Caribbean beauty
Refinement and seclusionDestination: Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Vacation: Caribbean hideaway
Seeking: Refinement and seclusion
Highlight: Unspoiled paradise
Surrounded by untamed wilderness and natural beauty, offering guests a luxury Caribbean base brimming with class and sophistication from which to relax and explore from, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is one of the best Virgin Gorda resorts on one of the Caribbean’s finest shorelines—a half-mile beach of powder-white sand beyond a colorful barrier reef.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay has long been synonymous with barefoot luxury. Remaining true to its heritage, the resort’s British Virgin Island accommodations blend a sophisticated Caribbean sensibility with the understated refinement of mid-century modern design. 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 rooms and suites are nestled discreetly amongst the manicured gardens and shaded footpaths that edge the resort’s pristine crescent beach, while the luxury Caribbean villas offer unmatched privacy on the beach or on the hillside above the bay. All BVI accommodations enjoy ocean views and dedicated butler service.
The same level of detail that has been lavishly given to Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s accommodation can be found in its food and drink options. From Caribbean fine dining to beachside farm-to-table cuisine, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is home to an eclectic and inspired mix of Virgin Gorda restaurants.
There’s also an abundance of activities on offer to really make the most of your unique setting. Whatever you’re looking for in a luxury vacation Rosewood Little Dix Bay has you covered. Relax at the world-class Sense®, A Rosewood Spa and enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Virgin Gorda—with resort activities, unique excursions, year-round swimming, powder-white beaches and quiet coves—throughout over 50 islands, islets and cays in the BVI.
A haven of tranquility, Rosewood Little Dix Bay offers an escape from the ordinary. Since 1964, guests have been captivated by this truly authentic, quintessentially Caribbean island experience.
When Christopher Columbus came upon Virgin Gorda in 1493, he saw in the island’s shape a portly woman in repose and thus named the island “Virgin Gorda” (“Fat Virgin”). To this day, the island remains largely undeveloped—an unspoiled paradise of verdant hills, secluded coves and beautiful beaches surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
When Laurance Rockefeller first encountered Virgin Gorda, the island was home to a struggling agricultural community. In 1958, the conservationist began buying up land with the dream of establishing 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 it 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 not just as one of the best Virgin Gorda resorts but as one of the finest places to stay in the world.
For more incredible places to stay in this part of the world explore our full collection. of Caribbean luxury resorts.
- Seclusion 100%
- Understated luxury 100%
- Tropical splendor 100%
- Picture-perfect beaches 100%
“Just wonderful! We stayed in February and had the most relaxing, wonderful time. Delicious food, amazingly attentive and friendly service, beautiful surroundings. Just perfect! It was good before – we last went in 2016 but now it is even better. I love the trees, the gardens and the bikes they give you to get around. Tennis courts and gym are great too. It is the most amazing place to stay so if you get the chance – just go.” Tripadvisor Review
Best food & drink
1. Fire roasted lobster
Enjoy relaxed al fresco dining with breathtaking views of the bay at Pavilion. Try the mouthwatering fire roasted lobster with pepper sauce and grilled lemon, served with spiced onions and mint chutney.
2. Whole snapper
Locally provisioned farm-to-table cuisine is served at the water’s edge at Reef House. Share a whole snapper with roasted fingerlings, grilled lemon, gremolata sauce and farm greens salad.
3. Rum tasting
Visit the Rum Room, an open-air lounge offering an extensive library of rare and aged rums, a global selection of wines, classic cocktails from the 1960s and 1970s, and live entertainment. Guests are invited to sample small-batch rums at weekly rum tasting sessions. Try the chocolate rum old fashioned from the cocktail list, including Flor De Caña 12 Yrs, chocolate bitters, and demerara sugar.
Sanctuary
Each of Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s unique accommodation types offers its own charm. Nestled amongst enchanting gardens, the resort’s airy cottages are set just steps from the beach. Offering the timeless refinement of mid-century modern design, each hideaway opens to a patio and splendid views of the sea. Serene and sophisticated, the resort’s ocean-view suites pair open, light-filled spaces with inviting outdoor living areas to accentuate a seamless connection with the island’s lush tropical landscape. Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s multi-bedroom villas offer unmatched privacy on the beach or hillside. Ideal for families and small groups, the expansive residences feature pools and incomparable views of the sea.
With such splendid sanctuaries you’ll want to make the most of them. Unwind, relax and take in the breathtaking unspoiled beauty of one of the most idyllic islands in the Caribbean.
Splendor
Surrounded by turquoise and cerulean you couldn’t wish for a more tranquil setting to splash around in and cool off. The coral reef along the outer reaches of Little Dix Bay calms the incoming tides, creating a naturally serene marine environment for swimming. For an out-of-ocean experience, there are two swimming pools available, each offering a distinct atmosphere.
Nestled amongst palm trees and ancient volcanic boulders, the free-form Pavilion Pool offers beachfront swimming and a central place to relax. Guests can partake in classic rum punch and other refreshments with poolside service from the nearby Pavilion lounge. For families, there is a shallow pool for children to enjoy.
Located at the heart of the resort’s cliffside sanctuary, the spa infinity pool is a serene oasis that seemingly blends into the Caribbean Sea. Framed by lush tropical palms, colorful flowers and volcanic rocks, the tiered pool offers breathtaking elevated views of the ocean and a quiet place to lounge before or after a relaxing massage.
Overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel, Sense, A Rosewood Spa embodies the rejuvenating essence of its cliffside environment and offers an exceptional menu of traditional and contemporary treatments. There is also a state-of-the- art fitness centre, yoga and meditation, hiking and group fitness classes, plus Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s exceptional tennis facilities provide a wonderful opportunity for guests to play their favorite sport while on vacation. Surrounded by tropical gardens and verdant hillsides, games take place on six tennis and two pickleball courts, including hard courts and artificial grass surfaces. Two tennis courts are lit for evening play.
Beauty
Dubbed the “wilderness beach” by founder Laurance Rockefeller, the resort’s pristine, half-mile crescent beach is considered to be one of world’s finest. With accommodations located just steps from the shore, guests find it easy to explore the sandy expanse. A vibrant coral reef just off the shoreline provides excellent snorkeling and protects the bay, ensuring calm waters for year-round swimming.
There are seven secluded beaches on Virgin Gorda, several of which can only be accessed by sea. Unique in character, the remote beaches offer a range of snorkeling opportunities, sunset views, levels of privacy and varieties of sand. On request, the resort transports guests via water taxi to the beach of their choice, where they can spend a few hours exploring the sands and surf. An umbrella, towels and snorkel equipment are provided, and the resort’s chefs can prepare a gourmet picnic lunch to bring along.
Be inspired
Browse all the amazing places to stay recently added to the Wild Bay Collection and find your dream vacation, and if you’ve stayed somewhere unforgettable that you think we should showcase contact us with your recommendation.
Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, St Lucia
It’s hard to describe the first impressions of Calabash Cove Resort & Spa in a way that will do the first few steps, and that view, justice, but the closest thing we can liken it to is taking a slow, deep breath and then feeling your whole body begin to relax as you exhale.
Zoetry Marigot Bay, St Lucia
Looking down at Marigot Bay from the meandering island road in the St Lucian hills above as we approached the resort, with its sparkling waters and dramatic rainforest backdrop, was a spectacular way to get reaquainted.
The Lone Star Hotel & Restaurant, Barbados
It really says something that the design of The Lone Star Hotel & Restaurant is so impressive that your gaze is torn between its sleek white structure, and the mesmeric beach it’s nestled on.