Picture an island paradise, and it will probably resemble Petit St Vincent. Located in the southern tip of the Grenadines, this 115-acre wooded isle is one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque spots. As a private island, only a lucky few get to stay in this luxurious resort at a time, and arriving there feels as if you’re escaping into another world: a small plane takes you from Barbados to Union Island, where you are met by a representative of the resort, who takes you the final leg of the journey by boat, coasting across the azure-blue seas beneath equally blue skies.
Petit St Vincent
If your dream is to escape the crowds and truly get away from it all, Petit St Vincent is the place for you, and the best way to get there is by booking with Elegant Resorts, who are currently celebrating 30 years of creating bespoke luxury holidays in dream destinations for the world’s most discerning travellers.
Petit St Vincent
Accommodation
The majority of the accommodation is provided by 16 one-bedroom cottages that are dotted in secluded nooks around the island – perfect for couples who are planning a romantic getaway. For families, there are also six large, two-bedroomed villas. The cottages are each remarkable in their own way – some are nestled in the hills, with panoramic views of the whole island, while others are located right on the beach. The interiors are open-plan and roomy, using natural, locally sourced materials, with an understated luxury throughout.
Petit St Vincent
Wow factor
With limited Wi-Fi on the island, the resort encourages you to ‘unplug’ and relax – ideal if you’re seeking a digital detox (Wifi is available in the main restaurants and lobby in case of email emergencies). Its solution to calling for room service is ingenious: guests can hoist up a coloured flag from their cottages – yellow for service, red for privacy – which is answered with surprising swiftness, given how spread out the cottages are. Staff are charming and efficient, and many have been at the resort for years.
Petit St Vincent
Food and drink
The resort’s main restaurant is set amid the verdant hills, overlooking the harbour. You can enjoy five-star dining inside the restaurant or outside on the pretty terraces, which are bordered by flowering frangipani and hibiscus. The à la carte menu changes daily, and much of the produce comes straight from Petit St Vincent’s vegetable garden. You can even choose to enjoy your meal in the comfort of your own cottage or better still, have a romantic private dinner on the beach at sunset.
Petit St Vincent
Petit St Vincent
The Beach Restaurant is the place to go for informal dining – you can dine with your toes in the sand, looking out at the sea, with almond- and palm-trees rustling softly in the breeze while you sit at the wooden tables. You can feast on chargrilled fish, Mediterranean-inspired salads, and if you arrive during lobster season (November to April), you can indulge in complimentary freshly grilled lobster, which has been fished straight from the resort’s lobster pool.
Petit St Vincent
What to do
Whether it’s enjoying a yoga class overlooking Conch Bay, or a Balinese warm-stone massage in the treetop spa, there are plenty of diversions on offer at Petit St Vincent. But making the most of the island’s spectacular maritime resources is a must – it’s well-known for its snorkelling, where you can experience the beauty of the coral reefs and glimpse shoals of tropical fish.
Petit St Vincent
You can also go out for a day’s sailing on the island’s 49-foot boat the Beauty, which is skippered by the Englishman Jeff Stevens. Jeff will guide you to some of the Caribbean’s most idyllic spots, such as the Tobago Cays, where you can spot sea turtles and a host of marine wildlife. The resort can pack you a picnic lunch, and Jeff will happily drop you off at any deserted spot that takes your fancy and collect you again a couple of hours later. It’s a remarkable experience – sitting on a sandy little desert island that’s just a few feet wide, surrounded by the deep blue sea – all the romance of being cast away, but safe in the knowledge you’ll be safely back at the resort in time for an aperitif before dinner.
Petit St Vincent
Book it
For sun, sea and blissful tranquillity, Petit St Vincent has it all. Its low-key luxury, small size and fantastic service means that as soon as you leave, you’ll be planning a return visit…
Petit St Vincent
Stay seven nights from £4,060 a person including two complimentary nights, saving £2,520 a couple. This price is based on two people sharing a One Bedroom Cottage on an all-inclusive basis, return flight, private transfers and UK Airport Lounge passes.
Valid from 1 June to 31 July 2018.
For further information, contact Elegant Resorts Reservations (01244 897294; elegantresorts.co.uk).
Rates at Petit St. Vincent start from $1,200 (£870) per room per night, based on two sharing a one bedroom cottage in low season. Includes three meals daily, all non-alcoholic beverages, the use of nonmotorized water sports and all facilities at the resort. For further information, visit www.petitstvincent.com | +1 (954) 963 7401
