Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 - (Page 39)

Peter Island might be the most exclusive hideaway you could find for an incentive group, but it’s also a superb destination for couples, other groups and most any traveler who wants to experience absolute pampering. We were awestruck on a recent visit to the resort, where we lazed in pure luxury at the just-opened, 22,000square-foot hilltop Falcon’s Nest villa. Why? The six-bedroom villa, which sits 350 feet above the Caribbean on a bluff so private it’s easy to forget the rest of the resort exists, employs its own chef, housekeeper, valet and butler and boasts a private gym, oversized bathrooms with laser-lit rain showers (some have outdoor showers), a spa-treatment room and an outdoor covered barbecue area with swim-up bar. Our favorite feature? The zero-entry (no steps) infinity-edge pool with Jacuzzi and Playboy Mansion-style grotto and waterfall. We spent nearly every minute of our too-short stay poolside, sipping champagne and piña coladas delivered by our villa steward and soaking up the sun as tunes from our own iPod broadcast throughout the house. When we weren’t bobbing about in the breathtaking pool or marveling at the magnificent view from the spacious Jacuzzi, we were likely relaxing at the spa or snorkeling and sunning at White Bay Beach. One day, the charming villa steward Romeo Cameron set up a specially prepared gourmet lunch and a cooler stocked with Veuve Clicquot and other guilty pleasures in our own private cabana. What did we love best? Thanks to our villa’s staff, we didn’t have even have to dial the front desk to make any arrangements. room Crow’s Nest, which, in addition to a full-size pool, has a shallow, square pool that’s suitable for toddlers. Another alternative is Hawk’s Nest, whose main house and pool quarters combined contain five bedrooms. On the resort’s main grounds, Ocean View Rooms and Beachfront Junior Suites are considerably more modest options (Junior Suites have direct access to Deadman’s Bay Beach). Note: The resort is somewhat spread out; villa guests are chauffeured from point to point via a private car, and guests staying in rooms need only dial reception at a moment’s notice for shuttle service. Advise clients to cap off a day of snorkel- lunch of seared rare tuna, mixed greens and a chiffonade of toasted rice paper in a sesame soy vinaigrette, as well as a delicious three-course dinner culminating in a trio of crème brûlées. He could have won us over, though, with just his appetizers (house-cured maple duck breast with cinnamon and pine nut cream cheese, and mini-crabcakes with spicy mango sauce). Onsite dining includes Tradewinds—we enjoyed the scallop appetizer and plantaincrusted grouper, but even more so the coconutcrusted French toast we had for breakfast—and Deadman’s Beach Bar & Grill, a more laid-back spot for lunch and dinner. If you’re sending newlyweds, ask Rossi or Head Concierge Colin Pre-Arrival Attention Planning to send a VIP? Book Falcon’s Nest via the main reservations office (reservations@ peterisland.net, 800-346-4451), as a replacement has yet to be named for the resort’s former villa manager, who handles villa bookings and personally tends to villa guests to ensure an ideal (and effortless) stay. Reserve Falcon’s Nest as early as possible, particularly for a stay during the holidays. Once your clients’ booking is complete, villa staffers will reach out to gauge their personal preferences for dining, activities and more. Ask them to arrange nanny service for clients who are traveling with children, but note that there are designated nanny’s quarters in Falcon’s Nest for VIPs who prefer to bring their own. If Falcon’s Nest is full, book the four-bed- LEFT, TOP: Bedroom in Crow’s Nest villa, with views of the water and other Virgin Islands LEFT, BOTTOM: Pool and patio of the Falcon’s Nest villa ABOVE: Falcon’s Nest bedroom ing, kayaking or sailing with a visit to the spa. Book the signature Thermal Sand Bundle massage—masseuse Aryani Ni Madi made even our most troublesome muscles melt like butter—and allot plenty of time to lounge by the pristine beachfront infinity pool. If one spa visit isn’t enough, book a return trip and ask for the Fresh Coconut Rub; it left us with the softest skin we’ve ever had. During their stay at Peter Island Resort, villa guests could alternate between restaurant and private dining, but chef Keenan Fifield’s creations may keep them holed up at the house. For our visit, Fifield planned a poolside TWO LOWER PHOTOS BY LINDSAY LAMBERT Butler (cbutler@peterisland.net; 284-4952000) to arrange a table for two on Deadman’s Bay Beach with tiki torches and a private server. Peter Island is accessible only by boat or helicopter. Most visitors fly into Tortola, where they board the resort’s private ferry for a 25minute transfer. VIPs can pilot private jets into Tortola, then transfer for a touchdown on the resort’s helipad. I CONNECTING YOU For more on this exclusive destination, visit www. travelagentcentral.com/peterislandresort December 24, 2007 TravelAgent | 39 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/peterislandresort http://www.travelagentcentral.com/peterislandresort

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Travel Agent - December 24, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor Letters to the Editor Contributors Europe: Lyon, the Center of France Two Iconic London Hotels Jazz Up their Top Suites Europe Briefs Mexico: Puerto Morelos on the Riviera Maya Mexico News & Notes Pacific/Asia: Large-Scale Developments Strengthen Singapore’s Appeal to Families, Meetings and Other Travelers Caribbean: Old San Juan’s New Hotel The Cervantes Ritz-Carlton Upgrades, La Concha Reopens in San Juan Peter Island Resort Hawaii: Maui Enhances its Allure for Active and Luxury Clients Las Vegas: Hoteliers and Wholesalers Go Beyond Gaming Las Vegas Briefs Tours: Pacific Northwest Briefs Hotels: News and Packages from All-Inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean Cruises: Luxury Lines’ Shore Excursions Cover Story: Gerry Cahill Agent Profile: Nancy Nicol, Hawaii Specialist and Hyatt Award Winner Technology: Mailpound’s Customized Marketing Transportation: Boeing’s Anticipated Next Arrival: the 747-8 Intercontinental New York: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Travel Week Sofitel’s Two New Brands Travelport Rolls Out Leisure Product Expedia CruiseShipCenters Debuts U.S. Tourism to Israel In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch Special Supplememt: 2008 Portugal Travel Guide

Travel Agent - December 24, 2007

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