Deadman’s Beach boasts a milelong crescent of immaculate white sand, turquoise waters and picture-perfect palms.
Nestled amid the azure waters of the Caribbean, Peter Island Resort has emerged anew as a resplendent treasure chest rediscovered. After a meticulous six-year restoration, the island beckons once again with the soft lapping of crystal-clear waters against its pristine docks and the promise of unparalleled luxury.
The journey to Peter Island begins with an air of adventure and discovery reminiscent of an old pirate saga. Departing from St. John, a sleek vessel slices through the cerulean sea, charting a course through a labyrinth of islands that once echoed with the tales of buccaneers and hidden gold. As we navigate past Tortola, with its rugged cliffs carved by the blasts of pirate cannons, and Norman Island, the fabled inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the boat captain shares that the sea underneath us is dotted with cannon balls.
The anticipation builds as we skirt the ominously named Dead Chest Island, where the infamous Blackbeard reputedly marooned his unruly crew. The lore of these waters, rich with the history of pirates who once sought sanctuary in its hidden coves, adds a layer of mystique to the approach. Finally, as the secluded cove of Peter Island comes into view, the sight of superyachts moored gracefully at the marina reveals that this island has been transformed into a sanctuary of opulence.
Peter Island’s storied past stretches back to the early 1600s, when it was first settled by the Dutch adventurer Pieter Andriensen. Over the centuries, it changed hands like a coveted jewel until the late 1970s when entrepreneurs Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos recognized its potential and established it as a private island resort. The hurricane of 2017 could have been the final chapter in its storied history, yet, like a phoenix, Peter Island has risen resplendently.
Upon disembarking at the marina, visitors are immediately enveloped in an atmosphere that caters to today’s jet set. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the newly reimagined Yacht Club offers everything for yachters to enjoy, from sports courts and beach shuttles to the Drunken Pelican restaurant, where patrons can dine with a view to truly treasure. Other dining options include the elevated Drake Steakhouse, where choices range from fresh catches to tableside tomahawks for two.
Hidden at the edge of Little Deadman’s Beach, Honeymoon Beach offers perfect privacy paired with unspoiled beauty
The main allure of the new Peter Island, however, is its sheer magnificence as a luxury destination. The Beach Club (with its exhaustive range of water sports) and the spa, featuring world-class treatments, are just the beginning. Each amenity, each service, is designed to remind its guests that, though they may be far from everyday life, they are ensconced in the lap of luxury. The rooms and suites are so well appointed and the service so elevated that it’s easy to forget one is stranded on an island rather than sailing through a lavish dream of luxury.
Peter Island is indeed a treasure island reborn. It’s a place where the romantic history of swashbucklers mingles with the highest standards of luxury, creating a destination that must indeed be marked with an X on the map by anyone in pursuit of paradise.
