Its waters are enticing but exploring by boat is just one way to enjoy the British Virgin Islands. For an up-close and in-depth BVI experience, nothing beats staying in a terrific place on terra firma. So we’ve rounded up five hotels on the BVI’s largest island, Tortola, which are all great launch pads for daily exploration but also are welcoming retreats when you just want to stay put and soak up the sun. CJ Travel Editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon has the scoop on our picks of the best hotels on Tortola.
Long Bay Beach Club
Set on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Long Bay, this Elite Island Resorts property has a great collection of right-on-the-sand rooms and a beautiful signature restaurant, 1748. Book Long Bay Beach Club.
Frenchmans Resort This nine-villa oasis on Frenchmans Cay, just off Tortola’s West End, is small but special. Things we love: the secluded beach; breakfast that’s included in the rate; and modern accommodations that make us wish we lived here.
Surfsong Villa Resort Clued-in visitors return to this upscale, under-the-radar beachfront hotel (less than 15 minutes’ drive from the airport), where seven stylish villas offer sanctuary. There’s no communal swimming pool but the calm waters of Well Bay are ample compensation.
Sugar Mill Hotel For a romantic beachfront BVI getaway, check in to this sophisticated cloister set on the grounds of a colonial-era sugar plantation, where a pair of restaurants (one an al fresco charmer set around the mill itself); the private beach; and inviting poolscape earn rave reviews.
Myett’s Garden Inn Cane Garden Bay beach is one of the BVI’s beach bar capitals, with a seemingly endless stretch of great bars right on the sand. That includes the one at Myett’s, a lush beachfront hotel with a tropical jungle vibe.
