Oil Nut Bay, The British Virgin Islands - hotel review

Cathy Hawker checks into one of the BVI's newest resorts and finds five star sporting facilities and captivating natural beauty
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Cathy Hawker18 August 2016

Exclusive, secluded and ultra-private, Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands is surrounded by a coral reef that colours the calm Caribbean waters mesmeric shades of turquoise.

Welcome to one of the newest resorts in the Caribbean’s sailing epicenter where stylish hideaway villas and suites are matched by captivating natural beauty and five-star sporting facilities.

Where is it?

Oil Nut Bay is at the extreme eastern tip of Virgin Gorda, one of the four main islands in the British Virgin Islands with the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Atlantic to the north. The resort is accessible only by helicopter or boat: visitors from London can fly on BA or Virgin Atlantic direct to Antigua, take a scheduled LIAT flight to Tortola and then it’s a 45-minute speedboat transfer. On the way you pass several other islands in beautiful North Sound including Necker Island, home to Sir Richard Branson and Eustatia, the private island owned by fellow billionaire Google founder Larry Page.

Oil Nut Bay

Style:

Muted earthy tones on the low level buildings, some with living roofs, mix in with green hills and blue seas to ensure the resort blends in with its exceptional natural setting. Turtles nest on the long white sand beach in the shade of squat sea grape trees and fat iguanas slowly emerge from the dense vegetation.

For the accommodation, think open-plan, spacious and wonderfully comfortable homes finished to the highest level with an emphasis on outside living. Classical American design meets livable and contemporary interiors with full-length retractable windows and doors leading to generous terraces and gardens.

Facilities:

After seven years of planning, Oil Nut Bay opened in 2013 but although it is a relatively new resort the owner, experienced American developer David Johnson who lives there for over half of the year with his wife Pam, clearly understands that his demanding, high-net worth clientele want to see fully functional facilities. The list is a long one complemented by a dedicated guests services team that will arrange excursions, transfers and personalised itineraries.

Paddleboarding is one of the activities on offer 
Oil Nut Bay

On the water guests can paddle board, snorkel, sail and kayak. On the beach there is a volleyball court and nearby there is a good gym, pristine tennis courts and two pickle ball courts, the fastest growing sport in North America, says Johnson. The hiking trails are very popular, a 93-berth marina is being completed and there are daily activities from complimentary sailing lessons and yoga lessons to tours of other islands in North Sound.

A new spa opens this autumn and the Nut House is a children’s den that most children will beg to visit – if you can drag them away from the three inviting swimming pools that cascade down to the beach.

Extra-curricular:

Another long list. If you thought the Caribbean was all about crashing on a perfect Robinson Crusoe-style beach then you can happily while away your days on a lounger at Oil Nut Bay but for anyone who gets twitchy on day two of a beach holiday there are excellent options.

The Baths
Oil Nut Bay

Take a ferry to Gun Creek, rent a car and visit The Baths, a natural wonder on Virgin Gorda where a wooden walkway between giant granite boulders provide a waterfront path that opens into a delightful beach. Or charter a yacht for the day and tour North Sound, mooring up by Necker Island to snorkel and celebrity spot and call in at YCCS, a super-yacht marina aligned with Europe’s Costa Smerelda Club in Sardinia which hosts the annual and very glitzy Loro Piano Caribbean Regatta.

There is also deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and plenty of islands and deserted beaches to explore.

Food and drink:

Oil Nut Bay has a relaxed open-air restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus have an emphasis on contemporary Caribbean cuisine with plenty of fresh seafood and a hugely popular pizza oven. Groups can use private dining rooms, couples can dine privately on the beach and there is an extensive room service menu.

Tuna rolls at
Oil Nut Bay

A short boat ferry away popular restaurants include the Asian fusion at CocoMaya and Rock Café in Spanish Town, Fat Virgin close to Biras Creek and the super relaxed Saba Rock on its own island in North Sound where you might well spot Richard Branson and family at a neighbouring table.

Which room?

Of the 88 villas planned for the resort, 17 will be completed by the end of 2016. Jewel Box is a two-bedroom, single storey beachfront home with a wrap-around pool while Waters Edge is confusingly perched high above the sea with perfect views from the infinity pool. The master bedroom suite is in the main house and three guest rooms are in separate “pods” with private entrances.

Jewel Box villa
Oil Nut Bay

The Cliff Suites were my favourites: three hidden one-bedroom suites with private pools carved into the rocky southeast coast which provide total privacy with a peaceful view. The penthouse suite is the largest and highest, styled by Fendi Casa.

A Cliff Suite terrace
Oil Nut Bay

Best for:

Oil Nut Bay loves to brag about its “multi-generational appeal” and with its large villas, good sporting facilities and top concierge service which will organize almost any activity, it is indeed perfect for mixed-age groups of families and friends.

But with 300 acres of land and only 88 homes in one of the most secluded parts of the Caribbean it also makes the ideal romantic escape for couples who can easily hole up in the Cliff Suites and never set eyes on anyone except each other.

When should you go?

The reliable prevailing northeast trade winds that have made the BVIs a hotspot for sailors also provide a refreshing breeze year round. Officially the season runs from October to July with many hotels and restaurants closing for part of August and September.

Price:

Low season prices per night start from US$750 for one-bedroom Cliff Suites and from US$2,350 for the two to six bedroom villas either on the beach or high on the hills overlooking the sea. Prices exclude a 15 per cent resort fee and 7 per cent tax.

Details: oilnutbay.com; or call +1 284 393 1000

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