Travelers’ planning a trip to the BVI have an array of accommodation options to choose and they all provide a wonderful base from which to explore this beautiful archipelago. The BVI offers world class sailing and there are a multitude of excellent charter boat operators as well land based options which include boutique beachside retreats such as the Sugar Mill, Sebastians, the Anegada Beach Club to luxurious and exclusive escapes like Guana Island, Oil Nut Bay and Little Bix Bay.
A sector that has really come into its own all over the world during the last year however is the vacation villa rental market. Finding a home away from home has become more sought after than ever before. The global pandemic is redefining how we live and is changing where we live and how we move around and interact with each other. The lines between travel, living and working are blurring.
Certainly at no point during any of our lifetimes has the decision to stay at home or to leave home become so complex and intertwined. Finding the perfect base to enjoy some precious and much needed vacation time or a base to relocate to whilst isolating longer term is paramount. Factors that influence these decisions include wanting to be in a low density environment and have access to exterior space, getting away from hotspots, getting together with family and friends and finding somewhere that works well for remote working. Families with young children living in New York, singles working in their London attic to multi generation groups longing to come together after months apart are all searching a place for to relocate to for a few weeks, for a few months or until further notice. The BVI’s portfolio of circa 350+ rental villas are perfectly placed to cater to these evolving and dynamic demographics.
Wherever you are in the world there are multitude of search engines and online platforms that will help find the right villa. Airbnb, which went public on the 11th December 2020 after a profitable third quarter which they directly attributed to remote working activity and digital nomads, continue to have a strong footprint in the BVI. There are a number of platforms like VRBO, Where to Stay and BVI Traveler where owners advertise themselves as well as specialist booking agents (which includes Beautiful Places and Exceptional Villas) and exclusive travel clubs (Inspirato) that will work with you to match villas to your specific needs.
Rack rates and published rates can be subject to change especially if you want to rent for a longer period so it is always worth asking. All vacation villa revenue in the BVI is subject to a government tax (HAT) which is 10% of the agreed booking value. Some properties will also apply a service charge which is shared with staff and this can be anything from 4%-10% of the rental value. As a rule all utilities are included in the rack rate and some housekeeping, either daily or weekly. It is always worth asking if there are seasonal or current offers and what rates will be applied for a longer term booking.
What makes a villa rentals in the BVI so special is that more often than not you are staying in someone’s much loved second (or third) home. BVI Property owners come from all over the world and include lawyers, medics, university professors, business owners and silicon-valley entrepreneurs as well as a few Hollywood actors and entertainers. Many owners who are not in the BVI year round open up their property which means you can enjoy high performing home comforts as well as the tranquility, the beauty, and the warmth of the BVI.
The BVI has never been better placed to welcome visitors. Internet and Wi-Fi services have much improved with many properties now benefiting for fiber optics giving high bandwidth connectivity. In the aftermath of the 2017 storms renovations and repairs upgraded the portfolio with many being improved and modernized. Home farming has really taken hold and there is a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables and new operators have opened delicatessens importing specialist meats, seafood, wines and cheeses from all over the world.
There is no better time to come to the BVI to experience our beautiful waters, deserted beaches and breathtaking sunsets all from the comfort of your villa
