Overview
Rosewood Little Dix Bay sits on a crescent-shaped bay on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Founded in 1964 by Laurance S. Rockefeller, the resort remains true to its founder's vision of natural harmony and earth in balance while offering an escape from the ordinary. Elegantly appointed accommodations blend unobtrusively into the surrounding landscape and are located mere steps from the beach. Guests can enjoy a wide array of activities such as diving, snorkeling, watersports and hiking. World-class amenities, including three distinctive dining venues, Sense, A Rosewood Spa (TM), a state-of-the-art fitness facility, tennis center with six courts and expanded and children's center, complete the experience.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts assumed management of Little Dix Bay in 1993. December 2006 saw the completion of a comprehensive five-year, $25 million resort enhancement including 16 new Rosewood Junior Suites, a cliff-top spa and beautiful re-designs on the resort's 100 guest rooms, two restaurants, and Reception/Guest Activities Center. In 2007, additional hilltop villas were added, and the popular Beach Grill was remodeled. These comprehensive enhancements signified the resort's "rebirth" as a legendary Caribbean retreat.
Climate
The B.V.I. climate is semi-tropical and one of the healthiest in the world. Average temperatures hover around 79° Fahrenheit, and constant easterly breezes guarantee cool nights year-round. There is no clearly defined wet or dry season; weather conditions are splendid any month of the year.
Resort History
Virgin Gorda - which translates to "Fat Virgin" from Spanish - was named in 1493 by Columbus, who saw in the islands now framing Rosewood Little Dix Bay the silhouette of a portly woman lying on her back.
The island was a fairly desolate agricultural community when Laurance Rockefeller established the resort; planning and land acquisition began in 1958. Little Dix Bay opened in January of 1964. A believer in hiring and training local people to proudly serve their island, Rockefeller discovered a friendly, highly motivated work force among the residents of Virgin Gorda.
In December 1993, Little Dix Bay became part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. It was reopened in March 1996 after extensive refurbishments.
A five-year, multi-million-dollar renovation was concluded in 2007, signifying the rebirth of Little Dix Bay as a legendary destination. The renovations brought a new cliff-side spa, The Children's Grove, resort-wide refurbishments of the guest rooms, and aaddition of 16 new Rosewood Junior Suites as well as six hilltop villas, two beachfront villas, new restaurant designs and an innovative employee training program developed across the Rosewood collection.
Beaches
Dubbed "wilderness beach" by Laurance Rockefeller, the resort's pristine, half-mile crescent beach is considered one of the finest in the world and is located steps from the resort's accommodations. A coral reef just off the shoreline provides excellent snorkeling and protects the bay, ensuring calm water for swimming year-round.
BEACH DROPS: Among the most popular diversions offered at Little Dix Bay are complimentary Beach Drops to any one of 13 destinations around Virgin Gorda. Guests are transported by Boston Whaler to pristine beaches, equipped with a picnic lunch, beach umbrella, bottle of wine and snorkel gear.
Accommodations
The resort features 100 spacious guest accommodations that seem to "grow" out of the landscape. Most are shaded by native sea grape and palm trees, ensuring ultimate privacy. Each guest room has an outdoor patio or terrace on which to enjoy the idyllic setting of Virgin Gorda and its gentle tradewinds. A complete room refurbishment was completed in December 2006 with décor that reflects an island sensibility with sophisticated, residential style. Casually elegant interiors feature bright, pastel colors with handcrafted furniture and fabrics from the Pacific Rim. Half of the rooms have been outfitted with new outdoor garden showers.
GARDEN VIEW ROOM: Situated just off the beach, these guest rooms offer romantic views.
PREMIUM OCEAN VIEW ROOM: Located on or near the beach, these guest rooms offer ocean views and a private patio deck.
TREE HOUSE COTTAGE: These Rockefeller original accommodations are positioned on stilts and nestled in a lush garden setting with a shared footpath to the beach. They are grouped in pairs and include a downstairs garden patio with hammock and upper sun deck.
OCEAN COTTAGE: Hexagonal-shaped and grouped in fours, these cottages are close to the beach, offer beautiful ocean views and feature recently expanded bathrooms with bathtub and separate shower.
BEACH FRONT COTTAGE: Another Rockefeller original, these hexagonal-shaped guest rooms, with newly expanded bathrooms, are grouped in pairs for optimal privacy and offer stunning ocean views close to the beach.
ROSEWOOD JUNIOR SUITE: These 16 new accommodations enjoy breathtaking ocean views and offer a large outdoor living area accessed through French doors leading off an oversized bedroom. The spacious bathroom includes his and hers vanities, separate shower and large soaking tub, as well as an outdoor garden shower.
