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Tortola - where to stay?
Tortola - where to stay?
Looking for suggestions on where to stay in Tortola? Thanks, Ali~
STJ - I "get it"
http://208.122.2.233/ Try this website. It this link doesn't work, do a search for Purple Pineapple Villas.
When I was researching for a possible trip there (we didn't go), I liked the looks of Mongoose Apartments and The Lighthouse Villas but they are near Cane Garden Bay. Both got very good reviews on TA at the time. There was another little place that looked cute on CGB called (I think) Shan's Bungalow. I'll have to look it up to see if that is the right name.
When I was researching for a possible trip there (we didn't go), I liked the looks of Mongoose Apartments and The Lighthouse Villas but they are near Cane Garden Bay. Both got very good reviews on TA at the time. There was another little place that looked cute on CGB called (I think) Shan's Bungalow. I'll have to look it up to see if that is the right name.
Going "home" again October 26th!
b-as-u-r,
I have stayed many times at Fort Recovery in West End. Fort Recovery has a private compound with individual villas. The individual villas are 1 and 2 bedrooms and the property also has a larger house that can be rented. All face the ocean. The only down side is the beach is rocks and not a nice sand beach.
I have stayed many times at Fort Recovery in West End. Fort Recovery has a private compound with individual villas. The individual villas are 1 and 2 bedrooms and the property also has a larger house that can be rented. All face the ocean. The only down side is the beach is rocks and not a nice sand beach.
Peace,
bj
bj
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steveo2916
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:02 pm
- Location: san antonio,tx
We rented a villa on Tortola last year but IF I every went back to Tortola (I don't think that will happen but if we did) I think I'd either stay at the Sugar Mill or Long Bay Resort. The Sugar Mill is smaller and intimate. Long Bay has a long beach to walk (but not a swimming beach) and is a nicely kept resort.
The truth is that I think we were unfairly comparing St. John with Tortola. Tortola's beaches and from shore snorkeling were very disappointing. We found the roads on Tortola rough and poorly maintained. The villa we rented was on an unpaved road that became very unpleasant after only a few days of our 2 week stay. Keep in mind that many think the roads on STJ are bad but they are GREAT compared to Tortola. We also found that we spent a lot of time driving since the island is larger and things are further apart. Tortola is a poorer island so that must be factored in and realize that properties are much more rustic that I had expected to find. Many rave about Cane Garden Bay but we quickly found that we wanted to avoid Cane Garden Bay because of the tourists that we found there (mostly groups of people coming ashore from yachts) who were mostly loud and drunk in the restaurants along the beach. We also had terrible weather while we were there which made our stay less pleasant than we had anticipated.
Check out Myett's on Cane Garden Bay, as well. We spent one night in the beachfront room. We also spent several days at the Cane Garden Bay cottages (also owned by Myett's). They were small and a little bit worn (but clean) and a great deal for the money.
Not as much good snorkeling as St. John, but it is nice to be able to stay right on the beach; as well as have restaurants/bars along the beach. However, CGB does get crowded on Cruise ship days - the good thing is there are "bars" about every 10 feet on the beach - not too many steps for that next Pina Colada.
We didn't venture much further than Cane Garden/Apple Bays; the restaurants were OK; not as big a variety as what is concentrated in Cruz Bay. Full Moon party at Bomba's shack was a blast (yes, it is a shack).
And the driving seemed a bit scary; we opted not to rent a vehicle even for day time exploring.
we may also look into Long Bay; it seemed like a very nice resort.
If you do go, don't miss Quito and the Edge at the Gazebo.
enjoy,
Not as much good snorkeling as St. John, but it is nice to be able to stay right on the beach; as well as have restaurants/bars along the beach. However, CGB does get crowded on Cruise ship days - the good thing is there are "bars" about every 10 feet on the beach - not too many steps for that next Pina Colada.
We didn't venture much further than Cane Garden/Apple Bays; the restaurants were OK; not as big a variety as what is concentrated in Cruz Bay. Full Moon party at Bomba's shack was a blast (yes, it is a shack).
And the driving seemed a bit scary; we opted not to rent a vehicle even for day time exploring.
we may also look into Long Bay; it seemed like a very nice resort.
