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Forbes
06-06-2025
- Forbes
How To Vacation Like A Billionaire In The British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda is the third-largest of the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands draw crowds each year to explore sites like Cane Garden Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar, but when it comes to experiencing unparalleled luxury, it's tough to find a better destination than Virgin Gorda. Along the island's North Sound, a multitude of world-class luxury communities have cropped up in recent years, earning the region the nickname 'the Billionaire's Playground'—and few sites exemplify the moniker as well as Oil Nut Bay. Home to fifteen distinct neighborhoods across 400 acres, this seaside escape offers a truly staggering array of high-end amenities, offering an opportunity for guests to experience the pristine beauty of the British Virgin Islands at their most luxurious. Oil Nut Bay is only accessible via boat or helicopter. Immediately upon arrival, Oil Nut Bay guests will be greeted with dazzling views of turquoise water, towering seaside cliffs and fascinating avifauna, all of which can be encountered in abundance during a stay at the property's Cliff Penthouse. Measuring in at 1,334 square feet, this palatial space offers some of the finest views in all of the Caribbean, with floor-to-ceiling windows, an expansive outdoor shower and an open-air terrace perched high above the water's edge—and to sweeten the deal, it also comes equipped with a marvelous infinity pool. Designed to enhance the beauty of the Virgin Gorda coastline, this sleek feature is perfect for soaking in the sun all throughout the day, while twilight brings the opportunity to catch a stellar sunset. While it may be tempting to spend your entire stay lounging poolside in view of the cliffs, Oil Nut Bay offers a wealth of can't-miss amenities found just beyond villa limits. Across the community, guests can make use of the fitness studio or stroll along one of the five separate hiking trails—but for a truly relaxing experience, it's tough to beat the Sundara Spa. A recent addition to Virgin Gorda, this polished venue serves as the first overwater spa in all of the British Virgin Islands, with multiple design flourishes that enhance the rich beauty of the surrounding sound. Treatments span from aromatherapy massages to seaweed body wraps, and each session offers plenty of opportunity to gaze at the colorful fish that call the region home, with large windows installed under each massage table to showcase the ocean below. Virgin Gorda's North Sound is renowned for its optimal sailing conditions. Lavish amenities abound across Oil Nut Bay, but the community also offers an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the native flora and fauna of Virgin Gorda. All throughout the day, guests can marvel at tropicbirds soaring along the cliffs or swing by the nature center to catch a glimpse of wild flamingos—but for best results, be sure to spend some time on the water. Stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and kayaking are just a few of the activities offered by Oil Nut Bay, while the North Sound has earned worldwide acclaim for its exemplary sailing opportunities, providing guests with a chance to surge along the surf and bask in the vibrant beauty of the coastline with an experienced captain. Sea turtles, rays, and reef fish have all flourished across the North Sound for eons, and Oil Nut Bay has made it their mission to ensure a promising future for all native flora and fauna. From its earliest conceptualization, Founder David V. Johnson has made sustainability a central pillar of the Oil Nut Bay ethos, with a robust range of programs in place spanning from desalination and rain collection to extensive use of solar panels. Beyond these initiatives, the community also reserves 200 acres as green space, leaving plenty of room for the indigenous Turk's head cactus to flourish—and aside from plants, Oil Nut Bay also serves as a crucial haven for orphaned animals across Virgin Gorda, operating an on-site Rescue Barn that's home to cats, tortoises, horses and emus. Salt fish plays a prominent role in many Caribbean cuisines. You're certain to build up an appetite after a day of sailing, and fortunately, Oil Nut Bay excels at the art of high-end drinking and dining. During a trip to the waterfront Marina Village, guests can find a particularly lively lunch and dinner spot in the form of Nova, with a wealth of dishes that highlight local cuisine as well as flavors from far beyond the Virgin Islands. Sushi fans can spring for spicy tuna, salmon and rainbow rolls, while the venue also crafts an ultra-flavorful green coconut curry—but for a taste of the rich flavors of the Caribbean at their best, be sure to order the grilled whole Anegada lobster, a savory option that's elevated with a citrus-heavy dose of mango salsa. While Nova is certainly impressive, the Beach Club is also prime territory for fine dining with the added bonus of three separate pools and a swim-up bar. During morning hours, guests can gear up for their day with a hearty serving of johnny cake and salt fish, while rum fans should be sure to indulge in an afternoon tasting designed to showcase some of the Caribbean's most established brands—and come evening time, the main dining space is perfect for a romantic meal bathed in the golden glow of sunset. While options span from eight-ounce beef fillets to rosemary-infused racks of lamb, the venue is particularly adept at seafood, providing diners with an opportunity to feast on top-quality dishes like spaghetti frutti di mare and roasted red snapper.
