Before the storm, it was a Caribbean Mecca.
And then Hurricane Irma came to the British Virgin Islands, and Virgin Gorda’s legendary Bitter End Yacht Club was no more.
But now, after four years of hard work, the Bitter End is rising again, heading toward a planned December reopening.
The BEYC has announced its highly-anticipated reopening, part of a multi-phased relaunch that will kick off with a new centerpiece destination for yachters and sailors.
The Hokin Family, which owns the property, is calling it Bitter End 2.0, and that’s precisely what it will be.
The hotel will be anchored by a new nautical village, all nodding back to the original resort; that includes the Clubhouse Restaurant, the Quarterdeck Marina, the Watersports Center and the Reeftique Boutique.
“We have taken everything that we’ve learned over five decades and incorporated it into the redesign to purposefully pay homage to our history. At the same time, we are elevating Bitter End’s amenities and hospitality offerings to create a world-class experience that will delight travelers for generations to come,” said Richard Hokin, patriarch of the family.
The initial phase will cater primarily to the private and charter yacht industries, the family says.
That means over 70 moorings balls, 25 marina slips and a new two-story, Quarterdeck Marina, open-air venue with an upstairs lounge and a wraparound terrace — with enhanced amenities like marina-wide Wi-Fi, among others.
There will also be several dining concepts: a new take on the iconic Clubhouse; an open-kitchen pizza and wine bar; and a sunken ship turned into what the Hokins call “the coolest beach bar in the Caribbean.”
All of the eateries will source produce from Bitter End Farms, an on-property producer of fruits, vegetables and more.
The new Bitter End Market will stock all manner of provisions, too.
“Thoughtful provisioning is key to a happy crew and successful voyage,” says Lauren Hokin. “We’re excited to introduce garden-grown produce, fresh-caught seafood, and an array of prepared dishes, topped off by Chef Winston’s world-famous key lime pie and fresh baked goods, made daily in Bitter End’s kitchens.”
And yes, the watersports fleet that was the signature of the resort is making a comeback, too.
So what about the resort itself?
Initially, the resort will offer a pair of overwater-bungalows called the Marina Lofts; initially, the resort will have just a pair of lofts.
“We are excited to welcome back our legacy guests and global watersports community to the reimagined Bitter End Yacht Club,” said Richard. “Over the last four years, the Bitter End Crew, alongside a team of architects and designers, engineers, highly-skilled craftspeople, and a set of salty spirits have collaborated to honor Bitter End’s legacy while launching an exciting new chapter in Bitter End’s story.”
For more, visit the Bitter End Yacht Club.