Just Back From: Little Dix Bay
For this edition of Just Back From, I spoke with two recent guests of Little Dix Bay about their stays there this December. Both have been to various resorts in the Caribbean and traveled extensively all over the world. I have been to Little Dix Bay before and, during our conversation, found that I shared similar thoughts with these ladies on the resort.
Why did you pick Little Dix Bay?
We went to Little Dix Bay as we knew other guests who were going to be there. We thought it would be fun to all be together.
Any advice on getting there? How easy or difficult was the trip?
We flew directly from Miami, which was very easy. Once you land, it is a five-minute drive to a boat ride. Arriving at the property is like that scene in White Lotus season one where the boat pulls in and the whole staff is out there waving, waiting to greet you.
How was check-in? Was there anything special about the process?
The check-in process was easy; you are shown via golf cart to your room.
I heard Little Dix Bay underwent a renovation in recent years. What was your first impression of the hotel? Was the vibe chic and hip or old-school beachy?
The vibe is very much old-school beachy. The best thing about the resort is that it is right on the beach. One of the reasons I wanted to go was because it was bought by Rosewood, and I’d heard they underwent a renovation. But I walked into my room, and I was convinced that I was in a non-renovated room.
What kind of room did you have?
We stayed in a junior suite: the room was spacious with a king bed, and the kids’ room was connecting and had two double beds. Most of the rooms at the hotel only have kings; this was one of a few rooms that had double beds. Despite the renovation, the room felt dowdy to me. The tiling in the bathroom was poorly done, as were the wood accents. I prefer a more modern aesthetic. The one plus was it did have a big indoor/outdoor shower.
Our friends had the cottage room, which was smaller than the junior suite and worked well for two people. It had more character, with stone walls and a modern bathroom.
Where was your room located in the hotel? Are there any areas you would advise a future guest to ask for? Any to avoid?
The hotel is essentially a semi-circle. We were in the middle, which was a great location other than the fact that it was across from this unsightly building (that turned out to be the kids' club). It was a minute from the gym and close to restaurants. The best thing about the location – and Little Dix Bay more generally – is you walk out the door and you are right on the beach. I wouldn’t recommend being on the ends of the semi-circle because you are further from restaurants, the gym, etc. There are bikes all over, but I prefer walking right out of my room to an amenity. Also, our building had two rooms on the first floor and two on the second. We ended up on the first floor, but I’d recommend asking for the second floor. That way you get a view of the sunset.
How was the welcome amenity in your room? Was there anything special at turn-down every night?
There was chocolate and water in the room when we arrived. On Christmas Day, they gave us a bowl that said ‘Little Dix,’ and I think the following afternoon they left us some more chocolate. Nothing other than that.
Did the resort feel crowded, considering you were there over the holidays?
They said it was full, but it felt empty. It didn’t feel crowded at all. We weren’t fighting for beach chairs and that kind of stuff.
What kind of guests were staying at the hotel? Couples, families? What type of traveler would you recommend it to?
It was a mix. There were a lot of families with young kids. The best thing about Little Dix Bay is that you leave your room and you are on the beach, so that makes it very easy and appealing if you are dealing with children. I also found that there are a lot of people who take their entire extended family back year after year as a tradition.
Breakfast is one of my favorite meals at hotels. How was their selection?
It was fine. They had an omelet bar and accommodated my son’s gluten allergy. The Caribbean isn’t known for its food. One annoying thing was the timing: they close breakfast at 10:30, a very firm deadline. It isn’t ideal for guests with a time change where it is harder to get up in the morning or those who want to get a workout in before eating.
Any memorable meals or amazing food experiences? I find sometimes that at these smaller beach properties, the food gets a bit monotonous. What were your feelings?
Like I said, the food was just fine – I’d give it a seven. Several of the meals were prefix, but, because there weren’t other options, we were left dining there whether we wanted the prefix menu or not. On Christmas Eve, for instance, the dinner buffet was $150 per person. On Christmas Day, the primary lunch option was a $130 per person buffet. We chose to eat on the beach instead.
