Top 33 Places, People and Services in the BVI 2013 – 2014

– VIPY Readers’ Choice Awards

This is the third annual VIPY Readers’ Choice Awards and as always, the results have been exciting with more voters, different winners and the interesting addition of newcomers.

Due to the fact that some categories had such close competition, we felt obliged to provide a percentage ratio between the 1st and 2nd place positions by using the total number of votes among the two or in some cases, three top candidates. A huge applause to all winners.

*** Below are photos from the Virgin Islands Property and Yacht Readers’ Choice awards event – a huge thank you to all who attended ***

BEST BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND(S): Jost Van Dyke & Virgin Gorda

One eager beaver opted for St John as his preferential British Virgin Island. Apologies friend – if it serves our knowledge, St John is still under the US bracket.

As a slight change from last year, two islands won this category: Virgin Gorda joint with Jost Van Dyke. Of course it’s not hard to see why – Virgin Gorda is often the showcase island of the BVI and Jost provides a social scene of increasing exhilaration with every visit.

VG: 36% Jost: 36% Tortola: 28%

BEST BVI SUNSET LOOKOUT ESTABLISHMENT: Bananakeet Cafe

Taking the winning scenic point again was Bananakeet Café – it appears like this location has a monopoly on sunset views as despite the fact that there are many epic land and seascapes in the BVI, this was a landslide victory.

BEST BVI MUSEUM: Old Government House

From the response in this category, it would appear that many BVI residents and visitors are unaware of the museums that exist here. This question gained quite a few queries along the lines of “Does the BVI have museums?” The renowned Old Government House took this category for the third year running.

BEST BVI ARCHITECTURAL FIRM: Roger Downing & Partner Co. Ltd

Another tight vote leaning toward two respected companies responsible for much of the fine architecture seen around the islands, Roger Downing & Partner BVI Architects were the overall winners.

RDP: 51% OBMI: 49%

BEST BVI RESORT/HOTEL: Rosewood Little Dix Bay

This was a close call between three resorts that continually win awards on Trip Advisor, however, Rosewood Little Dix took the biscuit.

Rosewood Little Dix: 35% Peter Island Resort & Spa: 34% Frenchmans Hotel: 31%

BEST BVI VACATION RENTAL: White Bay Villas & Seaside Cottages

This was a challenge to count up on account of the fact that there is a wide selection. It seemed like every other voter opted for a different vacation rental. In the end, White Bay Villas & Seaside Cottages won out and with the incredible view of turquoise waters, it is no surprise.

BEST BVI MARINA: Nanny Cay

Nanny Cay is truly anchored in this spot with its third consecutive win in this category.

BEST BVI REAL ESTATE AGENCY: Smiths Gore

Smiths Gore’s popularity was revealed in this year’s survey as they took the lead from Property BVI who were last year’s winners, and from BVI Sotheby’s Real Estate.

Smiths Gore: 58% Property BVI: 42%

BEST BVI SPA: Peter Island Resort & Spa

Peter Island’s luxurious Resort & Spa, the consistent winner of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Caribbean Spa’s list takes the win here. This was followed closely by Road Town’s Sole Day Spa.

Peter Island: 53% Sole: 47%

BEST BVI LANDSCAPE ESTABLISHMENT: Minine’s Plants & Landscaping

Minine’s roots nearly saw upheaval to rival Groundworks BVI this year with a ratio –

Minines: 57% Groundworks: 43%

BEST BVI POOL: Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

Several comedians out there voted for their own pool, which gives the public justification to have a great party at your property. Prepare the BBQ, get the drinks in, but first, the winner – Scrub Island Resort. Another close call.

Scrub: 52% Tamarind: 48%

BEST BVI SAILOR: Alec Anderson

Someone did point out the ‘fact’ that Popeye is the best sailor, but this survey is restricted to non-fiction persons of the BVI. Best BVI Sailor went to Alec Anderson pictured here with his extreme watersports buddy Chris Brockbank. Alec recently wrapped up his college sailing career to begin his 2016 Olympics campaign.

