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Each Ocean View One Bedroom Suite has natural stone flooring, teak wood furniture and bamboo ceiling fan |
More than 500 years after Christopher Columbus discovered Scrub Island, Travel Agent set off on a first look at Scrub Island Resort, the British Virgin Islands’ first resort in nearly 15 years.
The opening of the property was delayed by at least two years due to various setbacks, including dredging problems and financial constraints, but it finally opened in February.
We sat down with Scott Ward of Scrub Island earlier in the year at the and learned that the resort is 2010 Caribbean Marketplaceoffering agents a 15 percent commission to celebrate the property’s long-awaited opening. The bonus commission runs through June 1 for travel through December 17.
The 52-room resort, featuring a selection of deluxe oceanview guest rooms, a full-service marina, luxury spa and health club, and phenomenal service, still isn’t 100 percent ready. There is minor construction—the spa, lobby and meeting rooms are awaiting final touches—and landscaping going on. You can book the resort now at an impressive discount or wait till April 1 when all facilities will be open to guests.
The resort was a little more family-friendly than I expected. For example, the restaurant has a children’s menu and there is a water slide connecting two pools, one on the upper level of the resort and another on the first floor. But I still recommend booking the resort for couples, as the setting allows for a quiet, romantic getaway. Here’s what else you need to know.
Accommodation
I stayed in Room #1211, an Ocean View One Bedroom Suite. It has a balcony overlooking some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen in the Caribbean, two flat-screen TVs (one in the living room and the other in the bedroom) and two bathrooms, one with a spacious bathtub.
Once the resort opens, the next phase will see the completion of 31 private two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom villas that will also be available for rental.
Marina
Scrub Island is also home to a fully flushing marina—the newest in the British Virgin Islands—which has 53 deep-water slips available for lease or transient docking, including five for mega-yachts up to 150 feet.
In the heart of the resort, the Scrub Island Marina is a stroll away from restaurants and shops. The marina is also the closest to the North Drop, the hot spot for record-weighing blue marlins. Guests may book full- or half-day fishing excursions complete with a boat, guide and equipment. A variety of craft are also available for group or private charter at the marina.
Activities Off the Property
For an extra fee, clients can hop on a Dive BVI boat for day trips to other islands, snorkeling and scuba diving.
My boat was co-captained by a merry couple, Johan and Belinda. Their passion for snorkeling knew no bounds, so I recommend jumping off a boat and following them any day of the week. I saw tons of fish flaunting all sorts of bright colors.
I highly recommend a tour of The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Here, you’ll find huge caves among granite rocks. A camera is a must for this trip.
Also, be sure your clients check out The William Thornton Floating Bar & Restaurant commonly known as “Willy T,” on Norman Island. Traditionally, tourists show up and drink some “pain killer” (a local drink made from coconut milk, pineapple juice, orange juice and rum) and jump off the very top of the boat about 30 feet high.
Getting There
The most convenient international airport is in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From here, guests island-hop via American Airlines and Liat to the airport on Beef Island/Tortola. Scrub Island is just a five-minute ferry-ride from Tortola. Additional options include flights into St. Thomas or St. Croix, with a 45-minute ferry ride to Tortola. Scrub Island will also have two heliports available to guests.
Agents should contact Director of Sales and Marketing Scott Ward (813-849-4102, [email protected]) with queries.
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The resort's marina has 53 deep-water slips, including five for mega-yachts |