Fort Recovery Beachfront Villa & Suites Hotel - Tortola, BVI

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This is the best package in the Caribbean. Visited: July 2004 Posted by yseatiger This is the best place to stay. You can eat, have fun, and just relax. Whether you are boating, sailing or just visiting, you will have new friends when you leave, and you will want to come back. 27 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We loved Fort Recovery! Visited: June 2004 Posted by amhelton Fort Recovery is a wonderful place to escape a 'fast-paced' vacation. My husband and I were married in June, 2004 on the beach at Fort Recovery, and stayed there for a week. (We purchased the honeymoon package.) Our wedding was exactly what we wanted, hassle-free, very private and georgeous on the beach at sunset. After the wedding, we had a private meal and bottle of champagne served in our room, and spent the rest of the night sitting on the beach. If you're looking for a wedding like this, Fort Recovery is a perfect place. Pamelah, the manager at Ft. Recovery, was great. She helped us with all the paperwork and planning for the wedding. She was almost always in the office, and helped us immediately whenever we needed it. In fact, before we even arrived she booked the florist and the registrar. She was even a witness at the wedding! The three dinners that came with the package were wonderful (especially the jerk chicken and pumpkin soup), and I don't think we've ever had a nicer waiter. The snorkeling trip was amazing, and was our favorite part of the vacation. We definitely recommend planning additional days of snorkeling. When we were there, Pamelah helped some other guests plan an extra day trip. The view from the balcony was wonderful (it was definitely worth it to pay extra and get a penthouse room). The villas were small and quaint. We felt like we were really part of the island, rather than a tourist staying in a super-sized hotel. Tortola was an amazing island--the beaches were beautiful and Road Town had some excellent restaurants--so you definitely need to rent a jeep if you want to explore. We can't wait to visit Ft. Recovery and Tortola again! 26 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a true island retreat! Visited: May 2004 Posted by astevens If you are looking for a true island retreat, this is it! Our entire experience at Fort Recovery was wonderful. Our beautiful four-bedroom villa was scenic, spacious and well appointed. The wonderful porch was literally one step from our beach and the pool was just outside the back door. It truly had the feel of a private home but with hotel amenities. The housekeeping staff was quiet, thorough and made every effort to accommodate our schedule. Pamelah, the manager, tried to anticipate our every need so that all we had to do was relax and enjoy our vacation! I would absolutely recommend visiting any of the villas at Fort Recovery (Pamelah let us peek in a few vacant ones). We had such a wonderful experience that we hope to visit again with even more friends and family! 25 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a memorable stay. Visited: March 2004 Posted by photobeez We had a wonderful time at Fort Recovery! My pictures will help to preserve it in our minds. I loved the handmade pillows that I couldn't resist buying! I loved the colors of the various fabrics. So now I think of you all and the great time we had on Tortola every time I look at the pillows. We appreciated all that you did to make our stay memorable! Say "hello" to all of the people who work at Fort Recovery. 18 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a fantastic wedding and honeymoon here. Visited: January 2004 Posted by hrhamilt Fort Recovery was the ideal location for our small wedding and honeymoon. The property was magical, and the service and staff were flawless. Pamelah insured a delightful experience. We couldn't have asked for a better setting and will certainly be heading back some day! 17 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A most relaxing holiday in a friendly and caring environment. Visited: January 2004 Posted by gdgrammy An early morning breakfast served in the reception room starts an enjoyable day. Whether we want to play tennis or go to the beach, the concierge, Pamelah extends her knowledge of the island giving us choices that answer all of our desires. From tasty food at local restaurants to snorkeling trips to Virgin Gorda, we look forward to each adventure. Sunset cocktails on the beach with the view from our room completes our day. We love the accommodations, which allow us to have more space, where we can have a light bite if desired. It is a wonderful holiday. 