ann

I am planning a trip to Tortola for December (wedding party) and have found a beautiful villa.. one caveat -- no air conditioning! Is A/C really a must?

Eva

In December, it's not likely that AC is a must. The Christmas winds start kicking in, and will blow and blow throughout your stay. Unless your villa is in a very still, protected spot, those winds and ceiling fans should keep you comfortable unless you are someone who needs to be chilled down to 68 degrees.

Pam

Depends on how it sits. We were just in Tortola the first of December. Our room faced the beach and we had plenty of cooling wind all night. Our friends' rooms faced away from the beach and they had to use a/c at all times.

Vic

One of the best hotels in the Carribean, Caneel Bay on USVI which is next door to Tortola was not air conditioned until recently. The cross ventilation was more than adequate in the winter.

It does sit right on the beach. I'm sure Pam is right, if something blocks the breeze, or the place isn't designed properly, you may be in trouble.

jd

Ann,
I'm a Yankee who loves his a/c. I also visit the BVI about every 2 or 3 years for 10 days or so. I've only once stayed at a resort that had a/c and found it not all that necessary. The one thing that makes a/c unnecessary is the breeze, although in December, a/c may not even be necessary in a dead calm, but I doubt it.
The question is... where is your villa? Is it on a hill or along the shore? If the latter, is it Tortola's north shore or south shore?

ann

The villa is on a hill top -- from the responses I've been getting, looks as if the breezes should be enough to keep me happy for my stay -- the villa is very open. Thanks for the reply!