Laura

5 year wedding anniv coming up this summer. Would like to plan a 3-4 day stay on Tortola in June 2002 before moving on to USVI. Where is a nice place to stay for a reasonable rate? Prefer not to be in town and like what I have heard about north coast beaches. What are the places like on Cane Garden Bay? Does the number of beach bars decrease the chances for a quiet time? Any advice and experiences shares would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Dave

Although things are slowing down a bit in June there is still plenty of activity at CGB. Most of the Inns there are in very close proximity to the bars and some noise will factor inn. Having said that, most of the "noise" I would consider to be wonderful background music for my evenings. Mostly reggae, fungi, steel pan.

If you want pure quiet, very reasonable rates and a beautiful beach, check out Icis Villas at Brewer's Bay.

Dave

Julie

Hi! I've been to Tortola several times and I enjoy staying in the West End. Frenchman's Cay is very nice (but sort of pricey). I also liked Sebastians -- it is not in the West End but it has a nice restaurant and Bomba's Shack is just down the street. It is also a short ride to Long Bay and Cane Garden Bay. Have fun!

Pam

We just spent a few days at Lambert Beach Resort. We loved it. The beach is beautiful and the pool, with swim up bar, was great fun. Our room was really nice and the restaurant served great food. The grounds are lovely. The whole experience was very relaxing - we would definately go back again.

Laura

Thank you to all who responded. If the noise is music that's great. I don't consider island music (with the possible exception of "who let the dogs out") to be noise. I was more worried about loud talking and drunken laughter.

JD

Laura, I'd rate the West End resorts in this order: Frenchmans Cay, Ft. Recovery, Sugar Mill, Long Bay BR, Sebastians, and then Ole Works.
For lower budget places that are nevertheless very nice then ELM on Cane Garden Bay and Coconut Villas on Carrot Bay. Probably most of these are listed on bviwelcome.com.
We've stayed at most of them, prefer Frenchmans, but if you can do without a resort experience, then I'd go for Cane Garden Bay, such as ELM or Coconut over on Carrot Bay.
Regarding what is or isn't at West End, from my point of view, since all of these places are within 10 min of teh West End ferry terminal and each other, and all are on the better, western part of the island, I treat them as being at West End. If one of these appeals, feel free to write direct or post here and I'd be happy to go into detail.

Marie

JD, why do you rate FC so far above LBBR? They were a toss-up for me, but because we will be going in June, I thought LB would be better due to having air cond. (Also, I like having TV for evening viewing.) Am I making a mistake?

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Sue

I'd like to know too.

Andria

I just got back from a 6 night honeymoon at long bay. I drove past Sugar Mill, didn't see much of a beach and hardly seemed nicer than Long Bay, maybe I missed something?

I would recommend Long Bay, although I haven't been to Frenchman's Cay.

Karen

Not JD but I prefer Frenchman's Cay to Long Bay. In fact, my experience at Long Bay was not a pleasant one. The rooms were spacious at Long Bay and very comfortable but had no screening and one could not open them to the air. The other major issue I had was the lack of swimming. Yes, it is a nice beach but sitting there for 10 days unable to even get in the water because it was so rough and the waterline filled with rocks was not pleasant. I do not enjoy communitng or schlepping to the beach when on vacation - especially since I was led to believe that Smugglers was within an easy walking distance. It was not and to taxi or shuttle to a beach (or rent a vehicle) at additional expense was not something that I would expect at any beach resort in order to swim. Frenchman's Cay is smaller more intimate with villas that are open to the great breezes and wonderful views. I much prefer the smaller resorts with personality rather than the larger more "corporate-style" hotels. LBBR also classifies itself and some rates reflect that it thinks its in the same category of some of the finer resorts in the BVI. It is not but it is a more modest type property. FC is owner operated by a lovely couple who have an interest in their guests and who work to ensure that you enjoy your time on island. Others enjoy the hotel experience and Long Bay but, for me, is was way overrated, over priced and not what I expected.