What will I eat and drink?
Probably some of the best food you’ll ever find on a private Caribbean island. Breakfast buffets feature jugs of homemade smoothies, green juice shots, platters of frittata, avocado and smoked salmon; while lunches and dinners comprise superfood salads, marinated tofu, flavoursome grilled fish, vegetable curries and soups. You never go hungry and being light on carbs and heavy on vitamins, you quickly start to feel nourished. It’s easy to avoid alcohol thanks to a tempting list of fresh fruit- and coconut-based mocktails that are freely available; there are no minibars, never mind restaurants. Some people arrive with specific goals to lose weight – of these guests, Turner says: “We have had people who have lost 5lb during their week here and then lost 85lb in the following months because they have now realised healthy food can taste good.” Meals are served on clifftop terraces facing the ocean, by the rainbow-lit infinity pool and down on the beach. In the evening, banquets are framed with flaming torches, fire pits and starlit skies. With many ingredients grown on-site or shipped over from neighbouring islands, food miles are kept to a minimum.
Aerial BVI, British Virgin Islands
What else does Aerial BVI offer?
One of the more unusual highlights is Redemption Ranch, where Turner rehabilitates rescued ponies, horses and even zebras. Guests can participate in equine therapy sessions, which, for example, have proven to help war veterans overcome post-traumatic stress. Because the animals can sense anxiety in humans, it is essential to achieve a sense of calm before interacting with them. This is an all-inclusive resort, and the cost also covers personal island concierge, nutritionist chefs, wellness consultants, spa therapists, water sports instructors, and garden and animal specialists. Other sessions include guided writing, presence training, environmental healing, red-light therapy, acupuncture, nature walks and ocean water therapy. Depending on budget, guests can also work with a practitioner pre-arrival to design a retreat that caters to their exact personal goals.