If you do go, don't miss Quito and the Edge at the Gazebo.
enjoy,
janet
We stayed at Mongoose in May. I would not stay there again. The main reason is that it was so dark inside the rooms. Also, it is not on the beach. We never felt we were in the Caribbean while we were inside. It was spotless.
We were on our way to Virgin Gorda, and decided to check out Tortola. I also would not go back to Tortola. I would head directly to VG.
Good luck. SRT
We were on our way to Virgin Gorda, and decided to check out Tortola. I also would not go back to Tortola. I would head directly to VG.
Good luck. SRT
Long Bay Resort
My sister-in-law has stayed there several times, and likes it very much. Long Bay itself is a great beach, from personal experience, with decent body-surfing waves on occasion. Also, LBR is close to Bomba's, if you're so inclined, and not too far away from Lower Belmont Bay (aka "Smugglers Cove"), which is also very nice.
Close to West End too. Only downside is distance to Roadtown.
Close to West End too. Only downside is distance to Roadtown.
"The exuberance of youth pales in comparison to a middle-age crisis."
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Captain Scott
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Fri May 04, 2007 9:59 pm
- Location: Indiana
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tortola villas
b-as-u-r:
We love Tortola. My wife and I have an on-going battle over which is our favorite, Tortola or STJ. I prefer STJ, she prefers Tortola.
As others have said the beaches are not nearly as nice in Tortola but, they are generally less crowded. I agree about staying away from the Cane Garden Bay area, too much noise for us. We rented a villa called 7 Peaks there and we would never go back. Primarily due to the fact that Geckos were everywhere. A few running around is no bother but when they are in your bed and they leave droppings behind in your bed, it is just too much, so stay away from 7 Peaks Villa in my opinion. We were so unhappy there we paid an up charge on airfare to leave 2 days early!
There is an absolutely fabulous villa that sits on a 1/3 MILE gated area on one end of the Island that we love. Check out Steele Point, www.steeelpt.com. Now this is a VERY pricey villa but it is stunning. The week before we were there Johnny Deep had rented it. I know Keith Richards and others of fame and fortune have rented it as well. It sits right on the point and stair steps down the side of the cliff, spectacular, but if you can afford to rent this place you can probably afford to buy your own villa. (Lots of steps in this house) We being of somewhat lesser means rented a villa on the same gated property called Gestalt. The house is very open, fantastic views, has its own dock on the water with better snorkeling than anywhere we have found on STJ.(far better) Gestalt is about a third of the price of Steele Point and I would highly recommend it. The privacy, views and location cannot be beat. It is older but in nice condition. Again, a very open floor plan. The kitchen, dining and living area have half walls with views in 3 directions of the Ocean. We found it very comfortable. The bedrooms are in a separate wing and are nice, although not great, but comfortable just the same. However you just can't beat this location IF you want fantastic views and total privacy. We've rented this villa a couple of times.
Gestalt and Steele Point are at the far end of the Island where the ferry from STJ comes in. (Opposite end from the airport) There is not a lot in the way of restaurants and certainly no shopping in the area, whcih for us is a good thing. We want an Island experience, not shops and cruise ships.
I have to agree with the others, the roads on STJ are light years ahead of the roads on Tortola. The road to Steele Point and Gestalt is a narrow gravel road that is mostly existent, but at times I swear you are driving on air and you believe you have to go over the cliff. Still worth the trouble in our minds and it gave us no serious problems.
The reason Kate loves Tortola is the people. We travel often and have been fortunate enough to be on many Islands. We have never met people as kind and open as those on Tortola. Just start every conversation by asking how they are today and the kindness they will extend you is remarkable.
While Gestalt is not inexpensive we believe it is worth the cost and we'll probably be back again next summer ourselves.
Tortola is not as beautiful as STJ but we enjoy the fact that in many areas it is less crowded. Besides, this villa is located very close to the ferry and you can be in STJ in no time for a day trip.
The owners of this property recently built another villa on this property. We have not seen it as they were just starting construction the last time we were there. However the property they own is large and I'm sure you would still have a great deal of privacy at any of the 3 villas on the property.
Good luck and sorry for such a long winded reply.
