First-timer, Tortola Questions...
May 2nd, 2003, 06:57 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First-timer, Tortola Questions...
Hello folks. I've been reading the board for a while researching possible honeymoon locations. My fiance and I have decided that Tortola seems to be the place to fit the bill (not overcrowded, relaxing, nice beaches, friendly people, etc.). I'm looking for a bit of input on some items, as this will be our first time travelling to the Caribbean. Here it goes:
1) We're getting married April 17, 2004. I'm the type that likes to plan ahead and be prepared, but I don't want to pull the trigger too quickly on things and miss out on better rates, etc. When should I start looking to get the best rates for flights? Soon? A couple months before next April?
2)We'll fly from Charlotte (hub for USAir)directly to San Juan or St. Thomas and take a ferry or inter-island flight. Any thoughts on which would be better / cheaper, more enjoyable?
3) We're still looking for where to stay on Tortola. Possibly Cane Garden Bay, West End? Any other places or recommendtions on this? How about accomodations in these locations? We want a nice, smaller place that doesn't have to be luxurious, but is nice, reasonably priced, on or very close to the ocean, and includes a kitchen. Preferably, someplace that has a little activity around it (a couple restaurants, grocery store). When should I look into booking accomodations?
4) Budget: Does this seam reasonable?
- Travel: $1,000 (2 people, from Charlotte to St. Thomas or San Juan, ferry or inter-island flight to Tortola)
- Accomodations: $1,000 / 5 days to a week, not sure yet (Since it would be the week of April 18, 2004 I'm thinking we may be able to get summer rates)
- Food + Entertainment: $150 / day. We would have a small breakfast and lunch and a nice dinner. We would also bring granola bars, and other dried goods w/ us and hit a grocery store when we got there to make meals / snacks in our room. We won't need a ton of activities. Just each other, sun, beach and maybe a little day excursion here or there.
Sorry for the long post. Any thoughts / comments would be great. Thanks for your help.
Brian
1) We're getting married April 17, 2004. I'm the type that likes to plan ahead and be prepared, but I don't want to pull the trigger too quickly on things and miss out on better rates, etc. When should I start looking to get the best rates for flights? Soon? A couple months before next April?
2)We'll fly from Charlotte (hub for USAir)directly to San Juan or St. Thomas and take a ferry or inter-island flight. Any thoughts on which would be better / cheaper, more enjoyable?
3) We're still looking for where to stay on Tortola. Possibly Cane Garden Bay, West End? Any other places or recommendtions on this? How about accomodations in these locations? We want a nice, smaller place that doesn't have to be luxurious, but is nice, reasonably priced, on or very close to the ocean, and includes a kitchen. Preferably, someplace that has a little activity around it (a couple restaurants, grocery store). When should I look into booking accomodations?
4) Budget: Does this seam reasonable?
- Travel: $1,000 (2 people, from Charlotte to St. Thomas or San Juan, ferry or inter-island flight to Tortola)
- Accomodations: $1,000 / 5 days to a week, not sure yet (Since it would be the week of April 18, 2004 I'm thinking we may be able to get summer rates)
- Food + Entertainment: $150 / day. We would have a small breakfast and lunch and a nice dinner. We would also bring granola bars, and other dried goods w/ us and hit a grocery store when we got there to make meals / snacks in our room. We won't need a ton of activities. Just each other, sun, beach and maybe a little day excursion here or there.
Sorry for the long post. Any thoughts / comments would be great. Thanks for your help.
Brian
May 2nd, 2003, 03:32 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Brian,
I just got back from St. John and I also got married last year in St. Croix. Although I have never been to Tortola, I can tell you that you expenses may be off a little. I too am from Charlotte, and your best bet is to drive to Greensboro and fly Delta or US Air from there--better rates. You should be able to get tickets to St. Thomas for about $400.00/each. However, your accomodations will need to be more flexible. I prefer to stay in private villas. They are more private and you get a better feel for the island flavor. Plus, you can cook in to help save money. Good luck. Sharon
I just got back from St. John and I also got married last year in St. Croix. Although I have never been to Tortola, I can tell you that you expenses may be off a little. I too am from Charlotte, and your best bet is to drive to Greensboro and fly Delta or US Air from there--better rates. You should be able to get tickets to St. Thomas for about $400.00/each. However, your accomodations will need to be more flexible. I prefer to stay in private villas. They are more private and you get a better feel for the island flavor. Plus, you can cook in to help save money. Good luck. Sharon
May 3rd, 2003, 04:00 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fly to St. Thomas and take the ferry,real easy with no hassels. And much cheaper. Look into Long Bay. $1000 for five days may be low,but you could get cheaper airfare as well. Long Bay has good packages with sailing trips and a car included.
