VG resort makes renowned travel magazine’s 2021 ‘It List’

The Virgin Gorda-based resort, Rosewood Little Dix Bay has made Travel+Leisure’s 2021 ‘It List’ of the best new hotels in the world.

The ‘It List’ recognises 73 of the most impressive new and revamped properties that debuted within the last year. And Rosewood was one of only four properties in the Caribbean to be recognised in this year’s publication.

The Bahamas, Jamaica, and St Barts are the other countries in the region whose resorts were recognised in the American travel magazine which boasts 4.8 million readers.

Travel+Leisure hailed Rosewood Little Dix Bay as an “iconic resort” that has managed to improve on its product despite unimaginable challenges.

“[Rosewood] has come back better not once, but twice. The Caribbean hideout was already closed for renovations when Hurricane Irma ravaged the island in 2017. Over the next four years, Rosewood rebuilt the cottages, tree houses, and ridge-top pool suites overlooking the bay; created three distinct open-air restaurants; stocked the Rum Room bar with over 100 rare selections; and acquired catamarans for private shuttles from the Tortola airport (cocktails provided). Then, two months into its comeback, the pandemic hit, shuttering the 81-room resort and delaying its full unveiling until December. The wait was worth it,” the New York-based magazine wrote.

“Though new offerings like secluded picnics and spa scrubs following swims at the famed Baths National Park are a treat, it’s the way Little Dix Bay has perfected the art of island living that keeps guests coming back. rosewoodhotels.com; doubles from $850,” it added.

Managing Director of Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Andreas Pade described it as an honour to be recognised as one of the best new hotels and resorts in the world by the well-respected publication.

“Following our four-year closure and renovation, we reopened Rosewood Little Dix Bay last January, just before the pandemic caused the hospitality industry worldwide to pause operations. Despite the unprecedented challenges we faced in our reopening year, we are thankful for the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from our guests and community alike. This latest distinction is on account of our associates’ dedication to bespoke service and the unmatched experiences our resort offers our visitors,” Pade stated.

Travel+Leisure’s recognition of a local property might mean good things for the future of the BVI’s tourism product as it comes at a time when the government is moving to further reopen the territory to visitors after a year of closure because of COVID-19.