Cause for celebration

Island Paradise

For a smaller, more intimate get- together with a touch of high-glamour, seek a location that offers the utmost seclusion. Meads Bay is nestled beneath the clifftop resort of Malliouhana, where the chalk white shoreline of Anguilla leaks into the Caribbean Sea, and the evening light casts a golden hue. This secluded spot is a serene location for an intimate celebration, which can be made all the more special by hiring it out exclusively for a private and unforgettable beach party.

Kick off the evening with a celebratory feast prepared by the hotel’s expert chefs, with local seafood and the day’s catch grilled on the barbecue and seasoned with fiery Caribbean flavours. When the sun sets, jump on a transparent paddle board for a truly unforgettable moonlight trip through the crystal-clear waters.

Let the darkness heighten your senses as you learn to paddle board in a whole new, thrilling way, looking out for schools of fish swimming beneath your feet as you navigate the gentle waves. On return, gather around the firepit for toasted smores and gift giving, sharing memories as you sip zingy rum punch cocktails. End the night by dancing together under the stars to the beat of a local band playing your personalised playlist.

Adventure time

Nothing marks an occasion with the family like an adventure. Embrace a completely different way of life at Sleeping Indian Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection a private working cattle ranch set against Colorado’s arresting landscape. Created for multi-generational groups of up to 16 people, this stunning retreat is yours exclusively and sets the stage for an authentic Western adventure. Saddle up a horse and roam free through Colorado’s golden undulating hills and Rocky Mountains, or be a ranch-hand for the day on a cattle drive.

Ditching laptops and iPads for a digital detox, lace-up your best walking boots and hit the arterial hiking trails that snake around the 15,000 acre estate. The breathtaking scenery and the possibility of an encounter with elk, moose and the elusive black bear will command everyone’s full attention. Accompanied by a local expert, explore Colorado’s picturesque ancient woodlands, wildflower-strewn meadows and flowing streams. Don’t forget to pack some champagne, as you’re likely to stumble across the perfect spot for a surprise birthday picnic.

The largest post-and-beam log structure ever built, Sleeping Indian Ranch is pitched as an ‘entertainment’ lodge and is designed with special events in mind. Its pioneering spirit is infectious from the moment you enter; inspired by the sense of freedom ingrained into the surrounding landscape, you’ll have limitless creativity to make this occasion truly personal, creating stories that will be told to future family generations to come.

If your birthday falls in winter or you’re happiest together when on the slopes, take 20 of your brood to the most desirable and exclusive chalet in Val d’Isere. Secluded from the crowds on the side of the Solaise Mountain, Le Chardon is an inviting ski-in ski-out private enclave with enviable access to the slopes and jaw-dropping views. After a day hitting some of the most technically- challenging pistes, retreat to the chalet where boot warmers, a roaring fire and champagne on ice await. Ease weary legs with an in- chalet massage, or relive the day’s most exhilarating moments while relaxing in the bubbling outdoor hot tubs, private saunas or 18ft swim spa.

The best in entertainment

Parties take on a new meaning at Ani Sri Lanka. This 15-suite resort is only available for exclusive hire, making it the perfect spot for large families or groups looking to reconnect and spend time together completely uninterrupted. With the sprawling estate all to yourselves, celebrations can be as intimate or blowout as you want them to be. The resort’s attentive staff are experts in throwing unforgettable parties and, with almost everything included in the price of the holiday, you can simply relax and enjoy spending time together without worrying about the admin.

Under the light of 1,001 candles, tucked into lanterns and strung on the creeping branches of an ancient tree, raise a toast to good fortunes with a cocktail whipped up by the resident mixologist. Dinner is served in the Caidel tent, where a mirror ball dapples the banquet table in light. A Moroccan feast, cooked with ingredients grown in the kitchen garden, ends the day on a high. There’s no need to commission a party planner or an event organiser, or to worry about travel arrangements, timings and making sure everything goes according to plan. We have the people, the know-how and the connections around the world to pull off something seriously special. So, when’s the date?