Just back from our trip to Virgin Gorda. It was our second time to the island. We love the beaches and easy-going atmosphere of this island, so the decision to return this year was easy.

Accomodations: During our last visit we stayed at Nail Bay in one of their villa/suites on the water, but we were hesitant to return due to the mosquito problems up there. We definately made a good decision to seek another place as we learned that particular area of the island tends to be buggy (very little wind). Everyone seems to rave about Mahoe Bay but I have to say I was glad not to be bothered by any bugs this time.

This year we stayed at the Olde Yard Village - Room Alamanda 121. Overall the stay was very nice, we loved the location and the privacy. The restaurant at Olde Yard was great - we had breakfast there once and lunch twice. We could have probably eaten there every day but with a condo - you have the luxury of buying your own food. There were a few hiccups on arrival - the bathroom shower wasn't clean, no washcloths, no dishsoap for sink, and no paper napkins. I figured this would come with the stay since it was close to $300 a night. The person at the desk supplied the soap and washcloths, my husband cleaned the shower before we even notified them. We weren't sure how the condos operated - if they were privately owned and only rented through Olde Yard or if Olde Yard had a say in what was provided in the condo. I think the condo had just been redone, although you would think that a homeowner would know not to put up extremely heavy wood blinds with simple plastic molly-bolts. I spent a half hour trying to make sure the blinds in bedroom would not come crashing down on us and worked at the same time. A previous tenant had pulled the blinds so tight that they simply did not work. I think this is just an oversight of the owner/hotel with such heavy blinds. We felt that management/owner could have made the visit much better with a few minor - totally under fifty dollar changes...securing the blinds (some were still on the floor because they weren't installed), providing a few necessities such as washcloths and paper napkins for the kitchen, a decent hair dryer (the one provided was a joke for $300 a night- literally would have taken 3 hours had I used that), a bigger hot water heater- ok that may run over $50 especially on the island-(hot water ran out after 90 seconds - and I'm not joking - management checked this out and hot water heater tank was size of small propane tank), fixing the air conditioner so that it didn't break down at 3am every night (this does help keeping out the crowing noises on the island), fixing the tv so it actually worked (I had set out to test things - could not get it to work even though the whole thing programmed itself - never considered watching tv - but was just seeing if I could get it to function), and providing a larger coffee pot (one provided was one of those mini things and since management provided big filters all I could think of was that the owner got cheap on outfitting the condo. Overall, the cleaning crew was great (except for our arrival fiasco), never seemed to see them and always came at times when you were out. One thing I have to mention is that they never gave you an extra supply of toilet paper - weird I know - but true, we ran out one day, and had to seek another roll on another day after they had just been there and there was barely any left - it kinda became a running joke between my husband and I to see if we were "allotted" any that day.

Overall, our stay was great - you have to remember that you are on an island and not everything is going to be perfect. =) And if you say, we'll it would be at Little Dix - I have to say the meal we ate there last time we went to VG was terrible, so again, leave the impossible expectations at home and have a wonderful, relaxing time.
Everyone seemed very nice at Olde Yard and again the restaurant was great as was the staff. We would most definately return to Olde Yard - we loved the room overlooking the water and breeze off the water was fantastic, especially after a long day at the beach or in the morning eating breakfast.

Restaurants:
We ate breakfast and lunch at our condo or at the restaurant at the pool (was better than any lunch I remember from our last visit to any other restaurant). Dinners - we went to Leverick Bay (overpriced but food was not that bad), Giorgio's (salad was great, dinner was terrible - and cost was far beyond what it had cost us a few years back - definately would not go back)-apprently it has become widely known that they are now overpriced for what they serve, Bitter End (we ate in the main restaurant - but try the pub as it is just fun to go over to Bitter End - but food was blah and would have enjoyed a burger or pizza much better). Also, restaurant was very expensive for what you get. We ate two nights at The Rock - by far our favorite place - one night was the grill night and the other was just regular off the menu stuff - was reasonable as prices get on VG and was never disappointed.

Car Rental - We used Mahogany both times and they were great - meet you at ferry dock or airport and within 3 minutes you are on your way...so easy.

Loved Savannah Bay beach - other people have other favorites - but usually we were the only ones there and great swimming area.

Remember that Virgin Gorda is a very laid-back island, which to us is its charm. We love having the beach at our fingertips and seeing basically no one for a week. It can get a bit boring doing beach days everyday once you close in on your 6-7th day...so keep in mind that we did a half-day sail the last time we were there, and you can take the ferry over to other islands too. Ferry is also easy to catch from Tortola airport. We arrived several hours early in Tortola for our trip back home due to the ferry schedule, but had lunch at Trellis Bay Cyber Cafe (recommmended to us from other travelers who visit VG every year on our ferry to Tortola) - sandwiches were fantastic and who can beat spending the last several hours of your vacation in the sun on the beach with lunch and bags checked at the airport early (a two minute walk from airport back to ferry dock and Cyber Cafe).
Hope our trip comments help.

AH - another Rock Cafe fan! You have good taste. Thanks for the report, glad you had such a good trip! We ate at Trellis on the way home and had breakfast it was SO good.

Nice trip report traveler. VG is one of my favorite islands and I love Savannah Bay beach also.

Thank you for the trip report. Just last week, we booked a condo at Olde Yard for our 5 night stay in March. This will be our first trip to VG -- we've traveled to many islands in the Caribbean and BVI has been on the list for awhile.

Glad to hear the condo location is good, and it sounds like the views were, too. Were you in a 1, 2 or 3 BR? They said our condo would be near the office -- any thoughts on the view from there?

Any other pieces of advice would be welcome. We tend to stay somewhere new about 10 days but had to squeeze this trip in -- last trip before our first baby is born in June. Am hoping there won't be any problems with being pregnant and on this somewhat remote island. Penny

To: ilndlvr
We stayed in a one-bedroom condo on the upper level. When we were there - the whole complex was pretty sleepy. If you are on the water facing side...think most are...all views basically the same. We had to "fit in" this vacation as well this year for the exactly the same reason. I think you will really like Olde Yard, especially with the cafe at pool so close...no need to run out for lunch/breakfast in case you get tired of your grocery food. =) And another plus was lack of bugs - didn't have to use bug spray once. Be sure to bring your own beach towels as I didn't see any there. Otherwise, VG is a great place to completely relax (before June) and read on the beach...think you will have a great time. Be sure to tell your partner not to hit the pothole/dirt roads to hard in the 4wd car. =) The main roads have been redone recently. Have a wonderful vacation and best of luck this summer.

Thanks, Traveler! What a coincidence that we are in the same condition and seeking one last relaxing trip in the beauty of the Caribbean before the appointed time. When are you due?

Thanks for the report. VG is on our list of islands we want to stay at.

Do you snorkel? How is the snorkeling in the area you stayed in? That is usually the main thing we look for when staying at an island.

THanks for the trip report on VG. I'll be heading there for my first land based stay in July and am thankful for your restaurant recommendations. Like other posters, I'm curious if you did any snorkeling and if so, what you would recommend.

Having spent 8 days on VG in Dec. I can tell you the only decent snorkeling is in Nail Nut Bay in the immediate area. If you can charter or find an outing to Norman or Cooper Island you will find the best snorkeling now available in the B.V. I's.