Peter Island Resort & Spa

This property is currently closed for hurricane-related repairs.

Peter Island is “an oasis of tranquility,” known as much for its five flawless beaches as its word-class spas and luxurious ocean view villas. The island is the largest of the private islands and the fifth largest of the 60 islands in the BVI. Visitors can hop a ferry to reach the island from Tortola or opt for booking a helicopter, water taxi, or private yacht.

For ultimate luxury, look no further than Peter Island Resort and Spa. The largest private island in the BVIs allows guests to reserve the entire island as well as the airspace above if their wallets are deep enough, but living on St. John allowed us to take advantage of the local off-season rate and spend our anniversary week being pampered in style. Vacationing at the exclusive resort in September had its perks: we were one of four couples on the entire island. Staying at a resort where staffers outnumbered guests, we whiled our days away on isolated beaches––save for the server who delivered a picnic basket and chilled bottle of wine around midday––and we spent our afternoons alone at the world-class spa. Book the last couple’s massage of the day to enjoy a private bohio perched above roaring seas for an extra hour or two. Not much can beat watching the sun sink into an endless tangerine-tinged sea next to your love with a glass of champagne in hand.

Sailed to Peter Island during a nine day BVI trip, via a 60ft catamaran, just to visit this spa. This photo was taken from the spa and all the treatment rooms have tall windows with this same view. It was breathtaking. We moored here overnight. The entire island can be rented for large events. It is a perfect honeymoon resort and they continue to build and make improvements. Full review of my spa treatments on the blog. How does a warm sand bundle treatment sound?

If you think that a Caribbean vacation means mega-resorts with hundreds of guests competing for beach chairs and a place in line at the buffet, the BVI will come as a surprise. The islands’ largest resort has 100 rooms while far more common are boutique hotels and small resorts with less than 50 rooms or suites. Would you like to stay on a private island? You have a choice in the BVI including the 850-acre Guana Island; Necker Island, with room for only 28 guests at any time; and Peter Island, with its 1800 acres of lush grounds just four miles south of Tortola. (The suite seen here is part of the Falcon’s Nest Villa at the Peter Island Resort & Spa, a sprawling 21,645-square-foot Mediterranean estate with views of Norman Island and St. John.) Private villas, cottages and other homes offer opportunities to feel like a local even if you are just visiting for a week while other unique, only in the BVI, options abound. Your choices include crewed yachts and bare boats, beachfront bungalows, and a hotel built around a 400-year-old sugar mill.