17 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a fabulous fall holiday at Fort Recovery. Visited: October 2003 Posted by tina This was more than we ever hoped for. Fort Recovery Villa Hotel was such a discovery for us that we still can't believe that we hit the jackpot. The place was absolutely beautiful. The ambiance was breathtaking, the rooms were unique and full of charm that is hard to come by. We had a patio, living room and a separate bedroom. The living room was beautifully furnished with book shelves that were filled with a varied selection of books, oil paintings on the walls of various sizes, and a well equipped kitchen unless you were serving meals for a large crowd. The refrigerator was full size, the stove was a very adequate size with oven and the towels, dishes, pots, pans kitchen utensils were of great quality. I happened to peek at the lovely sheets to learn that they were all Ralph Lauren beddings with luxurious pillows propped up. We have been to many villas, but none that had hotel service so well done, excellent meals sent to our Villa by a great waiter, who lit our candles, and completely cleared the table after our wonderful dessert. We are going to return the first chance we can get off from our busy work week, and hopefully there won't be any changes from what we experienced. I will let you know if there are, but I trust we will once again experience the great time we had. 16 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a great time. Visited: June 2003 Posted by queend It has been about one month since our stay here. We had a great time at Fort Recovery. We wish we did not have to leave. The people were so nice and so were the views. Thanks so much for the upgrade on our honeymoon. We hope to see you again and again in the next couple of years. 16 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The ocean breezes and "home-like setting" were a welcome surprise. Visited: May 2003 Posted by v_patino You never know until you get to a place how the accommodations will be. Art and I can certainly attest, and the other four couples as well, that we were all taken aback with the villa; and all that it had to offer. The fresh water pool was a delight after being on a 55 footcat. for a week with only limited fresh water at our disposal. The villa was more than we anticipated. Each bedroom was a welcome addition to our somewhat cramped quarters aboard the cat. We, personally, had the master bedroom and it was more than we could have ever imagined. Coming to Fort Recovery and then going home made us somewhat depressed with our own surroundings. But, alas knowing that we can come again to have the amenities that welcomed us, made the reality of our everyday existence somewhat bearable. I would recommend the villa as a wind-down trip. 14 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Paradise Found at Fort Recovery Resort. Visited: March 2003 Posted by lisasharkeyg The villas at Fort Recovery were an exclusive, but not overly expensive enclave of extaordinary seaside villas on the West End of this truly magical island. It seemed to me that one could not find a better mix of romance, privacy, family fun and an absolutely amazing location. Each villa was appointed beautifully, the main office was cozy and inviting. The continental breakfasts were delightful, and the gourmet dinners brought to the villa by a waiter in tuxedo were more relaxing than you could imagine. Even the swimming pool and the half-day boatride were splendid. On the one hand, I want everyone to know about this special retreat which also offered Yoga classes on a dock suspended over the Caribbean at sunset. On the other hand, I hope it does not ever get too crowded because the privacy was really refreshing. All we can say is "wow"! We're coming back every year for the rest of our lives. 12 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Lovely, laid-back, with a little "something different." Visited: July 2001 Posted by dbilderback Fort Recovery fit the bill for the kind of beach vacation we like best: A beautiful setting that's also casual, friendly, and totally laid-back. With only 26 units, the resort was small enough to be intimate featuring lots of personal attention, plenty of privacy, and an unusual camaraderie among the guests. Our second night there, a young couple was married on the beach with all of the guests in attendance. It was fabulous fun, and we all got into the spirit, setting the tone for later convivial outings with other guests, some of whom we plan to stay in touch with. The property manager, Pamelah Jacobsen, was wonderfully helpful, and her yoga classes on the beach were absolutely the best way to start the day. The massages and pedicure that came with our package were also great, and the in-room dinners were a unique offering. If you are a snorkeler, you'll love the reef hugging the road to the left of the resort. Just swim along the shoreline a bit and you'll soon reach the coral heads. It's shallow and while you'll see mostly juveniles because it's so close to shore, there's an amazing variety of fish (including a 4-foot barracuda who apparently trolls the coastline). If you're a diver, the guys at Blue Waters are fantastic--very professional, accommodating, and fun (cute, too). If you're staying in a one-bedroom penthouse, as we were, ask for one that is closest to the beach with no views obstructed by other units. We booked late and probably had the least desirable room (#3E, I think). It was set back, which blocked our view of the sunsets, as well as some of the cooling breezes. The units were nice, but I agree with other posters that they were sparsely equipped with dishware and appliances, and not what I'd call luxury. If you're used to Caneel Bay or Cap Juluca—what I’d call luxury—you'll be disappointed here. However, you're not paying Cap Juluca rates either, so there. It's nice enough and the kind of place where you can really relax. There's no pressure to haul out your fancy resort wear or get all dolled up for dinner—unless you want to, of course. Finally, I had reservations about visiting Tortola in the heat of the summer, but it was just fine, not much different than the Caribbean in the spring. So if you're into unpretentious, relaxing, lovely, and fun, Fort Recovery is the place. 