Here are some of the most expensive vacations you can take. Just a heads up, every single one of them costs at least five figures per night. 

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Having your own private island is not just about the beautiful views, the privacy, and living the good life.

It's also about some of the more practical things, like figuring out the best way to get water and energy on the island.

Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, which also functions as an exclusive resort, is part of the British Virgin Islands, but it is quite independent when it comes to producing the energy and fresh water that the island uses.

We spoke to Chief Engineer Adam Simmonds, who showed us how he and his team convert the salt water of the Caribbean Sea into as much as 65,000 gallons of usable water a day.

Originally published in October 2012. 

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Barack Obama famously promised his wife Michelle a special vacation post White House.

Well, he certainly made good on his promise, considering they're currently on Necker Island — Richard Branson's private island, and one of the most exclusive Caribbean resorts in the world. The Obama family reportedly arrived there after a short vacation in Palm Springs.

While they undoubtedly deserve a break, we can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

Keep scrolling for a peek at the decadent digs.

After eight years of being the leaders of the free world, Michelle and Barack Obama have jetted off for some well-deserved R&R.

Barack had promised Michelle a "special" trip post White House...

He certainly made good on that promise. It doesn't get much more special, or exclusive, than Necker Island.

The Obamas are making the most of their vacation time. Since leaving the White House in January, they have been hitting up some of the most exotic destinations imaginable.

After spending a few days on American soil in Palm Springs, Barack and Michelle Obama jetted off on a tropical tour that started at entrepreneur Richard Branson's private Necker Island. They then headed to French Polynesia to check in to The Brando, an exclusive island resort that can only be reached by boat or by two-engined Air Tetiaroa planes.

Their latest trip has been less tropical but just as glamorous. In May, the Obamas took a six-day vacation in Tuscany, Italy, where they stayed at a luxurious villa and sampled the food of one of the world's best chefs.

Take a look at the incredible places they have visited so far. 

SEE ALSO: 20 photos that show where world leaders live

DON'T MISS: The 13 best adults-only, all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean

After eight years in office, the Obamas headed off on a well-deserved break in January.

The first stop (after a very brief stint in Palm Springs) was Necker Island.

This 72-acre island — located in the British Virgin Islands — is owned by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

Former President Obama has been globe-trotting for the past five months.

After leaving office in January, Obama traveled to Palm Springs with his wife, Michelle, before heading to entrepreneur Richard Branson's private Necker Island.

He made a quick pit stop in his home state of Hawaii, then flew to French Polynesia to check in to The Brando, an exclusive island resort that can only be reached by boat or by two-engined Air Tetiaroa planes. It was here that the Obamas were pictured aboard billionaire David Geffen's yacht, alongside Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey. 

In May, Barack headed to Europe to deliver a speech at the Food Innovation Summit in Milan. Afterward, he was joined by Michelle for a six-day vacation in Tuscany. 

Obama has since traveled around Europe on business for the Obama Foundation. 

Check out the map below to see exactly where he has been:

SEE ALSO: The Obamas have been touring the world since leaving the White House — here's where they've been so fa

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The Obamas are making the most of their vacation time. Since leaving the White House in January, they have been hitting up some of the most exotic destinations imaginable.

After spending a few days on American soil in Palm Springs, Barack and Michelle Obama jetted off on a tropical tour that started at entrepreneur Richard Branson's private Necker Island.

They then headed to French Polynesia to check in to The Brando, an exclusive island resort that can be reached only by boat or by two-engined Air Tetiaroa planes.

In May, the Obamas took a six-day vacation in Tuscany, Italy, where they stayed at a luxurious villa and sampled the food of one of the world's best chefs. More recently, the entire family was spotted whitewater rafting and visiting a temple in Bali, Indonesia. They then headed to Java to visit the city where his mother lived and worked for years.

Take a look at the incredible places they have visited so far. 

