The resort is very nice. However the service is something else. The front desk personnel seem bothered when you take them away from chatting with their friends on the phone when you need assistance. Some of the facilities at the resort are supposed to be open during the day and they never were in the 10 days that we spent there. Oct 24 thru Nov 3, 1999. The hotel only uses their friends that are connected thru the hotel for taxi service so they can get a kick back. We noticed that when another hotel gave us a choice of who to call when we needed a taxi. Long Bay only would call taxi for you when someone else was going your way so the taxi drivers could make more money on the fare. Other hotels did not do that. The menu is not selected either. Not to many choices to choose from and pricey for what they bring you also. Service at dinner is not that good either. The beach front cabana had a awesome view, but the screens were ripped and some of the windows did not close. The beaches were beautiful but all in all the service at the hotel was terrible. The hotel had a contracted shuttle that left us and several other couples at a beach and we had to walk home and tell them to pick up the others. They did not even apologize for their actions and said that they have nothing to do with the shuttle even though they advertise it on the front desk. If I ever went back, I would spend the extra money on virgin gorda and stay at Little Dix's bay.

Yours are the most scathing comments I've heard about Long Bay. What did you think of their beach and could you walk out into the water very far from the beach without trouble?

My report would also be called "scathing." I was very disappointed with Long Bay and it fell far short of my expectations. My major complaint was with the water which was rocky at the tide line and impossible to swim in - couldn't even get in the water due to the extremely rough surf even at the tiny spot down on the end where it is recommended that you go ... which is common on some beaches on Tortola in the winter months. Despite numerous attempts to confirm this with Long Bay, they reassured me that in even in February, it was a wonderfully calm sea! (Including a call the morning that we were leaving) No way! I should have known better and had misgivings but relied on the information provided to me by them! The advise to go to Smuggler's was a good one ... except the shuttle, taxi or even walking was not a pleasant experience due to the impassability of the "road" there (and they charged for the ride!). I also found that mgt. was non-receptive to problem solving and if it were not for our "housekeeper" who let us "sneak back" into our room (as no one was coming into the room that nite) for our late departure, we would have had to shower at the outdoor pool (no hot water) and change in the stall in the bathroom at the pool! Never had I had that experience! Thank goodness we did bring our own screening so that we could open the wonderful room to the air! I was told the rooms did have them ... ours did not and not until check out did they admit there were rooms that did (despite my daily requests to move to rooms that did and show them my fax to confirm that we needed screens!) Now if they would screen in those wonderful patios, that would be a winner! Overall, I found it pretty pricey for what it had to offer. In fact, when adding it all up, our total cost came pretty close (within several hundred dollars) to the amount if we had stayed at some of the "more luxurious" resorts, Peter Island, for example, where many things are included and you can spend hours in the water all day, every day. We did go there several days ... what a hassle ... taxi, ferry both ways (wasting time and money) but what a treat! By the time you paid for all the "extras" ... rental of water toys (which we did not do - we couldn't get in the water!), rented a car to commute to the beach or taking a taxi or shuttle to Smuggler's (which by the way, you rent a chair and if Mother Nature calls, you go behind the shack in nature! Ick!), drove to other spots to eat (we found the food passable ... but that can change quickly so I hate to knock the food!). Not what I would rate as "wonderful" (not even close) and far short of the value considering the prices that they charge. Other people love it but it is not for me. Thank goodness we don't all like the same ... it would be sooo crowded!

Karen, you should try Frenchman's Cay. I have stayed there and thoroughly enjoyed the view, the villas, and the restaurant. Most pleasant! <BR>The managers, Pam and Terry, are nice folks who make every effort to accomodate your needs. From N.J. but even so... (just a joke) <BR>It almost never occurs that I hear of someone on Fodors that has stayed at Frenchman's, yet it seems a tremendous place.

Have to agree that Frenchman's is much more appealing. Pam and Terry are delightful hosts (some of us from NJ are!). Wonderful views from the well appointed villas. The dining was most enjoyable and I think that it is one of the better spots on Tortola for dinner (Sugar Mill is my other choice ... Brandywine felt far short of expectations and recommendations!)

Frenchmens Cay is the best-without a doubt. I was there in February and can't wait to go back. I checked out a few of the other places to compare and there is no comparison!!! I can't beleive it's hardly mentioned in Fodors as not being the best place to stay.

Donna, you're right. I just checked on Fodor's review of Frenchmans Cay and they really missed it! It's unbelievable! The thing is, you can look superficially at a resort and it will appear very substantial... just like Long Bay. FC looks much more modest, but when you dig into the facts you find all that square footage for your villa; individual attention from the proprietors; a wonderful, wonderful view; very nice servers, barmen, and housekeeping personnel; and an intimate atmosphere. Not to mention excellent dining with the added feature of being virtually outdoors, yet protected. Fodor's needs to recheck Frenchman's. I agree with the Travel & Leisure article that rated them tops on Tortola. FODORS, ARE YOU LISTENING???