ONE-BEDROOM SUITE: Perfectly located on the beach, suites include a separate bedroom and living room, over-sized soaking tub, separate indoor and outdoor showers and private patio.
VILLAS: Located in the most private areas of the resort with sweeping ocean views, these eight remarkable accommodations feature two, three or four large bedrooms in addition to oversized living and dining areas, spacious bathrooms with outdoor showers, private pools and dining pavilion/barbeque areas. Two are located just steps off of the half-mile long beach and are the closest accommodations to the stunning cliff-side spa, while six hilltop villas are uniquely designed on the 500-acre property to maximize views and privacy.
In-Room Amenities
• Plush robes and his/hers slippers
• Exclusive Little Dix Bay signature Lady Primrose lemongrass and grapefruit-scented amenities
• Complimentary bottle of island rum, with soft drinks and bottled water
• Wi-Fi access
• Telephone with voicemail capabilities
• In-room safe
• Refrigerator
• Bose® stereos/CD and DVD players
• Hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Umbrella & walking sticks
Guest Services
• Concierge & Activities Desk
• Activity Center with Internet access; Wi-Fi access in various public spaces throughout the property
• Personal DVD players available upon request and video library of over 300 titles
• Manager's cocktail reception
• Pavilion Terrace morning coffee and afternoon tea
• Nightly movies
• Gift shop/clothing boutique
• Babysitting services
• Nightly turndown service
• Laundry/valet services
• Daily delivery of The New York Times
• Ferry/airport greeting and transfers
• Hot Type program: Read the latest wave of books from best-selling authors before they are available for sale with this exclusive program at all Rosewood resorts. Advance copies of new fiction and non-fiction titles can be found at the "Hot Type" library at Little Dix Bay.
• Picture Perfect program: Capture every memory on one of Fuji film's super slick digital cameras, available complimentary to resort guests during their stay. Upon departure, guests will be provided with a CD of their photos as a keepsake of their visit.
• Beach Walker service providing beverages, meals and snacks throughout the day
Resort Dining
The cuisine at Little Dix Bay is simple and elegant, incorporating the natural bounty found in Virgin Gorda. Guests are served amidst dramatic backdrops of sand, sea and sky to create memorable dining experiences in all three of the resort's open-air venues. Each restaurant offers a menu of indigenous island cuisine with a distinct twist on flavor and a unique setting in which to enjoy a peaceful breakfast, casual lunch or romantic dinner.
THE BEACH GRILL: Newly remodeled in 2007 and situated adjacent to the resort's private dock just steps off the beach, this casual café overlooks the sea and is open daily from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., serving chilled soups, ceviche, salads and other island inspired fare as well as tropical fruit plates, desserts and refreshing cocktails.
THE PAVILION: Located at the heart of the resort beneath Rosewood Little Dix Bay's four signature vaulted rooftops, this bistro-style restaurant offers sweeping postcard views with every table. An elaborate breakfast and lunch buffet are served daily with fresh juices, pastries and made-to-order items. The popular Little Dix Bay Caribbean Grand Buffet is hosted every Monday night. An à la carte dinner menu features international favorites with a local twist, including grilled Anegada lobster, coconut salmon and conch chowder in addition to pastas, fresh meats and daily specials. Live music can be enjoyed most evenings. The neighboring wallaba-shingled bar serves light options daily from 12 noon-10 p.m. and offers a selection of vintage wines, rums. Daily afternoon tea, complete with English scones, fruit brochettes and local "Johnny Cakes" is also served.
THE SUGAR MILL: The most intimate and upscale of Rosewood Little Dix Bay's restaurants, The Sugar Mill has been recently re-designed with stonework and rich wood textures. Tables are arranged to allow panoramic views of the sea and verdant island environs. An open-air kitchen specializes in grilled seafood and meats accented with fresh local ingredients with Asian flair. Guests may also consider the nightly tasting menu, paired with fine wines. The Sugar Mill is open for dinner six days a week and is ideal for a romantic dinner à deux. Set in a private area, a table with seating for up to 12 guests is available for small groups and reunions.
PRIVATE BEACH DINNERS: Rosewood Little Dix Bay can accommodate up to three private beach dinners each evening for the ultimate romantic experience. Guests dine in the glow of tiki torches beneath a veil of stars and within earshot of the gentle lapping surf. Privately served by the resort's waitstaff with a choice from all menus, beach dinners set the perfect mood for honeymooners or even a proposal.
