Surrounded by the untamed wilderness of Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is an idyllic beachside retreat that has welcomed guests for over half a century, and this beautiful island remains largely undeveloped—an unspoiled paradise of verdant hills, secluded coves, and beautiful beaches surrounded by the clear blue waters.
Location
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is situated on one of the Caribbean’s most gorgeous sandy beaches, edged by a colorful barrier reef. This half-mile crescent of a perfect beach is surrounded by the wilderness of Virgin Gorda, an island of volcanic origin featuring rugged hills and quiet coves. This unique and remote resort attracts New York’s Elite, and you can see why. So much of the Caribbean is “spoilt,” but here, you can enjoy a pristine setting preserved as it used to be.
Situated across 500 acres of pristine beachfront property and conveniently just a five-minute drive from Virgin Gorda Airport.
Style & Character
Rosewood Little Dix Bay was an eco-friendly resort before eco-friendly hotels were a thing. It has always featured the natural environment at the heart of its design and promotes sustainable luxury. The resort itself has a barefoot luxury feel. Interiors are composed of crisp, clean lines, layers of texture, organic forms, and natural materials such as wood and stone. Open, light-filled spaces and inviting outdoor living areas accentuate the connection with the island’s lush tropical landscape.
The hotel’s history is fairly interesting and gives guests an insight into why the hotel is the way it is. When Laurance Rockefeller first encountered Virgin Gorda, the island was home to a struggling agricultural community. In 1958, the conservationists began buying land to establish a resort in harmony with nature. He chose a sandy crescent bay he dubbed the “wilderness beach” for the site of his environmentally minded endeavor. When the hotel opened in 1964, Little Dix Bay represented a new style of island retreat. The hideaway featured cottages tucked unobtrusively into the surrounding landscape just steps from a pristine white-sand beach that would quickly earn a reputation as one of the finest in the world.
Rooms
The resort offers 42 luxury guestrooms, 35 suites, two beach houses, and three hillside villas, each offering intuitive design and unobstructed ocean views. Guestrooms, suites, and villas are tucked amid vibrant gardens along a half-mile stretch of sandy beach. Reached via the manicured gardens and shaded footpaths that edge the resort’s pristine crescent beach, the Ocean View Cottages are housed in buildings camouflaged in the jungly foliage behind the beach. They poke out the top of the trees to reveal generous balconies with sea views. Ocean View Cottages feature a king bed, a bathroom with dual vanities, a relaxing rain shower, and a furnished patio for enjoying gentle trade winds and splendid sea views. Grouped in sets of four, some Ocean View Cottage accommodations offer adjoining options—ideal for families traveling with children.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s multi-bedroom villas offer unmatched privacy on the beach or hillside. The expansive residences feature pools and incomparable sea views, ideal for families and small groups. All accommodations enjoy ocean views, complimentary Wi-Fi, and dedicated butler service.
Service & Facilities
The resort also offers inspired amenities, including the stunning cliff-side Sense Spa overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel; a spacious, well-appointed fitness center with state-of-the-art cardiovascular machines and Life Cycles in addition to Cybex weight machines and free weights; six new tennis courts spanning cement and artificial grass surfaces; two pickleball courts; and a wide selection of watersports including sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.
The resort also features a beautiful freeform pool, nestled amongst palm trees and ancient volcanic boulders, the spa infinity pool, and the kid’s pool, not forgetting the pristine, half-mile, crescent beach. Finally, the Rosewood Explorers program offers a range of fun-filled activities for younger guests, making this kid-friendly Caribbean resort a superb destination for families.
Food & Drink
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is home to an eclectic and inspired mix of Virgin Gorda restaurants, from Caribbean fine dining to beachside farm-to-table cuisine. The Sugar Mill has a vibrant beachside setting for local tapas and raw bar delicacies, while guests can enjoy relaxed al fresco dining with breathtaking views of the bay at Pavilion. Reef House serves locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine right at the water’s edge, and the Rum Room creates vintage cocktails and serves a curated collection of international wines and rums. The resort also offers in-room dining, light bites, and refreshing drinks that can be served pool or beachside.
Conclusion
Rosewood Little Dix Bay suffered the wrath of Hurricane Irma, but after a US$185-million rebuild, the hotel’s better than ever and retains its barefoot character, relaxed atmosphere, and eco credentials. We love sitting on the perfect beach shaded by an eco-friendly wooden parasol with palm fronds that block the sun’s rays.
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