Andrew Harper’s 
October 1988 
Volume X, Number 5 
A connoisseur's guide 
to peacetul and unspoiled places 
Our Tenth Year 
Caribbean Update 
Guana Island Club - 
British Virgin Islands 
This just may be the most private and unspoiled 
resort island in the West Indies, a tropical retreat 
that proves some things in life are better left 
unchanged. In fact, that’s just the enlightened 
attitude New Yorker Henry Jarecki pursued when 
he purchased the lush 850-acre outpost back in 
1975. An ardent conservationist at heart, he limits 
inn guests to no more than thirty at any given 
time. To keep out daytrippers he purposely didn’t 
build a public restaurant or marina. No homes are 
allowed. No condominiums. No other man-made 
structures beyond the intimate lodging enclave 
occupying a breathtaking ridge at the southwestern 
tip. The reasons for such precautions are laudatory 
when you realize the island boasts one of the 
richest collections of flora and fauna for its size 
anywhere in the world. And yet this seemingly 
remote and impossible place lies less than 25 miles 
from the adulterated world of St. Thomas, just off 
the northeast coast of Tortola, a 10-minute launch 
ride from the Beef Island Airport. 
What you have here is a nature sanctuary with 
rooms. Rare roseate flamingos and dapper black¬ 
necked stilts strut about the salt pond, while a 
contingent of herons and egrets stalk the grassy 
flats. Along the lovely main beach, the endangered 
masked booby joins frigatebirds and brown 
pelicans for luncheon dives in the crystalline 
waters. On the verdant hilltops, pearly-eyed 
thrashers, bananaquits and crested hummingbirds 
zip from one veranda garden to another drinking 
hibiscus blossoms of every hue. The surrounding 
terrain literally bursts with exotic shrubs, orchids, 
air plants, oleander, frangipani and aromatic 
jasmine. OveP 50 species of birds can be regularly 
observed on the island, along with 125 species of 
colorful reef fish and who knows how many 
varieties of plant life. So intriguing is the “lost 
planet” environment that on-going scientific 
research is conducted on Guana by Harvard 
University, The Nature Conservancy, Smithsonian 
Institution and others. 
The Great House and whitewashed clusters of 
Mediterranean-style guest cottages cap a breeze- 
swept, incredibly panoramic promontory where 
dozens of neighboring islets scatter themselves like 
emeralds at your feet. The 15 accommodations 
certainly don’t measure up to the elegance of 
Jumby Bay or Malliouhana, but most exude a 
pleasant sense of contentment and charm that fits 
the rustic setting well. Beamed ceilings and local 
artwork offset the rattan-furnished interiors, each 
unit outfitted with twin or king-size beds and 
adequate (if dimly lit) baths. The aeries bear the 
names of West Indian islands, with sunset lovers 
reveling in the likes of “Barbados,” “Eleuthera” 
and “Upper Camanoe;” the sunny porch and walk- 
down patio of “Dominica” also appeals to our 
penchant for solitude. 
Socializing centers around the relaxing 
clubhouse and its comfortably spacious lounge, 
cozy honor bar and fireplaced library. A casual 
and convivial spirit marks the evening houseparty 
ambience, Manager Mary Randall enhancing the 
lively conversation between guests by rotating 
nightly seating arrangements at the table d’hote, 
family-style dinner tables. Fresh seafood, home- 
baked breads and island-grown fruits/vegetables 
are abundant, the alfresco meals served by a 
friendly and helpful long-time staff. 
Six deserted beaches skirt the perimeter of the 
island, the most spectacular at White Bay — way, 
way, way down below the Great House. Reached 
by regular shuttle service, this powdery half-mile 
strand sequesters a help-yourself bar, dressing 
facilities and restrooms. The calm translucent 
waters are ideal for swimming, with the reefs at 
one end providing marvelous snorkeling 
opportunities. Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing, 
waterskiing, sunset cruises, castaway picnics and 
deepsea fishing charters are also available, plus 
tennis on two well-maintained seaside courts. A 
network of trails meanders to the more isolated 
beaches, through terrain forever preserved in its 
natural state. This is one of the Caribbean’s last 
authentic hideaways. Low-key, untrammeled, 
restful and very different. 
