Private Island Paradise: Petit St. Vincent

At first just a speck on the horizon, she slowly started to reveal herself as we drew closer. I blinked. Then blinked again. Nope, this wasn’t a dream, but it certainly didn’t feel like it was about to become my reality…

As our boat approached Petit St. Vincent I had one of those “pinch me” travel moments. There I was, about to step foot on the private island paradise — a place so few have had a chance to visit and one which no one who has will ever forget…

You see, there are places on this earth that change you. And this little island dotting the Caribbean did just that. I felt calm, connected and rooted during our brief visit — a perspective shift that had me reflecting about the things that really matter. As if a fog had been lifted, my brain flooded with memories and my senses were heightened. The sand felt softer, the food tasted better and the sounds around me were amplified. As I explored the island, I found myself repeating one sentence in my head:

“this is a special place…”

Petit St. Vincent is a true escape — no crowded beaches, no pools overflowing with inebriated tourists, no bustling lobbies/elevators/hallways. Just a tranquil island hugged by the Caribbean Sea. Did I mention the resort is also a digital detox? Yup, there’s no WiFi, cell reception, phones or TVs in the rooms. But somehow they don’t skip a beat when it comes to service. Their signature flag system is a unique and effective way of communicating with staff. Although my flag was mostly red (which indicates privacy), the service was inexplicably fast when I raised the yellow flag for room service or transportation…

With unparalleled privacy and tranquility, I felt more relaxed in the two days we spent on Petit St. Vincent than I have ever felt. Their heavenly spa didn’t hurt — the Balinese massage helped catapult me to cloud 9…

They had to peel me off of the massage bed, but I was motivated by the promise of cocktails at Goatie’s beach bar. Perfectly timed with the glorious sunset (one of the best I’ve ever witnessed), I sipped on a PSV Hurricane, listened to the eclectic sounds of live Italian reggae and watched mother nature put on an unforgettable show…

After the sun dipped below the horizon we were whisked off to the main restaurant. Perched on a hillside overlooking the harbour and surrounded by frangipani and hibiscus trees, we devoured a multi-course meal made using ingredients grown on the island (from the veg and herbs to the free-range eggs from their chickens). Blown away by their impressive collection of wines, I made a mental note to return to experience their culinary events headed by vintners, rum experts and brewmasters.

As I slipped into a food coma, I knew it was time to head back to my cottage for a night of rest. But not without a little adventure first. You see, the roads that lead to the 22 luxurious cottages and villas dotting the island are usually easy to navigate during daylight hours (island transportation is also available), but it was past midnight so the trek back was a bit daunting. I quickly understood why all rooms were equipped with a flashlight and regretted not having mine! My travel buddy and I worked up the courage to walk, but it was pitch black and we were outnumbered by creatures so we quickly retreated back to her villa. Fortunately, we eventually located a staff member who kindly dropped me off at my cottage. It took me a while to get comfortable with the idea of no locks on doors, but I found it quite liberating as I drifted off. A solid night’s sleep was had and I woke up to breathtaking views of the Caribbean…

In the morning I filled out a room service form, rolled it up in the pigeonhole outside my cottage and raised my flag. I was floored by both the quality and speed of service — fresher and faster than most breakfasts I’ve had at other luxury hotels…

As I sipped my morning coffee, I had a chance to reflect some more and also noticed a team of divers in my “backyard.” Initially I thought it was a resort activity, but later discovered that they’re helping repopulate reefs via coral nurseries — just one of the ways they are spearheading sustainability efforts on Petit St. Vincent…

Le sigh. I don’t know how else to describe it in words, but it just felt good to be on Petit St. Vincent — the landscapes, the people, the good vibes. In fact, it’s one of the most memorable places I’ve ever visited. I hope some of you get a chance to experience this magical little dot on the planet. I know it will steal your heart like it did mine. Note: getting there may not be easy, but saying goodbye is the hardest part…

A huge thanks to the SVG Tourism Authority for hosting me on this press trip and introducing me to an island I’ll never forget. As always, reviews and opinions are my very own.