By Jane Bakewell

Whether perched on a dramatic hilltop vista, nestled amidst a vine-covered stone distillery or beachside on a curvaceous aqua-blue bay, low-key and high-end meet as friendly neighbours in the BVI. Finding that perfect vacation villa, charming bedroom suite or idyllic resort experience is an easy challenge. Accommodations in the islands are as varied and architecturally interesting as their surroundings. What they all share, however, are the unparalleled ocean views, whether right from your balcony or a few steps away, since the BVI is bathed in blue.

Tortola is the centrepiece of the necklace of islands and the largest, with a population close to 20,000. It boasts the main commercial hub and capital, Road Town. Flanked by busy marinas, charming open-air restaurants and more flavours of shopping than a well-known ice cream, it also features some convenient and stylish accommodations.

Just a quick stroll from the main ferry dock, Maria's by the Sea offers spacious breezy rooms with full ocean views. The rooms are perfect for a family on a budget or an overnight business traveller, and Maria's Restaurant offers international cuisine along with fresh local seafood.

Village Cay Marina in the heart of Road Town is a hub of activity during the week, with a dockside restaurant and deli catering to both the business and boat crowd. A 22-room hotel overlooks the harbour with double-bed suites in air-conditioned comfort.

On the eastern edge of town, The Moorings, the BVI's premier yachting headquarters, is also home to the Mariner Inn, catering to both the boating and land-based vacationer. Newly refurbished rooms offer elegant amenities with a luxury yacht feel overlooking the marina's gaily bobbing sailboats.

With excellent views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, Hodge's Creek Marina Hotel is conveniently located just a short drive from the airport and Road Town. Hodge's Creek is a natural, well-protected anchorage, and the hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a bright tropical decor, a restaurant, charter company, dive shop and other retail stores.

Not many places can offer both stunning sunsets and a panoramic north coast view like the Heritage Inn. Located 200 feet above the sea on Windy Hill just above Carrot Bay, the setting is spectacular and the rooms are advertised as "Caribbean luxury you can afford." Eight suites offer one- or two-bedroom configurations, with the pool and Bananakeet Café just a few steps away. This is a popular Sunday brunch stop for island residents.

On the east side of Tortola, hidden in a verdant jungle of flowers off the calm waters of Well Bay, Surfsong Villa Resort offers four unique private villas nestled around a beautiful courtyard, as well as additional villas and a pool — making this the perfect place to accommodate groups of families and friends. The pristine swimming beach of Well Bay is just steps away and offers guests a gorgeous beach. Tucked amongst the boulders, one of the villas' "tree houses" literally arches over a boulder, and the teak furnishings give you a true island feel. Romantic and quiet, this waterfront boutique hideaway has become a favourite spot for honeymooners, and the owners will even help plan a beach wedding.

Tortola's northeast shore is soon to be home to Raffles, an internationally known hotel chain. Set on 50 acres of land overlooking Lambert Beach, plans are under way to begin construction in 2010 of a resort complex that will include four restaurants, two beach clubs, three swimming pools and a fitness centre with the signature Amrita spa. Developers are hoping the luxury resort will add another top-quality destination to the BVI's growing upscale accommodations market.

Hop on a ferry from Road Town, and 20 minutes later you can be on the BVI's second most-populous island, Virgin Gorda. Laurance Rockefeller put the BVI on the international map in the '60s with his development of Little Dix Bay, a 100-room property for those wishing to escape the distractions of most luxury hotels. Emphasis is on a quality vacation retreat, with attention to gourmet food, lush surroundings on a picture-perfect beach and a state-of-the-art spa with cliffside massage cabanas for pampering.

A somewhat hidden jewel of North Sound, Biras Creek Resort is a sophisticated hideaway approachable only by boat. The 148-acre property is a nature preserve, with walking trails, bikes for guests and sunning iguanas, who share their rock with curious onlookers. Garden and oceanfront villas exude understated chic in decor, and the upscale restaurant sits on a promenade overlooking two oceans.

At the very north end of Virgin Gorda (or the end of a rope in nautical terms) lays the appropriately named Bitter End Yacht Club. A mecca for sailors and watersports enthusiasts, this classy yacht haven is geared towards families and those wanting an all-inclusive resort experience. The watersports programme is the largest around, and a full line of sailing vessels, including Lasers and Hobie Cats, await a sea trial. Plenty of staff are on hand for lessons ranging from windsurfing to sailing. Elegantly appointed rooms and a choice of three restaurants offer food choices from fresh seafood to a laid-back grill with barbecue and burgers.

In the top 20 of Condé Nast Traveller's "Great Caribbean Villas," Baraka Point sits majestically perched on 2 acres overlooking Virgin Gorda's famed white-sand beaches. This villa estate offers a quiet retreat for several couples or a family. Amidst tropical gardens, it features a spacious room that's great for meetings, two sun terraces with an infinity pool and five individual suites with a Balinese flair. Private spa treatments can be arranged in a Relaxation Pavilion, and a full-time chef is available for gourmet dining under the stars.

Along this same sandy shore, Nail Bay Resort offers individual villa rentals at very reasonable rates. Properties range from beachside guest suites to hillside rooms, apartments or villa rentals. The Villa Hotel property is spread over 148 acres and encompasses three beaches. Once the site of a 19th-century sugar plantation, the ruins still remain amidst beautifully landscaped grounds. One of the more unique vacation rentals, Sugar Mill House, is a modern-day replica of a sugar mill, with curved walls and a waterfall cascading from the rooftop pool.