We love Tortola. My wife and I have an on-going battle over which is our favorite, Tortola or STJ. I prefer STJ, she prefers Tortola.
As others have said the beaches are not nearly as nice in Tortola but, they are generally less crowded. I agree about staying away from the Cane Garden Bay area, too much noise for us. We rented a villa called 7 Peaks there and we would never go back. Primarily due to the fact that Geckos were everywhere. A few running around is no bother but when they are in your bed and they leave droppings behind in your bed, it is just too much, so stay away from 7 Peaks Villa in my opinion. We were so unhappy there we paid an up charge on airfare to leave 2 days early!
There is an absolutely fabulous villa that sits on a 1/3 MILE gated area on one end of the Island that we love. Check out Steele Point, www.steeelpt.com. Now this is a VERY pricey villa but it is stunning. The week before we were there Johnny Deep had rented it. I know Keith Richards and others of fame and fortune have rented it as well. It sits right on the point and stair steps down the side of the cliff, spectacular, but if you can afford to rent this place you can probably afford to buy your own villa. (Lots of steps in this house) We being of somewhat lesser means rented a villa on the same gated property called Gestalt. The house is very open, fantastic views, has its own dock on the water with better snorkeling than anywhere we have found on STJ.(far better) Gestalt is about a third of the price of Steele Point and I would highly recommend it. The privacy, views and location cannot be beat. It is older but in nice condition. Again, a very open floor plan. The kitchen, dining and living area have half walls with views in 3 directions of the Ocean. We found it very comfortable. The bedrooms are in a separate wing and are nice, although not great, but comfortable just the same. However you just can't beat this location IF you want fantastic views and total privacy. We've rented this villa a couple of times.
Gestalt and Steele Point are at the far end of the Island where the ferry from STJ comes in. (Opposite end from the airport) There is not a lot in the way of restaurants and certainly no shopping in the area, whcih for us is a good thing. We want an Island experience, not shops and cruise ships.
I have to agree with the others, the roads on STJ are light years ahead of the roads on Tortola. The road to Steele Point and Gestalt is a narrow gravel road that is mostly existent, but at times I swear you are driving on air and you believe you have to go over the cliff. Still worth the trouble in our minds and it gave us no serious problems.
The reason Kate loves Tortola is the people. We travel often and have been fortunate enough to be on many Islands. We have never met people as kind and open as those on Tortola. Just start every conversation by asking how they are today and the kindness they will extend you is remarkable.
While Gestalt is not inexpensive we believe it is worth the cost and we'll probably be back again next summer ourselves.
Tortola is not as beautiful as STJ but we enjoy the fact that in many areas it is less crowded. Besides, this villa is located very close to the ferry and you can be in STJ in no time for a day trip.
The owners of this property recently built another villa on this property. We have not seen it as they were just starting construction the last time we were there. However the property they own is large and I'm sure you would still have a great deal of privacy at any of the 3 villas on the property.
Good luck and sorry for such a long winded reply.
"If your attitude is appaling there is a latitude calling"
b-as-u-r
Captain Scott and everyone else has a ton of great info. My husband and I were married on Tortola last year (June 06) and had 30 others stay on the island at various places. Fort Recovery, Sugar Mill and some other villas. The villas that were rented by the people in our group were beautiful. My mother, Aunt, Brother and sis-in-law stayed in Lemongrass which was walkable to Cane Garden Bay. 10 of us, incl. my husband and I, stayed in Fawlty Towers - http://www.bvi-vacation.com/ - it was AMAZING. While it wasn't St. John it was really the islands without the major tourism - its kinda a throw back to what island life probably was on St. John 20 years ago.
The roads were definitely different, the restaurants and stuff were different, but the people were so wonderful. EVERYONE that I had dealt with or ran into were so sweet and friendly. From my wedding planner - who was born in St. Thomas but has lived in the BVI's (specifically Tortola) for like 20 or 30 years - to the people that came and cleaned the villa.
To give you an idea - there were 30 people that were down there with us for that week....of all of us only my husband and I and another couple had been to St. John, my Aunt lived in St. Thomas years ago, and my boss and his wife have a house in St. Maarten....the vacation was dubbed..."the vacation that sucked"....not because it was terrible - but because EVERYONE LOVED IT and we were always being sarcastic about this or that saying how much it "sucked".
