Guana Island is the place you can visit to live out your own private island fantasy. My husband and I visited the island for a week to celebrate his 50th birthday. We wanted a place where we could escape from our hectic everyday lifestyle and not feel like a tourist. The island is original and untouched, easy to reach but still far away.
Getting There: It is an easy flight from NYC with a quick transfer in Puerto Rico to Tortola. If you choose an early morning flight you will be on the island in time for lunch and can enjoy your entire afternoon on the beach. How civilized!
Island: Pure, beautiful, and impressively safe. I am pretty sure there has never been one incidence of crime. Perhaps because it is a private island, but none-the-less we felt at home from the moment we stepped off the boat and onto the beautiful Caribbean beach.
Beaches: Though the island is only about the size of Central Park there are seven gorgeous beaches. White Bay Beach is the most popular with powdery white sand and a cabana stocked with a full bar and every water toy that you could ever imagine. The entire week we were there, we never encountered more than four other people on this beach. We always managed to feel like we were all alone...it was wonderful. North Beach, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a great place to go if you enjoy more robust surf and there is amazing shelling as well. Monkey Point and Crab Cove are the best places to visit for great for snorkeling (the owner has actually grafted Elk Coral to rejuvenate this already healthy reef back into pristine condition). Bigelow Beach is a terrific option for a romantic castaway picnic but you will have to make arrangements for the boatman to take you there for a nominal fee. Each beach has a personality all its own and it is wonderful that you have the freedom to travel to a beach that suits your mood for the day! :)
Accommodation: We stayed at the premiere villa on the island, Jost House. This place rivals the most luxurious houses anywhere on earth (…and trust me I know). It is beautifully appointed with meticulous surfaces and thoughtful details throughout the house complete the most amazing 360 degree views. Because it is one of the more upscale villas, we had our own golf cart to roam about wherever and whenever we pleased. The house was extremely clean and new. Additionally, we had our own private housekeeper during the day (though she was very discrete) and we enjoyed complete privacy to dip into the pool au naturale without fear of embarrassment. She also made sure that we didn’t come home with any dirty laundry. That in itself was amazing! We peeked into some of the other villas including North Beach Cottage which is also gorgeous and romantic with its own pool and sundeck nestled privately in the mangroves and the sound of surf. Some of the other cottages are less luxurious but all are remarkable in their own respect. They are not your average vacation cottages but prime settings, each with their own distinctive characters. Guana Island gives you plenty of options for a variety of budgets.
Dining Experience: Meals are all-inclusive and served on the dining terraces at the Club unless you make other arrangements. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with regional specialties and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables grown right on the island. There is ample variety no matter what your eating preferences may be. Dinner is more formal and you have a choice of two entrée selections each evening. My husband and I tended to order one of each because we didn’t want to miss out on the unique culinary experience. The sunsets are not to miss on the Sunset Terrace...they are simply breathtaking.
Bottom Line: We experienced an extremely pampered yet unique and lively vacation. In my opinion, this is one of the most peaceful and alluring holiday destinations worldwide. The owners have gone to great lengths to create a pristine and natural environment (complete with flamingos, iguanas, lush coral reefs, pina coladas and sunsets). Guana Island is an amazing place with a staff that is fun and devoted to customer service. We always felt we were their highest priority. Fritz and Jenny are managers that would make any business owner proud and honestly provided the best service we have had in a long time. Jason in reservations is also very personable and will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable either before (through email) or during your trip. This destination may be a bit more pricey (but don’t forget it’s all inclusive) than other resorts you will find in the Caribbean but this is not just a resort but your own private experience in Paradise.