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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 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®, tennis, fitness facility and children's center, complete the experience.
Climate
The B.V.I. climate is semi-tropical and one of the healthiest in the world. Average temperatures hover around 80° 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 December 2006, signifying the rebirth of Rosewood Little Dix Bay as a legendary destination. The renovations brought a new cliffside spa, The Children's Grove, resort-wide refurbishments of the guest rooms, and addition of 16 new Rosewood Junior Suites as well as three hilltop 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.
Among the most popular diversions offered at Rosewood Little Dix Bay are complimentary Beach Drops to any one of seven destinations around Virgin Gorda. Guests are transported by Boston Whaler boat to pristine beaches and are dropped off with beach towels, umbrella and snorkel gear for a few hours to relax and explore. At an additional cost, the resort can arrange for a picnic lunch and even bottle of wine for guests to bring along with them on their excursion.
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 are light and airy, most with floor to ceiling windows on two sides for excellent cross ventilation. The rooms feature light wood and teak furniture, stone walls and natural colored fabrics accented by island colors. Bathrooms feature double vanities and rain showers while some also have soaking tubs. Half of the guestrooms are outfitted with new outdoor garden showers.
In-Room Amenities
• Waffle weave robes and his/hers slippers
• Exclusive Rosewood 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 players
• Hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Umbrella
• Walking stick
Guest Services
• Concierge and dedicated Activities Desk
• Activity Center with Internet access; Wi-Fi access in various public spaces throughout the property at additional charge
• 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 Times Digest
• Ferry/airport greeting and transfers
• Hot Type program: Guests can read the latest wave of books from best-selling authors before they are available for sale with this exclusive Rosewood program. Advance copies of new fiction and non-fiction titles can be found at the resort's "Hot Type" library.
• Picture Perfect program: Fuji digital cameras are 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.
Resort Dining
The cuisine at Rosewood Little Dix Bay is simple and elegant, incorporating the freshest ingredients of the season. 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: Situated adjacent to the resort's private dock just a few steps from the beach, this casual grill overlooks the sea and is open most days from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests will find a dazzling array of creative cocktails as well as appetizing menu options featuring local ingredients from land and sea in a variety of chilled soups, salads, sandwiches, grilled burgers and pizzas.
THE PAVILION: Located at the heart of the resort beneath four signature vaulted rooftops, this open-air restaurant serves innovative international cuisine and offers sweeping postcard views with every table. An elaborate daily breakfast is served with fresh juices, pastries and made-to-order items. Lunch is served most days and offers a buffet selection of salads, vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, sandwiches, hot entrees and items grilled to order. The popular Rosewood Little Dix Bay Caribbean Grand Buffet is hosted every Monday night. On Thursdays, an Asian Night Buffet offers a tempura station, sushi, ‘Tandoori’ and Mongolian noodle and wok workshop. An á la carte dinner menu features light and healthy food with an accent on grills, wonderful salads, fresh seafood including grilled Anegada lobster, local mahi with coconut-lime pumpkin broth, seafood escabeche, hydroponic cucumber ceviche 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 food daily from 12 noon to 10:00 p.m. and offers a selection of Caribbean cocktails and rums. Daily afternoon tea, complete with English scones, fruit brochettes and local "Johnny Cakes" is also served at the bar.
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. Sugar Mill offers an eclectic fusion of contemporary Pan-Asian and European cuisines and a unique “amusaries menu” offering tastes of the Chef’s best creations. The menu includes miso glazed grouper, five-spiced pork belly, Mediterranean seabass with soba noodles and Himalayan truffles. Guests may also consider the nightly tasting menu paired with fine wines. The Sugar Mill is open for dinner five days a week and is ideal for a romantic dinner à deux. A private dining room with seating for up to 12 guests is also 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 wait staff with a choice from all menus, beach dinners set the perfect mood for honeymooners or even a proposal. Additional setup fee applies.
SPRING BAY PICNIC: Every Thursday morning, guests who book this special activity are transported via Boston Whaler to Spring Bay, a nearby beach adjacent to the famed Baths of Virgin Gorda. There, the resort's chefs prepare a gourmet barbeque lunch while guests enjoy a guided snorkel tour, or simply relax under umbrellas on the beach. A steel band and limbo contest complete the fun. 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.
Recreation
SENSE, A ROSEWOOD SPA®: An idyllic retreat perched high on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Sense, A Rosewood Spa offers the world's finest beauty and recuperative treatments. Sense's dramatic setting is unparalleled, with 360° views and stone footpaths that meander through lush tropical gardens leading to nine treatment cottages, including a couple's suite. The relaxation area features a two-tiered infinity pool with neighboring Jacuzzi and vistas of sailboats floating on the horizon. An outdoor Yoga platform is also located at Sense with 25-mile views of the seascape and bay. Using therapeutic practices and progressive concepts in health and wellness, many of the treatments fuse the indigenous botanical resources proliferating within the grounds of the resort with traditional, spiritual and physical healing arts. Signature treatments include the Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey Wrap and the Salt Island Scrub.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 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 nature walks, shell-collecting, treasure hunts, stone-painting and Caribbean folk art and literature, all of which will become precious memories of their visit to Rosewood Little Dix Bay. The Children's Grove is complimentary, open Monday through Saturday and offers full-day, half-day and evening programs for children three years and older. At an additional cost, kids can partake in Children's Yoga or Kid's Move and Groove classes. Teens have their own space to enjoy as well, complete with foosball, ping pong table, and pool table.
TENNIS: The resort's tennis facility provides a wonderful opportunity for guests to play their favorite sport under the bright Caribbean sun. Three artificial grass courts and four hardcourts are available, all with beautiful mountainous view. Two lit artificial grass courts allow guests to continue play past sunset. Recently awarded the Silver Medal from Tennis Resorts Online, the resort's tennis program is highly rated and greatly enjoyed by a world-wide variety of guests. Peter Burwash International, the world's foremost tennis management company, has been servicing the needs of guests at Rosewood Little Dix Bay since 1979. The resort offers a weekly Round Robin and Cardio Tennis. Player Matching is always an option with friendly local tennis players. Specialized clinics are held three days a week, along with a complimentary beginners clinic once a week.
FITNESS CENTER: Situated adjacent to the tennis courts, the 2,000-square-foot fitness center offers an enticing environment in which to workout with high vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams, windows that allow the sunlight to pour in and central air conditioning to keep guests cool and comfortable. State-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment by Precor includes treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, recumbent and upright bikes and stair climbers. Weight training equipment by Precor and Cybex and a complete set of free weights are also available. Personal training sessions can be scheduled.
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. Waterskiing, 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 or Tortola.
• Year-round air taxi service operates daily from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda and may be booked directly through the resort. Seasonal air taxi service is available from St. Martin.
• The resort is located five minutes from Virgin Gorda Airport or 20 minutes by boat on the resort's private catamaran from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Tortola.
• The resort 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.
• Rosewood Little Dix Bay's sister resort, Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort on St. John, U.S.V.I., offers a weekly ferry service on Wednesdays 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.
Management
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Managing Director: Martein van Wagenberg
Contact Information
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
T 284.495.5555 - F 284.495.5661
Toll-free reservations in North America: 888.ROSEWOOD
littledixbay@rosewoodhotels.com
B.V.I. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 70, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I., VG 1150 (requires international postage; 2-3 weeks for delivery)
U.S. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 720, Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I. 00831-0720 requires U.S. postage; 2 weeks for delivery)
Expedited shipping via FedEx, ship to: Lee Road, Valley, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I., VG 1150 |
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