Caribbean Conn

Now that we're all working remotely Wouldn't you REALLY rather work from the beach?

The Loose Mongoose: A BVI Destination Beach Bar!

It‘s a ritual for travelers to the British Virgin Islands… ...Land at Beef Island Airport, go through customs, gather your luggage and head to Trellis Bay, where you’d find your ferry or charter, step on your boat and begin your BVI vacation.

But in recent years, Trellis Bay has become more than just a jumping-off point.

It has become a destination in its own right.

And that’s in large part thanks to the Loose Mongoose, a Mecca in the British Virgin Islands, a restaurant and beach bar and town square all in one.

The open-air eatery on the waterfront in Trellis Bay is a marvelous mix of outstanding food, creative cocktails and even a bustling weekend brunch, along with morning coffee for boaters in search of java fuel (or those heading to an early ride on the Anegada ferry).

It’s not new, of course. For years, Loose Mongoose was a haven for boaters, travelers and rum lovers —until the storms of 2017 had their say.

And now, following a dramatic reconstruction project, the Loose Mongoose has a whole new look and a new place in the pantheon of Caribbean beach bars, and a compelling argument for BVI travelers to stay a little longer in Trellis Bay.

Loose Mongoose, which is the sister company of the renowned Anegada Beach Club hotel, is green, too, having been built from recycled hardwoods in true Caribbean style, with a thatched-roof look married with sleek, modern design.

“Loose Mongoose was created to be a multifaceted gateway to the outer islands, while serving as a unique destination in of itself,” owner Doug Riegels tells Caribbean Journal.

That’s precisely what it’s done: Loose, as it’s affectionately known, has instantly become one of the coolest-looking beach spots in all of the BVI, one that should make anyone heading to another island from Trellis Bay think twice.

Because when you get here, you’re not going anywhere.

Another compelling argument to stick

THE LOOSE MONGOOSE > PAGE 20

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The Cliffhouse On St. John: Back on the Short-term Market

The sun comes up over the mountain and glows on Cinnamon Bay and Peter Bay, a mesmerizing, mystical moment in St John.

But it’s nothing unusual.

It’s every sunrise at the Cliffhouse in St. John.

But the daily arrival of the sun is not the only reason why Cliffhouse is one of the hottest villas on St John; back on the short term rental market, the 12,000-square-foot ultra-luxe villa is one of the most spectacular places to stay in the US Virgin Islands.

The recently-renovated four-bedroom retreat, with room for parties of up to ten guests, set in the exclusive community of Peter Bay.

That includes private beach access to Peter Bay Beach, the home of some of the best snorkeling and swimming in all of St. John, a corner of the island where you’ll likely encounter turtles and stingrays.

Amenities also include A/C and TV with an array of Indonesian antiques, custom-designed furniture, fine linens and a pervasive island chic aesthetic.

There’s even an on-site, well-equipped gym. But the biggest amenity is the setting: you’re up, 100 feet above sea level, overlooking astonishing scenery: St. John beaches, the green hills of the British Virgin Islands; the Virgin Islands National Park and the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

It’s an almost hypnotizing scene, whether you’re having an invilla massage or a rum cocktail on the deck — and not just at sunrise.

“This is one of the best villas on St John,” says Shanna Dickerson, owner of Blue Sky Luxury Travels, the exclusive rental agent for the property.

Reservations for the villa are now available starting New Year’s Eve week, Dec. 26 through Jan. 2.

For more information, visit BlueSkyLuxuryTravels.com.

The OTC is happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean journal, and his staff. Check them out online at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all of the fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean. around, is what is one of the best rum selections in the BVI. A rum bar-within-a-bar called the “Honor Society” whose collection ranges from sought-after rhum agricoles like Rhum Clement to Cuba’s signature Havana Club 7 to a member of the rum pantheon, the ultra-rare Brugal Papa Andres from the Dominican Republic.

The rum bar itself is nestled into the original structure of Loose, as locals call it; there’s opulent leather furniture, aged teak flooring, historic photos and some other worthy spirits, too.

Then there’s the food, the product of awardwinning chefs, with a blend of Caribbean and American food and the sort of service that’s tailor-made for locals, boaters and day trippers.

It all adds up to more than just a place to begin your Journey, more than a restaurant, more than a bar and more than a rum retreat.

“We feel that we have created a genuine arrival and departure location that caters to both tourists and local guests,” Riegels says.

In other words, before you step on that boat, you may want to stick around awhile.

For more, contact info@loosemongoosebvi. com.

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