SEE ALSO: The most exclusive resorts for 'people who care about the planet,' according to National Geographic

DON'T MISS: The 13 best adults-only, all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean

After eight years in office, the Obamas headed off on a well-deserved break in January.

The first stop (after a very brief stint in Palm Springs) was Necker Island.

This 72-acre island — located in the British Virgin Islands — is owned by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

Hurricane Irma has brought significant damage to much of the Caribbean as it's barreled towards South Florida. 

One of the islands in the path of the "potentially catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane was Necker Island, the British Virgin Island retreat belonging to billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson. 

Earlier this week, Branson announced that he and his team would be riding out the storm in the main house's wine cellar. 

Following the storm's hit on the island, a spokesperson for the Virgin Group told Business Insider: "Virgin Limited Edition can confirm that on the 6th September 2017 Necker Island sustained extensive damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. There were no guests on Island at the time and all staff staying on Island have been accounted for as safe and well."

This is not the first time that Branson has had to repair the structures on Necker Island. A major fire in 2011 brought major damage to the main house, which took two years to rebuild. 

Branson bought the 74-acre island in the British Virgin Islands for $180,000 after visiting in 1978. He has called it "the best financial move" he ever made. The island has been a getaway for celebrities, entrepreneurs, and even former President Barack Obama, who visited shortly after he left the White House in January. 

Individual rooms can be rented starting at $4,280 a night, for a week minimum, while the island can be rented as a whole for $78,000 a day.

Take a look around the island as it looked in less stormy times. 

Julie Zeveloff and Sophie-Claire Hoeller contributed reporting to earlier versions of this article.

SEE ALSO: Richard Branson refuses to leave his private island amid 'potentially catastrophic' Hurricane Irma

74-acre Necker Island is located in the British Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean Sea.

The island features two "private" beaches (though it's a private island, all beaches up to the high-water mark are open to the public, under British Virgin Islands law), two infinity pools, a swim-up bar, a hot tub that fits 30, a personal chef, and around 100 employees.

Many celebrities have vacationed here, from Princess Diana to Mariah Carey, and even Nelson Mandela. Kate Moss had her 40th birthday party on Necker, and Google co-founder Larry Page had his wedding there.

Sir Richard Branson posted a video along with pictures of the devastation to his luxury resort on Necker Island after Hurricane Irma hit.

The storm ripped apart the resort while Branson and his team hid in the wine cellar.

He said: "We felt the full force of the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic Ocean. But we are very fortunate to have a strong cellar built into Necker’s Great House and were very lucky all of our teams who stayed on Island during the storm are safe and well."

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• Richard Branson is hiring.
• Virgin is advertising an admin assistant role located on the founder's Necker Island in the Caribbean.
• Applicants are asked to submit their CV alongside a video explaining why they should be given the job.

A job advertisement for what could be the most glamorous admin role in the world on Virgin boss Richard Branson's Necker Island has gone viral.

The listing for a "personal assistant and admin assistant", posted on social networking site LinkedIn, has received widespread attention after it offered one lucky applicant the chance to relocate to the billionaire's private Caribbean island.

"Fancy working on Necker Island?" It begins, "Thought so!"

The advert says hopefuls can expect the job to be split between "two busy offices” and will be asked to deputise for Mr Branson's PA when they are on holiday.

"It's a busy role in two even busier offices so think carefully as it's not for everyone, despite the sunshine,” the job description states.

"We are of course looking for someone with fantastic admin and organisational skills as well as practical experience in a busy office. But your personality is just as important.

"As well as being a top notch administrator, we're also looking for someone who is self-motivated, outgoing and enthusiastic who can balance this with the essential need for discretion and confidentiality.”

Applicants are asked to submit their CV alongside a video no more than two minutes long, explaining why they should be given the job.

They were also asked to provide "an interesting fact” about themselves in their video pitch.

The closing date for applications is 10 March.

Virgin founder Mr Branson purchased 74-acre Necker Island in 1978 for just $180,000 and turned it into a private retreat.

