PETER ISLAND, British Virgin Islands -- With summer occupancies
averaging 85% and with multiple sellout weeks, Peter Island Resort
is riding the crest of what managing director Wayne Kafcsak called
a "pent-up demand for luxury travel."
Kafcsak reported no slowdown in bookings during or after the
Iraq war.
"People are feeling more sure regarding the economy, and our
strong fall and winter bookings reflect that -- we are above
predictions, and this is our best year ever," he said.
The 52-room private-island resort isn't resting on its laurels.
"Consistent reinvestment in our property" is Kafcsak's mantra --
and the resort's recent expenditures bear him out. The list of new
developments includes:
• Two $5 million villas totaling 10,500 square feet, each with
six bedrooms, seven baths and staff, which are set apart from the
resort's beachfront and garden units. Falcon's Nest overlooks White
Bay; Raven's Nest is above Deadman's Bay.
"They are intentionally designed to be private," Kafcsak said.
The villas will open Dec. 1.
Christmas rates are $12,500 per villa, per night; a 10-night
minimum stay is required. High-season rates are $11,000. Rates
cover all meals, staff, the services of a villa director and use of
the resort's facilities.
• The existing three-bedroom Hawk's Nest and four-bedroom Crow's
Nest villas are undergoing a $1.8 million refit. Christmas rates
are $5,000 per night at Hawk's Nest and $9,000 at Crow's Nest.
"Peter Island now has a separate villa program with a villa Web
site, marketing support and a travel agent department," Kafcsak
said. Villa bookings will be taken after Sept. 25.
• Because many villa clients will arrive by helicopter, a new
$300,000 helipad is in place.
The runway at Beef Island Airport on Tortola, recently extended
to 5,000 feet, now handles small jets. "We will transport villa
guests arriving at Beef Island by helicopter or by our own launch,"
Kafcsak said.
• The resort's $4 million, 13,000-square-foot spa -- which will
have 10 treatment rooms, spa suites, a meditation area and a
private beach -- is set to open Dec. 1.
Packages will be available for the facility, which will have a
theme of "Sea and Self," Kafcsak said.
• In the culinary area, Kafcsak said four chefs are attending
advanced culinary courses while the resort is closed for its annual
maintenance program (Peter Island reopens Oct. 11).
• Because agents account for "a huge amount" of bookings,
Kafcsak said, the resort will launch an agent marketing program,
with increased fam trips and sales calls.
For information, visit www.peterislandresort.com.
To contact reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].