Guana Island – Private Island Paradise – Hotel Review
The only way to arrive at Guana Island is by boat. This is the view that greets you from the dock: a completely undisturbed, pristine stretch of beach with picture-perfect white sand sloping gently into a crystalline bay. The beach at Guana Island is aptly named White Bay Beach. Guana Island is one of the last remaining privately owned islands in the British Virgin Islands. Rarer still is that this island operates as a hotel, allowing guests to experience the private island lifestyle without committing to renting the entire island. My recent stay at Guana Island was otherworldly. Or maybe I should say, I was transported to another time. I know it will be hard for me to put this experience into words, but let’s see…
TABLE OF CONTENTS
First Impressions of Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands
If the view tells you anything, it’s that you’ve arrived somewhere truly special. One of the first things you notice at Guana Island is the sense of space and quiet. After dropping your bags in your charming cottage and making your way back to the beach, you may very well find yourself completely alone, other than Sampson, the cheerful bartender, ready to introduce you to a Painkiller, the famous cocktail born in the British Virgin Islands. Being able to sit by the water without hearing another conversation feels like a rare luxury, and from the moment we arrived, I couldn’t wait to unpack my swimsuit and settle into the slower rhythm of the island.
Dining at Guana Island
All meals are included at Guana Island, and their culinary program is one step ahead of the “farm to table” movement by literally offering “our farm to table.” Most of the vegetables, fruits, and herbs used in the kitchen are grown in the orchard on the property. The menu changes almost daily at Guana, designed around what’s ready to harvest in the orchard.
Guana Island is proud of its farm, and taking a tour is a must. By the time you are reading this and booking your private island vacation, you’ll probably be able to enjoy a meal or two in the garden. When I visited Guana, the hotel was perfecting its in-orchard dining concept, and I could tell it was the start of something wonderful. To dine in a fragrant garden, surrounded by swaying palm and banana trees, under loosely strung cabana lights, is a memory worth making.
What’s Included at Guana Island
All gourmet meals, wines, and snacks like tropical fruit and fresh-baked cookies (perfect after spending an afternoon hiking) are included in the room rate at Guana Island. This private island is the antithesis of an all-inclusive getaway, but the convenience of the inclusions increases the relaxation factor. It’s nice to put your wallet away and know that everything is taken care of. Does this sound like a vacation concept you’d be interested in? → Contact us. We’ve been to the island, and we’d love to share more with you about what’s included at Guana Island.
The Rooms & Suites at Guana Island
All cottages at Guana Island are named for other Caribbean Islands. They vary in price by size, with the sea-view cottages being less expensive than the multi-roomed villas. Guana is one place where I can say with confidence that old-world charm does not mean you are sacrificing luxury. No, the island is not a modern chic showpiece as you’d find in the pages of ELLE Decor. Still, at every hour of the day, you are reminded that authentic experiences are a luxury in and of themselves.
What makes the accommodations at Guana Island feel so special is how personal and connected to the setting they are. Almost every bedroom has a water view, no two rooms are alike, and the layout of the cottages creates an incredible sense of privacy. Some accommodations are connected for families or groups while still offering separate living spaces and private entrances, and every room includes its own outdoor sitting area to soak up the quiet beauty of the island.
PRO TIP // Book Anegada 1, and you’ll end up with a private pool suite. (Here are a few more private pool suites in the Caribbean) Not a standard square plunge pool, but a full-size swimming pool with a curved edge that seems to disappear directly into the sea. It feels wonderfully secluded and is an especially memorable choice for a romantic Caribbean getaway.
Guana Island in their own words…
“Our intimate hotel is built of native stone and coral, on the foundations of an 18th century Quaker estate.
Sprinkled along a scenic ridge and cooled by gentle tradewinds, each of our 18 unique rooms and villas offers a commanding views of the Caribbean and the Atlantic..”
What To Do at Guana Island in the BVI
There is so much to do on Guana Island, though part of its magic is that you never feel pressured to do any of it. This private island paradise spans 850 acres with seven beaches, 12 miles of hiking trails, and a maximum of just 32 guests at a time. The sense of space is extraordinary, and it never feels crowded or overly scheduled, as many luxury resorts can.
Guests can spend their days hiking scenic trails with panoramic Caribbean views, playing tennis, volleyball, badminton, croquet, ping-pong, bocce, lawn bowling, or horseshoes by the beach. A full collection of complimentary water sports equipment is also available, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, paddleboats, Sunfish sailboats, Hobie Cats, and snorkeling gear. Additional excursions such as scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, waterskiing, kite surfing, and wakeboarding can also be arranged. Or let us plan a fun day of island-hopping around the BVI.
