Personalities

Aerial view of the beachIn a part of the world where every resort boasts bright sun, brilliant blue water and blindingly white beaches, people make the place. Peter Island Resort, a classic Caribbean Resort, pampers discriminating guests with the promise of pure personalization and unforgettable island characters. 

Before new arrivals even claim their luggage in the tiny, Beef Island Airport, our Peter Island representative is waiting for them. As the resort's goodwill ambassador, she greets every guest with trademark Caribbean hospitality, helps with the bags and escorts them through the terminal. 

Visitors eager to soak up the experience often fuel the conversation with questions just to hear her lilting island accent. She smiles at the compliment then continues with her stories until the shuttle van swings around for her new friends.   She waves goodbye as the guests depart the airport with a short, scenic ride through Tortola to the Peter Island Dock in Road Town. 

Captain Flanders and one of the Peter Island yacht ferriesWaiting at the dock in his crisply pressed whites, Captain Flanders shows guests on board our motor yacht, Islander IV.  The on-board host takes over and after passing out refreshing drinks, he checks in each passenger during a pleasant cruise through Sir Francis Drakes Channel to Peter Island.  Arriving guests will be met by a resort host who will escort them to their accommodations while giving a brief overview of the resort. 

Jean Kelly Dawn on Peter Island brings a new cast of characters. At breakfast and lunch, Dining Room Hostess Jean Kelly bustles between tables, doting over slow risers and filling coffee cups with a broad smile and easy laugh. She never forgets a face or a name. And guests never forget her. Frequent  visitors, including actor Armand Asante, even write Jean to remind her of his reservations and confirm she will be there. 

A stay at Peter Island is not complete without a big helping of  Jean along with Coconut French toast and coffee, or grilled swordfish for lunch. Even after 20 years at the resort, she serves up enough personalized attention to make each guest feel like her favorite. While Jean mothers diners all day, her husband Joel fusses over the resort's gardens, content to raise his oleanders and hibiscus in relative quiet. He whistles to birds of paradise or firecracker plants and waves to passersby. 

BenjiOur former concierge, Hugh "Benji" Benjamin retired after more than 30 years at the resort.  A stonemason by trade, Benji laid most of the stonework in Tradewinds and helped build the original beachfront restaurant.  Benji came to Peter Island in 1972, and in notes he scribbled down that day, said "I never met a place like this in my life."  Eventually, Benji chronicled his life and a loose history of the island in A Place Like This: Hugh Benjamin's Peter Island, published in 1994 and available in our gift shop.  We will all miss Benji. 

Colin ButlerCollin Butler, our Guest Services Manager, is the spontaneous one.  He loves to 'kidnap' honeymooners for a quick trip to The Loop, a breathtaking bluff on the south side of the island overlooking miles of the Caribbean neighboring islands.  Just as sunset falls, Collin serenades the couple or picks a loose bouquet of wildflowers for them on the way back to the resort.  Collin claims deep ties to the island: his father served as the resort's chief engineer for 14 years and Jean, a former teacher, taught him English in grade school.  He is often found in our reception area  happy to arrange day trips for guests or answer any questions they might have about the BVI. 

Colin OsbourneCollin Osborne, Peter Island's natural athlete, oversees the watersports center on Deadman's Bay Beach. His knack for explaining the nuances of windsurfing (or kayaking or sailing) earns appreciation from water lovers of all ages.  Under his direction, guests will enjoy breezing around our gorgeous bay past underwater turtles, rays, tropical fish, and interesting marine critters. 

Juergen TheilGuests may not often see Director of Engineering Juergen Thiel, but he is constantly working behind the scenes to keep Peter Island's infrastructure humming like a top - no easy feat since this remote island has its own water desalination plant and generator powerhouse.  Originally from Germany, Juergen has spent many years overseeing construction and maintenance to 4- and 5-star resorts throughout the world before coming to the British Virgin Islands. 

