Following a four-year closure and comprehensive renovation, Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands has reopened. Founded by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller over half a century ago in 1964, the resort, set on 500 acres of private beachfront, has been completely redesigned while keeping its focus on ecotourism.
After closing for a refurbishment in 2016, the property was soon shuttered by the effects of Hurricane Irma. It is now open following a four-year, full renovation.
“We are excited to welcome a new wave of ultra-luxury travelers as well as our adoring legacy guests to the reimagined Rosewood Little Dix Bay,” said Andreas Pade, managing director of Rosewood Little Dix Bay, in a statement. “Over the last four years, an expert team of environmentalists, architects and designers has worked tirelessly to honor the resort’s storied past while incorporating modern amenities and comforts, creating a truly one-of-a-kind offering in the British Virgin Islands that will delight discerning travelers for generations to come.”
New offerings and amenities include butler service created to tailor each guest’s experience from beginning to end. Guests’ butlers are available to assist with check in and check out, unpacking and repacking, arranging dining reservations and daily activities and more.Those arriving to the destination through Tortola are transported to the resort on one of Rosewood’s brand new, ultra-luxury catamarans. The 20-minute sail to Virgin Gorda includes signature beverages and a brief tour of the coastal highlights. Upon arrival at the resort’s new private dock, travelers are greeted by their butlers and continue to the personalized check-in experience.
Honoring Laurance Rockefeller’s original vision, the footprint and structures of the property remain the same, including the resort’s conical shaped roofs that sit atop the heart of the resort, Pavilion.
Eighty guestrooms, suites and villas have been designed with privacy, relaxation and reconnection in mind, with the majority of rooms serving as digital-free sanctuaries without televisions.
Four dining outlets combine Caribbean cuisine with international influences. They include its signature restaurant, Reef House; the slightly more casual Sugar Mill; Pavilion that utilizes international cooking methods, and the relaxed, indoor-outdoor Rum Room stocked with 107 different labels of aged and rare rums from around the world, with bartenders serving a mix of new and classic concoctions throughout the day.
Set against the stunning Sir Francis Drake Channel with cliffside views of the bay below, the resort’s Sense, A Rosewood Spa incorporates the island’s tranquil style, ethos and offerings within each of the eight treatment rooms and throughout its menu of services. Highlights include Afri-Cure, a signature service that incorporates local Jumbie Tree leaves, Tamarind Tree leaves, lemongrass and harvested Salt Island sea salt, as well as The Baths Journey, an experiential treatment that invites guests off property to explore the wonders of the destination. Ideal for guests looking to unwind before or after treatments, the two-tiered Spa Infinity Pool, sits directly adjacent to Sense Spa and offers a calming and quiet atmosphere. The facility further features a state-of-the-art fitness center, a juice and smoothie bar and an outdoor yoga and group fitness platform.
Additional wellness and recreational offerings include two hiking trails, curated beach drops to Virgin Gorda’s seven secluded bays and an immersive Island Bathing program soundtracked by the songs of the sea. Six tennis courts spanning cement and artificial grass surfaces, as well as two pickleball courts, can be enjoyed during private lessons with the resort’s resident instructor as well as during weekly clinics and competitions. A wide range of watersports are also available, ranging from kayaking to paddleboarding to surfing, and there is a centrally-located, fully-serviced Pavilion Pool. For younger guests, a holistic Rosewood Explorers children’s program offers activities curated to educate children on their surroundings while fostering a sense of adventure and social responsibility and awareness. Inspired experiences include meet-and-greets with local lizards, snakes and other wildlife at the property’s own petting zoo, wades through the island’s waters to learn about reef protection and observe the destination’s indigenous marine life, and cooking classes utilizing local ingredients grown at the resort’s sustainable farm.
For more information, click here. Insights on the British Virgin Islands can be found here and here.
