TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Newbie here

We have been to many places in the Caribbean but never BVI and looking for recommendations based on the following criteria: Hotel must be at least 3 stars with a front desk (no AirBnB for hubby). A nice beach that I can float around in. We enjoy WALKING to happy hour and dinner, no car for us. We are ok with a taxi/bus ride. We loved good wine and food so i guess we fall into the "Foodie" category. NOT into shopping at all. We have been to St Martin, St John, Grand Cayman, Turks, Aruba and many, many other places via cruising...Like i said looking for BVI ideas based on the criteria listed...Thank you in advance for any information you provide! Lynn

For what you want I would highly recommend The Sugar Mill on Tortola. It has 2 restaurants on site..a small beach ..lovely pool and it's all around a real sugar mill. Down the road you have Sebastians which is OK for breakfast. and happy hour...not a big fan of lunch and dinner there. Right over the hill you have D'Coal Pot which is good. Short cab ride to Omar's Fusion for amazing East Indian and Asian food and regular US menu. A short cab right the other way you have Bananakeet ..amazing views for sunset and stay for a great dinner. I cant imagine a better place than The Sugar Mill for what you are looking for..we live more than half the year a mile down the beach and it is always our "go to". Rupert and Andrea are the managers and Mary and Dennis own it and have spent $$$$$$$ bring it up to snuff twice..once before Irma and once after. Robert Plant just spent two weeks there and loved the place..

Mal--I was going to recommend Sugar Mill also. There are really very few regular hotels in the BVI, with hotel services like you find on other islands. It seems that most people who visit the BVIs either are 'boat people' or stay in villas or small guesthouse kind of places, 4 or 5 rooms at most, no front desk and pretty basic. I can really only think of Leverick Bay that might also fit the criteria, but from my understanding, the hotel is kind of basic there also. I guess there is also now Quito's, but I really don't know anything about the hotel there now, since the expansion.

thirding Sugar Mill! Reminder, the BVI are hilly AF.

If you dont like hilly there is always Anegada!

The hotel at Quito's in Cane Garden Bay is beautiful and newly built. You will be hard pressed to find any foodie places on the north shore but Quito's comes close. They are right on the beach for floating purposes. I have not eaten at Bananakeet but nothing else comes close in food quality to Quito's on the north shore of Tortola.

You could consider Anegada and stay at Anegada Beach Club. They have a proper front desk, a pool, and a great beach for floating. Foodie options at their restaurant, Lobster Trap (their sister restaurant), and Wonky Dog. All that said, Anegada is very quiet and laid back. Not much to do so if you need entertained, it's not a great choice.

Probably good options to be had on Virgin Gorda. Depending on budget, you might check out Little Dix Bay.

If you end up on Tortola, a few food options are Brandywine Estate, Rooftop by Brandywine, and Fantasia by Georgio.

On Tortola, we have 10 small 1 and 2 bedroom villas right in the middle of Cane Garden Bay so we are walking distance to the beach and happy hour at your choice of 6 bars and restaurants. No formal front desk but our villas are all fully furnished with outdoor patios, great views, full indoor living spaces, and kitchens for making cocktails if you don't need to cook. And we're a TTOL sponsor. Check out Coconut Breeze Villas (Agape Cottages)

You could also rent a villa or stay in an apartment/hotel on Virgin Gorda - lots of walking available, safe and great food and very limited shopping.

Hi. They specifically said that they wanted a hotel with a front desk.

Wyndham Lambert Beach Resort recently re-opened. It looks like a beautiful place, but rather isolated. They have a bar, restaurant and nice pool right on the property. Cab ride wouldn't be too bad to places like Red Rock and Brandywine.

I just stayed there and love it. However if these people are so concerned about walkability they won’t like it. Walking up and down the hill that gets you into the resort is a chore to say the least.

I think The Sugar Mill, upstairs, has some of the best food on Tortola not just the North Shore..As for Quito's Hotel , for some, it would be a good choice..suggest you check out their website for prices etc. I am more a fan of smaller boutique hotels which is why we like The Sugar Mill. I would suggest doing some research..check TripAdvisor etc. before you decide.

I took a look at the Sugar Mill web site and I agree it looks beautiful however it is quite pricey even in low season. Please keep the ideas coming!

LMD--Honestly, prices in the BVI are higher than many other islands..

To be honest..you have very specific needs. I could recommend a lot of other places but they would not fulfill your wish list. Jason on here has a beautiful place in CGB..check that out..I think the Mill is right in line with other island boutique hotels..keep checking and maybe get hubby to change some of his expectations if you have a tight budget..Rhymers, The Elm, Myett's and Columbus Sunset all have great rates..but not the add one you said you need.Jason's Coconut Breeze is terrific but lacks the stuff you are asking for...

Seems like Rosewood Little Dix Bay would be the best option.

They thought Sugar Mill was "quite pricey"

It's not my idea of a tropical vacation, but Maria's by the Sea might fit your needs. It's 3.5 stars on TripAdvisor, has a front desk, is walking distance to several happy hour places along with the Rooftop by Brandywine for good food and wine. No beach there but they do have a pool.

That said, we do get guests that move here to Coconut Breeze Villas from Maria's mid-trip because they don't like being in Road Town and the feel of a hotel environment.

Guavaberry in Virgin Gorda might be something for you. Has a front desk open daytime, nice cottages with ocean views, the most wonderful beach a few minutes walk (Spring bay) and you can walk to several restaurants nearby. Or a short taxi ride if you don’t want to walk. Affordable. Staff is the best ❤️.

What about the hotel at Nanny Cay? They have a beach I believe, front desk, beach bar, regular bar. Short rides to RT and West End?

Oops, missed that. Well then, LDB wouldn't be a good choice! Is the campground open in Brewer's?

The hurricanes did $100,000 in improvements to the campgrounds.

Since these folks wanted a hotel with a front desk, I don't think a campground will suffice.

Villas have managers that meet the guests and maids that do all the cleaning, laundry etc. So not much difference from a front desk.

I agree villas are great, but I guess some people really like a lot more people around? Anyone have any feedback on the hotel at Nanny Cay that they asked about?

Just makin' a joke, Carol!

Sorry.

It isn’t walkable (budget 2x as much for taxi’s as you’d expect, but maybe Lambert Beach. It’s beautiful, great new restaurant, great beach, close to Trellis Ferries. BVI ain’t cheap.

What is your price range? And are you set on Tortola, or would you be interested in Virgin Gorda or Anegada?

If you are willing to break the bank, check out Oil Nut Bay and Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda. Guavaberry Springs or Mahoe Bay are more affordable (read, still not cheap) option on Virgin Gorda that are also beautiful.

As for Anegada, I highly recommend the Anegada Beach Club's Luxury Beach Front Tents. One of the most relaxing stays I have ever had.

As they said..The Sugar Mill off season was not in their budget...those places are 2 or 3 times more. Even Anegada Beach Club prices are more ( I believe) than The Sugar Mill. As has been said there are definitely some very nice places with very reasonable prices but I dont think they fit their wishlist.

Just back from a delicious brunch at The Sugar Mill beach bar ( Tramonti). I talked to Andrea the manager. Their off season rate is $290 per night including breakfast for a deluxe room. Their high season rate is $390 per night including breakfast. I'm not sure how you can beat that for what you are looking for. Pool, beach, two restaurants, two great bars all around a historic Sugar Mill.