TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Where to decompress after a 7 day sale on Tortola

Hi community; bringing the whole family down end of June next year. Will be sailing around the BVIs for 7 days but with us spending close to 5 grand on airfare for the 5 of us I was thinking of renting a place for 4-5 nights after our cruise to decompress. Thinking of staying on Tortola so we can take the ferry back to CA for early afternoon flight.

Any suggestions on where on the island to stay and recommendations for a 3 bedroom villa. With the kids the villa has to have a pool as well. thoughts appreciated!

Sorry, but I don't know the villa market well enough to know who has a pool and who doesn't ... but Trudi at Best of BVI certainly does. See her website here.

I am sure others will have lots of suggestions for you as well.

St John :-)

Agree with CaptainJay about thinking of St. John.

I feel compelled to say it: if you find your 7 day cruise compressive, then you're doing it wrong :-)

Stay on Tortola..many lovely villas for rent..talk to Cheryl at " Purple Pineapple"..whole different vibe than the USVI IMHO..

sailing, being the skipper, being responsible for the crew, the boat, and sometimes provisioning can be a bit stressful. Owning and doing repairs while on vacation is not as relaxing as sitting by a pool having cocktails <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

No need to explain decompression to me, especially with kids along. I organized the family charter this last April and still felt compelled to book a trip to St John (next week!) for my relaxation vacation with just Hubby. I think ending a boating week with a few days of land based vacation is a good call. Enjoy!

Bolongo bay resort

Thank you for the recommendation Mal, much appreciated!

Check out these three and four bedroom villas with pools.
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/villas/casa-luna/
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/villas/villa-sirenetta/
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/villas/limeberry-villa/
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/villas/limeberry-house/

We also have two directly on the beach at Little Apple Bay....
I am happy to help!

I also agree with STJ.

Look at VRBO

We usually rent a villa after our charters. My favorite villa was the Sunset House. http://www.sunsethousebvi.com/

Might be a little more then you need, but the price is reasonable.

On one of the trips we did go to St. John and spend 4 nights, we prefer Tortola over St. John

Totally Agree! Last May with my buddy and co-captain and respective wives had a dream vacation. When the charter was done we stayed a night at the Marriot in French Man's Reef before our mid PM flight the next day. We ate that night at Blue Havana and I could barely stay awake! I had to leave at 9:00 and crash in the Hotel room. A week being responsible for a $700k Cat builds up. This will be solely responsible for my own boat with3 kids 9, 11, 13 all boys! Decompression will definitely be required!

I think for the interest of saving travel and hassle, looking to stay on Tortolla. Although we have been to St. John a couple of times and agree it is a lovely island. Not sure I want to subject the family to another ferry ride that day. Looking to check in, do some shopping and either rent a car or take a taxi to our destination, relax in a pool, nap in a hammock, stiff drink in hand. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I agree with St. John. Lavender Hill has some nice condos for rent and they have a small swimming pool(s?) for dunking off - you will need this! Rent a jeep and go to a different state beach everyday for swimming and picnicking. Crus Bay has lots of options for dining out. The ferry service from Crus Bay to Red Hook, St. Thomas is reliable and frequent, so less stress trying to get to your flight out of CA.

Thanks for all the suggestions again and keep them coming! Still leaning towards Tortola for reasons stated but we are keeping an open mind.

Thoughts on Cane Garden Bay? Worried that the busy beach would get tiresome after a few days. But there is a couple of nice villas on the west side of the bay that have potential.

Anyone know the link to the cruise ship schedule for 2017? I also need to check for my sail planning as well.

My suggestion to decompress is proceed directly to STT if that is your airline departure point.
While you are already packed and in moving mode take a ferry and clear USVI C&I and head to a hotel like Emerald Beach which is adjacent to the airport - now you can really decompress - knowing all the traveling is over - the airport is moments away and long showers, a beach bar and a real bed are at hand!

+1
takes all the stress of getting a ferry on the day of your flight

Couldn’t agree more.

Back in 2001 we chartered from VIP on St. Thomas when they dealt with sail. No ferry roulette on return. We then started chartering in the BVI’s and the stress level to make flights the same day from STT went 10 fold. The best case that we’ve found since is to charter CYOA, just 10 minutes from the STT airport but still stay the night before your flight home at Emerald Beach or Island Beachcomber.

A$$ in the water Toes in the Sand for one more night and you can walk to make your flight.

Personal decision certainly ...if one night certainly STT..but 5 nights, would be my last choice of options . To each their own, but since the early 90s with multiple trips a year to STJ and for last15 to the BVis I've never missed an afternoon flight from STT while staying on STJ or In the BVI on a boat or land. If concerned about ferry.end your trip on VG and leave on a Tuesday Thursday or Sat.. Have never heard of them not being near on time with the Speedy's direct to STT ferry..but we always go later to Roadtown and on to STT.

Staying on STJ the night before flying out is easy and convenient. Ferries run on the hour to RH and several times a day to CA. There are hotels in Cruz Bay that will do one night. Great restaurant options. After 7-10 days of slow crappy service in the BVIs it's always great to be back in USA.

2nd Will's thoughts on VG.
Check with Tina at Guavaberry. She may have
villas available for less than 7 nights.
Direct ferry to St. Thomas.
You can't decompress more than that.

Mike