MAXIM.COM SEP/OCT 2019 57O
nce upon a time, Guy Laliberté was a street per-
former, playing the accordion and walking on
stilts for whatever passersby would throw into his
hat. Then in 1984, he cofounded Cirque du Soleil
as a one-year project with the help of a contract from the Ca-
nadian government. These days, he’s worth a cool $1.1 billion
according to Forbes. And when he’s not playing in high-stakes
poker tournaments or floating in space—literally; Laliberté
traveled to the International Space Station in 2009—he likes
to relax somewhere really remote.
He reportedly spent 10 years searching for the perfect es-
cape before settling on a private atoll called Nukutepipi in the
outer reaches of French Polynesia in 2007, noted for its pristine
natural beauty, complete with a “primary forest” that’s home
to rare species, as well as a white sand beach and a protected
lagoon with a flourishing coral reef. He then spent another 10
years turning it into the ultimate eco-retreat, with architecture
designed to make the most of the incredible setting yet never
infringing on the immaculate natural surroundings. “Wood,
stone, water and light come together in a harmonious ode to
nature,” as the property’s website puts it.
This year, Laliberté was slated to open it to well-heeled trav-
elers who are willing to pay about $1 million per week for the
privilege of having Nukutepipi to themselves, making it one
of the most exclusive and expensive resorts in the world. Now
home to three villas and 13 beachfront bungalows, Nukutepipi
can accommodate up to 52 guests at a time, whose every need
is seen to by an army of staff. The property’s jewel is Laliberté’s
custom-built, nearly 7,000-sq.-ft. Master Villa, which features
a private infinity pool, hot tub, and home theater. The island’s
grounds are also home to original artwork by the likes of Lal-
iberté favorites Damien Hirst and Jim Dine.
Of course there’s world-class cuisine on offer as well as spa
treatments galore, and activities range from tennis and ar-
chery to kitesurfing and deep-sea fishing. Condé Nast Traveler
describes it as a “boho-cool” hideout—which we suppose is ac-
curate if the boho is also a billionaire.