There is one must-visit restaurant called CocoMaya. It is five minutes from the hotel, and the food was decent – the atmosphere really made it a highlight for us. They had a DJ, and we were all dancing. You can go for drinks or dinner. It was great.
On the other side of the island, there are a few more resorts, like Bitter End Yacht Club. We didn’t go but spoke to other guests who did. The view of the sunset in that area is spectacular. There is one resort called Saba Rock that is on its own island, and people go there for drinks. We passed because logistically it is a bit of a hassle – take a taxi to the ferry, ferry to Saba Rock, and, if you want to go to the Bitter End, you have to take a different ferry.
Looking back, I think I would have done a boat trip where we start with water sports, go to the Bitter End for lunch, and end up at Saba Rock for a happy hour and to watch the sunset. I wish that the hotel had advised us about how to properly do these kinds of excursions. We asked, but they didn’t know what to recommend to us. I felt as though we had to consult other guests for advice, rather than the hotel staff.
What activities did they offer? I saw pictures of pickleball, but were there any water activities? Boating? Fishing?
We did pickleball and booked the courts in advance. You don’t have to pay to book them, but you do have to pay for a lesson with an instructor. There were several courts (as well as tennis courts) beside the gym. The gym itself was amazing – spacious and modern. They also put on tournaments for the guests.
We did a half-day on a sailboat, visiting an island and going snorkeling. That was beautiful, very relaxing.
Regarding other activities, the hotel would provide a list of what was offered that day. Many of these were priced higher than I thought they should be, especially for something like a hike.
A few things were complimentary, such as an exercise class or snorkeling sessions. The snorkeling sessions were forty-five minutes long, which didn’t make sense to me. By the time you get the gear on and get to the spot, how much time do you have left?
Another complimentary activity was taking a shuttle boat to one of the small, surrounding islands and exploring the different beaches. They offered picnics for those excursions for a charge.
The biggest attraction in the area is the Baths, which we visited. I wish that the butler/concierge would have walked us through going there; no one gave us any details.
Little Dix Bay is known for its beautiful beaches. Did you sit at the beach or the pool? Did you get the same seats every day?
The beach was beautiful. We sat there every day. The pool was an inch big; guests don't really hang out there. There was a lot of confusion about seating and beach chairs actually. We could not get a straight answer about the chairs located outside our room – whether they were reserved for us, whether we would have to put stuff down to reserve them. We got a different answer every day. No one took them, thankfully, but it was frustrating not to have a definitive yes or no.
Was there a boutique in the hotel? Did you purchase anything fun?
There was a boutique that had a decent selection. We went to buy playing cards, but sadly they didn’t have any.
What was the expected attire? Did you dress up for dinners at all?
It was very casual. You can wear what you want.
Let’s talk about service, as that is something people always want to know. How was your experience? Did you find the concierge helpful?
So, to my understanding, they have the butlers who do the role of your typical concierge, and we had two. When I would ask about certain activities – where to eat, boating options, etc – they didn’t know what to recommend to us. There was a reception office, too, but they couldn’t answer those kinds of questions either.
Would you go back?
While it was beautiful – the best part being that you are right on the beach – I don’t think I would return.
Here is a lightning-round interview with another guest who also visited the resort this December:
On Little Dix Bay:
I liked the resort. The rooms were comfortable and bug-free, which is great for the Virgin Islands.
On the food:
We had one dinner where the service and the food were subpar, but, other than that, we thought the food was pretty good compared to other islands we’ve been to.
On the service:
The staff was very friendly.
On the facilities:
The pickleball, tennis, and fitness center were great. They surpassed our expectations by far. The spa was amazing too. I got a good massage there, and the atmosphere was nice.
On who is the ideal guest for Little Dix Bay:
This is a family resort. Several families come year after year, and, ironically, we ran into a family that we used to see at Caneel Bay in St Johns on our annual Christmas trip when the kids were little. Another family we met from Chicago has been going to Little Dix since 1967.
We go to the islands for the beach and the sun. If we wanted to go to a resort where the service and food are impeccable, we would choose a different region of the world. If you want a restful family vacation with a beautiful beach and a few amenities/activities, then this is a great place. If you want nightlife and a resort more comparable to the Aman, the islands are not the right choice for you.