Part of the British Virgin Islands, Necker can accommodate more than 30 guests at any one time, while a night's stay costs somewhere in the region of £40,000.

The island is known for its host of high-profile visitors, with the likes of Princess Diana, Kate Winslett and Barack and Michelle Obama all spending time there over the years.

SEE ALSO: An entrepreneur went on vacation to Necker Island and 'the only babysitter she could find' was Richard Branson

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• Necker Island, billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson's private Caribbean island, reopened to guests in October.
• The resort in the British Virgin Islands was closed down for reconstruction and refurbishment after Hurricane Irma inflicted "extensive damage" in September 2017.
• The island can be rented out for $77,500 a night — here's what it looks like now.

More than a year after Hurricane Irma devastated much of the Caribbean, billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson's private island in the British Virgin Islands has reopened to guests.

Branson and his team reportedly rode out the 2017 hurricane on Necker Island. While nobody was hurt, they announced afterward that the resort had "sustained extensive damage." 

Branson bought the island for a modest $320,000 in 1978, when he was 18 years old, and went on to build one of the most exclusive resorts in the world on it. According to a Necker Island press release, renting out the island for a night will cost you at least $77,500 per night. High-profile vacationers who've stayed on the island include Barack and Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Mariah Carey, Kate Moss, and even Nelson Mandela. Google co-founder Larry Page had his wedding there.

This isn't the first time Branson has had to rebuild part of the resort: A 2011 fire inflicted major damage on the main house, which took two years to rebuild.

The resort was stunning before the refurbishment, but the updates have left it even more idyllic.

Here's what it looks like now.

SEE ALSO: Richard Branson is sitting on a $5 billion fortune but spent years cringing over displays of wealth — see how the eccentric billionaire likes to spend his money

The 74-acre island, which Richard Branson bought for a modest $320,000 back in 1978, was in need of repairs and refurbishment after Hurricane Irma hit in September 2017.

Source: Business Insider

The al fresco Great House was completely restored, with the addition of two brand-new rooms and an additional Balinese-style guest house. The Great House has 11 guest rooms total.

Source: Virgin Limited Edition

It also has a spacious Mezzanine with skylights and a wraparound sofa.

Source: Virgin Limited Edition

• Every year, Richard Branson hosts the Necker Cup, a tennis tournament hosted on the private Necker Island.
• The tournament has hosted matches between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and involves pro tennis players being paired with amateurs to compete for the Necker Cup.
• Stacey Wilkinson, an entrepreneur from Manchester, England, managed to attend the exclusive event and told Business Insider about her experiences.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

As 2019 drew to a close, tennis pros, celebrities, and business tycoons across the globe were gearing up for one of the most exclusive events: the Necker Cup, an annual tennis tournament held on Richard Branson's private island.

Branson paid a modest $120,000 for Necker Island, one of the British Virgin Islands, in 1978. Since then, it has become a paradise retreat for the rich and famous, hosting the likes of former President Barack Obama and Hollywood actress Kate Winslet.

Stacey Wilkinson, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Manchester, England, found her way to the competition — which has hosted matches between sporting legends like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal — after meeting a business associate who had attended the year before.

"I was badgering him to see if I could get myself an invite," said Wilkinson, who founded her recruitment startup, Techsearchers, only a year ago. "He put me in touch with the president of Necker Cup and tennis fanatic Trevor Short, and we hit it off. Before I knew it, I was booking flights."

What followed was a weeklong soiree with some of the most recognizable names in international sport and business, filled with champagne at breakfast, sailboat races, and water fights with Branson.

Packages for the trip start from around $17,000, according to the Necker Cup website.

Wilkinson told Business Insider: "I had a serious case of imposter syndrome for the first couple of days. I was probably the poorest person there — I was told the average net worth was about $100 million."

