I am just getting ready to send PurplePineapple.com a lot of money toward the rental of a home on Tortola. Does anyone out there have any experience with this company? I am a bit concerned about their stiff cancellation terms and the fact that they are so ready to offer cancellation insurance in the same breath. Talk about conflict of interest! But I don't see that I have a choice. I've seen a Feb 2005 posting by 'dtstahl' on the subject of PurplePineapple and would appreciate insight from dtstahl or anyone else. Thanks in advance.

Hi tulsabelle -

First, I must say that I have never personally rented from PurplePineapple.

Having said that, I participate in a very active BVI Board (TTOL) where PP is an advertiser and Cheryl is a frequent contributor.

Despite the fact that I have yet to rent from PP, Cheryl continues to graciously help me research my visits year after year.

Finally, the community at TTOL commonly airs complaints and conflicts over things such as shady operators & practices. There are literally hundreds of participants and many who have rented from PP. I have yet to read a negative post about PP on TTOL (or anywhere) in the last 6 years of BVI research.

You are in very good hands.

As far as the cancellation insurance is concerned, if you are visiting between Aug & Oct buy it. Hurricanes are a bummer. Buy it elsewhere if you're more comfortable.

I don't think that PP's cancellation policy is necessarily more stringent than others in the BVI. Thay're all pretty stiff.

My husband and I have been renting villas from Cheryl at Purple Pineapple for several years and have always been very very pleased with their service and properties.

You don't give any specifics about the cancellation policy othan than it being "stiff". Without knowing the details I'd venture PP's policy is similar to everyother villa broker. They all require significant initial deposits and full up-front payments well before arrival. By the way, the cancellation fees go mainly to the Villa Owner (less an appropriate commission to the broker) since they would suffer lost income if you were to cancel and they could not re-rent the property for the particular time you booked.

As for cancellation insurance, you can purchase that through many different sources. Check out some on-line vendors such as www.insuremytrip.com. Be sure to compare policy terms and make sure you have coverage against those specific risks you deem appropriate, i.e. trip interuption, medical reasons, death in the family, weather related reason, etc. All policies are not the same and don't cover all risks.

I'm probably too late with my posting for you.....but I dealt with PurplePineapple this year and can't say enough good things about them.

I corresponded with Bobbie Jo, who was prompt, professional, and courteous. I sent a large deposit last November for our trip this June - then in January found out that hubby had to have surgery, would be off work for 4 months, and due to our loss of income and him losing all his leave time, that we can't possibly take the trip this year. Bobbie Jo took care of a full refund for me, in spite of their "stiff cancellation terms". (Though I WAS cancelling WAY in advance - I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't fairly sure they could re-book the rental - but still, technically, they didn't have to refund me a cent.....)

I am looking forward to our Tortola trip in '06, and have every intention of booking again with PurplePineapple.

And Tulsabelle, (1) you must, simply MUST, post a trip report for me when you get back. I've done SO much research on what will be our first Caribbean trip; and (2) I live 90 miles south of you - Tulsa is where we go for our "big-city" shopping and culture trips.....

I have rented from PP in Tortola, we had no problems with them. It was Cane Garden Bay cottages which I had stayed in years before they started rep. them. The lights were out totally in CGB and we did not think we would get to our cottage. But they set us up with a taxi driver upon arrival and he got us there.

MIM04 - not meaning to hijack the thread, but CGB Cottages is the rental I had to cancel for this year, and intend to rent for the vacation next year. Can you give me any details on the cottages? Did you like staying on CGB?

And tulsabelle, I forgot to mention that as dtstahl said above, you should be checking out TTOL - it's been the absolutely best source of BVI info for me planning our trip.....

There are pics of CGB cottages on PP website, I am sure you have looked at those. They are very simple, clean, neat, pretty small. The bedrooms have AC and they have screened in porches, we actually spent everynight playing cards on the porch which was nice. They have tin roofs so when it rains you can really hear it, which is nice I think. They are very simple beach cottages. But they are right there across from the beach so you cannot beat the location. I have been going to CGB for about 30 years and it has changed a lot, but there are several restaurants (nothing fancy) on the beach and there are a couple of grocery stores, in fact a new "full service" type grocery store just opened, so thats nice to have right there. there is a laundry mat at CGB walking distance to the cottages and there are a couple of other stores, a school, a church, CGB is really its own community, not just a beach. Make sure you go to the Sugar Mill for dinner. It is the BEST restaurant on the island!

MIM04 - Thanks for the response. This will be our first Caribbean trip - and hoping Tortola and CGB will fit our wishes for a low-key "barefoot" kind of vacation.....

It is very low-key. I really like CGB for that reason. There is a lot there on the beach so you dont have to go anywhere if you dont want. Plus its not crowded, the only place that gets crowded sometimes is in front of and inside Rhymers (which is a pink building on the beach - they have a restaurant, store, hotel rooms, etc.) there are normally a lot of people there because people on boats come to stock up, shower, etc. We have eaten there many times, not teriffic food, but they do normally have lobster.

But CGB is pretty laid back as far as places go, I think you will reall enjoy it!

Forgot to mention - just dont book during the BVI music festival which is normally in May. We were on the bay for the first year the festival started and it was super loud! That is really the only time I would not say it is laid-back, lol!