Dciding between LDB and PI
 

My fiance and I have decided to go to BVI for our honeymoon in early Aug. 2005. We keep going back and forth between Little Dix Bay and Peter Island. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, dos anyone know if or when the pool will be ready at Little Dix Bay? We are looking for (in order of importance):
1.Great food
2.Relative seclusion/relaxed atmosphere
3.Beautiful/peaceful/luxurious surroundings
4.Comfortable room
5.Attentive staff
6.Ease of island hopping
Both look great. So far we like the way the resort is set up and the style of LDB, but PI seems more relaxed and secluded--we are both really mellow people. Is PI as beautiful as LDB?
Cat

Both are great locations, so you can't lose on this decision!

I have been to both, but Peter Island most recently, on my own honeymoon in November of 2004.

First, I think the food was good at both resorts, although I think slightly better at PI. At PI there is only the resort for all of your meals, but to be honest, they do a fairly good job rotating the menus and adding enough selections so that you are not bored. The food at LDB was good, but not outstanding...there are, however, other restaurant choices on Virgin Gorda, so that is something to consider.

Both resorts are relaxed and secluded, however, PI wins in this category. PI is its own self-contained island, a 20 minute water ferry ride from Tortola. There are many beaches to explore...one day we went to the other side of the island to White Bay and had the entire, 1/2+ beach to ourselves with fantastic snorkeling right off the beach...rays, turtles, an eel, coral, lots of fish, conch, and even an octopus! To LDs credit, however, they will pack you a lunch and shuttle you off on a Boston Whaler to one of the "dogs", a group of small atolls off Virgin Gorda. PI is very relaxed and kicked-back...there is virtually no stuffiness or pretention. LDB is perhaps a notch more elegant and high brow. PI takes a more simplistic, approach...more casual elegance.

As for the beauty/luxury, both are very beautiful, each in its own way. The views from both resort's spas are gorgeous. The PI rooms:(I woudn't bother with the regular rooms away from the beach...we were taken there by mistake on our first evening and they overlook the harbor, are not that near the beach, and are somewhat in the midst of things...not to private or luxurious!)We had a beachfront room, which was great to be fifteen feet from the water and to sit on the hammock to watch the day go by or the sun set. However, the room itself was just OK. If we had paid $300/night, we would have felt it was very nice, but with the current rates, it seemed a bit shabby to us (disturbing when you are paying $700-800/night!!!). The wicker furniture was damaged, the material on the bedspread/cushions seemed outdated. The bathroom was a disappointment...again, it was OK...pretty, but not gorgeous, adequate but not luxurious, and honestly, it needed a good scrubbing. (Our shower had mildew...a consequence of the caribbean weather I'm sure, but again, this is supposed to be ultra-luxe!) With LDB having been recently renovated, it is probably the more luxurious of the two. When I was at LDB, we again had an oceanfront room, which was octagonal in shape and very close to the water. It too, was a bit outdated, but I think they have been working on that. Either way, both rooms were nice (caribbean casual) and to be honest, we didn't spend too much time in them anyway.

Staff at both resorts were good. We got to know many of the staff at PI and received even better service. However, the resort places you in an interesting position...you "pre-pay" the tips with a hefty service charge which is added by the resort ahead of time, with the idea that when you sign the bill your tip is included...however...try leaving no tip to someone who just served you your meal...we found it impossible and tipped anyway, on top of the crazy sur-charge...I must say, it is a brilliant marketing idea!!!

Island hopping is easy on both islands...from PI, a 20 minute ferry ride and you are on Tortola, which has ferry service to the other BVIs and some of the US VIs. Virgin Gorda has similar ferry service, which the resorts can provide you with.

PI is definitely as beautiful, if not more beautiful than LDB. We were married at a spot called "the Loop" at sunset...a beautiful hilltop overlooking the ocean with St. John in the background. It doesn't get much more beautiful than that. Also, PI resort will take you up to the Loop most evenings with a pre-packed cheese plate with your bottle of wine to enjoy the sunset.

Also, both have great spas, each on par with the other, so you can't go wrong there.

One note of caution regarding PI...we made our reservation over the phone and received our quote via email...apparently, during our stay, the rate changed, although the quote did not indicate this. Upon check-out, there was a snafu regarding the bill and the rate charged...although we showed them the email with the rate quoted to us, they still charged our credit card the new rate, and after sending the charge through, their manager then wrote us a letter apologizing for the "mix-up." (They still charged the greater rate!) We felt more than a little slighted as we blew over $10K at the resort with our room and wedding and thought it was ridicuous behavior in light of the situation. It is small, but left a bitter taste in our mouths. So, I would suggest that if you choose PI, that you get your complete stay quoted in writing and note email and ask about when the rates change.

