Miami is now the only U.S. gateway with service to the British Virgin Islands. Officials from Miami International Airport, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, and American Airlines hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 1 to celebrate the launch of American’s daily nonstop Miami-Tortola route.

Related: Historic Pan Am HQ Gets New Life at Miami International

With the departure of American Airlines flight 3989, Miami International became the only U.S. airport to offer nonstop service to the British Virgin Islands for the first time in four decades. The three-hour flight, which eliminates the need for connecting flights, will operate through the summer and then resume in November.

Tortola also became the 43rd nonstop Caribbean route at Miami, the leading U.S. airport for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami International enters the busy summer travel season with year-to-date passenger traffic up nearly 3% over its record-breaking year in 2022 when the airport served 50.7 million travelers.

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Spread across 56 square miles of cerulean Caribbean seas, the British Virgin Islands comprises more than 60 islands and cays. And if you want to discover their secret coves and stunning natural beauty, there’s no better way than on a leisurely cruise from one anchorage to another on a crewed charter. With a professional captain, chef, and steward on board, all you have to do is relax and let the islands come to you. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to explore the BVI this way four times, most recently with The Moorings, an outfitter founded in Tortola 54 years ago, which operates a fleet of more than 300 vessels there. If you’re new to private chartered yachting, here are my best tips for making the most of your cruise.

Bring Soft Luggage 

You know that new piece of checked luggage you bought during the pandemic for when you finally started to travel again? The one that can hold enough stuff for two weeks away? Leave it at home. In comparison to a hotel room, your cabin will be decidedly compact, and it’s unlikely there’ll be space to store something so bulky. 

Instead, bring a soft-side duffel bag or wheelie that can be folded flat once you’ve unpacked, then tucked out of sight in a cupboard or under your bed.

Pack Light 

For a 7-night cruise on a regular cruise ship, you’ll need resort wear and swim wear for daytime, and dressier pieces for dinner. But on a Caribbean yacht charter, you’ll be living in swimwear, supplemented by a pair shorts, a coverup, and maybe—just maybe—a maxi dress or other smart casual outfit if you choose to have dinner onshore. 

On my recent Moorings sailing I wore five swimsuits (I like to have choices!) and not much else. My best advice: Pack more swimwear (so you always have a dry suit) and fewer “real” clothes than you think you’ll need.

Get a Pedicure 

If you’ve never been on a yacht or catamaran before you probably don’t know that shoes usually aren’t allowed onboard (they can damage the finish on the deck). But this is one of the first things the crew will tell you. Fling your flip-flops into the boat’s shoe basket, and don’t give them another thought until it’s time to go ashore. 

But please, consider your fellow sailors and make sure your bare feet are presentable. Cracked heels and callouses are not a good look!

Take Cruise Control

One of the best things about a crewed charter is that, within reason, you set the itinerary. On previous Moorings sailings, breakfast was followed by a briefing with the captain, who’d spread his map on the table to show you where you are, suggest places you could go that day, and what you could do when you get there. 

Whether you want to snorkel (the waters around The Indians, off Norman Island, are stellar); to shop at an island boutique (there are good ones on Cooper Island and at Saba Rock); or simply to sip rum punch all day as you watch sandy islets float by, your captain will make it happen. 

There Will Be Painkillers 

The Caribbean is the birthplace of several cocktails, including Puerto Rico’s piña colada and the Cayman Islands’ mudslide. In the BVI, the local libation is the Painkiller, a potent combination of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple and orange juices, topped with a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg. 

It was invented at The Soggy Dollar, a beach bar on Jost Van Dyke, so you’ll have to try the original there. But Painkillers and variations thereof are served at every bar in the BVI. And since you’re not doing the driving, it’d be rude to refuse them, no?

Go with the Flow 

Whenever you sail, particularly on a small vessel, you’re at the mercy of the weather. Choppy seas can make anchoring off some islands difficult. Or you may arrive at a popular spot late in the day and find there are no mooring balls available. The beach bar you had your heart set on visiting might be unexpectedly closed. 

My point: Things don’t always go according to plan, so you’ll need to be flexible. 

It Could Get Rough 

Of course, The Moorings and other boat charter companies pull their boats out of service if there’s a hurricane on the horizon. But sudden “pop-up” storms can lead to less-than-ideal sailing conditions. So, if you’re prone to motion sickness, arrive prepared with the appropriate meds or a pair of anti-sea sickness wristbands. 

