Recently, my wife and I went to Guana for a 3-day escape.We got exactly what we came for and absolutely loved it. This paradisiacal island of 850 acres is an idyll removed from what the rest of the Caribbean has become and is becoming. The facilities are lovely and simple, consisting of ten or 12 small hilltop buildings all hidden away in the lush natural surroundings. There is also a nice beach bar on a very long and jogworthy white powdery postcard perfect expanse. The sports hut has lots of snorkeling gear, floats, kayaks and paddleboats that seemed to get very little use. We had the Hobie all to ourselves and enjoyed snorkeling on the pretty reef and lolling about in the crystal clear warm water. If strolling is your thing there are plenty of pretty walks to be had. There is also an orchard where a horticulturist nurtures plantings and fruits for the island use-sans pesticides.
This is an island of peace and quiet.
If you prefer long strolls on a pristine natural beach to a long menu of planned activities, then this is for you. If you can do without cable TV in every room or any room for that matter, you'll like this place. You'll endure no limbo dancing or steel bands at night but instead, you can partke of movies shown al fresco or just revel in the buzz of the crickets and the converstations of tree frogs.
Guana is a simple elegant experience where the real luxury is the peace and naturalness you are surrounded by. But don't mistake that for lack of comfort. You will feel well taken care of by the friendly outgoing staff. The manager has a upbeat, easygoing, helpful attitude, which reflects the tone of the place. The food is good, and some times very good. You won't get a two-page menu but you will get good recipes, well prepared. The food is much better than many resorts and comes with none of their pretensions. You will dine family style, if you like, giving you an opportunity to socialize and get to know some of the other interesting guests. Or if you prefer, you can be secluded and off in a romantic candle lit nook with only nature to accompany you. We enjoyed the fresh, inventive and delicious horsd'oeuvers put out every night before dinner and we loved the routine of joining the other guests for cocktails and chat. But some people kept more to themselves and that was fine. Can't wait to go again.

True to their website's claim, Guana is a Virgin Island that still is. Tortola may have traffic jams, Virgin Gorda, specifically Little Dix Bay, may have sleek, marble-bathroomed villas on the once untouched hillsides, but Guana Island is still pure. Preserved. It is the Caribbean in its closest-to-pristine and untouched state. The beauty of this incredible place is not the spa facilities or Arnold Palmer golf course (relax, there isn't one). it is about simple things: a deserted 1/2 mile-long powder white sand beach, hiking up and down dense hillsides, snorkeling around replanted coral beds (the fish are happy about this one too), the lack of man-made noises, kayaking through a school of tarpin, collecting shells at North Beach, watching the six resident flamingoes wade through the pond, an honor system at the beach bar.
My husband and I were at Guana for four nights, which felt like an ideal length of time. We loved our room, which was high up on the hillside. There was no A/C and we didn't need it at all since the thick, concrete walls (constructed in the 30's, I think) kept the place cool at all times. The room was spacious and immaculate. The bathroom, quite literally, cavernous and stocked with Aveda products. The view from the verandah was breathtaking.
Breakfasts were my favorite meal with a buffet of fresh fruits, yoghurts, cheeses, and freshly baked muffins. You can order eggs, done any which way, and pancakes or waffles. Lunches and dinner were very good but not haute, which I consider a blessing. Every evening, guests met at the bar for a pre-dinner cocktail and delicious canapes. My only request would be to see more locally-inspired food on the menu.
One of our highlights on Guana was visiting The Orchard, where some of the fruits served at breakfast are grown. Dr. Liao, Guana's resident pith-helmeted horticulturist from China was delighted to see us when we visited him. He showed us into his "conference center" -- a collection of tree stumps and boulders that substitute for tables and chairs. Here, he offered us fresh coconut water, recited some poetry and then took us on a tour of the gardens. You could sense the visceral connection between this man and the earth. I imagined Dr. Liao doing the rounds every morning, cooing at his plants, lovingly stroking each avocado and reciting haiku to the baby bananas.
We did leave the island for a day trip to nearby Anegada to go scuba diving. This was effortlessly arranged by Jason, a sort of wunderkind of hotel GM's. He may look young but he operates as smoothly as a seasoned pro. Nothing seems to faze him. He arranged for a motor boat with a captain and a dive master, and all necessary scuba equipment, to take us to Anegada complete with a packed lunch and drinks. Jason obviously has a trickle down effort on his staff because everyone seems happy to help and eager to please.
Guana Island is such a special place that anyone who cannot appreciate its beauty or simplicity, not to mention the Herculean effort it has taken, and still takes, to maintain it, should not come here. It's the only way to ensure preserving this island for generations to come.

