vfryer

We are planning a trip to Tortola in December, and would like to know about other people's experiences at Long Bay. We've found more negative than postitive things about the resort on the internet.

Would anyone recommend any other hotel on Tortola?

lovethecape

We will be staying there 5 days right after Thanksgiving. It may be too late but I'll write a review. Overall, Tripadvisor says pretty good things about the resort.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_Islands.html

It's not high end but it looks comfortable and is right on the beach.

You might also try this site:

http://www.bviwelcome.com/

nanorran

lovethecape,
we will bet there Nov 24th-29th! Do you know a good website to research possible daytrips/excursions. We are interested in going on at least 2 while we are there (around BVIs)

Jackie

I stayed there a couple of years ago. We came back complaining, but if I go back to Tortola, I'd stay there again. The complaints were related to the poor attidude by the staff at the front desk and the pool area which had alot of serious cracks in it. The room itself was okay with a patio and beautiful view. Breakfast at the beach restaurant and drinks at the beach were excellent. I loved the beach, but I'm not a swimmer, so that may make a difference. The location does require you to take cabs or rent a car, but you'd probably have to do that for most places you stay in Tortola. Having the front desk order the cab was actually our worst expereince. Once we found a taxi driver, we called on him exclusively and things picked up.

Jackie

Regarding day trips, we went to Virgin Gorda, Peter Island and on a day sailing/snorkling trip (with Patouche?)around a couple other islands. Each trip was excellent. You need to drive to each of these ports.

toughguy_jd

I found Long Bay (stayed 9-30 thru 10-7-06) to be a beautiful nice resort but there were a few minor blemishes. We stayed in a beachfront cabana and the outside of all of them were, shall we say, a little tired. These seem to be oldest buildings on the property for guests and they were showing their age. That being said we saw workcrews doing assorted things to them most of the week we were there. The other buildings were newer and looked much nicer. The pool needed a serious cleaning. Otherwise we loved our stay there and its facilities. I too had read a fair amount of negative stuff on the internet, but was rather pleased all in all.

Rent a car, everything in the BVI's takes a while to get to, it is hard to walk anywhere, and cabs are pricey.

While there we took the ferry from West End to Jost Van Dyke and from Roadtown to Virgin Gorga (the Baths). We drove to Smugglers Cove, Long Beach-Beef Island, Cane Garden Bay, Josiahs Beach, and Brewers Bay. Highly recommended is White Squall II. We went to Norman Island/Indians for snorkeling & beach and I cant recommend it enough.

Anyone with questions about my trip to the BVI's or Long Bay feel free to email me.

lovethecape

nanorran, the two sites I listed have info about the day trips. The BVI one should list phone/fax numbers if you search it. The two day trips that I recall being mentioned one these sites are the ones Jackie and toughguy mentioned (Patouche and White Squall). I don't think we are going to plan a day sail before hand but may look at weather forecasts once we are there and try to get on one. I also will consider the ferry to Jost van Dyke or Anagada. We visited the Baths on Virgin Gorda and Jost last year from St. John. Since we'll be gone only 3 full days, we may stay on land.

It sounds like the resort has its quirks but we're just looking to relax, to be on a beach and to explore the island. We booked a jacuzzi jr. suite. We do plan to go to Smugglers Cove which I read is about 1 mile away from the resort and one of the nicest beaches, Bananakeet for dinner and Quitos for drinks.

See you there!

allietoo

We enjoyed being virtually over the ocean on stilts at this resort. The beach was pretty though it was not a good area for swimming due to small rocks. We also found service slower than the usual "Caribbean laid-back" and had a terrible time trying to get any sort of transportation off the resort. They seemed to much prefer you stay onsite for meals. Pool never looked clean while we were there. Management was less than helpful...
We walked to Sebastian's for dinner and even over a hill to the harbor for lunch and a look around one day. Eventually, we were able to get a taxi to Mrs. Scatliffe's. The return trip to the airport was a comedy of errors compliments of the resort. We still had a good time, but laugh a lot in retrospect at what were some major annoyances while we were there.

ejcrowe

I didn't choose Long Bay for accommodations when we went to Tortola last summer because I prefer small hotels over larger resorts (we chose Sugar Mill instead). But we spent some time on the beach there and it was just beautiful. The water was a little rough and though it's a sandy beach, there are rocks at the entrance to the water that make it difficult to go in. However, there are so many other great beaches on Tortola that I wouldn't consider that a hardship. If you're looking for a resort atmosphere, Long Bay is your best bet on Tortola.

You're also within easy walking distance of Sebastian's and Coco Plums for dinner, a little bit longer of a walk up to the Sugar Mill for their legendary dinners. You can also walk to Bomba's shack from Long Bay. A bit farther on past Sugar Mill (probably need a car) you'll find the North Beach Shell Museum and Palm's Delight, both local restaurants. The former is good for breakfast, the latter for dinner.

We took a daysail on Patouche to Virgin Gorda and Cooper Island for some wonderful snorkeling. We enjoyed it very much, but since snorkeling is our big pleasure we would probably concentrate more on places to maximize snorkel time rather than spend so much time sailing. That is, we would probably take the ferry to Virgin Gorda and spend the day there, snorkeling to our hearts' content.

Other places on Tortola we especially enjoyed were Smuggler's Cove (can walk there from Long Bay), Brewer's Bay, and Long Bay East, which is on Beef Island.

StanKase

We only visited Long Bay Resort. Tortola is not known for desirable resorts though I hear from friends some viilla rentals are very nice. On our i hr. there including peeking into 2 rooms that were being cleaned I would say it is quality of a good Holiday Inn though configured as a real Caribbean resort. That was in 2001 before we left for Peter Island.

The biggest advantage, if you are avid snorkelers, is there are a number of day trips and even 1/2 day trips to some very good spots for snorkeling. If snorkeling is not something you would do 3 or 4 times I cannot recommend it as as even a mid-range resort, though the beach is quite nice.The rates there vs. Virgin Gorda or St. John are likely 50% of resorts on those islands. So, you get what you pay for.

sandyjoy

I have stayed at both Long Bay and Sugar Mill. I really liked the Sugar Mill and would recommend it over Long Bay. But Long Bay Resort was fine. Our room was clean and comfortable, if a little dated. The beach and view are gorgeous. Staff were friendly and helpful, our room rate at the time included breakfast which we liked very much. Tortola is very peaceful and best used as a base for exploring the other BVI's.