Honeymoon in the Caribbeans -- advice?

[dowup00]

Hi ya'll, just got back from our 1 1/2 wk honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands.



Decided to combine and take advantage of a couple of the Luxury Link packages-- 7 days at Biras Creek and another 4 (a surprise bonus for my spouse) at Peter Island. Like most brides, she planned 90% of the wedding and left the honeymoon to me... and with some research, really chose a perfectly magical honeymoon experience.



First, I would like to say thanks to all the advice that I received that really helped. Secondly, the Luxury Link packages and prices really delivered flawlessly as promised, from airport taxi pickups and returns, champagne upon arrival, tours, and taxes included. They really came through and as a satisfied customer, I'm recommending the site to my family and friends.



We flew non-stop on Delta from Atlanta to San Juan, PR, and took a 45 minute island hopper toBeef Island (EIS) airport on Tortola on American Eagle. We were met by a taxi that shuttled us to Trellis Bay where we caught a 30 minute ferry to Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda. Biras Creek was impressive for its privacy and seclusion as well as the outstanding food, from beach barbecues to a dinner menu that changed daily. Found a bottle of brunello on their wine list for $66.



Their motto is "you can be as active or inactive as you wanted," and it took us the first 2-3 days of rest and relaxation after our wedding to decompress. We stayed in room 14A, a private and secluded beach cottage about 10 feet from the ocean. The surfs of Bircher's Bay were a soporific serenade that took all stress away. While the property can be a little dated in spite of the owners spending millions of dollars on renovations, we appreciated the many little details that included bikes for each room to explore the property, plenty of bug spray, friendly unobtrusive staff, and a private outdoor shower. The Luxury Link package included a couples massage and we choosethe "Island Breeze Cooler" that included a salt rub and an aloe wrap... desperately needed therapy after getting sunburned. Bring the highest SPF sunblock you can find. The wrap made me realize what a brisket or pork shoulder feels like before being grilled.



One the most unique features of Biras Creek was the opportunity to take the Boston whaler dinghies out to explore the nearby islands in search of reefs for snorkeling or private beaches for picnics. Of course, there's the Deep Bay beach with all the imaginable water activities from windsurfing to sailing the hoby cats. There are two wonderful hiking trails that flanked the property, taking you up the hills overlooking the resort for some prime photo ops. Take time to feed hibiscus blossoms to the many iguanas that roam freely around the property.



After seven glorious days, we were taken back to Tortola for a taxi ride to Road Town to catch the Peter Island ferry. First impression was that the Peter Island Resort was very organized and attentive to customer service. The ferry terminal was clean and accommodating. The ride from Tortola to Peter Island was a short 15 minute. We were greeted, oriented, and taken to our rooms promptly. We stayed at one of the Ocean View rooms. Opt for the upstairs suite with vaulted ceilings and an outdoor balcony overlooking the pool. Higher numbered rooms have views of the ocean. Subtle differences between Peter Island and Biras Creek included Peter Island being a little more upscale, with its manicured landscaping, a little more busy, but still private and secluded, perhaps better staff attention to service, and while the food was plentiful and very good, it was shy of the gourmet masterpieces found at Biras. One major difference was that Peter Island had almost no mosquito problems as they spray the property.



I learned that there are seven beaches on Peter Island, so get busy. The main beach is Deadman's which has the Beach Bar and Grill, the beach activities and fitness center. Mountain bikes, sea kayaks, windsurfers, and hoby cats can be loaned. I saw two large sea turtles there sailing. I'm told White Bay beach has the best snorkeling, but it didn't compare to Biras Creek. Reserve the private honeymoon beach, only one couple at a time. Big Reef beach graces the spa, a beautiful facility with an infinity pool and beachfront jacuzzi and bohios (massage huts). A day at the spa is a treat because besides experiencing the treatments, they keep it exclusive by allowing only a handful of spa treatment guests to use the facility each day.



Other notable Peter Island experiences included sipping champagne and munching on a cheese plate at the Loop overlooking a glorious Caribbean sunset, reserving a private beachside candle and moonlit dinner for two with a conch salad, crab bisque, grilled lobster, and key lime pie and passion fruit sorbet for dessert, and a four course wine paring dinner that ended with Verve Cliquot desert champagne!



Thanks to the Luxury Link community, we returned fromthe honeymoon of a lifetime, and looking forward to our next adventure.



Jade Mountain in St. Lucia looks great, and would sound better if the package prices were a little more affordable.

[zammycatzammycat]

we stayed at Biras Creek for our honeymoon 10 years ago -- absolutely lovedeverything from bike trailsto personal use of Boston Whalers to tennis to the quiet pool to trips throughout the North Sound to island drop-offs to the amazing food



I had every intention of booking another stay there for our 10th anniversary, but all that changed when I started reviewing and researching Jade Mountain -- I will never take anything away from Biras but one look at the room pictures will show you the difference



we leave for St. Lucia in 3 weeks -- I'd be glad to answer your questions about both properties after that (oh yeah, and my wife thinks we are going back to Biras, so let's just keep this modification to ourselves)

[bonniejoy03]

Dowup00. Great report. I felt like I was there! I had my 40th birthday on Peter Island and we visit Biras each year while vacationing at Mahoe Bay. So glad you had a wonderful honeymoon and stayed at some really amazing properties. Even more happy that you got them probably pretty discounted on LL. Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing!