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philip stephenson my private island www.boatinternational.comRIGHT: Stephenson withhis three-year-old sonJack on the eponymouslynamed ‘Jack’s Beach’PSV boasts mature forests and twokilometres of white sand beachesmature forest and almost two kilometres of white sand beacheswere further attractions. In place was a successful, well-knownhotel: ‘It was in need of repair and renovation, but the originalfounder, Haze Richardson, had already done, quite frankly, thehardest part of getting it up and running. More importantly, PSVwas freehold in perpetuity. You are not buying a lease that has 50years left on a 99 year lease, so there’s no fear about investing ormaking improvements. I recently decided to put it into a trust inthe name of my son, so for estate planning purposes I am alreadythinking about owning it for a long time. I have established a trustthat is also perpetual: theoretically, the heirs will have the island– they can always sell it, but it is set up in an ownership way that itcould be a property in the family forever.’The renovated resort has 22 independent cottages, discreetlydistant from each other on beaches or coves or dotting thehillside; two restaurants, one for formal dining on a hilltop whereguests have the option to dine in the wine cellar; a beach barand boutique area; hillside spa and numerous water activities,including use of a 12.8 metre sloop. ‘What is more important iswhat we don’t have: there are no phones, internet or TV in therooms; guests engage with family and friends rather than race tothe internet to check emails. Since there are no cars on the islandwe frequently hear comments on the pleasure of not hearingtraffic sounds. You can walk down the island and, if you quittalking, you won’t hear anything but wind in the trees, ocean surfand birds singing.’Access to PSV is restricted to guests and the 120 memberstaff. With a staff/guest ratio of four to one, service is impeccable.‘There are days in November when there are just a couple on theisland, and then times like Christmas where we are bringing uprollaway beds and making up couches, when we are over capacitywith families and kids.’ Stephenson spends an average of threemonths of the year on PSV: he uses his Cessna 421 GoldenEagle in the Caribbean, with the airstrip on Union Island only a15 minute boat ride away. Proudly, Stephenson has named abeach after his adored three-year-old son. ‘Sitting with my son ina palapa on his own beach, Jack’s Beach, is just the coolest thing;that’s when it really feels like it’s all been worthwhile.’ bbPetit St VincentContact: Reservations Office, Petit St Vincent PrivateIsland, PO Box 841338, Pembroke Pines, FL 33084.Tel: +1 (954) 963-7401 / +1 (800) 654-9326; Fax +1 (954)963-7402; Email: info@petitstvincent.com