Among the dozens of guests and competitors were Tom Morris, the billionaire CEO of the British discount superstore Home Bargains, and the tennis legend Rod Laver. Attendees were treated to gourmet meals every night — with celebrity chef Luke Mangan flying in from Australia to rustle up a Caribbean chicken dish.

"I felt so out of my depth, but every two minutes, I had Sir Richard's overly attentive staff handing me champagne, so I just thought f--- it — speak to these people," Wilkinson said.

And as for the man himself?

"I can't say enough good things about Sir Richard. He actually came and sat next to me a few times during lunch and dinner. The first time he did it, I absolutely s--- myself," Wilkinson added. "He's surprisingly shy until you get him going about something he's interested in, and then he's like an excitable little kid. There's no pretension or ego to him — if I was pushing 70, I feel like I'd be more selfish with my time."

At one point, the giddy pair even got into a water fight.

"We ended up pouring glasses of water over each other's heads. He's a real windup merchant — just as I was about to throw mine over him, he yelled in front of everybody: 'Do that and I'll throw you off this island,'" Wilkinson said. "Then he smiled and said: 'Go on, you can do what you like.' He's a good laugh."

A live auction at the event raised more than $1.5 million for charitable causes, including a trip on a superyacht, backstage passes to see the glam metal band Kiss, and a visit to the NoMad Casino in Las Vegas.

"I never imagined someone like me would end up in a place like Necker, and I have to say it's really opened my eyes to another world. I was like bloody Cinderella — I got to go to the Branson ball and I am eternally grateful," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson already has plans to go back to Necker Island at the end of 2020 for the next tournament. 

Branson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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• I recently had the chance to visit Richard Branson's Necker Island.
• The 74-acre Caribbean island was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and had to undergo more than a year of renovations.
• It was the first time I had ever been on a private island, and I must say — it'll be hard for any other island to compete.
• Here's what it's like to visit the billionaire entrepreneur's island, from a seemingly endless flow of Champagne to a sushi lunch that was delivered to me via wooden kayak.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

I've traveled a lot, but I've never traveled to a private island owned by a British billionaire. In fact, come to think of it, I've never traveled to a private island at all.

So when I heard that I'd be part of the first group of media since 2016 to set foot on Richard Branson's Necker Island, I honestly had no idea what to expect.

Some background: Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, who founded the Virgin Group and has a $4 billion net worth, bought the 74-acre island for $180,000 back in 1978. In September 2017, the Caribbean island suffered extensive damage in the path of Hurricane Irma. Several buildings on site were destroyed, and the resort was closed for months. Repairs started in December 2017, Travel + Leisure reported at the time, and have been ongoing.

About a year later, in October 2018, it was officially back in business. And this past November, I got to spend a day on the island.

Spoiler alert: It was one of the top experiences of my entire life.

SEE ALSO: I waited my whole life to go to Bali. Now I wish I had kept waiting.

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Necker Island is the privately owned island where Sir Richard Branson (of Virgin Group fame) has built an ultra luxurious, idyllic playground for the most exclusive of travelers.

The island is part of the British Virgin Islands, just off the coast of Virgin Gorda. Typically, Necker Island is booked exclusively for private groups, with a max capacity of 22 of your closest friends and family.

Since the retreat is usually booked year-round, it has been impossible for media to get there in the last few years. But by a stroke of luck, I was able to find a window to get there.

In 2017, Hurricanes Maria and Irma wreaked havoc on many of the British Virgin Islands, including Necker Island. The island has been under construction since; it's slated to be wrapped by this summer.

At one point during the 2017 hurricane, the island was directly in the eye of the storm. A NASA photograph hung in the Great House bathroom on Necker Island shows the island smack dab in the center of the storm. Needless to say, Necker Island suffered a great deal of damage. And while much of the island is reopened and back in business, the reservation calendar isn't quite full yet.

The island is using the opportunity to rebuild and improve many of its facilities, including the newly rebuilt Bali High complex, which has an extended pool and outdoor lounge. Private plunge pools have been added to each individual house, as well.