May 5th, 2003, 03:14 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brian, I can't help you on the air fare issue, but I think I can assist with your remaining items.
On where to stay, my wife and I are long time BVI visitors. Maybe 10 years ago, we read a great review in Travel & Leisure magazine of Frenchman's Cay Resort. We tried it and have now stayed there 5 times. As I was in the travel writing business, I usually mix business with travel so I've seen most of the hotels & resorts on Virgin Gorda and Tortola. There has never been a place that would tear us away from Frenchman's.
Frenchman's is simple comfort. You have your own small 2 level villa on the side of a hill about 40 feet above the water and 150 feet back from the beach. There are only 6 villas for rent so you have the place mostly to yourselves. The dining is very nice and is nearly beachside. The management (an American couple) is fabulous. Very attentive.
Best of all... stunning, wide-open views of many islands and the Sir Francis Drake Channel from your covered porch. If kicking back is your thing, your porch will be the best spot you'll ever find on God's green earth.
Also, no traffic noise, because you're at the end of a dead-end road.
Next, of all the islands and resorts and such that I've visited in 28 countries this little place is the best and has the best packages on the island.
You won't like Frenchmans if:
- you want luxury, such as marble floors and gold faucets;
- you want someone to bring dinner up to your villa from the outdoor (canopied) restaurant;
- you want air conditioning (it's 82 degrees all day, every day when you'll be there (Note that the sea breeze is 24/7 and the windows are placed so that the breeze is channeled right through the villa and right across the bed upstairs. No problem, mon!!!
As to places on the north shore... no breeze in April. They all have a/c because they have to.
If you decide to opt for the north shore and want to go sort of native, do Cane Garden Bay. Bit noisy at night. If you want comfortable and a bit toward luxe, do Sugar Mill. A little stiff atmosphere-wise, but I have friends that are devoted to it.
As to when to book... NOW! If you choose Frenchman's understand that their packages are very good deals. Go for the Deluxe Tropical Delight with car inasmuch as there are a lot of VERY romantic and lonely little bays on Tortola and you will want to taste previously forbidden fruit on at least several of these.
Saving money on food: we figure we saved as much as $250 on food per week by going to the supermarket in Road Town for the must-haves like rum and butter. But at Soper's Hole in West End (half mile from Frenchman's) there's a Canadian couple that run a provisions store for the yachts and tourists. They've got the wines, baguettes, and nice little items that are worth the extra dollar.
As to your budget, it seems okay to me. Do a search on Frenchman's Cay Resort and see what they charge for the Deluxe Tropical Delight package.
My second choice if Frenchman's isn't your cup of tea is Ft. Recovery which is on the same side of Tortola as Frenchman's and gets good breezes as well. Very friendly and small like Frenchman's.
Feel free to write me if I can help further.
On where to stay, my wife and I are long time BVI visitors. Maybe 10 years ago, we read a great review in Travel & Leisure magazine of Frenchman's Cay Resort. We tried it and have now stayed there 5 times. As I was in the travel writing business, I usually mix business with travel so I've seen most of the hotels & resorts on Virgin Gorda and Tortola. There has never been a place that would tear us away from Frenchman's.
Frenchman's is simple comfort. You have your own small 2 level villa on the side of a hill about 40 feet above the water and 150 feet back from the beach. There are only 6 villas for rent so you have the place mostly to yourselves. The dining is very nice and is nearly beachside. The management (an American couple) is fabulous. Very attentive.
Best of all... stunning, wide-open views of many islands and the Sir Francis Drake Channel from your covered porch. If kicking back is your thing, your porch will be the best spot you'll ever find on God's green earth.
Also, no traffic noise, because you're at the end of a dead-end road.
Next, of all the islands and resorts and such that I've visited in 28 countries this little place is the best and has the best packages on the island.
You won't like Frenchmans if:
- you want luxury, such as marble floors and gold faucets;
- you want someone to bring dinner up to your villa from the outdoor (canopied) restaurant;
- you want air conditioning (it's 82 degrees all day, every day when you'll be there (Note that the sea breeze is 24/7 and the windows are placed so that the breeze is channeled right through the villa and right across the bed upstairs. No problem, mon!!!
As to places on the north shore... no breeze in April. They all have a/c because they have to.
If you decide to opt for the north shore and want to go sort of native, do Cane Garden Bay. Bit noisy at night. If you want comfortable and a bit toward luxe, do Sugar Mill. A little stiff atmosphere-wise, but I have friends that are devoted to it.
As to when to book... NOW! If you choose Frenchman's understand that their packages are very good deals. Go for the Deluxe Tropical Delight with car inasmuch as there are a lot of VERY romantic and lonely little bays on Tortola and you will want to taste previously forbidden fruit on at least several of these.
