A Well-Located Virgin Gorda Hotel
A Secret and Affordable Resort in the British Virgin Islands
Dec 20, 2007
A Helpful Hotel In the BVI
With its bulletin boards full of menus, its counters full of activity brochures, its cubby-holes filled with snorkel gear and its two screened computer workstations, the office that greets you at the Guavaberry clearly states “we’re here to help.”
Next door to the office, relief from the tropical heat is provided by an icy-cold TV lounge with an impressive collection of books and games, and the chance to connect your laptop to the hotel’s wifi. This service, like so many of the other amenities here, is handled on the honor system – a clipboard tracks usage and a nominal fee is applied during check-out.
Back outside and just across the deck you’ll find the commissary. Stocked with an impressive array of food, beverages and other necessary supplies, this sparkling-clean little shop is a true bonus. Full-sized bottles of Cruzan rum are available for $6.50, a decent cabernet could be found for $11.00 and a variety of fully-prepared frozen meals such as shepherd’s pie, and chicken curry are on offer, all for under $15 each, in portions that ensure leftovers.
Caribbean Views To Tortola and Beyond
The tree house-like cabins at Guavaberry are scattered about acres of tropically landscaped grounds. Many feature captivating views from their wooden decks. Through a heat-induced haze, you’re likely to spot nearby Tortola and Beef Islands lazing in the late-day sun as sailboats drift about their not-to-serious business.
Inside, the cabins are simply furnished with comfortably padded rattan and feature full kitchens. Often times a window or two will lack curtains, as privacy is provided by the rocky guardians outside. Air conditioning is provided at an extra $10 per day fee on top of the modest room price.
Spring Bay -- Your Private Beach Paradise
After settling in, head down the winding path the snakes past the office to explore the truly magical part of Guavaberry – Spring Bay, the idyllic beach at the edge of the hotel’s property. The mythic Virgin Gorda boulders must have followed a similar path thousands of years ago, tumbling just offshore. Here they now lie, exposing varying proportions of their bulk to the air and hiding the rest beneath the warm water.
Bobbing in the Caribbean here, with the large rocks creating a private chapel-like feeling, you can truly appreciate all that is the British Virgin Islands – crystal clear waters, gentle trade winds, and green hillsides that grow fragrant flowers, pungent spices and serve as home to friendly, welcoming locals.
Hopefully you will have brought some snorkel gear from the office with you because just under the surface of the sea, a Technicolor collection of coral blooms along the submerged sides of the boulders. An equally vivid assortment of fish will join you as you explore the calm shoreline.
Located by The Baths National Park
While you could easily spend your entire vacation lounging on the deck of your cabin, enjoying the grounds of the Guavaberry or dozing on Spring Bay beach, you’d miss one of the prime reasons to stay at Guavaberry – easy access to The Baths, a National Park formed by – you guessed it – the giant granite boulders. The park is an easy ten minute walk out of the resort’s driveway and well worth a day’s exploration.
The Details
Cabins at the Guavaberry have nightly rates that range from $140 for a one-bedroom to $300 for a three-bedroom in low season. Rates increase to $220 - $400 USD in high season. Villas are rented on a weekly basis and range from $1512 USD in summer to as high as $8500 USD in winter depending on size and amenities. A 7% government tax is added to all rates.
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