Ninety percent of the time it’ll be smooth sailing; don’t leave the remaining 10 percent to chance.

Re-Entry Can Be Rough, Too 

Obviously, returning to reality after several languorous days at sea will be a shock to your system. But the actual process of leaving the boat and getting back to the airport can be a more complex and longer process than you’d imagine. 

On my cruise, getting to the airport in St. Thomas required a 20-minute boat ride to BVI Customs at West End (where we waited 40 minutes to be cleared); then a 15-minute boat ride to Cruz Bay, St. John to clear U.S. Customs; followed by a 10-minute sail to Red Hook in St. Thomas, from where we drove 30 minutes to STT. Phew! 

Allow yourself ample time to get back to your departure airport. The good news: American Airlines has announced non-stop flights from Miami into Tortola, BVI, beginning in June.

You’ll Want to Do it Again

Perhaps next time you’ll bring different friends or family members with you (The Moorings’ boats sleep between 6 and 10 people). Maybe next time you’ll summon the courage to jump off the top deck of the infamous floating bar, the Willy T. On a return trip, you could even sail all the way out to Anegada, the furthest flung island in the archipelago, to sample its famously tasty lobster. 

There are so many reasons to want to repeat an idyllic week in Paradise—and any one of them will do!

The post The First-Timer’s Guide to Sailing on a Crewed Yacht Charter in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Islands.

Situated on 400 pristine acres in the easternmost reaches of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, the uber-luxury development of Oil Nut Bay has always been a setting apart, even in these spectacularly beautiful islands known for being a line-of-sight sailing paradise.

But a rare cliffside listing in the coveted North South neighborhood is taking things to next-level decadence with impeccable design that brings the views sweeping inside at every turn, delightfully blurring the lines between inside and out.

Currently on the market for the not-so-paltry sum of $18.5 million, the 4,470-sq. ft. villa named Constellations has four bedrooms (including two lavish primary suites), five bathrooms, and two half-baths to sleep eight people in the utmost of comfort. 

The home’s breathtaking moments begin the moment you arrive in its grand entry hall, with open-concept living and dining spaces that unfold across two floors that are perfectly angled to the north to take in jaw-dropping views of Necker and Anegada Islands. 

Barefoot is the best way to experience the luxe feel of the elegant Turkish marble that paves the home’s floors, which perfectly complement the natural and seamless feel of the Euro-Wall sliders and windows that bring the views angling in everywhere.

Marble outdoor living terraces ring both the home’s two stories, making it inviting to step outside, wherever you happen to be to take in the views and fresh Caribbean air. Outdoor living spaces—a whopping 2,567 square feet of them—are as much a selling point as Constellations’ immaculately appointed interiors, too. There’s even a gourmet outdoor chef’s kitchen for entertaining alfresco or just whipping up a humble barbecue for you and yours. 

The home features an infinity saltwater pool and hot tub with a swim-up bar as stunning as any five-star resort’s watery play space. 

But for beach lovers, even better might be the private nature trail that winds down from Constellations to your very own private beach below, complete with its own bath house for ducking out of the sun.

For explorations further afield on Virgin Gorda, residents can keep the seabreezes in their hair two with the property’s two included six-passenger carts for exploring the marina and elsewhere. Just don’t forget to wave to the neighbors.

The post An Out of this World Dream Estate Hits the Market in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Islands.

For some regions, mustering up five great snorkel spots can be challenging. For the British Virgin Islands, whittling the list down to a mere five suggestions is near impossible. The warm, clear water and number of ‘road less traveled’ small islands create a wealth of great destinations to enjoy on a tour, or by snorkeling out from shore.

Cooper Island

A dramatic rocky outcrop and multiple mooring balls mark Cistern Point, west of Manchioneel Bay. Follow the shallow boulders to patchy coral sloping down into a plot of colorful soft corals, where eagle-eyed snorkelers can spot large tarpon, as well as turtles, eagle rays, damsels, angel fish, file fish, butterfly fish, and schools of squid. Circumvent the rock but watch for building afternoon currents and boat traffic.

Another hotspot is Chromis Reef, where hundreds of the tiny fish flash their electric blue as they dart about the gorgonians and quillfin blennias. Free divers can dip to peer under overhangs and spot French grunts and large-eyed Squirrel Fish. (A twin seat airplane wreck lies in a nearby sand patch but is tough to spot.)