12 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Definitely not what we had expected. Visited: June 2001 Posted by melzehner My husband and I were very excited to spend our honeymoon at Fort Recovery from all of the information that we had gathered. For the money that we were paying, we were expecting this resort to be wonderful! After having several problems with airline complications, we were greeted rather rudely by the staff for circumstances beyond our control (delayed flights, airlines looking for their pilots, storms, etc.). We had to miss one evening of our honeymoon package because of these airline difficulties. Once we arrived, it seemed like it was almost a hassle for the staff that we arrived one day late. When we picked up our luggage at the airport, our clothes were soaking wet. The resort charges $15 just to do one load of laundry. For the money that we spent, this place definitely did not meet our expectations. The shower was not appealing at all, with gritty tile and inconsistent water pressure. Most days the entire bathroom floor was soaked after taking a shower. The villa was adequate- nothing fancy about it at all. Maybe the upstairs villas were nicer. The beach was decent at the resort, but we traveled to beaches in the area each day instead of staying there. We were excited to take evening walks on our beach, but it isn't too long. There were several hidden charges that weren't mentioned. We were required to tip the waiter a certain amount of money that the facility decides upon, in addition to the other money that we had paid for the meals. If it was required, then why not add it in the total package in the first place? There were taxes on the vehicle rentals that were charged after we left, and gas was very expensive there. Phone calls, even local, were outrageously priced. The continental breakfast was the same thing each morning (hard boiled eggs, bagels, and toast). We had expected that there would probably be some variety. Although we were not impressed by most of the resort's offerings, we did find the massages to be very nice. At no point during our stay did we find the employees to be genuinely helpful. Our first impression of them didn't help, either. From what we had heard, the employees supposedly worked with guests to help them plan activities. We asked on a few occasions, and it seemed that they were too busy to help us. We were just very disappointed in our stay, especially for a honeymoon destination. It may be appealing for those who appreciate a more rugged vacation. We never found much shopping, even when we traveled to Road Town. We were able to enjoy ourselves on various beaches, usually a ten-minute drive away. This was just our experience, however, others may enjoy it! 1 users found this review helpful. 14 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The perfect place for a great vacation! Visited: June 2001 Posted by sbryant Fort Recovery was just what we wanted for our first trip to Tortola. We have been married for less than a year and we both have very stressful careers and a busy family life (second marriage and three children ages 12-18). We wanted a place where we could get away from children, cell phones, work and just spend quality time together. Fort Recovery provided that haven for us. The villa was perfect for the two of us. We were on the honeymoon package and enjoyed all of the amenities—the meals, the massage, the jeep rental, etc. Everyone was so helpful in assisting us with our plans for charters, day trips and making reservations. We loved snorkeling with Captain Roy on the High Seas Charter. It was a great trip and we did some great snorkeling at "The Indians" and "The Caves." (Didn't enjoy the White Squall II as much; it was more of a party boat.) We ate fabulous meals everywhere we went and the scenery was breathtaking, especially sitting on our own private deck looking over The Sir Francis Drake Channel. There was always a lovely breeze. We're from the South Carolina coast and are accustomed to the humidity of our area and found that Tortola and the BVI to be just the opposite, providing us with glorious weather. We were there 8 days and had beautiful, (sunny, with no humidity) weather every day. I think Fort Recovery is an excellent place to kick back, relax and enjoy the true essence of the BVI. We are already planning a trip again for next June. It was definitely the perfect place for a great vacation. If you go, be sure and make dinner reservations at the Sugar Mill Restaurant; it was the most fabulous and romantic meal we had. Overall, a super trip! 11 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Nice, but not a luxury resort Visited: April 2001 Posted by mhern The best things about Fort Recovery are its location, the price and the staff. The views are beautiful. It is located on a small, but clean beach that is very nice. The staff is efficient and helpful. Our main criticism may in fact be perception. This resort is described as a luxury resort, which it is not. Our unit was a little shabby, although very clean. It was badly in need of a rehab—with cracked broken tiles, broken light fixtures, a slider my wife couldn't open etc. The kitchenette was equipped with four beer mugs for glasses. I believe that the upper units are probably nicer. This is a good location to drive to the beaches on the Cane Garden Bay side of the island during the day, but avoid driving on that side of the island at night if you don't like driving on very steep hills after dark. We went to the West End or Roadtown for dinner. It is also very close to the West End Ferry for visiting other islands. 