And, according to the Virgin Group's website, Branson's goal for 2020 is to power the island using clean energy. In a blog post in late 2019, Branson wrote that there are now three wind turbines on the island that, along with the island's solar farm and battery system, power Necker Island without generators for about 90% of the day.

I recently had the chance to spend a day on the island.

I've been treated to massages in the dewy rainforests of Bali, have found myself sipping Champagne from a bar carved into a seaside cliff in Mexico, and have flown in a private jet through the Swiss Alps. So when I say Necker Island is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I mean it. 

We arrived by boat to the island's dock, where we were met by the welcome team. It felt like arriving at elegant summer camp. Our hosts were wearing shorts and t-shirts, sports sunglasses, and massive smiles.

A stay at Necker Island comes with a seriously hefty price tag. While the experience it buys you is undeniably luxurious, everything about it also proved to be approachable, laidback, and, well, fun.

The arrival begins at the Great House, perched at the top of a steep hill that overlooks the surrounding sea and the whole island.

From here you can gaze out to Virgin Gorda, down to the powdery beaches of the island, or over to the new wind turbines.

Over a seemingly endless glass of Champagne, a few members of the island's staff gave us the tour of the Great House.

The Great House has 11 rooms, all of which are clustered around a common area. The common area sets the tone for the rest of the island. It's designed to be a place where friends and family can unwind with a drink while overlooking the views from the open-air wraparound terrace.

The best part, in my opinion, is climbing the outdoor steps to the Crows Nest, where a two-person hot tub has a bird's-eye view straight out to sea. Yes, you can bring your Champagne in the tub.

The vibe at the Great House is heavily Bali influenced, from the artwork and statues to the hand-carved wooden furniture. The al fresco accommodations have stunning views over the Caribbean and neighboring islands, and each of the 11 rooms has a balcony.

The upper floor is home to the Master Suite, pictured above. It looks like a tented safari dream come to life, with white linens draped over a four-poster bed, a private outdoor hot tub and deck, and uninterrupted views.

Suffice to say, at this point I was already ruined. I was walking and texting #humblebrags to everyone in my contacts. But the Great House was only the tip of the iceberg.

We headed down to the pool and beach area, where a row of staff served us even more Champagne and revealed a specially prepared lunch of snacks from across Asia.

But here's where I decided that I could die happy: From the other end of the pool, a wooden kayak began floating toward us. As it came into view, we could see that it was strewn with a sushi display, replete with all the trimmings.

Allow me to reiterate: It was sushi in a floating kayak that we could eat in the pool while we drank Champagne. Life complete.

Later, it was time to meet the other residents of the island: the lemurs. Yes, lemurs live on Necker Island. In addition to preserving the environment, Richard Branson has a passion for preserving endangered species, specifically the Madagascan lemur.

The lemurs live in enclosures around the sea-level Beach House and tennis courts, and yes, you can pet them. The friendly, playful creatures will even leap on your shoulders and hang for a bit — until, of course, you run out of treats to feed them.

When you're paying for a private island experience, there really is no such thing as a bar set too high. If you want it curated, the staff is there to do exactly that.

But for me, the best part about Necker Island (aside from the floating sushi), was that even though it's one of the most exclusive and expensive experiences in the world, it really feels like you're just hanging out.

While we were eating that fabulous floating sushi, the staff was sitting down with us, chatting and chilling. If we needed something they were there, but it didn't feel like they were there to do a job. That, I find, is rare among luxury experiences, no matter where you are in the world.

So what if you want to go to Necker Island but can't find 21 other people to commit to the trip? On select weekends during the year, travelers can book an individual room as a couple, single, or as a family, during what are known as "celebration weeks."

The special package allows visitors to book individual rooms for a total of seven nights and share the island with up to 10 other couples.

To sum up: Necker Island is a dream come true that I never knew I needed. If you're into bucket lists, it's a place that knocks about seven of them off at once. Private island. Sushi boat. Champagne in a rooftop hot tub. Lemurs. Check, check, check, check. You name it, it can be done.