Salt Island

Considered one of the notable dives in the Caribbean, the Wreck of the RMS Rhone also boasts a great experience for snorkelers. In an 1867 hurricane, the steel ship hit Black Rock, broke in two and sunk. Three well-preserved sections lie on a sandy bottom offering habitat to colorful sponges, flourishing corals, sea fans and tropical fish.

The Rhone is now a marine park that is part of the BVI National Parks Trust. Swim to the shore adjacent half of the site to spot decking, rigging, her former steam engine and propeller.

Norman Island

Spy Glass Hill, tucked into a calm and protected cove, is a lovely wall dive/snorkel that sheers down to 60-feet of sand. The wall’s 15-foot-deep top reef offers brain, mushroom, and elk horn corals with a wealth of juvenile damsels, wrasse, butterfly, and the occasional wispy spotted drum. Moray eels can be spotted in some of the crags, with the ledge looking over an environment popular with passing spotted eagle rays.

When conditions are calm enough, this beautiful isle also offers the unique experience of sea cave snorkeling with a swim accompanied by yellow tails, blue tangs and sergeant majors in the Norman Island Caves.

Great Dog

Popular with cruisers passing from North Sound to Jost Van Dyke as part of the National Park Mooring System, a number of tours also explore The Dogs snorkel and dive site. The colorful hard and soft coral 100-yard-long reef runs parallel to the island with snorkel-friendly depths of 10-feet down to 60-feet.

Its unique rock ledges, overhangs and cathedral-shaped tunnels and grottoes are covered with sea fans and purple and orange sponges, home to crabs, lobsters and myriad blue tangs, yellow striped angelfish, French grunts, barred butterfly fish, squirrel fish and eels.

Virgin Gorda

Savannah Bay, located on the west shore, is the government-established self-guided “trail” to the finest snorkeling spots. Ideal for beginners or visitors new to the BVI, underwater signs describe the species of hard and soft corals, marine plants and colorful fish that are in abundance here.

Of course, no list would be complete without mention of the famous Baths. Surprisingly, despite being a wildly popular place to splash about, the site still offers something for snorkelers, so bring along a mask and fins to enjoy the colorful parrotfish or peacock flounders scuttling along the sand. However, with the ever-present crowd you’ll likely see a lot of two-legged creatures in most views.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Islands.

With resorts, restaurants, and watersports and activity operators spread across 60 islands and cays and 600 nautical miles, the British Virgin Islands offers the Caribbean’s biggest diversity of settings and experiences. Whether you’re looking for an active getaway packed with sailing, scuba diving, paddleboarding, snorkeling and hiking, or a more relaxed vacation with beach bars and spa sessions, this destination has it all. Choose one island or hop between several to taste a few flavors of this unspoiled destination.

 Most trips start on the island of Tortola, home of the international airport as well as most of the BVI’s yacht-charter operators. Tortola also serves as a great base for those who want to opt for day trips to nearby islands while calling just one resort home for the week. Tortola has the most ferry options, connecting guests to Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and a long list of other nearby islands. Here, you’ll also find a handful of scuba operators that take you diving on all the famous sites, from the Caribbean’s historic shipwreck, the RMS Rhone, sunk in 1867, to Angelfish Reef, a playground for sea turtles and eagle rays. Choose a resort such as Long Bay Beach Resort, which has it all—modern, airy ocean-view studios and suites as well as oceanfront villas, plus an upscale restaurant, beach bar and coffee shop to keep you satiated during your stay. Tortola packs its own attractions as well, from the hike up Sage Mountain National Park, the highest point in the Virgin Islands, ziplining, shopping to live music at Quito’s Gazebo on the beach of Cane Garden Bay. Cane Garden Bay is a hub of culinary offerings, watersports, amazing cocktails and one of the best sunsets anywhere on the planet!

Nature lovers and watersports enthusiasts tend to find their way to Virgin Gorda, the third-largest island. On Virgin Gorda, you can explore The Baths National Park, a must-see natural wonder where giant basalt boulders as large as 40 feet in diameter have collided together to form high overlooks, hidden grottoes, secret pools and a labyrinth of passageways, all set against impossibly clear, turquoise water. Virgin Gorda is also home to the beloved Bitter End Yacht Club, known equally for its fleet of sailboats, paddleboards, kitesurf and windsurf boards and gear, and much more, all available to guests for use or lessons. BEYC also just launched new overwater, high-end marina lofts, letting you start the day paddleboarding straight from your room and then take in the sunset from your own deck overlooking the North Sound. Honeymooners also name Virgin Gorda a favorite, where booking the five-star Rosewood Little Dix Bay guarantees that you will enjoy pampering, yoga, the Sense Spa and upscale accommodations with outdoor showers, all amid a natural setting that highlights the tropical landscape and bluewater views. Known for its upscale and luxurious villas well-suited to family and multigenerational travel, Oil Nut Bay, reopened since 2020, delivers a next-level experience, with chefs for hire, a marina, and more than 400 acres of wild space. Virgin Gorda also has a new property, The Inn at Cornucopia, an intimate adult-only getaway with five rooms and breakfast included.

Anegada, the outpost of the bunch, lying some 85 miles to the east of Virgin Gorda, is reachable via ferry from Tortola and Virgin Gorda, a 7-minute flight from Tortola, private sailboat or motoryacht charter. It’s where the annual Anegada Lobster Festival is held annually on the weekend of American Thanksgiving in November. Foodies are encouraged to give the turkeys a break and head to the Anegada Lobster Fest. This event brings together unique outdoor activities, including an island-wide scavenger hunt, plus culinary celebrations highlighting the delicate flavor of this Caribbean favorite. Come for Anegada Lobster Fest to indulge in the best lobsters anywhere and stay for the off-the-grid escapism of this nature-forward isle. Here you’ll find some of the Caribbean’s most rustic and unique accommodations at Anegada Beach Club, where thatched-roof palapas offer a glamping experience steps from a white-sand beach. This resort may be rustic, but it’s not without pampering: The on-site pool bar and grill serves local favorites, including conch fritters, blackened fish tacos, and an Anegada-style pizza with lobster, bacon and sweet peppers.

Heading back west to the backside of Tortola, facing the Atlantic, you’ll find the island of Jost Van Dyke. Easily the most popular day trip among boaters, it’s known for its gently sloping white-sand beaches and epic beach bars, including Soggy Dollar Beach Bar on White Bay, the center of the daytime action. The drink of choice is the Painkiller cocktail, mixing together rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, topped with fresh grated nutmeg. Grab lunch—the menu includes a Caribbean lobster roll, a mahimahi wrap, burgers and veggie burgers—and spend the day meeting fellow travelers, tossing a football or frisbee in the gentle surf, or playing the ever-so-addictive ring game. If you’re having too much fun, you don’t have to leave. Stay the night at The Hideout—a new boutique seven-villa resort—a high-end experience on White Bay, or bed down at White Bay Villas, with 20 units offering traditional Caribbean style and unbeatable sunset views.

In between the main islands are several private-island resorts and endless secluded beaches.

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a little hop to the north of Tortola, is an upscale boutique hotel known for a two-tier pool with a waterslide, 55 marina slips, and the clifftop Ixora Spa, which is also open to non-hotel guests.

Saba Rock Resort has a vibe all its own. A stone’s throw from Virgin Gorda and the BEYC, this restaurant and hotel, reopened in 2021, offers a fresh, clean surf style at the hotel, with rooms right on the water where you can tie up your paddleboard or other boat. Many people also come for an elevated dining experience, sitting overwater while tucking into sushi, mussels served with anchovy butter and paprika mousse, or lamb with blue cheese and truffle sauce.

There’s a lot to see, taste and experience in the British Virgin Islands. With any visit, you’ll not only find a hidden gem of a beach or snorkel spot that becomes a quick favorite that you know you’ll return to, but you’ll also happen by a restaurant or resort that you can’t wait to try next time. It’s the sort of place where your list of what to explore only grows with each trip to these islands.

The post Choose Your Own British Virgin Islands Getaway appeared first on Islands.

After nearly a decade of building buzz, Sir Richard Branson’s newest private Caribbean escape, Moskito Island, finally debuted three new estates last year. The Branson, Point, and Oasis concepts were praised for their stunning designs, as each accommodation was as unique from the others as it was luxurious. Spacious suites and multi-level, open-air rooms highlight these architectural marvels, and it was easy to wonder how anything would top them.

And then came The Village. One year later, Moskito Island has debuted its fourth estate, and no one—not even the namesake owner of the Branson Estate—would blame you if you declared this the best one yet. The nine-bedroom retreat sits on the western tip of this British Virgin Islands destination, and guests will be able to look out from their stylish, comfortable suites and admire the views of neighboring Virgin Gorda.

Set on 3.5 acres, the 18,100-sq. ft. Village is a resort of its own, offering nine rooms that are matched in their splendor by the surrounding terraces and patios. Even in a large group, guests will easily find seclusion by spreading out into the living spaces for rest, relaxation, and even a movie night. Of course, every group has its leader and here that honor begets the two-story Master Suite, which was designed as a circular loop, so there is no such thing as a bad view.

The Village is also an entertainer’s dream vacation spot. In addition to the sound-proof home movie theater, visitors will enjoy how the main house’s bar sits above the estate, acting as a playground centerpiece for families and large groups who want to cap off a stay with one epic celebration. Music and lighting are synced throughout to keep the good vibes flowing, which is essential after a long day of literally sliding from the infinity pool to another pool on the lower level, but the drawback there is having to climb the stairs to get back to the sunken bar for another round.

As many as 18 guests can experience the vacation of a lifetime at The Village, but between the vast array of amenities and onsite recreational options, as well as the incredible meals that will be created by the team of private chefs, there’s no way one visit will ever include every aspect of excellence offered in this estate.

The post Feast Your Eyes on ‘The Village,’ the Newest Estate at Richard Branson’s Moskito Island appeared first on Islands.

Can’t make it to the famed Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands to enjoy a true Painkiller drink? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Our Painkiller recipe comes straight from the Soggy Dollar Bar on the island of Jost Van Dyke so you can make your own, true-as-it-gets Painkiller to relax in a hammock on your front porch or perhaps sunbathing poolside.

It’s a bright drink with vibrant fruit flavors and colors that’s meant to be celebrated and consumed on a hot, sunny day. Don’t worry: The convenience of concocting these cocktails from home means you have the option of either staying dry or getting in the spirit of Soggy Dollar Beach by getting wet. Then, you can find your in-home bartender and pay with a soggy dollar bill, as the namesake bar suggests.

Where did the Painkiller originate?

As the name suggests, the Soggy Dollar Bar earned its keep from patrons who would swim to the bar and pay with soggy bills. They did so on the island of Jost Van Dyke, an island with a population smaller than 400 people. The Soggy Dollar Bar, however, is not just there to accommodate guests who want to enjoy a Painkiller after a relaxing day in the water; there’s also food.

Try everything from filet mignon kabobs, Soggy’s famous conch fritters, coconut shrimp, crab cakes and lobster rolls, among many other items — and those are just some of the appetizers.

Want to take a piece of the island home with you? Check out the Soggy Dollar’s boutique. Not able to make it out to the BVIs? You can shop their goods, including Soggy Dollar Rum, online, too.

Painkiller Drink Recipe

• 2-4 oz. of Pusser’s Rum
• 4 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 oz. cream of coconut
• 1 oz. orange juice
• Grated fresh nutmeg

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add first four ingredients and shake. Pour into cocktail glasses over ice and top with grated nutmeg.

Serves 1-2

Step 1:

First, the bartender adds the Pusser’s Rum, two to four ounces depending on the generosity of the pour.

Optional Ingredient:

Is that mango rum? Yes it is. To each his or her own.

Step 2:

Next, add pineapple juice (four ounces), cream of coconut (one ounce) and orange juice (one ounce).

Step 3:

Top with grated fresh nutmeg, vigorously grated with oomph.

Step 4:

The most important step: Enjoy your Painkiller drink in a hammock, preferably alongside a fellow Caribbean beach bum. Does the resulting painkiller drink actually kill pain or increase it? That’s up to you.

The post Best Painkiller Drink Recipe appeared first on Islands.

As relaxing beach destinations continue to top vacation wish lists—whether for a quick family getaway or a long-dreamed-of romantic escape—recently opened and newly renovated resorts are offering fresh surroundings for sun-seekers. As you begin to plan your fall and winter travels, here’s a look at eight island and coastal properties offering a wide array of experiences. 

Most have debuted within the past nine months, and a few are set to open later this year and early in 2023.

La Casa de la Playa, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Dreaming of being immersed in Mexican heritage and cuisine in an ultra-luxurious setting—including floating in an Instagram-worthy infinity pool above the vibrant aquamarine Caribbean? Set on the sands of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where the Yucatan jungle meets the sea, La Casa de la Playa began fulfilling that fantasy when it opened in December 2021. 

This Preferred Hotels & Resorts property, located just south of Playa Del Carmen, offers 63 suites in sustainably designed buildings with stone exteriors constructed to resemble Mayan temples and pyramids and rooms featuring colorful, nature-inspired interior decor that reflects the region’s rich culture. Suites, from garden view to beachfront, are a spacious 1,065 sq. ft., while Master Suites are 2,723 sq. ft., and the Presidential Suite is a sprawling 4,630 sq. ft. 

Four restaurants overseen by celebrity chefs Martha Ortiz, Virgilio Martinez and others offer menus that reflect regional cuisines from Mexico as well as Peru, the Maluk Spa combines local ancestral rituals with contemporary amenities and the 130-ft. suspended infinity pool is the definition of dreamy. 

Room rates start at $1,646 per night, all-inclusive.

Margaritaville Island Reserve, Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

The sparkling sands of Playa Juanillo in Cap Cana, the elegant gated resort area near Punta Cana, beckon at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, the first all-inclusive Margaritaville resort. It’s a joint venture with Karisma Hotels & Resorts and features 228 suites and 40 luxury villas along with 10 food and beverage venues—including the legendary 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar and the Land Shark Brewery & Grill. 

The property, which opened in November 2021, offers 13 room categories, including swim-up and honeymoon suites, each decorated in vibrant beachy hues representing sun, sea and sand. Ideal for couples or families, the property has two pools, a spa and a supervised kids club (ages 4-12). 

Room rates start at $596 per night, all-inclusive.

Saba Rock, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Reopened in November 2021 following a complete redesign and rebuild (the resort was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017), Saba Rock now offers nine rooms and suites that celebrate the resort’s 50-plus-year history and the Caribbean’s vibrant culture. Located on Virgin Gorda’s serene North Sound, this intimate resort, surrounded on all sides by turquoise water, celebrates the nautical lifestyle and is popular with yachties, divers and kiteboarders. 

Onsite activities also include snorkeling and scenic boat tours and there’s a restaurant serving a Caribbean-infused menu and two bars as well as a small spa offering massages, body treatments and yoga classes. 

Room rates start at $550 per night.

Hilton Hotel Tahiti, Papeete, French Polynesia

Whether you’re spending one night before boarding a cruise through French Polynesia or just beginning your island-hopping experience in this romantic South Pacific playground, the Hilton Hotel Tahiti, which debuted in December 2021 after an extensive refurbishment (the property originally opened in 1960 at Hotel Tahiti), is a convenient and elegant option that offers views of neighboring Moorea. 

Located just two miles from Papeete’s international airport and a short distance from downtown, the 200-room resort is home to the island’s largest swimming pool and features an open-air lobby offering a modern take on Tahitian artistry, contemporary room décor showcasing natural woods and three onsite restaurants. 

Room rates start at $293 per night.

Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa, Los Cabos, Mexico

Since its $100 million debut earlier this year, Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa, located on swimmable Medano Beach close the marina in Cabo San Lucas, has provided guests with a panoramic spot to enjoy sunset cocktails: Rooftop 360, the highest rooftop bar (it’s on the 9^th floor) in this this popular Mexican resort area. 

Featuring 310 rooms and suites designed with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two infinity edge pools with views of Cabo’s landmark El Arco, a full-service spa and even an onsite brewery, this Noble House Hotels property is couple-friendly, family-friendly and pet-friendly (dogs under 25 pounds are welcome at an extra fee). 

The restaurant options include Aleta for casual seafood, Corazon Beach Club for feet-in-the sand dining and Rooftop 360 for tapas-style bites. 

Room rates start at $419 per night.

Regent Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Luxury hotel brand Regent opened its first property in Vietnam in April with the debut of Regent Phu Quoc, a beachfront retreat located on the country’s southwest coast near a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and featuring 176 suites and 126 villas. Spacious accommodations range from 839-sq. ft. suites to one-to-four-bedroom villas and are inspired by traditional Vietnamese design. They feature expansive windows and verandas, some with private infinity pools. 

