Live like the Kennedys: Vacation on Fisher Island

Filed in archive A World Away , Hidden Gems , Islands , Luxury Travel , Travel News on June 2, 2008

According to a Forbes 2007 article, the top five richest zip codes in the United States are Miami Beach (Fisher Island), FL; Atherton, CA; Kenilworth, IL; Diablo, CA; and Rancho Sante Fe, CA.

The median price of most of the homes in these cities is easily a staggering $1.6 - $4 million. Fisher Island (www.fisherisland.com) is probably the most difficult place to get into simply because it's exclusive and member's only (to simply live on the island, you need to be an equity member and plunk down change for condos that cost about $4 million upward).

Luckily, you can visit the island if you're not planning on pitching tent there permanently. If you have the money, the Fisher Island hotel is an excellent place to start. You can become a temporary member at the cost of $60 per day and pay for room rates. The rooms of the hotel were formerly part of the Vanderbilt mansion. The Vanderbilts took over the island that was initially the property of Carl Fisher. The latter sold the island to the Vanderbilts in exchange for a yacht. Go figure!

Rooms are priced at $600 and up. During the course of the year, there are several member parties and masquerades. Several luminaries have stayed on this enchanted island including Oprah, the Clintons and the Dalai lama, among others.

So if you've always wanted to live like the Kennedy's, if even for a weekend, here's your chance. The summer is typically the slow season, so chances are the island will fawn on you more.

And if you've got the cash for the condos, set up camp there permanently and watch movie stars come and go from the comfort of your own backyard.