BEST BVI REGATTA: Spring Regatta

The ultimate in sailing and a festival of international repute, it cannot be beaten. Spring Regatta sees victory again in this category

BEST BVI HIDEAWAY: Anegada

This was a category that suffered from lack of representation, but we totally understand. Voters want to keep those hidden locations a secret. Many of you even filled in the answer simply with “not telling”. The overall winner—to the satisfaction of many residents—was Anegada – a not-so secluded spot in comparison to the many other possibilities out there, that will remain true hideaways for another year.

BEST BVI WATERSPORTS ESTABLISHMENT: Bitter End Yacht Club

This award goes to an establishment that celebrates love of the water in every sporting activity possible. Bitter End Yacht Club of Virgin Gorda grabs the gold.

BEST BVI BEACH ESTABLISHMENT: Soggy Dollar

This was slightly amusing as the two top competitors in this category are practically opposite each other, though located on different islands.

Soggy Dollar: 60% Myett’s: 40%

BEST BVI DIVE SHOP: Blue Water Divers

Another landslide victory for a company that has also won its category three times in a row, Blue Water Divers owns the sea. With locations in Soper’s Hole and Nanny Cay, this well-known dive shop provides courses from amateur to veteran level and visits diving hotspots all over the BVI.

BEST BVI SAILING SCHOOL: Rob Swain

Top sailing school for the third time running, the Nanny Cay establishment Rob Swain Sailing School won the category hands down.

BEST BVI CHARTER COMPANY: Moorings

Being one of the most important industries in the BVI, three companies sailed in to battle it out with one overall winner.

Moorings: 36% Horizon: 32% Voyage: 32%

BEST BVI DAY SAIL: Mystique

This was extremely close, but the entertainment on Voyage Mystique stole the show from White Squall, now owning this category twice in a row.

Mystique: 51% White Squall II: 49%

BEST BVI YACHT BROKERAGE: BVI Yacht Sales

Longest standing yacht sales company and upholding a high reputation, BVI Yacht Sales clearly secured our readers’ vote in this segment.

BEST BVI PROVISIONING STORE: RiteWay Food Markets

A category where the vote was strongly in the favour of a sole company, RiteWay Food Stores consumed the competition with its great wealth of provisioning and accessibility across the BVI.

BEST BVI HOME ACCESSORIES RETAILER: House

House dominated this category soaring to first place. Their array of home ware and BVI essentials continue to garnish popularity as was evident with the vast vote count they owned here. Check out their hot new products here.

BEST BVI RESTAURANT: The Dove Restaurant & Wine Bar

The reigning champion—The Dove Restaurant and Wine Bar—met with close competition. BVI residents and visitors know exactly what services they like so this category received a huge amount of votes, but two restaurants shone above all – this was tight.

The Dove: 51% Brandywine: 49%

BEST BVI LIVE MUSIC VENUE: Quito’s Gazebo

At separate ends of the island, the vote came down to Quito’s Gazebo in Cane Garden Bay, home to Quito and the Edge and Last Resort in Trellis that has witnessed some international acts pass through. The winner?

Quito’s: 55% Last Resort: 45%

BEST BVI ARTIST: Quito

We melded photography, music and painting together in this category as they are all art forms in their own right. It would appear that only one was seen as the strongest candidate to hold the torch – the legendary Quito Rymer.

BEST BVI LATE NIGHT HOTSPOT: Le Grand Cafe Deux

This award was taken for the second time in a row by the famous or infamous Le Grand Café Deux. Now offering delicious kebabs alongside copious cocktails, this location is heralded as the central hotspot for BVI late-night congregation.

BEST AIRLINE FLYING INTO THE BVI: Cape Air

Reviewing the voting, this category was not received with the most enthusiastic of responses owing to one particular airline that could use…let’s diplomatically say improvement. Nonetheless, it did have a very clear winner in Cape Air – a service constantly celebrated by knowledgeable residents as the best service to fly with in the BVI.

BEST BVI BARTENDER: Sean Anderson

In the two years Origin sushi bar has been open, Manager and Bartender Christian has created a whirlwind of a storm in the BVI and probably formed a cocktail with that very name; however, Sean Anderson’s renowned skill at the Dove kept him afloat, winning this category for a second time in a row…it was close.

Sean: 55% Christian: 45%

Also to mention – Kishayne and Henry of the Dove and Mick of Soggy Dollar.