Hi Reader,

If you’re spending the night on Tortola before your BVI yacht charter begins the next day, there are a handful of solid hotel options depending on where your boat is departing from and what kind of experience you want before you step aboard.

I've stayed personally at each of these, and below are my Tortola hotel recommendations to consider, starting with the most convenient marina-based option and then offering a few more upscale options.

1. Nanny Cay Hotel

Most convenient option for charter departures

If your charter is leaving from Nanny Cay Marina, staying at the Nanny Cay Hotel is about as straightforward as it gets.

The hotel is located directly inside BVI’s largest marina, where many charter guests begin their trips. Rooms are comfortable and clean, the staff is friendly and efficient, and everything is designed around charter traffic — which makes logistics simple.

On property you’ll find:

• A grocery store for last-minute supplies
• Several restaurants and a beach bar
• A pool and small beach area
• Immediate access to the docks

It’s not a luxury resort, but it’s practical, well-run, and extremely close to where the action begins. If proximity and simplicity matter most, this is a very easy choice.

2. Long Bay Beach Resort

Upscale beachfront stay on Tortola’s north shore

If you’re looking for something more upscale, Long Bay Beach Resort is a strong Tortola hotel option

I stayed here recently during the Fall Charter Yacht Shows and had an excellent experience. The resort sits directly on Long Bay Beach, with rooms and villas right on the sand — some featuring outdoor soaking tubs. It's really hard to beat the setting, and it's just a 15-20 minute taxi ride to most marinas.

Standout features include:

• Beachfront rooms and villas
• A large outdoor pool with a swim-up bar
• Views across the water toward Jost Van Dyke
• A casual beach bar that’s ideal for an evening cocktail at sunset

The location also puts you about a mile from Smuggler’s Cove, one of Tortola’s most well-known beaches. If you have time, it’s an easy stop before or after check-in — and if Patricia’s is open, it’s worth sitting down for a cold rum drink.

3. Sugar Mill Hotel

Boutique stay with one of the best restaurants on Tortola

Just up the road from Long Bay and a short drive to Cane Garden Bay, Sugar Mill Hotel is a smaller, boutique-style property with a very different feel from the larger resorts nearby.

The main draw here is the restaurant, which many consider the best on the island. It’s set inside the ruins of an old sugar mill, and the atmosphere alone is worth the visit.

There’s also a beach bar and restaurant, Tramonti, on the water that’s a great place to spend an afternoon or early evening. The menu has seen some excellent new additions recently, and it’s an easy spot to settle in with a drink and watch the light change along the north shore.

If you’re looking for a quieter stay with standout dining and a lot of character, Sugar Mill is a solid option.

4. Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

Best option for full resort amenities

If resort amenities are the priority, Scrub Island stands apart from the other options on this list.

Located just offshore from Tortola near the airport, the resort is accessed via a water taxi shuttle that runs hourly, making it a practical option if you want to stay somewhere self-contained. In some cases, we even arrange for guests to be picked up directly at the Scrub Island marina to begin their charter.

The resort itself offers:

• A store for basics and supplies
• A large multi-level pool complex with a slide
• Excellent views across the channel
• Hiking trails around the island

There’s also a north shore beach with another pool and bar. You can hike over or take the resort shuttle — either way, it feels like a completely separate space and is worth the trip.

Scrub Island is a good fit if you want everything in one place and prefer a more traditional resort setting before stepping aboard. For crewed charter guests, it's even possible to arrange a pick-up from the Scrub Island Marina.

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That's it for today!

- Matt Weidert