Austerity? Not here! Opulence lives on at these extravagant resorts

The Place: Cape Santa Maria, Long Island
242-338-5273; capesantamaria.com; doubles, $235-$325
What It Is: Seclusion incarnate on four miles of shore, with white sand, emerald waters, and relaxed but plush bungalows.
Who You'll See: Sperry-wearing couples and quiet families looking to scuba and snorkel in the hotel's private marina.
Recession-Defience Quotient: Low. Dinner for two here is $130, including a glass of wine each.

The Place: The Cove, Paradise Island
954-809-2800; thecoveatlantis.com; doubles, $630-$670
What It Is: Atlantis not over-the-top enough? Then you want its resort within a resort, with 600 cushy high-rise suites.
Who You'll See: Steve Wynn types with slick hair populate this Vegas-style retreat.
High. Beach butlers keep the bubbly flowing at Cain at the Cove's 20 private cabanas.

The Place: Kamalame Cay, Andros
305-677-6525; kamalame.com; doubles, $400-$950
What It Is: A 96-acre private island resort with a sparkling white beach and a collection of sweet plantation-style cottages.
Who You'll See: Owners Brian and Jennifer Hew bought the island planning to build a second home, but it's now an under-the-radar escape for laid-back sybarites.
Medium. He can take a bonefishing course for $475, while she has the $440 Fishing Widow's Revenge spa package.

The Place: Little Whale Cay, Berry Islands
800-783-6904; littlewhalecay.com; $9,500 a day for up to 12 people
What It Is: Almost 100 acres of tropical birds and infinity pools, with three eco-luxe pads and a private landing strip.
Who You'll See: No one except for your 11 mates, unless you count the flamingos that strut around the 93-acre private isle. Google moguls Sergey Brin and Larry Page came here to unplug.
Medium. A staff of 12, including a masseur and a personal chef, are at your disposal on the otherwise unihabited island.

The Place: Musha Cay,Exumas
203-602-0300; mushacay.com; $37,500 a day for up to 12 people, all-inclusive
What It Is: A sleek, sexy escape equipped with five fancy cottages and a fleet of James Bond-worthy boats for jetting to the 11 surrounding islands.
Who You'll See: Magician David Copperfield, for one, who bought this cluster of 11 islands in 2006 after claiming its watery surrounds had age-defying properties.
High. Most guests arrive via private jet; the resort can be rented only to a single group.

The Place: One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau
242-363-2501; oneandonlyresorts.com; doubles, $515-$635
What It Is: This luxe enclave of Paradise Island has mansiony digs, perfect lawns, and more orchids than people.
Who You'll See: Mostly prepsters in paradise; Martha Stewart came here pre-prison in 2004. But you'll also see Michael Jordan, a fan of the Ocean Club Golf Course.
High. A four-bedroom beachside villa is $10,500 a night with a minimum stay of three days.