cc

Would like input as to which island vacation is preferable and why.Hopefully by previous guests, thanks.

matt

go to St. johns beach now!!!!!!!!!! says your son

Mary

There are lots of differences and it's impossible to say which would be preferable for you without knowing what kind of vacation you are looking for.
Peter Island is an island wide resort. It's lovely and the service is impeccable. If you want a "wait on me" kind of vacation this is the place. They have snorkeling, sailing, tennis, hiking, biking. It's an amazing and expensive resort.
St John is in the USVI. It is 65% national park and is stunningly gorgeous. You can stay everywhere from the Caneel Bay resort to a bare sight in the Cinnamon Bay campground. There are great restaurants and two tiny picturesque towns.
As I said, it's really very dependant on what you are looking for. Give us a clue!

cc

Hi Mary,
Thanks for you reply. We truely enjoy soft white sand, quiet uncrowded beaches, safety to go out and about the island to dinner after sunset, not intersested in shopping except local goods, no casinos, no nightlife to speak of except maybe some local music or entertainment at area resorts. Would love to be able to stay ground level beachfront. I love the sound and sight of that in the am. I do need a nice pool area too, for a nice swim in the morning to wake up!! We have enjoyed some awesome vacations in Anguilla, Tortola, Cayman, Aruba, and numerous day trips to neat places. I personally prefer to not be on a topless beach, I hope elinor is not reading and critisizing me for this.... Hope this info helps, if you have been to both islands I would appreciate honest and straightforward info on each, Thanks and happy vacationing!!

Mary

I have been to both, most recently St John this past spring. I love both places and it's kind of tough to think how to begin explaining this.
Peter Island is gorgeous. The resort is comprised of the entire island. I like the beachfront suites on Deadman's Bay. They are very comfortable, luxurious and directly on a soft white sand beach.
There are severaly restaurants at the resort and the food is amazing. Afternoon tea is served daily and the Caribbean treats served are delicious. It is very quiet and peaceful. Definitely take advantage of the White Bay picnic lunch. It will be delivered to you by a staff member, with linen and china and flatware, the food is unbelievable, I can't stress it enough.
You can sail, go on a daytrip to Virgin Gorda to the baths, swim in the pool, bicycle all over the island on the well maintained bike paths. It's an amazing place.
St John is a different kind of experience. When we go there we rent a private villa and do more for ourselves. We usually have breakfast in the villa, pack our own lunch and the head out in a rented jeep to explore the beaches. There are so many and the snorkeling is quite amazing. After a full day of exploring we head back to the villa, rest and then head out for dinner at one of the restaurants. There are many. After dinner, we usually would go to the Beach Bar or Duffy's or Fred's for drinks and some music and if it's Fred's,or Duffy's we dance!!!
Peter Island will be a much more expensive vacation but worth it for the luxury. St John can be done fairly inexpensively especially in a villa. Even the largest, most luxurious villas charge by the couple. We've stayed in a 4 bedroom gorgeous villa and paid only $1500 for the week. Most of the villas are not beachfront but hillside with a pool and/or a hot tub.
Good luck choosing. Honestly I would do one this year and the other next year. They are both very much worth the trip.
By the way, nudity is against the law and against local custom in both the USVI and BVI. You will run into very little toplessness. We're not into it either, it's just a matter of personal preference. That's what's nice about having our own villa, we can be in the altogether all by ourselves if we want!

cc

Thank you Mary! That was alot if helpful info. I have to also compare rainfall amounts for that time also. We did Tortola in 2001 early April and it was very dry. Looking for very litle rainfall at that time of year, which is when we always go. Virgin Gorda was beautiful, and we also saw Jost van Dyke then. I wanted to at least see Peter Island that year, but the day trip was not available that week, it was Easter. St. John sounds great too, I was considering Caneel, villas sound really cool too, but we both want to step onto the beach and hear it first thing in the am. I agree that I would probably like to see both!

traveler

The only comprable property to Peter Island on St. John is Caneel and the ambience is very different there. Caneel is more rustic without the jacuszzis in the room and some of the luxury and Peter Island does have phones and cd players in the room. Peter Island does have a great swimming pool overlooking Drake's Channel and Tortola closer to the older not as luxurious Oceanview rooms by the marina. The activities are pretty comprable with the sailing, snorkling, trips, hiking but Peter Island will be more isolated since it is an island to itself. I think you get more personal service at Peter Island since it is a much smaller resort with a very dedicated staff who have been there many years. St. John is a more enjoyable destination with great beaches compared to Tortola. If you wnat to venture out you'll have to boat to Tortola on the Peter Island ferry. You can rent a car on St. John and travel to different beaches each day if you want. You can go into Cruz Bay for a little excitement at the bars and casual spots there too easily from Caneel. You have only Deadman's Bar and the Tradewinds at Peter Island to dine and on St. John you have more choices. There are a few beachfront villas on St. John so that's not an option unless you choose one of them and villas are self-catering. Not much difference in the clime of the Bvis and the USvis since they are so close toghether. You might find some people choosing au natural but they are usually discreet. Caneel since it is so large has 7 dleightful beaches on the property so you don't have to wander, 3 restaurants but Caneel Terrace is always buffet. There is special wine cellar dinners in the ruins of the Sugar Mill at Caneel. Turtle Bay dining is much better than Caneel Terrace and Equator but not as good as Peter Island's dining and picnic lunches. All of Peter Island's water toys are on Deadman's and at Caneel on Caneel Beach. At Caneel you will want to stay at Hawksnest or Scott's Beach.