SPRING BAY PICNIC: Every Thursday morning, guests who book this special activity are transported via Boston Whaler boat to Spring Bay, a nearby beach adjacent to the famed Baths of Virgin Gorda. There, the resort's chefs prepare a barbeque lunch while guests enjoy a guided snorkel tour, laze under umbrellas on the beach, enjoy a steel band concert, or participate in a limbo contest. Still another diversion is offered in nearby Devil's Bay where guests can traverse The Baths and explore the unique intricacies and natural pathways created by these giant boulders on the beach.
BEACH SERVICE: Beach Walker service providing beverages, meals and snacks throughout the day.
ROOM SEVICE: Room service is offered.
Recreation
SENSE, A ROSEWOOD SPA (TM): An idyllic retreat perched high on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean, the spa offers the world's finest beauty and recuperative treatments. The spa's dramatic setting is unparalleled, with 360° views and stone footpaths that meander through lush tropical gardens leading to nine treatment spaces, including a couple's suite. The relaxation area features a two-tiered infinity pool and vistas of sailboats and neighboring islands. An outdoor Yoga platform has 25-mile views of the seascape and Little Dix Bay.
Using therapeutic practices and progressive concepts in health and wellness, many of the treatments fuse the indigenous botanical resources proliferating the grounds of the resort with traditional, spiritual and physical healing arts. Signature treatments include the Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey Wrap and Sugar Mill Pineapple Mango Glow.
The spa offers Yoga, Pilates and meditation classes for an additional fee.
THE CHILDREN'S GROVE: Set in the shade of mahogany trees, The Children's Grove is where little ones can indulge their imaginations. Pirate tales, calypso music, children's yoga, ballet lessons, nature hikes, and tropical arts and crafts are but a few of the creative activities that will delight children of all ages. Led by an experienced, fun-loving and caring staff, kids can participate in eco-explorations, shell-collecting, treasure hunts, stone-painting and Caribbean folk art and literature, all of which will become precious memories of their visit to Little Dix Bay. The Children's Grove is open Monday through Saturday and offers full-day, half-day and evening programs for children three years and older. A new teen center features foosball, ping pong, pool, and movies.
TENNIS: Six all-weather outdoor tennis courts are available complimentary to resort guests. Four courts are lit for night play. Tennis clinics, private lessons and special tennis packages are offered by resident Peter Burwash International tennis pros.
NEW FITNESS CENTER: Opened January 2007, the dedicated facility features state-of-the-art cardiovascular training equipment including treadmills, Stairmasters and Life Cycles in addition to Cybex weight machines and free weights.
Other Activities
• Beachfront, free-form fresh water pool on two levels with lunch and cocktail service available
• Watersports including complimentary snorkeling and use of Sunfish sailboats and kayaks. Glass-bottom boat tours, snorkel trips, scuba diving, sailing excursions, deep-sea fishing and boat charters are also available at an additional charge.
• Sunset cocktail cruises
• Hiking on two on-property trails
• Island sightseeing trips by jeep or boat
• Shopping excursions to Spanish Town and the marina
Accessibility
• Virgin Gorda is located 90 miles east of Puerto Rico and 26 miles northeast of St. Thomas, just off the Sir Francis Drake Channel. It can be reached via San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua or Tortola.
• Private Charters from neighboring islands mentioned above and a shared Air Taxi Service from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda and may be booked directly through the resort.
• Little Dix Bay is located five minutes from Virgin Gorda Airport or 15 minutes by boat on the resort's private catamaran from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Tortola.
• Little Dix Bay is one-half mile from Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor and Spanish Town.
• A valid passport is required to visit the British Virgin Islands and re-enter the United States.
• Little Dix Bay's sister resort, Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, on St. John, U.S.V.I., offers a ferry service on Wednesday of each week for guests staying at both resorts. The scenic, 90-minute trip through the Sir Francis Drake Channel features breathtaking views of emerald islands and turquoise waters. Among the highlights are vistas of Tortola, Norman and Peter Islands, Cooper and Ginger Islands, Beef Island and Scrub Island.
Operator
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Key Personnel
Martein van Wagenberg, Managing Director
Gerard Sclafani, Director of Sales & Marketing
Marcel Driessen, Executive Chef
Staff
300 employees
Four staff members have been with the resort for over 40 years including Reservations Manager Grace Waters; and Danford George, Vaneto Waters and Hudson Stevens, all from the maintenance department.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
P.O. Box 70, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands VG 1150
U.S. Mailing Address: C/O P.O. Box 720, Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I. 00831-0720
T 284.495.5555
F 284.495.5661
littledixbay@rosewoodhotels.com |