But truthfully, one of my favorite things to do on Guana Island was absolutely nothing at all. I cannot recall many beaches in the Caribbean that felt this peaceful or this untouched. There are no rows of crowded loungers, no competition for the best spot on the sand, and often no sound beyond the water itself. That feeling of quiet and complete escape stayed with me long after I left, and it is one of the biggest reasons why private island resorts like Guana Island offer such a unique way to experience the Caribbean.
One of the things I remember most about Guana Island is the constant ocean breeze. It moves through the island all day, finding its way up the hills and through the cottages, but somehow feels even more noticeable at night. Once the sun sets and the views fade into the background, your attention shifts to the sounds around you: the wind moving through the palm trees, the soft whistle through the window screens, and the rhythm of the waves in the distance.
There is something incredibly calming and grounding about it. The island feels wonderfully connected to nature in a way that is increasingly rare in the Caribbean, and that steady sea breeze became part of the entire experience for me. It was one of those small details that made Guana Island feel unforgettable long after I returned home.
COMPLIMENTARY VACATION CONSULTATION
Click here to complete our contact form, and we will reach out to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation. During this call, we will help you decide if Guana Island is a good choice for your vacation and explain our planning process.
What is The Vibe at Guana Island
Barefoot luxury reigns supreme at Guana Island. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, yet paired with genuinely attentive hospitality that makes you feel cared for from the moment you arrive. The staff is warm, welcoming, and quietly intuitive, creating the kind of experience where you quickly realize every detail has already been thought of for you.
What makes Guana Island feel so different is the overwhelming sense of privacy and space. At nearly every turn, the only structures visible are part of the resort itself. There are no neighboring hotels, busy beach clubs, or signs of development in the distance. Just hillsides, hidden beaches, turquoise water, and 850 acres of private island waiting to be explored. → Fill out our intake form to start working with one of our Caribbean Travel Specialists who can help you decide if Guana Island is the right fit for your vacation!
Who is Guana Island Best For?
Why not take over the entire hotel with your closest friends and family? I can’t think of a better way to revel in all that this exclusive private island resort offers. With only 18 rooms, it’s the perfect size for a destination wedding or a small social group of your best friends.
Secondly, Guana is perfect for anyone who dreams of an eco-vacation but is unwilling to forgo any creature comforts. Nature surrounds you. It is perfectly reasonable to assume you can break in your new hiking boots, swim in a deserted bay, and cross off five other activities from your wish list, all before your multi-course, five-star dinner.
Couples seeking the idyllic combination of privacy + panoramic views will love Guana Island. From your cottage located on one of Guana’s peaks, you’ll feel you can reach out and touch the sky. It’s impossible not to stargaze here, where it feels more stars shine overhead than anywhere in the Caribbean.
ABOUT OUR REVIEWS // We love what we do! We travel often. It’s essential to stay up to date on the hotels we sell. Truth + transparency in travel is our goal, so if we don’t enjoy our stay at a hotel, we won’t write about it. If you’re reading this, Guana Island was a hit!
FINAL THOUGHTS // My idea of nirvana is a simple one. Allow me to be ensconced in nature, dining on fresh ingredients that were harvested or freshly caught in the sea that very day, while taking in endless ocean views. Add in a smiling, warm, welcoming staff that instantly makes me feel at ease, and Guana Island is pretty close to heaven. The entire time I was on the island, I had this feeling that I was somewhere exceptional. A Guana Island vacation will be filled with a few once-in-a-lifetime moments and unrivaled experiences. Contact us today to start planning if you’re ready to dive in and see if Guana is a good fit for your next Caribbean vacation.
Special thanks to our preferred Caribbean partner Island Luxe Resorts + the staff at Guana Island for arranging such a fabulous vacation.
Cheers,
Laura Sangster
G U A N A I S L A N D F A S T F A C T S ::
How do you get to Guana Island?
Guana Island in the BVI is reachable only by boat. Your travel advisor will arrange for you to fly into Tortola or St. Thomas and transfer over by water taxi + private sea shuttle.
Is Guana Island adults-only?
No. Guana Island welcomes families.
Is Guana Island all-inclusive?
All meals and wines, as well as snacks like tropical fruit and fresh-baked cookies, are included. Our team of specialists can compare how Guana Island compares to other all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.
