It's one thing to visit a Caribbean island for a vacation. It's another to make the pristine British Virgin Islands your destination of choice. But there's nothing quite like escaping to a private island in the British Virgin Islands—especially when it's the home of and playground for the Peter Island Resort.

The resort has piled up plenty of stellar accolades and is consistently listed among the top hotels in the world. It's accessible via private yacht from Beef Island Airport, Tortola; helicopter from San Juan or St. Thomas; or Tuesday and Saturday ferry service from St. Thomas. You can also sail to the island in your own craft, providing you coordinate in advance with the hotel. (From North America, the most direct way to reach it is by flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and transferring to a daily flight to Beef Island; you can also fly to Antigua and do the same.)

When you see the amorphous island on approach—rugged, green, and hilly with wide yellow

It's one thing to visit a Caribbean island for a vacation. It's another to make the pristine British Virgin Islands your destination of choice. But there's nothing quite like escaping to a private island in the British Virgin Islands—especially when it's the home of and playground for the Peter Island Resort.

The resort has piled up plenty of stellar accolades and is consistently listed among the top hotels in the world. It's accessible via private yacht from Beef Island Airport, Tortola; helicopter from San Juan or St. Thomas; or Tuesday and Saturday ferry service from St. Thomas. You can also sail to the island in your own craft, providing you coordinate in advance with the hotel. (From North America, the most direct way to reach it is by flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and transferring to a daily flight to Beef Island; you can also fly to Antigua and do the same.)

When you see the amorphous island on approach—rugged, green, and hilly with wide yellow swathes of sand bordering turquoise ribbons of shallow sea—you might even feel a little sinful, as if you're a Bond villain retiring to his or her private sanctuary. Indulge in the sensation, which is only enhanced by the warm reception. Staff far outnumber guests, virtually guaranteeing a thorough pampering.

Accommodations are divided along a series of cabins into 32 ocean-view rooms, 20 suites, and three villas. The rooms are the smallest, but each features oversized recliners and a private outdoor area. All are a short walk from the beach and pool. The larger suites, clustered together at the far end of Deadman's Bay Beach, offer plenty of extra touches, like a Jacuzzi tub big enough for two (with a glass pane affording come-hither peeks into the bedroom) and a terrace with hammocks.

All rooms are decorated in bright tropical colors designed to imbue guests with the casual spirit of the Caribbean. When you're ready to step out and explore, an incredible variety of activities and excursions await, both on-island and off. The hotel offers many freebies, including small sailboats, kayaks and windsurfing boards, mountain bikes, beach picnics, nightly movies, a weekly cocktail party, and transportation to secluded beaches around the island. There are also swimming pools, tennis, and basketball courts on the premises.

Beyond those amenities, the resort goes out of its way to make the best of the Caribbean available. From a full-service spa, helicopter tours, and underwater exploration to shopping excursions to nearby St. Thomas, the hardest thing to do is pick and choose. You won't have to do that with dining, though, as all meals are included in the rates.

has been writing about the best places to stay in North America since the day after graduating college in 1984. Since then she has written over 35 guidebooks and for countless websites and print publications. She is also the editorial director of a forthcoming website on the best places to stay and the travel acquisitions editor for Countryman Press.