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Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Autograph Collection, BVI [Master Thread]

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Autograph Collection, BVI [Master Thread]

Old Jan 9, 2012, 5:32 am
  #1  
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Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Autograph Collection, BVI [Master Thread]

Hi all,

On a recent trip around the Caribbean, I came across this new property in the British Virgin Islands. It looks gorgeous and is in a great location. Has anyone stayed at, or have any experience with this hotel?

Last edited by BostonFlyer1624; Jul 18, 2012 at 7:08 am
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Old Jan 9, 2012, 9:24 pm
  #2  
 
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Haven't been there, but here is some discussion from those who have:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...caribbean.html
beardoc82 is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2012, 3:14 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Madison, WI 53726
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I'm interested in this hotel as well. Anyone stay there?
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Old Feb 4, 2012, 9:07 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
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as am i but it seems bery difficult to get to
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Old Feb 13, 2012, 8:03 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
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We are booked for a 5 night stay in late April/early May. Connecting flights through San Juan, however to keep some costs down we are leaving a day earlier and spending a night in San Juan. (American airlines is much less than Cape Air on this route).

I have emailed the resort for some answers to specific questions so I am interested in their responses as well as how long it will take to get a reply.

Will update stay in May.

if anyone has stayed there, input would be much appreicated.
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Old Feb 13, 2012, 6:26 pm
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Join Date: May 2011
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I made a reservation for December 2012 using points. Reservation indicates a $25/night resort fee. I called the Plat line to see what that fee includes. They said it's $25/per person/per night (which can really add up) and you get free parking (on a small island), free internet, and a "welcome basket". Whoever stays at the resort, please let me know if you can opt out of the resort fee, or comment on what it actually covers. Thanks.
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Old Feb 13, 2012, 6:54 pm
  #7  
 
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Originally Posted by pagelk
I made a reservation for December 2012 using points. Reservation indicates a $25/night resort fee. I called the Plat line to see what that fee includes. They said it's $25/per person/per night (which can really add up) and you get free parking (on a small island), free internet, and a "welcome basket". Whoever stays at the resort, please let me know if you can opt out of the resort fee, or comment on what it actually covers. Thanks.
I am pretty sure the free parking is on the main island of Tortola where the Ferry docks for transport to Scrub island. I also think it covers kayaks and snorkeling gear although I am waiting on confirmation back from the resort on the gear.
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Old May 14, 2012, 10:27 am
  #8  
 
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Originally Posted by ncgator
We are booked for a 5 night stay in late April/early May. Connecting flights through San Juan, however to keep some costs down we are leaving a day earlier and spending a night in San Juan. (American airlines is much less than Cape Air on this route).

I have emailed the resort for some answers to specific questions so I am interested in their responses as well as how long it will take to get a reply.

Will update stay in May.

if anyone has stayed there, input would be much appreicated.
ncgator,

can you give a trip report on your recent stay at scrub island resport, i just booked a long
weekend in September and would be interested in your review.

Regards,
airman302
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Old May 17, 2012, 5:20 pm
  #9  
 
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Trip Report

Here is our take on the vacation we spent at Scrub Island

Let me start by saying that for us the staff was excellent both before our arrival, during and as we exited the property. I contacted them via email before our stay and asked lots of questions about activities, dining options, etc and every question was answered timely and with enthusiasm. I corresponded with Julio Jimenez and it was like having a personal concierge before our trip. Julio answered every question and went above and beyond in helping make our trip special. I met other resort hosts and they all had the same helpful attitude and friendliness.

A staff member was waiting for us when we cleared customs and immediately put us in a van for the drive to the ferry (literally across the street as we walked it when we rented a car). The ferry to the resort was held for 10 minutes as our flight arrived early and it would have been an hour wait otherwise (that was very much appreciated).

The hotel is still a little rough in that cosmetically it needs some upkeep. Everything is clean and functional but the grounds could use fresh mulch, plants need some attention and little items like that. I am not being critical as from converstaions I had with folks at the resort and the surrounding area they lacked proper funding for an extended period of time with the previous owners.

We spent that afternoon mostly at the marina beach and main resort pools. The beach is small but nice. You can navigate the walk out to swim without beach shoes there is coral around there. A couple days later we snorkeled around there and discovered it not bad for something so close.

The pool areas are very nice with 2 swim up bars and very good service. People have complained about the towel policy but i think those people have failed to understand that many folks make day trips and take hotel towels with them. Unless there is some mechanism to ensure they get them back they would lose a lot of towels. We took 4 towels with us when we rented a boat as well as when we toured Tortola.

