Overwater bungalows are coming to the British Virgin Islands thanks to Bitter End Yacht Club
There are once-in-a-lifetime destinations that people visit and never forget. Then there are once-in-a-lifetime places people visit and realize that once in a lifetime just isn't enough — and they become regulars.
Bitter End Yacht Club, a 64-acre island resort situated on a stretch of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, is one of those places. And now, after a four-year closure, it's back and better than ever before.
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Built in 1969 for sailors by sailors, Bitter End Yacht Club has a storied history. Its location, called the "end of the line," is where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and, in the 1500s, was where Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins convened battle armadas.
Fast-forward some 400 years, and the resort was taken over by the Hokin family, who have been its stewards and private owners since 1973. Over the decades, the family has transformed Bitter End Yacht Club from a little island outpost into a world-renowned island destination where fun and relaxation go hand in hand.
Unfortunately, in 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria completely devastated the area, flattening buildings and wreaking havoc on the property. According to the resort, "no 10 storms combined would have amounted to the destruction wrought" by those two hurricanes.
Related: Reopening guide to the British Virgin Islands for travelers
But like any true sailors, the Hokin family carried on, using the destruction as an opportunity to build something better than could previously have been imagined. Over the last four years, they've taken everything they've learned in the last five decades to build Bitter End 2.0, an entirely rebirthed property that pays homage to its past while reaching far into the depths of what it means to be a modern-day luxury resort.
Bitter End is aiming for a winter reopening date.
While there are a lot of exciting renovations and updated facilities to discuss, the most exciting part is Bitter End's all-new accommodations: the only overwater bungalows in the British Virgin Islands. Called the "Marina Lofts," these new rooms were inspired by vintage sail lofts, and "built for those who desire to sleep at the water’s edge." In the lofts, a second-floor balcony gives guests views of the sea while a lower-level deck offers direct access to the water.
Upon reopening, only two Marina Lofts will be available, though more will eventually roll out.
Other totally renewed parts of the resort include the Clubhouse Restaurant, the Quarterdeck Marina, the Watersports Center and the Reeftique Boutique. In these areas, guests can expect open-air buildings that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings and are all connected by a waterfront plaza designed to be a social hub of sorts for guests, sailors and the local community.
“The village is an incarnation of Bitter End’s roots as a yachting destination and sailor’s hangout. Its beach, seawall, and plaza are dotted with seating areas designed for settling down with a cold drink and conversation, a favorite book, or simply taking in the beautiful expanse of North Sound,” Lauren Hokin shared in a statement.
For food, a handful of dining options will be available, including new takes on the Clubhouse and the resort's waterfront bar. Some new offerings include an open-kitchen pizza and wine restaurant and a "sunken vessel turned into the coolest beach bar in the Caribbean." Much of the food offered will be supplied by the resort's on-property farm growing fruits, vegetables, herbs and other produce. The culinary approach here is "farm-and-sea-to-table."
One of the main reasons people visit Bitter End, though, is its love of watersports — and that hasn't changed a bit. Sitting on "two natural watersports playgrounds," the resort offers sailing, kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, diving and windsurfing to guests.
And while many of us might head there simply to stay at the resort, one of its primary objectives is to serve yachts heading out to sea and coming in to play. The new Quarterdeck Marina offers 70 mooring balls, 25 marina slips and a two-story, open-air escape for folks who need a hot shower, strong Wi-Fi and a few hours off the boat. On the way out, yachters can stock up on provisions like fresh produce and prepared meals before heading out on the next adventure.
Related: Best points hotels in the Caribbean
While the reason this essentially brand-new resort was created was heartbreaking, it's safe to say that the Hokin family took it in stride ... and are making strides to build something we all can't wait to visit. As Laura Hokin said, "While a lot has changed, we still are unmistakably Bitter End.”
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- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees