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in the shoreline of the Baths of Virgin
Gorda (pictured), or Trunk Bay off St John,
with its submerged signs identifying the
various coral species.
Then there’s Norman Island, with
its secret caves dotted around the coast
– where folklore says gold doubloons may
still be hidden: the island is believed to
be the inspiration for Robert Louis
Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
As Paul Cleary, managing director of
Caribtours, says: “The sheer natural beauty
of the Virgin Islands is breathtaking – my
favourite memories include exploring the
uninhabited coves and glorious beaches in
a little Boston Whaler dinghy.”
Understated is the new bling
The impact of the economic downturn in
the Virgin Islands has been noticeable, but
the resorts here claim they are better
placed to weather the financial storm.
“We’re not overly glitzy, we’re
understated elegance,” says Martein van
Wagenberg, managing director of Little
Dix on Virgin Gorda. “That’s seen as a good
thing right now in terms of how people
want to spend – or be seen to spend. Last
year was our best on record, but still we all
have to be realistic about the way things
are going to be.”
The Virgin Islands certainly aren’t as
“glitzy” as many resorts in, say, St Barths or
Barbados. Most of them – with the
exception of sophisticated Biras Creek, a
Relais & Chateaux resort with 31 rooms,
no toddler policy and contemporary decor
on par with many a Maldivian island
resort – are of the high end family variety.
At the same time, the island resorts in
this neck of the woods are exactly the kind
of place you could be recommending for
those clients who are still planning that
perfect blow-the-budget 50th birthday or
special occasion. At ballpark figures of
upwards of £600 a night, we’re not talking
no-frills flights to ‘fun in the sun’, but
around 60% of visitors do take ‘American
Plan’ packages (including all meals but
excluding alcohol) to keep a rein on costs.
When it
The spoils of war
comes to The Virgin Islands as we know them today
white-sand seclusion and acting out were discovered by Columbus and were
Lost-like fantasies in the most luxe way
Wait for the launch
subsequently split politically – after much
possible, Richard Branson’s hideaway is canonfire back in 1671 – between the
not the only option in the Virgin Islands,
of Necker Belle later
British and the Danish West Indies. The
even though Necker remains one of the Danish islands of St Thomas, St John and
world’s most exclusive retreats. this year: telling St Croix later became US territory in the
The US and British Virgin Islands are
each made up of small islands and resorts
clients they can sail
early 20th century, while the BVIs,
consisting of an archipelago of more than
whose collective aim seems to be to
promote an ambience of absolute privacy.
on Branson’s yacht
50 islands, remain a British protectorate,
and on the whole have the better deal in
Sure, there are a few beach bars and
jewellery shops around Cruz Bay on
could prove a real
terms of attractions. And I’m not just
saying that out of British bias.
St John, and dinner at Asolore overlooking
them is a buzzy experience. But the main
sales wow factor
Apart from the cruise ship hubs of
St Thomas (USVI) and Tortola (BVI), most
pursuits in this part of the world seem to of the islands are small dots with secluded
be laying back to watch pelicans swoop beaches and wonderfully marked by little
into the sea as donkeys frolic on their attempt to foster accessibility other than
backs in the sand behind you, or getting boat jetties and transfers.
engrossed in some serious snorkeling or This is serious yachting territory, and
diving, some of the best in the world. visitors who don’t own their own can
Both above and below-water either make use of the network of inter-
aficionados know that when it comes to island ferries or take to the sea through the
sailing or diving, this is the place to come, likes of Moorings, which has luxury yacht
whether diving around the volcanic rocks charter jump off points at St Thomas and
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