My husband and I are planning our 15th anniversary trip and are trying to decide between Frenchman's Cay and Long Bay Beach Resort. I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about Long Bay and not much about Frenchman's Cay. I would greatly appreciate any advice/help anyone could offer. Thanks so much!

Since we, too, had heard mixed reviews about Long Bay, we stayed at Frenchman's Cay in Summer 2000. The place is not fancy but has a great view and for the price, it is a good deal. The water was too rough to swim off the beach there, however. The family that ran it, assuming they still do, are nice people. The food is good. Really no complaints I can think of other than we weren't overly impressed with Tortola itself compared to other islands we have visited such as Virgin Gorda, St. John, and Grand Cayman - which were more expensive as far as accommodations, etc. But, for the $ spent, we had a nice time on Tortola. I researched long and hard on a place to stay in Tortola, and at the end of the stay, I still felt good about our choice.

We stayed at Long Bay about 6 or 7 years ago and found it to be a good value for the money and close to the things we wanted to see and do.
The food was very good, and we had a beachfront deluxe which we found to be pleasant.
It is kind of a rustic place with not much landscaping, but for the money, we were satisfied.

just got back from honeymoon and stayed 5 nights at caneel bay then 5 nights at longbay... we stayed at beachfront deluxe and we loved our stay their. the breeze on beach is wonderfull and were the only ones on the beach alot of the time! the water wasnot as rough as posts described.... we loved our stay there i think the rooms were going for 275 a night.....

We also stayed in a beachfront deluxe in 2000, and then went again to Caneel.
It was very nice, not up to the hype in their brochure, but we enjoyed our stay.
The first day we arrived, the a/c was not working, they immediately replaced the unit. The beach is beautiful, but very rocky in front of the hotel, if you walk about 3 minutes there is a nice sandy bottom off to the left. We enjoyed our breakfasts on the beach, never tried the upper dinner spot. Enjoyed The Sugar Mill, Sebastians, and a few drinks at Bomba's. Have to agree with waggie, not overly impressed with Tortola compared to our favorite islands.Yes, Long Bay would be my choice.

I am curious. Why weren't you impressed with Tortola?? Was it not upmarket enough?? Was it too rustic??

I think my main disappointment was in the beaches! Cane Bay was busy, Smugglers was nice,long Bay was rocky, I enjoy the beaches in St. John, Anguilla, Virgin Gorda,Bermuda, Barbados and Antigua. I am very glad we went to Tortola, but now I have been there. I know many love it, but for me
I like my other choices much better!

THanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it. We booked a week at Long Bay and plan on hanging out on the beach a couple of days and then using it as a base to visit the other islands. Again, thanks for your input I look forward to trying the restaurants and beaches you suggested.