Fodor's Expert Review Petit St. Vincent

The lack of phones, room TVs and Wi-Fi, and even planned activities is particularly appealing when indulging in your most luxurious, private-island fantasies. Six beachfront cottages have two bedrooms and two baths, with alfresco living and dining areas; 16 others, some on a bluff overlooking the water and others beachfront, have one large bedroom, a separate sitting room with sliding glass walls facing the ocean, and a patio. All rooms have spacious, modern bathrooms with double vanities, lots of storage, and more than enough fluffy towels. Constant sea breezes and the careful design and placement of cottages ensure that they remain cool even during the heat of midday, although air-conditioning is available in the bedrooms. A system of signal flags conveys your whims to the staff: hoist your red flag, and nobody comes near; hoist the yellow, and you promptly receive whatever you desire—food, drink, or just a lift to the dining room or beach bar/restaurant. Relax, read, swim, and get away from it all in rustic elegance. The flag system works at the beach, too; just hoist the yellow flag and drinks or a picnic lunch will be brought right to your beach chair or hammock. Treat yourself to a Balinese massage at the full-service spa, keep up with your yoga, hike to the top of Marni Hill (elevation, 275 feet) or along the 20-station fitness trail, or sail away on a Hobie Cat, Sunfish, Windsurfer, or kayak. In 2014, Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Jacques-Yves Cousteau, opened the Jean-Michel Cousteau Caribbean Dive Center on PSV. Fishing trips and day sails are available from the dock, as well. Though children are welcome, PSV is more attuned to adult guests.