My 44th birthday was here. Something that was not to be taken lightly. I had already decided on the destination: the BVI and Tortola was going to be my home base. All I needed next was to book an epic accommodation. I was looking for safety, privacy, tranquility and comfort. What I found was Vista do Mar, a villa that met all my needs and more.
I found Villa Vista do Mar on Airbnb. Out of the many apartments, condos and villas, this one had my heart at first click. You know how people say the photos do not do a place justice? In the case of Villa do Mar it is 100% true. Believe me, I tried to capture the very essence of this villa with as many photos as I could, but you have to experience it for yourself. It’s the smell of salt in the air, the chirping of birds at dawn, the roaring of the waves below in the distance, the last rays of sunshine over the ocean at dusk and the gentle lapping of the water in the swimming pool. Combine all of that with al the comforts you could want in an accommodation and you come close to what my experience at Villa Vista do Mar was like.
The location
Perched on a hill side overlooking the beautiful Long Bay Beach in West End (not to be confused with the Long Bay Beach on East End), Villa Vista do Mar has an amazing view It is actually the first thing that attracted me to this place to begin with.
Long Bay Beach is not one of those beaches that is great for swimming but to me it was perfection, simply because of its miles long of white sand, making it perfect for strolls in the morning or at sunset. It also seemed to be one of the preferred beaches for the island’s brown pelicans, who congregate here to hunt for food. It is mesmerizing watching them fly low over the waves breaking on the nearby reef, wings spanned before diving into the water for a snack.
Long Bay Beach was also home to the Long Bay Beach Club, a famous resort that was unfortunately damaged by the recent hurricanes. Word is that the resort has been sold and will be rebuilt, but in the meantime I truly enjoyed the solitude of this beach and loved having it to myself on most days.
The beach was only a short stroll away from the villa via a pathway that starts right at the front door.
The pool
The Villa itself is one of the Long Bay Villas that used to be a part of the resort some time ago. These now individually owned villas all have a a similar look but Vista do Mar is one of of a few, if not the only one with a pool.
The small infinity pool was only added in December of 2018 and at the time of booking, there were not yet any pictures of it on Airbnb.
I don’t need to tell you that this was the pièce de résistance and an important part of my decision making.
The pool deck itself was large enough to accommodate a large dining table under a pergola. Lounge chairs were available to sun poolside and a barbecue grill completed the pool deck as the outdoor living space.
The villa
The owners of Villa Vista do Mar knew exactly how to get the most out of the space and came with an ingenious way of offering three different rental possibilities. You can rent the penthouse studio upstairs, the one bedroom with pool downstairs or the entire villa.
The large penthouse offers magnificent vistas from the balcony and has an amazing bathroom with a jacuzzi in which you can bathe, while looking at the beach below. A small kitchen with all the necessary appliances of modern life makes the space completely self sufficient.
The one bedroom downstairs a.k.a. my home for the week I was in Tortola, was pure bliss. The open kitchen with an island in the middle overlooked the living room and large sliding windows opening up to the view. It was well equipped with everything you might need. The owner made sure to have the necessary items in the fridge at check in: a gallon bottle of water and a bottle of wine. The living area had a large tv with American channels and plenty of furniture to lounge or read in and in the corner was a work space with a map of the BVI hanging over the desk. I’m mentioning this map because it came in quite handy when we were planning our day and trying to find out which island to visit next.
The bedroom was large with a king size bed and here too was a large sliding window with the view of Long Bay Beach. The bathroom was in an adjacent area that offered plenty of closet space, a small shower, a dresser and a toilet room.
A sliding door on the left of the kitchen opened up to the pool deck. I think it is important to mention that all windows as well as the sliding door came with a sliding screen to let the breeze in but keep the mosquitos out.
The Penthouse upstairs and the one bedroom downstairs share the main front door but each has its own private entrance. The pool is for the use of the downstairs apartment only unless you rent the entire villa.
The amenities
I already mentioned the water and wine in the fridge but these are small gestures compared to the other amenities that came with this villa. The owner’s attention for details is something other villa owners should aspire to.
The villa came with beach chairs, umbrellas, swim noodles and a cooler to complement days on the beach, as well as a complete guest book with all the necessary information about the villa and the island. Parking was not an issue as the villa came with its own space that could easily fit two small cars.
But the best amenity of all had to be the mobile phone with a local number that was available for our use. It came fully loaded and with $10 credit to our disposal. As for the WiFi, it worked beautifully during our entire stay.
To list all the amenities:
- Beach towels
- Toiletries
- Complimentary water and wine in the fridge
- Air conditioning in bedroom and living space
- Jacuzzi in the Penthouse
- Barbecue grill
- Mobile phone with local number
- Beach chairs, umbrella, swim noodles and cooler available to guests
- All kitchen necessities
- Maid service once a week
- Free parking
- Toaster oven, coffeemaker, blender and microwave
- Swimming pool
In conclusion
Vista do mar is perfect for small families, couples or a small group of friends.
Take advantage of the pre-arrival shopping service. I wish I had. The location is a bit far, especially after a long day of exploring the BVI and most restaurants are a drive away. Tropical Fusion was the only restaurant within walking distance and it quickly became our favorite hangout. It set right on the beach and is owned by an award winning local chef with mouthwatering dishes and cocktails to die for.
The villa is very comfortable, which makes leaving it to get a bite a bit difficult. So, make sure you stock that fridge with items you can order online or make a stop at a supermarket along the way before arriving at the villa. This info and more was included in the welcome email sent to us by the management company prior to our arrival.
Our stay at Villa Vista do Mar was quiet and tranquil. It was just what I needed for my birthday week. The pool was a huge hit and I for one am super happy that the owner decided to add it to the amenities.
I highly recommend Vista do Mar and cannot wait to stay here again myself next time I visit the BVI.
*The above is based on my personal experience staying at the Villa Vista do Mar. I received a large discount in my price per night in return for this article. I receive no commission from any bookings stemming from this article.
