea fame, and James Matthews, Pippa Middleton’s husband – the hotel is a favourite of the rich and famous. Tom Hanks, Mick Jagger and, of course, the Middleton family, are all past guests.

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The private island of Mustique, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, is synonymous not only with luxury but with the most elite of visitors. Tommy Hilfiger owns the Palm Beach villa, while property Les Jolies Eaux was designed for Princess Margaret.

Frequent guests have included musical royalty such as Mick Jagger and the late David Bowie while Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas spent their second honeymoon at Firefly Hotel Mustique.

The island has become a favourite with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with the couple choosing the tranquil spot most years for family trips away. They celebrated Prince George’s sixth birthday here in 2019.

A city of many contrasts, travellers on all sorts of budgets visit Rio for its cultural highlights, buzzing nightlife, beautiful people and dreamy beaches.

The gulf between rich and poor in the city means that the most wealthy live separate lives, and upscale restaurants, bars and hotels are accustomed to hosting guests with bodyguards, enormous teams of staff and special requests for privacy.

This reality – which extends to many resorts having their own helipads so celebrities can avoid walking past photographers and reporters – means that Rio is a top choice for the rich and famous desiring a hassle-free holiday. Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have all holidayed in the Brazilian hotspot in recent years, with hip hotel the Fasano a particular favourite.

Check out our guide to Rio here

If the Obama family choose the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard as a summer retreat, you can safely bet it’s a good place to be. The former First Lady visited in August 2022 to attend the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.

And it’s not just Barack, Michelle and the kids, either: Spike Lee, Reese Witherspoon, Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey have all holidayed at the exclusive destination.

The island is pretty relaxing, but there’s plenty to do if you're after an active holiday too: you can cycle between the different towns, stroll on the pretty beaches or indulge in a game (or three) of golf.

With a list of celebrity visitors to rival Long Island's the Hamptons, Muskoka in central Ontario is made up of villages, towns and lakeside retreats with a slew of golf courses and country clubs.

A-listers tend to congregate around Lake Rosseau, which has been dubbed ‘Millionaire’s Row’ due to the number of celebrity holiday houses here, including the homes of Cindy Crawford, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

In August 2022 the Beckhams were spotted holidaying around the low-key yet lavish lake as they stayed with pals including Mark Wahlberg and Rande Gerber (Cindy Crawford's husband). If it's good enough for David and Victoria…

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Wedged between Haiti and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic is home to sandy beaches, spectacular waterfalls and adrenaline-inducing watersports. And it’s also a popular celebrity haunt, with many choosing to stay here while they film on location; Shotgun Wedding, Road House and The Lost City were partly or completely shot here.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is the Dominican Republic’s first luxury resort, spanning 7,000 tropical acres on the southeastern coast. Celebs including Beyoncé, J-Lo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe have bunked down at this blissful, private sanctuary.

The dreamy resort offers a five-star hotel, oceanfront villas and swish Premier Club suites. After resting up on private beaches (or filming scenes), there are three golf courses, a polo and equestrian centre, tennis centre and watersports to indulge in. Throw in a wellness spa opening in 2023 and you have the ideal destination to wind down in and escape the paparazzi.

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