REVIEWS
OIL NUT BAY Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
LOCATION: Accessible only by boat or helicopter, the expansive Oil Nut Bay resort lies on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. The hotel’s plot takes in 160-plus hectares of glorious greenery, where footpaths weave through rolling hills and azure waters graze the white strip of sand that crowns the site.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I’m bowled over by the sheer size of the property as we make our way from the jetty to The Dugout, where we enjoy a seamless check-in and rum cocktail, as is customary in the Caribbean. Although Oil Nut Bay is undeniably vast, it doesn’t feel congested or overcrowded. The villas are spread out enough to feel secluded – something that’s enhanced by the hotel’s light tread on the environment, which ensures buildings are tucked away behind shrouds of vegetation or hidden in the cliffside.
THE FACTS: A mix of holiday rentals and real-estate properties, Oil Nut Bay’s villas and suites are set across eight ‘neighbourhoods’. These are interspersed with the hotel’s spa, beach club, tennis courts and Marina Village, where }ÕiÃÌà Üill wn` oVi>nvÀonÌ `inin} ëoÌ
oÛ>] > h>n`vÕl ov
boutiques and a watersports centre. The amenities are fairly spread out, but getting around the resort is easy, as each villa comes with an electric golf buggy for guests to use – there are also drivers on site to take you where you need to go. The property has been rebuilt since it was hit by hurricane Irma in 2017 and has a low-density approach to building, with just 180 villas and roughly 50% of the site left as open space.
IDEAL FOR: Families will love Oil Nut Bay. The Nut House Kids Club hosts activities for children and teens, and there is a Rangers Programme that encourages the youngest guests to earn a ‘Ranger’ title by taking part in hikes and beach games.
EXPLORE: Guests could easily spend a day exploring the ÀiÃoÀÌ on vooÌ] ÜiÌh wÛi hikin} ÌÀ>ilà Ìh>Ì ÌÀ>ÛiÀÃi 6iÀ}in Gorda’s diverse terrain and showcase unmatched views across the ocean. The concierge team is also available to organise activities such as boat charters, snorkelling iÝVÕÀÃionà >n` wÃhin} ÌÀi«Ã° -iÛiÀ>l ov Ìhi ÀiÌiÃh 6iÀ}in Islands’ must-visit sites are a short boat ride away, including Bitter End Yacht Club – the perfect place for a sunset cocktail and superyacht watching – and The Baths National Park, characterised by huge granite boulders that rise up from the pristine waters.
WOW: The dinner we have at Nova blows me away. As well as the breathtaking overwater setting, I also enjoy one of the best Thai green curries I’ve ever had and a sumptuous selection of vegetable sushi.
BOOK IT: Nightly rates range from $650 to $17,950, depending on the villa.
OILNUTBAY.COM Isobel Turner
aspiretravelclub.co.uk
MARCH 2025 ASPIRE 103
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