My husband and I are planning on traveling to the BVI in October, we have stayed in St. John and Turks and Caicos and are curious about the BVI..we had our minds on Tortola and would really love to completely get away from it all Any ideas on where to stay? Restaurants? Sightseeing?

Just returned from a 2 week vacation to USVI and BVI.We stayed in a villa on St.John for 8 nites and then 3 nites on Tortola, then 3 nites on Virgin Gorda.Our favorite?? Definitely
Tortola! We stayed at the Long Bay Resort and it was positively Stunning!
I know the service had been minimal in the past, but they have new management
and the service is superb.At the reception they actually called us by name(even our kids)when we walked up to the counter(How did they know that?)
After a explanation of the grounds,they
signaled us to turn around and they had
umbrella drinks for all of us(with a separate glass of rum for the adults).
Wow, I thought that was pretty impressive!Then they gave us a invitation to the Manager cocktail party(free drinks and appetizers)that
was being held beachside that nite with
steel band and the works!We rented a
hillside villa which was absolutely
fabulous. The views were unbelievable!
We would walk down every morning to their lavish breakfast buffet, complete with fresh tropical fruits,
eggs,bacon, and even unlimited champagne mimosas(you made yourself)!
I would highly recommend this place for anyone! It was 85% full and it was like no one was there! If you would like more info, let me know I even have pics...Have Fun!

Unless you're visiting at the end of Oct, you'll find many restaurants & bars still closed. Even so, there will be several open so you won't starve. If St John fits your definition of getting away from it all, you'll probably like Tortola. Although it's busier than St John, it's no St Thomas...not even close!

Villas are a great way to go for some privacy and ability to feed yourself a bit. Long Bay is great but pricey for my tastes.

If you really want seclusion, check out Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island or, better yet, Anegada.

Give an idea of what you want in your accommodations and your budget and you'll get several suggestions for accom & eats

Don't forget Virgin Gorda.

Take a look at Heritage Inn - IMO it has some of the best views in the BVI towards Jost van Dyke and other outlying islands. Alternatively, there is Sebastian's Seaside Villas in Apple Bay (would recommend the deluxe suites), Coconut Point in Carrot Bay or you could rent a small private villa such as Peach Cottage or Passionflower Cottage for just the two of you. As mentioned before, some restaurants may still be closed depending on when in October you'll be travelling but I would recommend Myetts (at Cane Garden and Bananakeet Cafe (at Heritage Inn on Windy Hill) both of which I believe will be open. If you stay on Tortola it is extemely easy to island hop to Virgin Gorda (The Baths is a must) and White Bay on Jost van Dyke. The BVI is the ideal destination to 'get away from it all' with white sand beaches and turquoise seas. I would highly recommend hiring a car and exploring - take the Ridge Road from one end of the island to the other and stop off at one of the stunning beaches for lunch or a cocktail ... or three!

Tortolla is very pretty with mountains and good views. It also is a convinient spot to explore other islands in the BVI chain (VG or JVD). However if you want to get away from it all you may want to consider JVD or Anegada. VG is quaint and more remote than Tortolla and has the baths, gorgeous beaches and nice restaurants.

We really enjoyed exploring Tortola - the views from up high are spectacular. We, too, stayed at Long Bay several years ago. . .am glad to hear the management has gotten better - we had no complaints but I've seen several listed here in recent years. I recommend Pusser's Restaurant - there are two; one downtown across from where the cruise ships dock and one on Frenchman's (?) Cay - we like this one as it was on the water's edge where the boats come in for supplies, or lunch!

Tortola: yes...been there
a great villa and wonderful villa owners , and REASONABLE!!!!
www.summerheights.com
also,
go to Virgin Gorda- and stat at www.littledixbay.com for a couple of nights. If its a honeymoon or romantic trip talk to the agents at Unforgettable Honeymoons in Portland Oregon. they came highly recommended by the tourist board and they know every nook and cranny of vg, tortola, ect.

DCGC--forgive me if I ask a question on your thread, but I was about to ask a question on BVI myself. . .wondering how difficult it is to get there and really what I'm asking is, "how small is the plane?" We would be coming from one of the D.C./Baltimore airports.

Thanks!

Mary