After an easy flight through Puerto Rico, to Beef Island, we were taken by boat to Guana.

The first impression was quaint, low key and a good place to relax. Turns out, it was too relaxed. No phones, no tv's, nothing to do after dark except go back to your room.

After the first full day there, we'd had enough. We had done everything there was to do on the island (hiked, sailed, kayaked, etc) and we started deliberating on leaving the island to go someplace where there were more activities.

The food is just average (and I believe that term is being generous), the accomodations are quaint, no a/c, difficult to get to without asking someone to drive you on a golf cart to the beach or elsewhere on the island. The cottages are at the top of a mountain, the beach an incredible walk downhill.

We took several day trips just to get off the island and go to Tortola, so we could eat WHEN we wanted to and what we wanted to. We were able to do all kinds of things at Tortola that arent even offered at Guana. When we asked to be booked on a day trip, the management acted sincerely insulted, as if their island wasnt good enough, why should we want to go elsewhere?

At Guana, there are mealtimes and you eat then, or you dont eat. And supposedly this resort is all inclusive. It only includes the meals and wine with meals, if you want a soda or drink, its on the honor system. Take a drink, fill out a card. This adds up quickly, while sitting on the beach, or while in you room.

If you want food delivered to your room at mealtime, rather than dine family style with all the guests, its $40.00 per delivery and $80.00 for delivery at dinner.

All in all there are many, many other places we would choose to go rather than this island.

The equipment at the beach is in bad shape, the hobey-cat, sailboat etc were all in disrepair and awaiting parts for replacement. Even the water taxi broke down on a trip from Tortola back to Guana. It seems nothing is really kept up.

Unless this is a honeymoon trip and wish to be alone, this place is not for you.

My wife and I were recently blessed with a full weeks stay at the North Beach Cottage on Guana Island. The entire experience was one we will cherish for life.

Departing the Tortola airport we were greeted immediately by a Guana representative who drove us the short distance to our water taxi. The whole experience was expeditious and fun (try your first Carib while on the boat).

Once you see Guana from the boat you know it’s different than all the other islands as there are no visible houses. Here’s when things get good…

There to greet you on the deck is the aforementioned, in previous reviews, Jason Goldberg (aka Goldie or GGTG) the GM of Guana Island. All you’ve read about him and the staff is true and then some.

Think of Jason as the debonair and suave white-suited Mr. Roarke of Fantasy Island fame. He can help make your stay 'that special' if you take the time to get to know him and ask for his help with whatever it is you need.

We stayed at the all-inclusive North Beach Cottage and highly suggest it to anyone who is okay with being away from civilization. You are given your own golf cart to get to and from the cottage on North Beach.

North Beach Cottage becomes your home complete with a stocked frig, full kitchen, your own heart shaped pool and…. Oh yeah, your own private beach! If there is anything missing from the cottage just ask Goldie and it will be there is a snap. We wanted great coffee… we got great coffee… candy, we got candy. So on and so on… Thanks Jason!

Meals are all served up at the main building on top of the hill. You can eat at a solo table with any one of the incredible views or with some of the other guest if feeling more social. Food is very good and pretty much covered in the other reviews so I’ll leave that be.

Guana is for the active as well as leisurely. The first half of our week we conquered serious hiking trails, snorkeled, swam and burned all those calories that made the wonderful meals guilt free. The second half of our trip we were slugs laying on our beach, by our pool, the wonderful main beach, read several books, got messages… you get the point.

If you can’t deal with the occasional bug, lizard, snake or lack of air conditioning then you may want to look elsewhere but you’d be missing out on one of life’s great treats!

Thanks again Jason for making our stay so wonderful! You’re now a friend for life!