Saving money on food: we figure we saved as much as $250 on food per week by going to the supermarket in Road Town for the must-haves like rum and butter. But at Soper's Hole in West End (half mile from Frenchman's) there's a Canadian couple that run a provisions store for the yachts and tourists. They've got the wines, baguettes, and nice little items that are worth the extra dollar.
As to your budget, it seems okay to me. Do a search on Frenchman's Cay Resort and see what they charge for the Deluxe Tropical Delight package.
My second choice if Frenchman's isn't your cup of tea is Ft. Recovery which is on the same side of Tortola as Frenchman's and gets good breezes as well. Very friendly and small like Frenchman's.
Feel free to write me if I can help further.
May 8th, 2003, 05:13 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For further review and research as well as a broader audience for BVI info.
Good bulletin board dedicated to BVI's
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/wwwt...&Board=bvi
Good bulletin board dedicated to BVI's
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/wwwt...&Board=bvi
May 8th, 2003, 07:54 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi B,
I second Long Bay. We spent our honeymoon there in 2001. We took ferry from St Thomas- much cheaper that way for us. It does depend on where you're staying. Long Bay and Cane Garden are closer to the ferry stops, and short taxi rides. The airport is waaay out on the west tip of island- maybe better if you're staying at Frencman's reef. I know those who liked F Reef, but we did not like the location. Long bay was secluded, but an easy jeep ride to Cane GardenBay and Soper's hole (where you can ferry to Jost)This idea may sound strange, but if you can delay your honeymoon until June 1st, the rates go way down. We did, and were really glad! We got wedding notes off, relaxed, did things around house then packed leisurely for awesome honeymoon. My trip report is also on traveltalkonline.com best of luck! Oh...we flew Delta to Atlanta to STT. Go to travelocity and register for their fare watcher- they'll email you when rates drop.
I second Long Bay. We spent our honeymoon there in 2001. We took ferry from St Thomas- much cheaper that way for us. It does depend on where you're staying. Long Bay and Cane Garden are closer to the ferry stops, and short taxi rides. The airport is waaay out on the west tip of island- maybe better if you're staying at Frencman's reef. I know those who liked F Reef, but we did not like the location. Long bay was secluded, but an easy jeep ride to Cane GardenBay and Soper's hole (where you can ferry to Jost)This idea may sound strange, but if you can delay your honeymoon until June 1st, the rates go way down. We did, and were really glad! We got wedding notes off, relaxed, did things around house then packed leisurely for awesome honeymoon. My trip report is also on traveltalkonline.com best of luck! Oh...we flew Delta to Atlanta to STT. Go to travelocity and register for their fare watcher- they'll email you when rates drop.
May 9th, 2003, 07:17 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Brian,
I am in the same boat as you are. I am going to Tortola for the first time for my daughter's wedding in July. About 20 friends and relatives will join her. We booked flights in February for St. Thomas out of Charlotte and they were only $390. Relatives from Chicago will fly in and join us on the same flight in Charlotte and the price was $435. I usually fly Delta but the prices were $800. We are staying at Fort Recovery, rented the house (4 bedroom) for $4800 and others got the villa for $1200. THis is for 7 days. My daughter's friend got married in St. Thomas 3 years ago and she remembered Tortola. Also picked Fort Recovery because it was the only place chosen for the Discovery Channel? Anyway, we are all so excited. Rented jeeps ahead of time too. If I were going to Tortola before you, I would let you know what I thought however, that is not the case. Please respond when you return. Congratulations and have a wonderful time! Lyn
I am in the same boat as you are. I am going to Tortola for the first time for my daughter's wedding in July. About 20 friends and relatives will join her. We booked flights in February for St. Thomas out of Charlotte and they were only $390. Relatives from Chicago will fly in and join us on the same flight in Charlotte and the price was $435. I usually fly Delta but the prices were $800. We are staying at Fort Recovery, rented the house (4 bedroom) for $4800 and others got the villa for $1200. THis is for 7 days. My daughter's friend got married in St. Thomas 3 years ago and she remembered Tortola. Also picked Fort Recovery because it was the only place chosen for the Discovery Channel? Anyway, we are all so excited. Rented jeeps ahead of time too. If I were going to Tortola before you, I would let you know what I thought however, that is not the case. Please respond when you return. Congratulations and have a wonderful time! Lyn
May 9th, 2003, 10:58 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your replies. We'll be sure to look into all the places mentioned, since we've got quite some time before we head to Tortola.
Lyn:
We're actually not heading to Tortola until April of next year, so you will be going ahead of us. I'd love to hear how your trip goes. Thanks.
Brian
Lyn:
We're actually not heading to Tortola until April of next year, so you will be going ahead of us. I'd love to hear how your trip goes. Thanks.
Brian