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Fresh Luxury: Oil Nut Bay Resort Adds New Villas And Spa In The BVI
The just opened overwater spa in the water surrounding the British Virgin Islands Resort Oil Nut Bay. Oil Nut Bay On the eastern end of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, located on 400 acres of land surrounded on three sides by turquoise water, Oil Nut Bay has been a tranquil respite since its opening a decade ago. The only thing it was missing was a spa, particularly noticeable as wellness travel began to zoom in travelers' interests the last few years. So this year, enter Sundara Spa + Studio, a center of healing and restorative experiences situated for extra relaxation, overwater. The new six bedroom hilltop estate Wings on sale for $32.5 million but available to rent by the week. Oil Nut Bay Being located in the British Virgin Islands also helps. This group of 50 islands with consistent trade winds has long been known as a sailors' paradise, lending a laid back overall tone. There are top level resorts but not to a point of overdevelopment and several of those resorts are on private islands: Richard Branson's Necker and Moskito, Peter Island, Guana Island. And even though these islands are not that far away, they've never been that easy to get to directly from the U.S.; instead a network of small planes, ferries and charters were required. (The addition of a flight from Miami to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, the country's main air gateway in 2023 has certainly helped, though. Oil Nut Bay owners and guests can also reserve NetJets charters from any U.S. airport to Beef Island at the same rate as a NetJets member.) The dining area of the five bedroom Maronti Villa. Oil Nut Bay Within this overall environment, Oil Nut Bay fits right in, designed not as a large, internationally branded hotel with buzzing activity but as a low density expanse of luxury homes and villas. There are 51 overall with 31 available to rent ranging from cliffside suites to seven-bedroom estates such as the new 9.513 square foot Wings which is on the market for $32.5 million but also available to rent by the week and has six freestanding bedrooms each with its own plunge pool. The interior of the villa Casino Royale. Oil Nut Bay Other homes hitting the rental market for the first time this season are the newly constructed 4,154 square foot, five bedroom Quintessa and the six bedroom, waterfront Casino Royale. (Other home sites and villas are still available to buy with prices ranging from $1.95 million to Wings' $32.5 million.) Half of the property's 400 acres is still devoted to green space, though, so it's hardly overcrowded. The recently redesigned Beach Club with three pools and a restaurant. Tanveer Badal Photography / TANV There are also significant facilities. Bordering the mile long beach, the recently redesigned beach club has three pools, an open air restaurant and a swim up bar; the fitness center has a top-of-the-line gym, pickleball and tennis courts; younger family members have their own Kids Club and interactive nature center. Adjacent to the full service 101 slip marina, Marina Village contains the overwater restaurant Nova serving Caribbean cuisine, seafood and sushi, a pool with day beds and boutique and the Deep Bay watersports center for kiteboarding, windsurfing, snorkeling plus Hobie cat sailing and waterskiing lessons. The lounge attached to the restaurant Nova at Marina Village. Oil Nut Bay The opening of the Sundara Spa + Studio this month obviously adds to the options. Treatments include massages utilizing a mixture of orange, clove, ginger and seaweed, or emulating the movements of the sea to relieve muscular tension; a seaweed leaf wrap to soften and nourish the skin and skin renewal facials. Wellness rituals include yoga and sound healing. Starting in October, a four-day ritual will become part of the treatment menu including body wraps, massages and skin renewal facials all involving seaweed. The intended results: returning the guest to the real world in a state of relaxation, even more than the resort would produce on its own.