Edoardo RossiOur Villa Director of Scottish and Italian descent, Edoardo Rossi, was raised in Italy and speaks six languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish and Thai.)  Prior to his appointment at Peter Island Resort, he was the Food & Beverage Director at Bovey Castle, a 5-Star Country House Hotel in the South of England.  He has also held the positions of Butler, Food & Beverage Director, and Operations Manager in the following exotic locales:  United States, Scotland, Switzerland, and Thailand.  Edoardo received his Bachelor of Science degree in International Hospitality Management from the prestigious Ecole Hotelliere de Lausanne.  He enjoys fine wines, exploring the islands, music, and traveling the world.  Edoardo oversees the luxury villas staff, and is dedicated to ensuring the guests’ experience by exceeding their expectations.

Caspar LuikenCaspar Luiken, Peter Island's Executive Assistant Manager, is from the Netherlands and speaks four languages.  In the past, he has been with KLM airlines and the Hilton London Waldorf with a background in all phases of hotel management  including positions as Food & Beverage Manager, Rooms Director, and Operations Manager.  His soft-spoken manner and engaging smile compliments the tranquil atmosphere of Peter Island Resort.  When he has some leisure time, Casper enjoys surfing, tennis, skiing, and scuba diving.  He looks forward to seeing you at our island paradise and making your vacation a pleasurable one.

Mangus OlovsanDuring your stay, make sure you say "hello" to our Food & Beverage Manager Magnus Olovson who was born in Sweden but grew up in France.  Multilingual, he has been with hotel groups in Nice and Algeria as well as Michelin Star restaurants in Monaco, Stockholm, Paris, and Greenwich, Connecticut.  Guests will enjoy his gregarious personality and friendly manner as he drifts in and out of our two restaurants making sure guests are having a perfect culinary experience.  Magnus’s favorite hobbies are reading literature and history, scuba, and his special interests (not surprisingly!) are wines, single malts, fine and fun foods! 

Sandra Grisham-ClothierGeneral Manager Sandra Grisham-Clothier is no stranger to the British Virgin Islands! Her career has taken her from the Ritz-Carlton in California, Surf and Sand Hotel, California, Stein Eriksen Resort, Utah to Cheeca Lodge in the Florida Keys. Sandra then spent two wonderful years in the BVI's as Managing Director of Bitter End Yacht Club returning to the U.S. to further her career as Resort Manager of The Lodge at Rancho Mirage. 

After two years, she found herself missing the British Virgin Islands and returned as Resort Manager of Little Dix Bay.  Knowing the Peter Island team so well and Managing Director Wayne Kafcsak, she was then hired as the new General Manager of Peter Island.  Sandra is married to Guy Clothier of Yacht Shots BVI and can be found greeting guest upon arrival or walking the property with her husband welcoming all guests to the island and resort.

Wayne KafcsakGuests may also see Managing Director Wayne Kafcsak, whose dark hair and well-tanned skin never betrays his Maine heritage. Wayne first visited the Virgin Islands in his 20’s and loved it so much he never left. Instead, the expatriate built a career as Resort Manager of The Bitter End Yacht Club and Caneel Bay Resort.  Peter Island Resort hired him away for his hands-on style. 

Wayne knows each resort guest as well as his staff and often hands out personal business cards with his home phone number.  Be sure to tell him hello if you happen to see him in and around the resort.

These Peter island personalities are fine examples of our entire staff, which form a diverse family of gracious hosts and hostesses, who are all happy to share their part of paradise with you.  Just as Stephen bringing a cool tropical drink to you reclining on a comfortable beach lounge, others will also make your vacation experience an unforgettable one. 

Guests remember these personalities of  Peter Island as much as purple sunsets and the pervasive sense of calm in each breeze. Somewhere between the airplane landing and yacht ride back, exceptional service crossed the line into friendship. 

Back to Top

Arrival:
Nights:
 Rooms:
Adults:
 Kids:
Travel Agents | Groups | Packages

Preferred Hotels