That being said, and not to confuse things, but have you considered Caneel Bay on USVI St. John? It meets all of your criteria and has some of the most pristine and scenic beaches in the caribbean. I believe that 2/3 of the island is a nature preserve and is gorgeous. You can rest and do nothing, or you can rent a jeep and travel around to the other side of the island which is remote and beautiful. Hiking is awesome there and so are the views. The rooms were recently renovated and are luxurious and many are oceanfront. (Try rooms on the windward Hawksnest beach or Scott beach...gorgeous!) The small town near the resort is a short outdoor cab ride away and there are tons of great restaruants, which are much cheaper than resort fare. Also, St. John is wholly unlike the other USVIs, namely, it is not touristy, a cruise ship port or chaotic. Rather, it's unspoiled and remote feeling. The same ferry system can get you to other islands easily...we took a ferry to Virgin Gorda to see the Baths. (In fact, LDB is considered a "sister resort" of Caneel, so you could split up your time between the two resorts, or go to LDB for the day.) If you're not totally set on the other resorts, you may want to check it out...I think they have a web-site, etc...

Anyway, hope that helps and best wishes for your honeymoon!

Wow..I can't give you such a great/detailed comparison as Traveljan did since we've only done PI. The one thing I'll say about Traveljan's comment about the beachfront rooms is that I THINK they recently renovated them (I think I've read that somewhere but don't take my word for it).
We actually stayed in a gardenview room which was fine. If we had been on our honeymoon, we would have definitely done beachfront.
Do a search for my screenname and you'll find my "Peter Island" trip report from October.
The only thing I'll say about LDB is that the resort seems to be child-friendly (I've looked it up because we'd like to go there at some point with our toddler). Since you're going there in August, little kids might be an issue for you since it's your honeymoon. Something to definitely consider.
Congrats on the upcoming wedding.

Thanks so much for the detailed reports. My fiance is definitly set on BVI, so from the sound of it we'll probably go to PI. Thank you both for helping with the decision.
Cat

My wife and I have just returned from five days/four nights at Little Dix Bay. The new pool is finished and quite a nice addition to the resort. The food too was quite good, though not inexpensive. Entrees average around $40, though you can spend a little less or a little more (a couple of meal plans are also available). Overall, the feel of the resort is extremely relaxed and quite secluded, though beach-hopping or even nearby island-hopping is available via complimentary "boston whaler" drop-offs. And the Baths are just minutes away.

IMO Caneel Bay is the most romantic tropical spot we have ever seen. 171 rooms on 170 Acres in the National Park (no development to be seen anywhere), on SEVEN tree-shaded white sand beaches, and wade-in snorkeling.
Views from everywhere. On Hawksnest Beach, the are only 24 rooms, 12 down, 12 up. Upstairs, you have a screened porch facing the garden and a front deck on the sand, only a few steps from the water. This place is paradise on earth--the grounds are so extensive, you can nearly get lost!

After reading these reviews (very good ones, I must add!), I was wondering if anyone does know if PI's beachfront suites have been recently renovated. I certainly agree that if you are paying $800/night, you should be getting a mildew free shower!

we will be at LDB in early august with our five year old daughter - but trust me there will be lots of honeymooners too - we've been in august a half dozen times - we always enjoy the "sunset cruise" - where you'll see lots of shiny engagement rings all around. The spa doesn't allow visitors under 16. There is a children's program so the kids are elsewhere part of the time and kids aren't allowed in the Sugar Mill restaurant. We've also been to Caneel Bay and liked it as well - but like the size of LDB better. We like the ability to rent a car and drive around the island for a day or two, have lunch or dinner in some other places. Though Peter Island can certainly get you into Roadtown, Tortola and you could rent a car there. I think your big decision is to be on a single resort island (Peter) or at a resort where you have recourse to other off property attractions - that's a personal decision.

LDB and Caneel Bay on St. john's are "sister" properties, so you get transfers between them, and Virgin Gorda and St. john's are 2 of the best islands. Also, LDB is close to the ferry dock in Virgin Gorda, so you can island hop fairly easily. From PI, you take ferry to Tortola, then taxi to ferries from town for some islands, the other side of Tortola for other islands. PI also has "day trippers" on Deadman's Beach and at the restaurant there. Both are gorgeous properties, and if you stay at one, you can always visit the other.

I didn't like Little Dix Bay.........it was not what you call a true 5 star resort to me.....hard to get to.......rooms were not spectacular......food was averaged......I'm planning a trip to Peter Island next...........

OK. I posted this last year about this time, and we did decided to go to Peter Island after all. It was amazing! We actually thought we had died on the plane and were lucky enough to go to heaven. We are so happy we decided to go there, and we owe our wonderful trip to all of your responses to my questions.
First, the food was not to be beleived. We consider ourselves to be amateur conoisseurs, an the meals at PI did not disappoint. We still compare meals to the ones we had at PI. If anyone wants an extremly detailed decription of the menu items (I remember almost everything), please e-mail me or post a request.
It was so relaxing. Our room was OK. We opted for the smaller room. The decor is not great, but it was always clean--never sandy, the bed was turned down every evening and made every morning, and they left fresh flowers every day. It was comfortable and quiet--perfect, considering we didn't spend that much time in the room. The view from the porch was charming, peaking through the flowers, overlooking the grounds and the harbor. The landscaping was immaculate. Overall, I'd have to say that it was close to the best experience of my entire life--aside from marrying the man of my dreams!Thanks to all.

That's great.