And while it is the highest level of service, the highest quality of ingredients, and one of the highest price points (it's roughly $40,000 per night for the entire island), believe me when I say it's one of the most approachable experiences you'll find.

Make no mistake: You will be forever ruined, but in the best way possible.

• British billionaire Richard Branson has offered to put his private island up as collateral in order to save his Virgin Atlantic airline from collapse. 
• In an open letter to Virgin Group staff dated Monday, Branson pledged to use his private Necker Island to save the airline struggling under coronavirus travel restrictions. 
• "As with other Virgin assets, our team will raise as much money against the island as possible to save as many jobs as possible around the Group," Branson said. 
• Branson's Virgin Australia airline announced on Tuesday that it was set to enter voluntary administration.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

British billionaire Richard Branson has offered to put his private island up as collateral in order to save his Virgin Atlantic airline from collapse. 

On Monday local time, multiple Australian media reports indicated that Virgin Australia, the Australian airline which Branson launched in 2000, was set to enter voluntary administration. Voluntary administration is similar to bankruptcy in the US. The airline formally announced that it had entered voluntary administration on Tuesday local time. 

Virgin Atlantic has taken several cost-cutting measures in order to prevent collapse. The UK-based airline announced last month that it would ground 75% of its fleet by March 26 and would increase that number to 85% by some point in April. The airline said it would also ask staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave over the next three months in order to avoid job cuts.

In an open letter to all of Virgin Group, Branson pledged his private Necker Island, which is located in the British Virgin Islands, as collateral to save Virgin Atlantic. 

"As with other Virgin assets, our team will raise as much money against the island as possible to save as many jobs as possible around the Group," Branson said. 

Branson owns the 74-acre island, which operates as a resort that can accommodate up to 30 guests. 

The airline industry has taken a hit, as the novel coronavirus has led countries around the world to impose strict travel restrictions, causing demand for air travel to plummet. Several airlines around the world have faced new financial hardships, with some collapsing under the pressure. 

Aviation experts have warned that many of the world's airlines could be bankrupt by May because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his letter, Branson noted that Virgin Group operates within many of the industries hardest-hit by the coronavirus, including "aviation, leisure, hotels, and cruises." 

"We have more than 70,000 people in 35 countries working in Virgin companies. We're doing all we can to keep those businesses afloat," he said. 

Branson also addressed speculation that he could use his own personal wealth to pull the airlines off of the brink. 

"I've seen lots of comments about my net worth — but that is calculated on the value of Virgin businesses around the world before this crisis, not sitting as cash in a bank account ready to withdraw," he said. 

Branson is reportedly asking the British government for a loan estimated to be worth about £500 million ($621 million).

"Together with the team at Virgin Atlantic, we will do everything we can to keep the airline going – but we will need government support to achieve that in the face of the severe uncertainty surrounding travel today and not knowing how long the planes will be grounded for," he said.

He stressed that the money would come in the form of a commercial loan and "wouldn't be free money." 

"The airline would pay it back," he said. "The reality of this unprecedented crisis is that many airlines around the world need government support and many have already received it." 

In a letter to Virgin Australia staff on Tuesday local time, Branson said the news of the airline's bankruptcy was "devastating." 

"In most countries, federal governments have stepped in, in this unprecedented crisis for aviation, to help their airlines. Sadly, this is not the case for Australia," he said.

Still, he pledged to work with investors and the government to get the airline back and running. 

"This is not the end for Virgin Australia and its unique culture," he wrote. "I want to assure all of you — and our competitor — that we are determined to see Virgin Australia back up and running soon."

Virgin-linked Flybe Airlines entered voluntary administration last month. A spokesperson said the airline's financial difficulties were to blame for its demise. Flybe had been sold to the Connect Airways consortium in February 2019, which is backed by Virgin Atlantic and was set to be rebranded as Virgin Connect in 2020.

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