Finding a Place to Stay

Hello all, this is my first post here. But I'm a big traveller so I hope this will be first of many.

I'm visiting BVI in mid/late October for a week's sailing adventure (it starts and ends in Hodge's Creek Marina) with a group. However my total stay is a fortnight. I've already booked four nights at Fort Burts in Road Town before the boat trip - I figure I'll get enough beach life and swimming via the boating experience and I hope this will be a good base to explore the island and to find some bars with a good selection of rum and learn some interesting history about the island and take some photos.

Here's my query: I also have another four nights on the other side of the sailing. I'm a bit uncertain about what to book/plan for here. I'd love to be able to leave it until the holiday itself and decide after getting a sense of the islands, but I'm guessing that's extremely risky and might leave me with very limited options. I'll be solo so it would be good to find somewhere where I'm not too remote and I might be able to find interesting chat in a bar or somewhere. However it doesn't have to be a big town! Small beaches with a friendly crowd would be amazing. I'm not fussy about the quality of the location and ideally wouldn't really want to spend much more than $100-$130 per night ideally. It doesn't have to be on Tortolla. My flight departs from Beef Island at 4pm so I'll be able to get a boat back from wherever I stay...

Does anyone have any advice? I was looking at a small one person villa in Little Apple Bay but the dates only go up to September. Do certain villas only become available to book nearer the time? What other islands/locations might be right for me?

Many thanks!

I'd suggest you head over to St. John for those 4 days. My son recently did that after our 10 day sail in the BVI and enjoyed it. He found a nice condo through VRBO that was close to Cruz Bay which certainly solves the issue of being solo and wanting company. Beach options on St. John are more than you'll find on Tortola.

A second recommendation would be to head out to Anegada for 4 days.

I would offer our place in Apple Bay but we are still recovering..that said ..Rhymer's on Cane Garden Bay is cheap, clean and right on a beautiful beach with food and drink on sand...perfect for a relaxing beach time..

Thanks so much - I will investigate all of those suggestions.

I second the Rhymers recommendation!

I agree with Rhymers on CGB as well. But also Anegada. Ann's Cottages are now open on Cow Wreck Beach.

I have places in CGB but are still in recovery mode. I also highly recommend checking out Rhymers...

Dying to stay there....

Why not come over to Virgin Gorda

Good Afternoon!

We would love to have you stay with us at Leverick Bay Resort & Marina or Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals. I have many options for you & your group with both hotel rooms or Villa's to offer. Feel free to contact me directly should you like further information or have questions - becky@leverickbay.com.

All my Best,
Rebecca

Thanks again for the suggestions. I tried to contact Rhymers to ask about prices and availability but I could only find one email address and a week later I've still had no response from it. Does anyone have any up to date contact details?

Also I could find no evidence for the existence of Ann's Cottages on Cow Wreck Beach!


Any guidance would be appreciated.

http://www.cowwreckbeachbvi.com/book-a-room/rooms/

Ann's places open on 10/31.

Rhymer's temporary contact number is 284-547-4639.

Phone calls are the way to go when dealing with a lot of BVI businesses..

Thanks all - will give them a go...

I was at Cow Wreck yesterday and these buildings are still in the final stages of being built, so how are they open?

Does anyone have updates on Sebastian's in the West End ? We have reservations in Nov following 7 day Sunsail charter.

Thank you,
Jonny

Beachfront rooms and the restaurant are open as per our friend Toni Kelleman who is on island now.

Thanks for your reply. This will be our first trip down since a trip cancellation last Oct. Can't wait to see the islands!

They open 1 November.

Ah a bit too late for me :-(

Yep, my mistake. I saw Ann's post but didn't catch the date. Thanks for clarifying Jason.

Have a look at Spice Arbor.....
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17675299

Thanks all. Spice Arbor looks fantastic but too expensive for a solo traveller like me.

I called Rhymers and they then gave me an email address to use. I later realised it was the same address I emailed two weeks prior without reply. I emailed it again and didn't get a response once more. In the meantime, I found somewhere else down the beach and booked that. When they finally replied after about a week it was too late. I feel bad because it could be they don't have much business at the moment and have a poor internet connection - but I had to tell them not to reserve it.

I wish businesses who only check emails occasionally would switch on an auto response so you know they've received it! I'll visit them though and spend lots of money on food and drinks.

Anyway - everything's arranged now so thank you to everyone who gave me tips. I'll try to post a trip report on the other side...

If you called and spoke with someone at Rhymers why didn't you just book during that call? Just curious.

I think leverick is a great option for you as well. My heart will always be in Cane GArden Bay, but not sure they are ready for prime time, especially for a first timer. Leverick is also easy to get ferry to the airport or back to Tortola.

Should have done but they sounded like they were busy and I was expecting to have to read out my credit card details and have to wait for it to be checked and confirmed. I just figured that with a proper email address that could be achieved more easily by email!




Just gonna chill there for a handful of days, not expecting it to be a big entertainment hotspot with big parties or anything! A few rums, a couple of half-decent meals and a conversation or two with locals or other interesting visitors will fulfil my needs! Plus there's the Callwood Rum Distillery!!!


Does anyone know if Cane Garden Bay has a working ATM? Or will I have to find my way to Road Town to use one?


Thanks again for everyone's kind help here.

There is not a working ATM in Cane.

Nanny Cay Hotel is partially open, has a pool and beach restaurant, supermarket, cafe and coffee shop and you can rent power boats and cars onsite. email hotelreservations@nannycay.com or call +1-284-394-2512 and select option 1. The hotel is well priced for the budget conscious traveller and well located to relax or explore Tortola. www.NannyCay.com/hotel

I would also recommend Leverick Bay, they have just remodeled their rooms which look amazing. There are in your price range and there is a fabulous atmosphere there. Bar on site which always has interesting people around and where you can chill out and meet new friends or be on your own, whatever your mood suits. Also they have amazing facilities, we normally stay in a villa but recently stayed in a hotel room. They have a very well stocked grocery store, pool, car rental, boat rentals, boat charters, the new snuba experience, new Arawak store, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards etc and a fabulous spa ( ask for Simple!)

We had a delightful stay there, the new Manager Becky was wonderful, very friendly and welcoming, loved the food upstairs at the restaurant and the entertainment at the beach bar. We rented a car for just $50 for the day to explore and visit the Baths for the umpteen time, and went to hog heaven for the ribs and the view.. The girl at the snuba place was so wonderful and told us a lot of things to do and what was open and available, we will definitely be trying the snuba trip on our next visit, spent a fortune in the arawak store and as mentioned asked for Simple at the spa, loved the massage.

There is a small apt. over the hill from Sebastian's toward Long bay that may be available. Not a villa but inexpensive and within walking to beach, restaurants, etc. Beachrentalsbvi@hotmail.com.