Senior editor Barbara J. Mays recently stayed at Prospect Reef
Resort on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Here is her report:
ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands -- Prospect Reef Resort on
Tortola, owned by Cyril Romney, is in the midst of a seven-year
expansion project that began in November 1998.
The $65 million project also includes work on Romney's
facilities on nearby Peter Island and Jost Van Dyke.
Already completed is Prospect Reef's new Thalasso Spa.
Still to come are 90 units, many of which will be part of the
resort's Vacation Club time-share rental program operated by
Interval International.
The Miami-based firm offers rental and exchange options for more
than 1,800 properties in 20 countries.
Andre Neiderhauser, Prospect Reef's managing director, said 26
two-bedroom units will be completed by year's end and another 14
units will be done by December 2001.
Prospect Reef is planning a new meetings facility to complement its
5,000-square-foot Reef House, which can accommodate up to 200
people.
In addition, Reef House will be upgraded and relocated to the
front of the resort, with a separate check-in area and catering
services for convention guests. Completion is set for next
summer.
Also on the drawing board is the conversion of a large fountain
into an outdoor Jacuzzi.
Romney owns a parcel of land fronting Buttonwood Bay on tiny
1.7-square-mile Peter Island, five miles from Road Town across Sir
Francis Drake Channel.
Prospect Reef guests can enjoy water sports and dining at
Callaloo on the Beach restaurant there.
"This is a prime operation, and we want to make it even better
by offering more of a full beach club," Romney said. "I plan to add
at least 40 hillside bungalows for overnight accommodations."
Romney also plans to expand his operation on Jost Van Dyke,
called Scuttlebutt on the Beach, by adding 40 units for overnight
stays. Four-mile-long Jost Van Dyke, where resort guests also can
dine, is a 30-minute boat ride from Prospect Reef.
Prospect Reef offers a variety of guest accommodations: garden
and reef rooms; reef, harbor and admiral studios; one-bedroom
suites, and villa units.
I found the two-bedroom duplex villa units quite appealing,
especially for families or two couples.
The main level contained a bedroom, with a mesh-covered canopy
bed, and a bathroom; a fully equipped kitchen, and a living room
furnished with a couch, chairs, a large-screen television, a
radio/CD player and a work desk with a phone and fax machine.
My favorite design element was a wall of doors in the living
room that opened on to an oceanfront patio.
What also struck my fancy was the open-air atrium between the
living room and the sleeping quarters, complete with a table,
chairs and umbrella.
The villa's upper level had a second bedroom and a bath.
Prospect Reef does not have a beachfront for swimming, but it
does offer a saltwater, walled-in shorefront area called Sea
Pool.
Guests who want a beach for swimming or snorkeling are shuttled
to Peter Island or Jost Van Dyke on the resort's glass-bottom
boat.
Prospect Reef also offers a 65-foot catamaran, used for
excursions to nearby attractions such as the Baths on Virgin
Gorda.
Despite having much of its room inventory in a rental pool,
Prospect Reef works with travel agents and recently launched a
rewards program, effective through Dec. 21.
For every five bookings of a minimum four-night package, agents
earn 10% commission plus a one-year membership in Interval
International's Vacation Club.
Agents also receive a certificate for a seven-night stay in a
two-bedroom villa at Prospect Reef or at one of Interval's
affiliated Vacation Club properties, valid until Dec. 21, 2001.
Prospect Reef offers guests a full array of activities, such as
six tennis courts with lights, aerobics classes, a gym, a Nautilus
fitness center and use of kayaks.
Snuba, a water sport that combines snorkeling and scuba, will be
introduced in the near future.
Package options range from inclusive to European plan and
include special-interest programs for sport fishing, diving,
sailing lessons, spa and honeymoons.
According to Neiderhauser, U.S. travelers account for more than
80% of resort guests.
Prospect Reef Resort
Phone: (800) 356-8937
Fax: (284) 494-5595
Web: www.prospectreef.com
E-mail: [email protected]