2 users found this review helpful. 10 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Good value for money Visited: January 2001 Posted by jacolis My husband and I stayed at Fort Recovery and got the honeymoon package. Included in our package were three dinners delivered to our room, a jeep rental (essential for Tortola) and a massage. We enjoyed the dinners and found the manager, Pamelah, to be very helpful. I especially enjoyed the yoga classes on the dock at sunset. Tortola is very much a "jeep around" island and we found Fort Recovery to be in a good location for driving around to different beaches or to drive to Road Town or to the West End to take the ferry to explore other islands. The rooms were comfortable and nicely furnished. My only "quibble" with the hotel was that we would have enjoyed a bit more variety at breakfast -- and especially some fresh fruit (we're in the tropics). The beach was not the most beautiful on Tortola (small with sea grass) but it was very private and quiet. Plus, it was a 10 minute drive over to Long Bay or Smugglers Cove. 11 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Adventure/Relaxation/Paradise Visited: May 2000 Posted by girlsinger Tortola really was absolutely beautiful and does alter your priorities. When my husband and I travel, we like to be immersed in the locality in which we stay and that is definitely the case during our honeymoon on Tortola. Pamelah encouraged us to see the sunset on our first day there, even though we were travel-weary and cranky. It was amazing and set the tone for the rest of our visit. Our first encounter was helping stranded travelers back to their boat on Nanny Key. On the drive there, they told us all of the great, unpublished, places to see. Our favorite was the gas station on the way to Road Town, where, every morning, we purchased 'specials' for 35 cents. Specials were tamarind, or soursop, or other native fruit ground and juiced and frozen in a little cup. Kind of like a frozen slurpee. How delicious! We stayed in a penthouse where, from the balcony, we could see St. John, St. Thomas and too many stars to count. Maid service was great, the dinners were lovely, and the massages were fantastic. We still remember the chant music that she played during each of our sessions..."sah shee baz ho hum hum she baz, ho hum hum sah shee baz." If you are an adventurous type, this is the place to go. There are many beaches, all of which are accessible by jeep. Road Town is full of life and a short ferry ride takes you to several other islands. Snorkeling is great - be sure to get to Long Beach for some really interesting snorkeling. If you can, be sure to make a reservation to eat at Mrs. Scatliffe's house. You'll see why. And don't be afraid to help kids get from one side of the mountain to the other. You'll find out a lot about life on the island in a short chat with any native. We loved every minute of our time on Tortola because it was not your typical cheezy 'resort'. Tortola is what a relaxation/adventure vacation should be and we will surely return. It is paradise. 12 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The most laid back and relaxing place on earth. Visited: February 2000 Posted by tortolian13 Fort Recovery has changed my perspective on life. It was absolutely beautiful and captured the true beauty of the Caribbean. The villas were fully equipped and all penthouses had gorgeous balconies, which provided breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. All ground floor rooms were just as lovely with a sunning porch by the beach. The manager, Pamelah Jacobson, was delightful and always willing to assist us when scheduling day trips. The maids were very efficient and always kept up with toiletries and towels. The beautiful white sandy beach wasn't terribly long but was still wonderful. It was not open to the public, rather privately owned by Fort Recovery. If you are a snorkeler, scuba diver or a true adventurer then Fort Recovery is the place for you. The benefits: beauty, adventure, intrigue and exquisite taste in villa décor, paired with the Caribbean’s greatest staff. 13 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Accommodations were adequate Visited: December 1969 Posted by smckay The shower was tiny and it had a lot of water pressure making it very difficult to take a shower without getting water all over the entire bathroom floor. We had hot water 2 days out of our 8-day stay. The fully equipped kitchen did not have a coffee maker. When I requested a coffee maker, I was told that coffee was available during the continental breakfast. Eventually, the owners produced an old percolator that looked like something one would use on a camping trip. The pool was very small and the beach was also very small. There were no long walks along Fort Recovery's beach. The rooms were nothing like a modern hotel room but they were adequate and the maid service was prompt. Each local telephone call cost $1.00 making it quite costly to arrange day sails and other excursions. 1 users found this review helpful. 12 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?