Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
The
Scrub Island Ferry ( 284-440-3440; free)
sails from Trellis Bay/Beef Island on
Tortola's east end from 7am to 11pm (hourly, on the hour).
Necker Island
About 1 mile north of Virgin Gorda,
Necker Island ( 212-994-3070;
www.neckerisland.virgin.com
)
is one of the world's most luxurious retreats. The private
isle belongs to Richard Branson, famous adventurer and founder of Virgin Atlantic Air-
ways and Virgin Records. A who's who of celebrities has stayed at his exclusive haven:
Oprah brought her staff here, Posh and Becks spent their 10th anniversary here, Google
founder Larry Page got married here, and the list goes on (Beyonce, Jimmy Fallon, Sarah
Ferguson, Steven Spielberg...).
The 74-acre property has lodging for 28 people. A magnificent great house, crafted with
Balinese architecture, stands atop the island's low hill and provides 10 double bedrooms
that open onto private balconies. Spacious studios, each with one double bedroom and full
facilities, stand about 500 yards from the great house. An unobtrusive staff prepares meals,
serves drinks and offers water-skiing, sailing and - wait for it - your own private submar-
ine (with driver). It's all included in the island's $53,000 per night fee.
Too much for your bank account? Come during one of the 'Celebration Weeks,' when
you can book an individual room and share the island with others. Rates start at $26,500
per couple per week.
Don't even think of 'swinging by' Necker unless you have a verifiable invitation.
Guana Island
Lying a mile off Tortola's northeast tip, this undeveloped island of steep green peaks is the
seventh-largest island in the BVI. Guana takes its name from a rock formation called the
'Iguana Head' that juts out from a cliff at the island's northwest corner.
Today the 850-acre island is a private nature reserve, home to flamingos, red-legged tor-
toises, seven sandy beaches and miles of hiking trails. Alas, the splendor is only avail-
able to the 32 guests staying at the all-inclusive
Guana Island Club ( 212-482-6247,
800-544-8262;
www.guana.com
; r from $1250; closed Sep; )
. The resort's
'rooms' (they're individual stone cottages, to be precise) are models of simple elegance.
They have no air-con, telephones or TV, but they do have windswept private porches, spa-