cc

Thank you traveler!! What great reviews on both places! I usually know by now where i want to go and have had some difficulty this time, so this help tremendously. One more question, can sunset be viewed from rooms on either, into Water? Not behind another island, in early to mid April? That may be tough to answer unless you have been there then, and of course you also felt that was important to you. I adore sunset, especially when it is into the water, from a beach that i can walk back to my room. Now to me, that is money well spent. I love the beach and the sunset!!!! Thanks.

karen

We, too, have been considering Peter Island for our next vacation. Going back and forth between PI and Barbados. One questions: I believe I read something about dressing up each night for dinner on PI. Is this accurate? I'm sure PI is wonderful, but we're pretty casual travelers and not sure we'd want to have to do this every night. We usually do the villa vacation and like the ability to eat by the pool in our bathing suits if we like! any info. appreciated.

pete

dress means long pants and shirt for dinner f0or the men. Deadmans Bar on the beach is open but you would need a coverup pr be dressed there too even for lunch.

alison

have just returned from a week on peter island. Beautiful resort, beachfront rooms excellent. we thought the food was variable, the buffets having excellent food, however very little change in the daily choice in the menus.Dress code in the evenings was not a problem, at deadmans grill at night shorts were allowed. However the main dress code problem was at breakfast, my 16 yr old daughter was constantly being told she was not suitably dressed when she wore a sarong round her waist with either strapless t shirts or had a little bit of midriff showing!

cc

Thank you for all the good input. PI sounds like the one for me. I do wonder if one can purchase some wine on site to keep in the room, and is room service available at all? We both like to have treats and wine in the room, with out going out or calling for someone to bring it. The post and reviews I have been reading are so awesome! I think we are in for the anniversary of a lifetime, any more info is appreciated. thanks.

e

I've visited PI and it is indeed a very beautiful island. As far as staying there though--that is another matter. Giving someone grief at breakfast because of the way they are dressed, having to wear LONG pants at dinner ?? I'm sorry but not for me. Part of the charm of the Caribbean is the total laidback atmosphere. If thats what you like --fine, but country club rules in the VI, just doesn't mix well with me. JMHO.

guest

can't imagine what the problem was at breakfast since I wore a swim suit with paero every day with no problem. a pair of casual dockers or slacks is not a big thing for dining in air conditioning and sets a nice tone for dining. They are very clear about the dress code and if you have a problem with it you should happily go elsewhere. option is the casual deadman's bar
- remembering the days when jackets and ties were required at many places.

ttt

3t

J

Here's a suggestion about wine and food in the room. We would suggest buying some wine/beer/snacks in Tortola or Virgin Gorda and keeping it in the refrigerator in the room. A six pack of Carib (local beer) was about $5 at the store in town versus $3.25 per bottle plus service at the resort.

Each evening we would relax with a game of scrabble and a couple beers before dinner on the deck. Awesome!

cc

Hi J
Thank you for the idea for treats. Since you have been there (or anyone else that can answer) we wondered about the price of beverages, we drink ice tea, water, and wine. Also, on the food menu, are there always choices of grilled/broiled crayfish and lobster? Do not know what to expect in the way of choices. We eat only mahi, lobster and crayfish if possible while on vacation and hope that it will be available. Any insight to recent menus is GREATLY appreciated---I booked an eight night stay there today!!! I am thrilled, can't wait to go.

J

With respect to food, there is an abundance of fish on the menu, including some type of lobster on each menu (though probably not Louisiana type crayfish). The lobster may not be the steamed/broiled/grilled 2 lb. kind you'll find in Maine or on Cape Cod, and Mahi Mahi may not be on every menu, but if you are a seafood lover you will not be disappointed. Plenty of options for fish/seafood, including tuna, bass, snapper, mahi, sole, and shrimp, crab, lobster, scallops, etc.

We had something different each meal during our stay (7 nights) and were very happy with the quality and variety.

Beverage prices range from $2 for a soft drink to $5-6 for a glass of wine. The resort has an extensive wine list with bottles that begin at $20 and go up. And there is a service charge added to beverage orders (its not too much, though, and we felt that the staff more than earned their gratuities. Do not hesitate to add an additional gratuity for good service).

xxx

when we were at Peter Island, soda and water were replenished without charge in the room whenever needed. Iced tea at meals was included but not sodas. Not sure if that remains the same.

cc

Thank you J again for so much useful information regarding food and beverage choices and prices. This is the first time we are staying at a resort that includes the meals, have always wanted to sample the island (anguilla, tortola, cayman, aruba etc) so we like being somewhat prepared. We are so thankful to be able to swing this trip, as it could turn out a little bit more expensive than the last few! But from the great reviews on this board, I believe it will be worth it and am excited!!! The seafood in Anguilla has us so spoiled!! Appreciate any and all info on PI.thanks.