We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands (October 2004). We loved our time there and would recommend the resort to adults/couples looking for relaxation. It was a bit of a trek for us but totally worth it (Newark>San Juan>Tortola - then 30-minute boat ride to Peter Island ).
ISLAND/RESORT: Hilly, lush, beautiful landscaping all around the resort (lots of different flower varieties). There's a luxury feeling to the resort without the stuffiness. At night, the resort is beautifully lit. There's just enough light to see where you're going and give you that romantic feel of the night.
ROOM: We were in a 1st floor Oceanview room of a 2-story cottage. Our lovely room was spacious with a King size bed and a sitting area with 2 rattan chairs and ottomans. The sitting area opens to a terrace with 2 chairs/table and 2 lounge chairs. The small bathroom was a disappointment. I had read a review stating that bathrooms in the Oceanview rooms are "motel-like". I have to agree that the bathtub was definitely that. Plain white tile with long cracks in several places, obvious fixes done with grout, rust on one side of the tube. We were really surprised that a resort of that quality would have bathrooms like this. The Oceanview rooms have tiled floors, AC, fan, mini-fridge, safe and telephone (no TVs). Those rooms are near the Marina, the lobby, the pool, the Tradewinds restaurant and the library (which has a TV).The Beachfront cottages are a 5-minute walk from the lobby up a hill. Those cottages are on Deadman's Beach and near the Deadman's Beach Bar & Grill (which is further down the road).
BEACHES: Deadman's Beach is the main beach and is just gorgeous. It is lined with palm trees, thatched umbrellas, lounge chairs and hammocks.
Little Deadman's Bay is just as beautiful, just smaller. There were thatched umbrellas but no lounge chairs. We think the resort doesn't want guests there for now because the spa is being built right behind it (lots of noise, activity, etc..).
Honeymoon Beach is further up and down a hill. I didn't see it but my husband walked to it. He said there was "not much to write home about". It's small and there was construction equipment near it so it was unsightly.
White Bay & Beach is on the North side of the island. We thought it was just an okay beach. If the sun was behind a cloud, the water turned completely dark and unappealing. When the sun came out, the water turned a beautiful blue. You can snorkel there but we didn't. Another couple who did told us they didn't see much. We went there in the morning and the resort brought us lunch at Noon. That was nice.
White Bay & Beach is on the North side of the island. We thought it was just an okay beach. If the sun was behind a cloud, the water turned completely dark and unappealing. When the sun came out, the water turned a beautiful blue. You can snorkel there but we didn't. Another couple who did told us they didn't see much. We went there in the morning and the resort brought us lunch at Noon. That was nice.
SPA: It's still not done! We were told it would be done in about 2 months. It looked 75% done to us. Looks like it will be fabulous with a view of Big Reef Bay & Beach (not a swimming beach). You can still get massages but I didn't have one because I had my mind set on using the new spa.
RESTAURANTS: There are 2. During our stay, Tradewinds (near the pool/lobby area) offered breakfast daily and dinner on certain nights. Dinner at Tradewinds is a dressier affair (meaning no shorts, no flip-flops, etc...). Deadman's Beach Bar & Grill offered lunch daily and dinner on the nights Tradewinds was closed. Dinner at the Beach & Bar Grill is a more casual affair (meaning you can wear shorts, flip-flops, etc...).
FOOD: Very good. I gained a few pounds. :-)
SUNSET LOOP: The resort offers sunset viewing every day from the Northwest side of the island. The resort dropped us off at 5:30pm and picked us up at 6:30pm. We had a complimentary cheese plate as well as drinks. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy evening. It was still a nice thing to do and the view was breathtaking nonetheless.
ISLAND TOUR: The resort offers complimentary tour of the island twice a day (11am & 3pm) in a van. Our tour took 45 minutes. It's a great opportunity to take scenic pictures.
STAFF: The entire staff was wonderful. Loved Ms. Jean, Mr. Hugh Benjamin and the lovely Tradewinds Restaurant hostess Rachel.
FINAL THOUGHTS: There's construction going on the island (the spa and some villas), but it's away from the rooms so it's not really a disturbance. The 2 times were heard the construction noise was once by the pool and once on the very end of Deadman's Beach. I don't know if the time of the year had something to do with it, but there was a strong wind during our stay. Really nice on hot days, could be a bit much at times. If mosquitoes love you, they will really love you on Peter Island. I think I have about oh 20 bites or so... My husband has just one! So bring your bug repellent. The resort leaves bug repellent spray in the room but it has a really strong lemoney smell to it which means that's the perfume you'll be wearing ladies! You can go to www.peterisland.com to find out more on what the resort offers for other activities and day trips. We would have loved a longer stay but we can only bear being away from our son for so long. Our stay on Peter Island island was a wonderfully relaxing getaway.
STAFF: The entire staff was wonderful. Loved Ms. Jean, Mr. Hugh Benjamin and the lovely Tradewinds Restaurant hostess Rachel.
FINAL THOUGHTS: There's construction going on the island (the spa and some villas), but it's away from the rooms so it's not really a disturbance. The 2 times were heard the construction noise was once by the pool and once on the very end of Deadman's Beach. I don't know if the time of the year had something to do with it, but there was a strong wind during our stay. Really nice on hot days, could be a bit much at times. If mosquitoes love you, they will really love you on Peter Island. I think I have about oh 20 bites or so... My husband has just one! So bring your bug repellent. The resort leaves bug repellent spray in the room but it has a really strong lemoney smell to it which means that's the perfume you'll be wearing ladies! You can go to www.peterisland.com to find out more on what the resort offers for other activities and day trips. We would have loved a longer stay but we can only bear being away from our son for so long. Our stay on Peter Island island was a wonderfully relaxing getaway.