The food. Saturday is their prime rib/seafood buffet and the food was very good. Service as very good as well. This meal is in the main dining room. A nice selection of seafood items and a carving station. The menu changes but Julio had emailed us a sample menu as well as the wine list which was nice. We ate another night at their outside restaurant i had a nice snapper and my wife had shrimp salad. the meal was good not excellent. The following night we ate at the Carribean dinner and the food was not good. We both were surprised based on the previous 2 experiences. We did eat a little late (around 8:15) but that should not be an excuse for the quality of the food for that meal.

I want to say that meal was the only negative we have for the entire 5 nights we stayed.

We took the free ferry to Marina Cay (the front desk will call them for you) for dinner the last 2 nights there. Don't be in a hurry for the ferry but free is free. The food there was very good. I had an excellent rack of lamb. They had live music at their bar on the top of hte island one night and that was fun.

Enough about food.

We stayed on the resort one day and used the kayaks, explored the island and north beach. The kayaks were nice and we went over to some good snorkeling near Marina Cay. We went to what they call "Honeymoon Beach" via kayak and were underwhelmed. Kinda pretty but with the currents that day probably not worth the effort. You get to North Beach via their shuttle or you can walk. After taking the shuttle and driving down the hilll I can't imagine walking that and still being in a good mood unless there was plenty of rum. Swimming at North Beach at low tide is impossible. You can get out there at high tide but there really is no beach to walk out to like we are accustomed to on the East Coast and Florida's west coast. We sat in the beach chairs, enjoyed the relaxation, drinks and the nurse shark caught inside the reef at low tide. The pool is nice there to cool off. The bar is well stocked as well.

They have a realy nice market store/deli at the resort that we used a couple of times for sandwiches and snacks. The sandwiches were good and reasonable. There is beer, wine, water, etc at the market store.

We rented a boat for one day. We used C&D Powerboats and would use them again without question. They were excellent. I made the arrangements myself but Julio was more than willing to do that for me had I asked.

Okay, the bottom line. Would we go back to Scrub Island again? The answer is yes if we decided we wanted to go back and have a base station. If you are a diver it seemes like a great place as the dive shop is right there and they pick you up at the marina. If you want to explore Tortola for dinner or other activities you need to either have a car rented for the week and parked at Trellis Bay or be prepared to pay hefty taxi rates. We explored Tortola one day via a rental car.

My opinion is that some people are too critical of the property but maybe I have lesser expectations.

If you have specific questions, i will try to answer them.
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Old May 17, 2012, 7:05 pm
  #10  
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Was the hotel crowded? How long is the ferry to Tortola?
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Old May 18, 2012, 7:09 pm
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How were the accomodations?

Did you get upgraded?
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Old May 20, 2012, 6:56 pm
  #12  
 
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Originally Posted by BostonFlyer1624
Was the hotel crowded? How long is the ferry to Tortola?
The ferry runs every hour. It leaves Scrub on the half hour and Trellis on the 45. The ride takes between 5-10 minutes depending on wind and how crowded it is around Marina Cay.
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Old May 20, 2012, 7:01 pm
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Originally Posted by BostonFlyer1624
Was the hotel crowded? How long is the ferry to Tortola?
The hotel was not crowded at all. I would estimate maybe 30% capacity the week we were there. It appeared a lot of the guests came by boat and docked there. One of the couples we met mentioned to us that they could dock there for $50 with a $25 drink coupon. Anyone that docks has access to all the amenities of the resort.

The wing we stayed at had on average 6 of the 15 rooms occupied. I would guess.
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Old May 20, 2012, 7:15 pm
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Originally Posted by travelexpert
How were the accomodations?

Did you get upgraded?
We were fortunate enough to get upgraded from a king room to the 1 bedroom suite. The room is very large, there are some Youtube videos out there showing the rooms in detail. The bathrrom is extrememly spacious with a tub and shower and 2 vanities. The bed was comfortable. The kitchen was very nice with viking and sub zero appliances, micro wave, gas range and oven, coffee and expresso maker. There is a balcony with every room but there is no privacy on the balcony only great 180 degree views. Wehad a 3rd floor room looking out towards Marina Cay and Virgin Gorda out to our left.

The bed was comfortable. Nice sofa, chair and round dining table as well as bar seating off the kitchen.
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Old Jun 20, 2012, 7:07 pm
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Scrub Island Marriott questions

Scrub Island Marriott:

I'm hoping to find out the answers to a few questions:

At the Scrub Island Marriott, is there enough of an actual beach to walk on, and do they have lounge chairs, etc on the beach?

Is there anyway to order drinks from the beach?

Would swimming in the ocean off of the beach be a good experience (not diving or snorkeling, just enjoying the water)?

We are looking to dine more casually; would you say the restaurant options offer for this, and what would you say about food prices?

THANK YOU for ANY info you can offer to me. My husband and I are looking to travel in March for our 25th anniversary.

P.S. We are trying to decide between this resort and the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
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