Dining wise, guests can choose from three restaurants specializing in Vietnamese/Chinese, Mediterranean and Franco-Japanese (with a focus on beef) cuisines and three bar lounges, including Fu Bar, which is located on the Sky Terrace and specializes in gin cocktails and craft beer. For more relaxation, the resort’s spa is grounded in holistic practices designed to enhance self-care. 

Room rates start at $370 per night.

Kimpton Naranta Bali, Nusa Dua, Bali

If “barefoot luxury” with a soulful ambience and access to the world-class Bali National Golf Club sounds like vacation heaven, the soon-to-open Kimpton Naranta Bali delivers it all—although you’ll have to travel halfway around the world to experience it. But that’s the point of an escape, right? 

Located in the Nusa Dua resort region of Bali, the boutique property slated to open during the first quarter of 2023 features 50 sanctuary-like villas—ranging from 1,238 to 1,722 sq. ft.—each with a Balinese-style private garden with a saltwater plunge pool (available in 45 of 50 villas) and outdoor rainforest shower. 

The Wellness by Samskara spa offers a holistic experience based on Balinese wellness rituals while five dining venues and bars feature Indonesian, Japanese and international cuisine and libations.

Room rates start at $696 per night.

Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, Singer Island, Florida

Set on seven oceanfront acres, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences is about to bring wellness-focused luxury to Singer Island in Palm Beach County. When it opens in early 2023, this Preferred Hotels & Resorts property will feature 155 guestrooms, including 34 suites, and 100,000 square feet of spa and wellness space with a focus on Eastern well-being philosophies such as Ayurveda and Western technology (including sound-and-light and infusion therapies) designed to facilitate personal journeys. 

There’s a sleek, modern look to the accommodation and public spaces, which will include a beachfront restaurant specializing in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines and AYRE, a dining venue offering a plant-based menu by celebrity chef Matthew Kenney. A lobby lounge will also serve “healing elixirs” and craft cocktails along with small plates. 

Room rates start at $1,604 per night.

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Whether it’s the turquoise seas by day or the sparkling stars at night, the views from Oil Nut Bay’s Reef House are incredibly hard to beat. Nestled in the hills of Virgin Gorda in the coveted North Sound region of the British Virgin Islands, this $12.5 million dollar home faces west, offering stunning sunsets and the perfect amount of afternoon sunshine.

With more than 4,700 sq. ft., spread across 2.17 acres, Reef House is split into four separate bedrooms, or pods, each with its own balcony, safe, and en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. This design is perfect for having friends or family visit, giving guests their own private suites.

The original owners drew inspiration for Reef House from luxury hotels visited around the world. The home is offered fully furnished and features gorgeous, international design pieces. Three pods are furnished with a Westin Heavenly King-size bed, with the fourth pod featuring a Vispring luxury bed which can be split into two single beds.

The expansive great room brings everyone together, providing a spot where they can marvel at views of the surrounding reefs from behind the room’s soaring floor to ceiling windows. From there, guests can step outside and jump into the heated infinity lap pool, where swimmers can imagine they’re gliding through the sapphire seas seen below.

Dry off and sip a delicious, tropical cocktail while sitting under a covered tiki hut. There’s one on each side of the pool.

If guests want to take a break from the serenity and gorgeous views, they can check out the media room. The space features a large, flat-screen TV and can also be used as an extra room for a child, complete with an adjoining shower and bathroom.

A private chef, or the cook of the family, will appreciate the home’s fully equipped gourmet kitchen. Reef House’s developers brought in the best appliances from Miami, including a large sub-zero fridge, sub-zero freezer with an ice maker and wine cooler, along with a range, oven, and microwave all by Wolf.

Since Oil Nut Bay is only accessible by boat or helicopter, privacy is a way of life. Guests staying at the Reef House can count on having an intimate stay, while still enjoying the amenities of the island resort, such as a beach club with three pools and a swim-up bar, gym and wellness center, two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and plenty of equipment for water sports like kayaking and sailing.

With a 40-foot boat slip, the Reef House is a dream Caribbean getaway. Dock your boat and revel in the serenity exuded from this peaceful retreat.

The post Luxury Meets Sanctuary at this $12.5 Million Dream Home in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Islands.

When Richard Hokin arrived on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands 30 hours after Hurricane Irma passed on September 6, 2017, he wasn’t particularly shocked. He fully expected that his Bitter End Yacht Club had been destroyed. After all, the BVI island had endured a Category 5 storm with relentless 180 mph winds—and a storm surge that wiped out anything the gusts had spared. 

He was correct: What was essentially a pile of rubble greeted him where the resort, which had been in his family for 44 years, once stood. There was one surprising thing though. The oldest fleet member was missing. What had happened to the faithful boat that predated his family’s ownership of Bitter End, the one that was integral to its development in the early days and still loyally served the resort? Where was Reef Sampler? 

“The fact that the boat had disappeared was kind of mysterious because some of her superstructure had washed up on Prickly Pear Island, which is right next to us. But there was no sign of the boat,” Hokin says.

When Irma hit, Reef Sampler was approaching its 50th birthday. In need of a platform for fishing, diving, exploring and picnicking, the Hokin family commissioned the 34-foot downeast fiberglass hull from Webber’s Cove in Blue Hill, Maine, to be finished at Essex Boat Works in Connecticut. Named for the family’s favorite pastime in the vibrant Virgin Islands waters, Reef Sampler was delivered in 1969.

“She started out as our family’s just-messing-around boat in St. Thomas and eventually became the workhorse for Bitter End,” Hokin says. “She hauled most of the building materials from St. Thomas up to North Sound in the early days when we were just starting to remodel and expand, and then she was our principal source of fun there. We’d take off and go over to Anegada for the day and go diving or go out fishing. Our life really centered around the boat.”

Reef Sampler rode out Irma holding on to the heftiest mooring. As it turned out, it never let go. In early 2018, the UK Hydrographic Office, conducting its first BVI survey in nearly a century, discovered an anomaly in its soundings. Further investigation by Sunchaser Scuba revealed Reef Sampler’s hull, sitting neatly upright on the bottom of North Sound, still tied to the sunken mooring.

Abandoning the boat in this watery grave was never an option. “Next to me, she’s the oldest member of the Bitter End crew,” Hokin says as he readies for his 82nd birthday. “I wasn’t going to walk away from her—we’ve been together for over 50 years. How do you walk away from someone or something that’s been important to your life? And not just to my life but to the whole Bitter End lifestyle, which is what defines us.”

Using air bags, it was floated and dragged onto the beach. Then, Hokin had an idea.

“I have always had a bee in my bonnet about a beach bar—and that a boat would make a really cool beach bar. This was the opportunity. We’re starting from scratch [rebuilding Bitter End]. We had the boat, and the boat was integral to Bitter End’s story. I figured she’s worked hard for us for close to 50 years; let’s give her a place where she doesn’t have to work so hard and everybody can enjoy her.”

Now, Reef Sampler, freshly varnished and painted in its original hue, has pride of place on Marina Beach at Bitter End 2.0. On its foredeck is a navigation table with seating for 8; along its sheerline aft, there’s a bar for resting a drink; and within its cockpit is a fully equipped bar for serving. Above it floats tent fabric, shading patrons and protecting the boat from the weather.

It’s one of the new additions to the revived property. For the quiet reopening over the past holidays, everything a sailor needs was up and running, including the Quarterdeck Club with a panoramic second-floor lounge, the Watersports Shack, The Buoy Room a salty sailor’s bar , and an expanded provisioning market that also offers prepared foods and a full wine-and-spirits shop. Opening soon are two shore accommodations called Marina Lofts, which extend alluringly over the water, and two more restaurants will be ready to serve by spring. 

Re-imagined to be more closely aligned with Mother Nature, the new resort is both different and the same. “We knew we weren’t going to build an exact replica, but we’ve tried really hard to employ the character, vibe and lifestyle that define the place,” Hokin says. Nothing encapsulates this spirit better than a beach-bar boat that started life as a vehicle for just messing around on the water. 

It’s not the only physical reminder of the past. The major docks survived the storm, and bits of memorabilia salvaged from the debris are displayed among the new buildings—but Reef Sampler is perhaps its most evocative.

“I think a boat is pretty close to a living entity. After 70 years of messing around in boats, I’m absolutely sure boats have lives because they’ve treated me well at times and also have had a few tantrums,” Hokin says with a smile.

To learn more about the re-opening of Bitter End Yacht Club and stay up to date on new updates, visit beyc.com. To see more footage from Bitter End Yacht Club, follow them on YouTube.

The post A New Beginning for Bitter End appeared first on Islands.