Any questions, feel free to ask!!
Captain Scott and everyone else has a ton of great info. My husband and I were married on Tortola last year (June 06) and had 30 others stay on the island at various places. Fort Recovery, Sugar Mill and some other villas. The villas that were rented by the people in our group were beautiful. My mother, Aunt, Brother and sis-in-law stayed in Lemongrass which was walkable to Cane Garden Bay. 10 of us, incl. my husband and I, stayed in Fawlty Towers - http://www.bvi-vacation.com/ - it was AMAZING. While it wasn't St. John it was really the islands without the major tourism - its kinda a throw back to what island life probably was on St. John 20 years ago.
The roads were definitely different, the restaurants and stuff were different, but the people were so wonderful. EVERYONE that I had dealt with or ran into were so sweet and friendly. From my wedding planner - who was born in St. Thomas but has lived in the BVI's (specifically Tortola) for like 20 or 30 years - to the people that came and cleaned the villa.
To give you an idea - there were 30 people that were down there with us for that week....of all of us only my husband and I and another couple had been to St. John, my Aunt lived in St. Thomas years ago, and my boss and his wife have a house in St. Maarten....the vacation was dubbed..."the vacation that sucked"....not because it was terrible - but because EVERYONE LOVED IT and we were always being sarcastic about this or that saying how much it "sucked".
Any questions, feel free to ask!!
Interesting that so many commented about the people on Tortola being so friendly. We didn't find that to be the case. One exception being the wonderful staff at the Jolly Roger. We returned many times and we all agreed that we had the best food and the best service there of anywhere on the island although we also enjoyed Banankeet (I think that's the name of it) We can't recommend any of the restaurants on Cane Garden Bay for either food or service.
We just generally didn't like the 'vibe' on Tortola at all. We also found that it was hard to find things. The grocery and other stores are not nearly as well supplied as St. John. For example, I forgot to pack a tweezers. When I asked at several shops where I might find a tweezers, they looked at me like I had 2 heads. I asked. "If you had to buy a tweeezers, where would you go?" The answer was, "St. Thomas". They told me that the weekend ferries to St. Thomas are full of Tortola residents who go there to shop for things they can't get on Tortola.
We just generally didn't like the 'vibe' on Tortola at all. We also found that it was hard to find things. The grocery and other stores are not nearly as well supplied as St. John. For example, I forgot to pack a tweezers. When I asked at several shops where I might find a tweezers, they looked at me like I had 2 heads. I asked. "If you had to buy a tweeezers, where would you go?" The answer was, "St. Thomas". They told me that the weekend ferries to St. Thomas are full of Tortola residents who go there to shop for things they can't get on Tortola.
I forgot to mention that you may want to check out www.traveltalkonline.com. The BVI board is very active; and although it leans toward bareboating, you will get a lot of good information from the land crews. I found it very helpful when researching our sail charter and trips to Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
I can also attest to the fact that the Tortola residents do in fact go shopping in St. Thomas on the weekends. For our trip to Virgin Gorda/St. John last November, we had to ferry through Tortola to get to Virgin Gorda. We picked up the ferry in CA and when it stopped at Red Hook we didn't pay attention to the passengers/baggage boarding; we were too engrossed up top enjoying the sunshine and the view. However, when we got to the West End to clear customs, we found that our luggage was buried under several cases of Bounty, Pampers, creamed corn and the like. Luckily, one of the agents took pity on us and let us through as a woman was piling all her purchases on the counter.
enjoy,
janet
I can also attest to the fact that the Tortola residents do in fact go shopping in St. Thomas on the weekends. For our trip to Virgin Gorda/St. John last November, we had to ferry through Tortola to get to Virgin Gorda. We picked up the ferry in CA and when it stopped at Red Hook we didn't pay attention to the passengers/baggage boarding; we were too engrossed up top enjoying the sunshine and the view. However, when we got to the West End to clear customs, we found that our luggage was buried under several cases of Bounty, Pampers, creamed corn and the like. Luckily, one of the agents took pity on us and let us through as a woman was piling all her purchases on the counter.
enjoy,
janet
janet