Caribbean

Petit St Vincent is a genuinely private, single-resort 115-acre island - there's no other accommodation, town or development, meaning the entire island is dedicated to one property, which is rare even by private-island standards.

The journey typically involves a flight to the wider Caribbean, followed by onward inter-island transfers by smaller aircraft and boat - it's a multi-leg journey, so it's worth allowing a full travel day.

The private island resort model here tends to suit couples particularly well, given the intimate, romantic character of the destination - solo travel is possible but less the typical guest profile.

Given the island's compact size and total privacy, activities tend to centre on the beach, snorkelling, sailing and simply enjoying the seclusion - it's designed for slowing down rather than a packed itinerary.

The resort deliberately avoids some of the trappings of conventional luxury - no televisions or air conditioning in the original cottages, for instance - in favour of a genuinely unplugged, nature-immersed experience.

Given the exclusivity and remoteness involved, this sits firmly at the ultra-luxury end of the market, reflecting both the privacy on offer and the logistics of maintaining a single-resort private island.

December to April is the Caribbean dry season and the recommended window; the Atlantic hurricane season, which peaks later in the year, is generally best avoided.

About as much as is possible at any resort - cottages are spread across the island with no direct sightlines to neighbours, and a flag system lets you signal for privacy or service without needing to interact with staff.

The wider Grenadines offer boat excursions to nearby islands and sandbars, and the resort can arrange day trips for guests wanting to see more of the surrounding archipelago.

Given the emphasis on genuine seclusion, wifi and mobile connectivity are more limited than at a typical luxury resort - worth preparing for this if you need to stay reachable.

Saint Lucia's Sulphur Springs sit within one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes, and several retreats offer volcanic mud baths and mineral spring treatments drawn directly from this geothermal activity - a genuinely unique feature among Caribbean destinations.

Yes - Saint Lucia's twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons, are the island's most iconic landmark, and many retreats are positioned specifically to take advantage of views or hiking access to them.

Saint Lucia's volcanic geology and dense rainforest interior give it a more dramatic, varied landscape than flatter, purely beach-focused Caribbean islands, which shapes a genuinely different style of retreat here.

Yes - the resort model here tends to be particularly popular with couples, and Saint Lucia has a strong reputation as a honeymoon and romantic getaway destination.

Yes, though this is a genuinely strenuous hike best suited to those in good fitness - some retreats offer guided hikes as an optional, more active add-on to a wellness programme.

The island's interior rainforest is home to notable birdlife and biodiversity, and several retreats incorporate rainforest walks or zip-lining as part of a broader nature-based programme.

Direct flights are available, taking around 9–10 hours, making it one of the more accessible Caribbean islands from the UK without connecting flights.

Yes - the Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June to November, with December to April considered the more reliable dry season for a wellness trip.

Volcanic mud, rich in minerals from the sulphur springs, is applied to the skin and left to dry before rinsing - generally considered detoxifying and gentle, though the sulphur smell is worth being prepared for.

Possible, though the resort model here leans more towards couples - solo travellers may find a broader range of options at destinations with a more established solo-travel culture.