Whether your tastes lead you to an exclusive island getaway like the Peter Island Resort, where you can enjoy a beachfront suite or the total privacy of a cliffside villa, or you prefer the freedom and changing views from the helm of your own chartered yacht, the BVI offers up sumptuous beauty and many tantalising choices.

Baraka Point Estate
Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda
Tel: 541 1102/1103
Tel: 1 (800) 969 9713
E-mail: info@barakapoint.com
Website: www.barakapoint.com
Unique beachfront estate offering extensive tropical gardens, panoramic views & luxurious accommodation for up to 16 guests in a fully private setting with dedicated staff of 7 including chefs, spa therapist, butler & housekeeper. Six king size ocean view suites with A/C, handmade silks and hardwood furniture plus 4 twin bedrooms. Satellite TV, DVDs & iPOD docks throughout. Indoor/outdoor SONOS stereo system & high speed Wi-Fi, gym & personal training, secluded beach area & firepit, Massage & Yoga Pavilion plus Games Pavilion with pool table, wet bar & home movie theatre. Children's activities, watersports, Hobie Cat, sea trampoline, 4x4's & beach buggy INCLUDED in rental rates. This exclusive retreat is rented to only one group at a time and is ideal for weddings and special celebrations.

Biras Creek Resort
North Sound, Virgin Gorda Tel: 494-3555 Fax: 494-3557 E-mail: biras@biras.com Website: www.biras.com Recognized as a top luxury all-suite destination, Biras Creek Resort provides a paradise for watersports, sailing, snorkelling, spa services, hiking and three meals daily in its world-class restaurant.

Fort Burt Hotel & Marina
Fort Burt Road Town, Tortola Tel: 494-2587 Fax: 494-2002 E-mail: fortburt@surfbvi.com Website: www.bviguide.com/fortburt Offers views of Road Harbour from the deluxe rooms, suites and the elegant dining terrace. Culinary delicacies are prepared by the New England Culinary Institute. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. Ideal for special events.

Leverick Bay Resort & Marina
North Sound, Virgin Gorda
Tel: 495-7421
Fax: 495-7367
E-mail: Leverick@surfbvi.com
Website: www.leverickbay.com
With 14 hotel rooms and four suites, Leverick Bay sits on the southern shore of one of the most unique bays within the Caribbean Sea. Encircled by small islands and barrier reefs, the waters of North Sound offer a magnificent playground in every shade of aquamarine imaginable.

Maria's by the Sea
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: 494-2595
Fax: 494-2420
E-mail: mariasbythesea@surfbvi.com
Website: www.mariasbythesea.com
This central waterfront location offers spacious air-conditioned, Internet-ready rooms with wet bars. Vacationers and business travellers will appreciate the on-site car rental agency. Cool off in the pool or dine at Maria's Restaurant overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Myett's Garden Inn & Grille
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Tel: 495-9649
Fax: 495-9579
E-mail: myettent@surfbvi.com
Website: www.myettent.com
Enjoy charming beachfront rooms nestled in tropical gardens, a spectacular white sandy beach, crystal-clear water and romantic sunsets. Spacious air-conditioned rooms with tropical decor, refrigerator and wet bar, coffeemaker, telephone and maid service. ATM and restaurant on property.

Nail Bay Resort
Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda
Tel: 494-8000
Fax: 495-5875
U.S. toll-free: 800-871-3551
E-mail: info@nailbay.com
Website: www.nailbay.com
Recommended by Frommer's and The Best of the British Virgin Islands, Nail Bay offers apartments, rooms and distinctive villas with pools - all with magical sunset views. Nail Bay offers splendid isolation in a 147-acre historic waterfront sugar plantation below Gorda Peak overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Enjoy great snorkelling with easy access from the three beautiful beaches. Enjoy luxury at a great value.

The Refuge
Brewer's Bay, Tortola
Tel: 494-5440
Fax: 494-3026
E-mail: info@therefugebvi.com
Website: www.therefugebvi.com
The Refuge is a secluded villa community, ultimately consisting of eight luxury villas on beautiful Brewer's Bay. Villas are available for purchase and for vacation rentals. Rental accommodations include entire villas, one- or two-bedroom studios. Three-bedroom villas have private indoor/outdoor showers and private balconies; fully equipped kitchen; air-conditioning; cable/Internet; dip pool; terraces; snorkelling and much more.

Surfsong Villa Resort
Well Bay, Beef Island
Tel: 495-1864
Fax: 495-0089
E-mail: info@surfsong.net
Website: www.surfsong.net
A secluded beachfront resort offering distinctive villas, Surfsong boasts luxuriously appointed accommodations with plush king beds, fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, satellite TV, DVD/CD, room safes, Wi-Fi, a beach lounge, massage pavilion and tranquil courtyard. This exclusive retreat is perfect for weddings, honeymoons and private celebrations.

Village Cay Marina, Hotel & Restaurant
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: 494-2771
Fax: 494-2773
E-mail: hotel@vcmarina.biz
Website: www.vcmarina.biz
Village Cay is the most centrally located full-service marina, hotel, restaurant and deli complex in the British Virgin Islands. Situated directly in the heart of Road Town, it's a favourite of yachtsmen and land lovers alike!

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