It's been quite the comeback story for the British Virgin Islands. After having been devastated by hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017, the destination is just now putting the finishing touches on renovations, reopenings and redos.
But it seems the rest of the world is taking notice, as the New York Times recently named the British Virgin Islands one of its 52 places to go in 2020.
If your clients are looking for one of the best times to experience the British Virgin Islands, the annual Food Fete is when the islands flex their collective culinary muscle. Each November, many of the islands host food-themed events to show off what's cooking in their kitchens. Travelers can combine great food, sailing, luxury hotel stays and plenty of beach escapes. The events bring together rising star chefs from across the islands and also spotlight chefs from around the world.
The Taste of Tortola, for example, creates a street festival atmosphere in Road Town, featuring restaurants, vendors and food trucks with island favorites. Jost Van Dyke pays homage to its signature dish, roast pork, with the Jost Pork and More Festival. Capping off the month of food, rum and music, Anegada hosts its annual two-day Lobster Festival, which serves up the local spiny lobster in a dizzying array of styles.
Open for business
Last year, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board celebrated its 50th anniversary, so it was only fitting that for 2019's Food Fete, some of its most beloved landmarks reopened following the hurricanes. The Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina, for example, hosted the inaugural Gourmet Soiree, which kicked off Food Fete, in celebration of its reopening. The 230-acre private island has 52 guestrooms and suites as well as two-, three-, four- and six-bedroom villas.
Jost Van Dyke saw the reopening of the renowned Soggy Dollar, alleged birthplace of the islands' official cocktail, the Painkiller. The bar was leveled by the hurricanes, but it is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Off of Norman Island, the popular Willy T's Floating Bar has reopened, as well.
One of the most anticipated reopenings is the Rosewood Little Dix Bay. The resort was opened in 1964 by Laurance Rockefeller and has been a retreat for repeat guests for decades. It shuttered in 2016 for planned renovations, and just as it was about to reopen, the hurricanes turned a yearlong project into a four-year odyssey.
But January saw the reopening of the retreat, which ushers in a new age for the property. The reimagined resort has 80 new guestrooms, suites and villas, including Tree House Suites and One-Bedroom Pool Suites. The 500-acre resort on a half-mile stretch of beach features four dining venues, two pools, a new fitness center and Sense, a Rosewood Spa. As an homage, the guestrooms and public spaces are decorated with vintage photographs and tokens from its 1960s heyday. Rates for the Rosewood Little Dix Bay start at $1,625.