Staying in Tortola: resorts, hotels, villas
Tortola's hotels are meant for escaping the worries of the world, and most are not outfitted with TV's and all the amenities high-end resorts usually offer. Many of the island's hotels are small, informal, family-run guesthouses offering only the most basic services. Others are more elaborate and have the typical resort facilities, though none of them are as luxurious and all encompassing as the resorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. But that's why many travelers come here. All Tortola's beaches are on the Northern shore, so guests staying elsewhere, like Road Town, will have to drive or take a taxi to reach them.
Some suggestions:
Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas (Road Town; 800/729-9599; longbay.com; rooms from $155-$455). All guestrooms and villas rest along a mile of beach on top a steep forested hillside (pictured at right), giving guests a dramatic view of the sea from their balconies and terraces. Resort offers a cafe, restaurant, spa and fitness center. However, visitors have given poor reviews on the questionable service. For booking information, click here.
Sugar Mill Hotel (284/495-4355; sugarmillhotel.com; $150 - $620) Former travel writers opened up this hillside hotel which houses a lobby and excellent restaurant inside a 300 year old sugar mill. A pool is situated on hillside among the guest rooms.
Moorings-Mariner Inn (Road Town; 800/535-7289; $150 - $250), is in the middle of the boating headquarters with lots of action and people, this lively inn offers rooms with simple furnishings, rattan furniture and some balconies. A restaurant and pool are on site.
Frenchman's Cay Hotel (West End; 800/235-4077; frenchamns.com; $250 - $400), is a small number of one and two bedroom condos overlooking Sir Francis Drake Channel. All have full kitchen and dining room. There is a small pool and a restaurant.
Ft. Recovery Tortola Villa Beach Resort (800/367-8455; fortrecovery.com; $150 - $350), is a remote and lush beachside location within the remnants of a Dutch fort. All suites and four bedroom villas have great views and kitchens. Resort offers yoga and exercise classes.
Nanny Cay Hotel (Road Town; 866/284-4683; nannycay.com; $150 - $250), is located in the heart of the nautical scene close to Road Town and shopping. Rooms are done in white with a tropical decor. Most of the 38 rooms have a sea or garden view at this hotel with a restaurant and pool.
Lambert Beach Resort (East End; 284/495-2877; lambertbeachresort.com; $80 - $350), is a remote north shore Mediterranean style cottage a few steps away from the beach with a restaurant and pool. The two bedroom villas on the hillside have full kitchens.
Feature Hotel/Resort of the Month:
Tortola's Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas
Carefully tucked away in a excusive 52-acre hillside estate, the Long Bay Beach Resort is positioned on the western tip of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
Beginning with the beach from which the resort takes its' name, Long Beach is a vast expanse of silken sand where guests can swim, snorkel, or simply swing from a hammock.
Click here to read more about The Long Bay.