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The leading resort in the British Virgin Islands is reopening next month, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The 500-acre Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort on Virgin Gorda will officially relaunch on Dec. 4.

The property, which had initially closed in 2016 for a dramatic transformation project that was set back by Hurricane Irma, had finally reopened at the beginning of January — before shuttering in March due to the pandemic. 

But for a resort like this, it’s worth the wait.

The luxury resort, which was founded by Laurence Rockefeller more than a half century ago, has 81 rooms and suites, along with four eateries and bars and a broad wellness offering. 

The property is opening under Rosewood’s “Commitment to Care” program, which includes everything from physical distancing to limited-contact options for check-in and check-out, among other changes. 

“The strength and resilience of Virgin Gorda and Rosewood Little Dix Bay never ceases to amaze me, and I’m proud to unveil our plans to reopen the resort and share its magic with the world once again,” said Andreas Pade, managing director of Rosewood Little Dix Bay. “We’ve long made it our mission to provide an unparalleled, tailored experience to all who visit, and we look forward to welcoming guests back and furthering our legacy.”                                                                       

The hotel is also making it easier for guests to get there. 

Rosewood has announced a new partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways and its Volo Travel air concierge service, which will allow guests to arrive in Virgin Gorda via private or semi-private aircraft, thanks to a partnership with Wheels Up. 

Rosewood Little Dix Bay is one of three Rosewood-branded resorts in the Caribbean: Rosewood Baha Mar in The Bahamas and the newly-rebranded Rosewood Le Guanahani (which will be opening in the spring).

The resort’s relaunch will come three days after the British Virgin Islands officially reopens its borders for international tourism. You can find more on the destination’s travel protocols here. 

For more, visit Rosewood Little Dix Bay. 

— CJ

The post The British Virgin Islands’ Rosewood Little Dix Bay Is Reopening appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Marco has just brought the morning croissants and the espresso has heated up and the streets of Gustavia are still silent on a Sunday. 

It might even be the hour of the decollage, occasion for the French West Indies’ centuries-old rhum blanc, sugar and lime ritual, before watching the first flight make its way over the harbor back to San Juan. 

But here in the early hours of a St Barth morning, it’s the view that intoxicates. 

Because the greatest villas should always start with the view. 

Here at Villa ANG in the hills above Gustavia, you’re treated to what is one of the truly iconic panoramas, a window into a rarefied corner of the world. 

And like the the most legendary vistas, it’s one you can simply watch. 

By day, you get the romantic hum of the planes making their way in and out of Remy de Haenen Airport; the charming bustle of this wonderful old town. 

By night, it’s the dotted lights of the nearby hills and straight across from St Maarten, like fireflies in the heat of a French Caribbean evening. 

And while the energy is palpable, you’re also wonderfully removed; up here, it’s serene, it’s quiet and Gustavia is a painting on an unseen wall. 

It’s almost as if you’re floating. 

But when you turn around to gaze at Villa Angelina, you begin to appreciate the rest of the story. 

The four-bedroom property is at once a classic French West Indies villa and a sleek, contemporary estate, with an impressive indoor-outdoor layout that means you’re always looking at the view, always in nature, always reminded of the breezy, lush, carefree aesthetic that defines this island. (The airy, indoor outdoor layout is something that’s even more appealing amid the current realities of travel). 

Climb up to the hillside master suite, an architectural gem in its own right, and the view is enhanced; new corners of the capital emerge. 

Every inch of this property has been carefully conceived; from an indoor-outdoor entertainment room abutting the pool to spectacular art and photography all across the walls. 

And yet, all of the rooms come back to this view, to this marvelous, massive infinity pool, the latter the anchor to the home. 

Because there’s something special about this view in Gustavia. 

This is an island with no shortage of magnificent views, whether you’re look at the little islands in Anse des Cayes or the shimmering turquoise of Cul de Sac. 

But to be here, above one of the most exclusive, beautiful harbors in the world, to float above it, is something different entirely.

And then there’s the aforementioned Marco, our WIMCO Villas private concierge, who attends to every need of the week, whether it’s getting breakfast delivered, finding a table at Tamarin or even procuring the rum for an early ti’ punch. 

That’s the essence of the WIMCO difference, the detail-focused attention that turns a vacation villa into your own private home in St Barth. 

Of course, there are St Barth villas and there are St Barth villas. 

This is, decidedly, the latter. 

For more, visit WIMCO Villa ANG. 

See more in the latest CJ Video below:

— CJ

The post In St Barth, the Art of the Perfect Villa appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport is reporting “positive trend” for the upcoming winter tourist season, according to officials. 

St Maarten first reopened its borders for international tourism in July, and arrivals are seeing an uptick, airport officials said in a statement. 

Most airlines have already restarted their routes to the Dutch Caribbean destination “and indicated that the demand for St Maarten is high compared to other Caribbean destinations,” the airport said. 

Since reopening, visitor arrivals to the airport grew “from 12 percent in August to 20 percent in October,” according to the report. 

So far in November, PJIA said it noticed “continuous growth in recovery,” while acknowledging the the global travel station remains “fragile, with increased lockdowns in Europe and a rapidly growing outbreak in the United States.”

“The numbers are nowhere near the levels PJIA needs for its business recovery, however it is promising to see a positive trend in passenger numbers,” airport officials said.

Indeed, many Caribbean destinations are showing an uptick in arrivals as their reopenings continue.

“While PJIAE was in hibernation mode, we appointed a Covid-19 Taskforce. The objective for the Taskforce was to implement all the necessary prevention and control measures to keep staff, the airport community, and our visitors safe,” said Princess Juliana International Airport CEO Brian Mingo. “This allowed us to reopen and run the airport in a safe way, allowing PJIAE and Sint Maarten to start its road to recovery.”

— CJ

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