Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
It was our first time on the British Virgin Islands and this was probably the best place to stay for our first time visiting. Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is a resort nestled on a private island in the BVI. Call me ignorant, but I didn’t realize the British Virgin Islands were made up of SO many islands. Like I knew there were several islands but there are SEVERAL islands lol. The actual best way to visit the country is to charter a boat and sail around visiting them all. We noticed many people were traveling this way and it really gave us some insight into boat life. The way I get sea sick though, this would not be for me but I really love the idea of it.
THE PROPERTY
We flew into Puerto Rico and spent a couple nights there and then flew into the British Virgin Islands which was only a 45 minute flight from PR. The hotel had our flight information so when we landed and got through customs, there was a driver waiting for us who brought us to the ferry that takes you to the resort. Please note when you enter the BVI there is a charge of $10 per person to enter the country which you pay once you get through customs. I believe it’s cash only so I would double check. The British Virgin Islands takes US currency.
The ferry comes about every 30 minutes and you can wait in a covered area where there is a restaurant and a little convenience store. I ordered a veggie roti for me and the girls and it was delicious. The ferry ride is a short 15 minutes to the resort with one stop between. When we arrived to the resort, the staff greeted us with welcome drinks. Our room wasn’t quite ready so they gave us a tour of the resort while we waited. There are golf carts all around the resort and you can have someone pick you up and drop to off to different parts. The way the resort is set up it’s quite necessary as the island is hilly and rather large and spread out. We visiting in March during a very hot and humid time so it was way too hot and far to walk everywhere.
The resort has a good amount of things to do on the island including two beaches, two pools, multiple restaurants, a spa and gym, shops, a hiking trail, and a whale lookout point. It’s like it’s own little town in a way. I recommend taking the property tour when you arrives to get your bearings and see everything the resort has to offer. The Marina is cool as well as you have many people living on their boats that dock at the resort. They also have a ferry that goes to a nearby island, Marina Cay, where you can have lunch or dinner and chill by the beach. We spent five days at the resort and we didn’t bounce around to the other islands (besides Marina Cay) but I wouldn’t recommend this because I think the best way to experience the BVI is by going to visit the different islands. We were a little bored by day 3 but we had been traveling so much around that time that we really didn’t have the energy to bounce around with the kids, but it was kind of nice to be forced to stay in one spot and relax.
THE ROOM
Our room was so gorgeous. You walk into the living room with a pull out couch and a kitchen to your right. It was a FULL kitchen with stove, oven, dishes, everything, you name it. And then on your left there was a half bathroom and we had a full washer and dryer. When you are visiting sandy places I can’t stress how much having a washer and dryer is pure heaven. When you walk in a bit there is a doorway to the bedroom with a large king size bed and an ensuite bathroom with shower, tub, closet, and water closet. The best part of the room was the expansive balcony that spanned the entire length of the room with a stunning view of the marina.
We visited during our wedding anniversary and it was so nice of them to set up a little anniversary treat for us. Before arriving to the hotel they contacted us to ask for any special request or needs and I thought that was especially sweet and exceptional customer service.
THE FOOD
There are multiple restaurants on the property and I’m pretty sure we ate at all of them. The first night we ate at Donovan’s Reef which has more casual vibes and is situated by the pool but also has a nice view of the marina. The food paid homage to the island with lots of seafood dishes with a Caribbean twist. We really enjoyed our meal here.
Every morning we had breakfast at Cardamom & Co which is just a breakfast buffet. They had all sort of breads, cereals, and fruits as well as an omelette and waffle station. They have outdoor seating overlooking the marina and the staff was friendly and accommodating. We also had dinner here which is a much different vibe from breakfast. At night it turns into white table service and more fine dining and it also has a dress code to adhere to (no beach attire) so I would be mindful of this when packing. The food at dinner was really great. The local red snapper and sea bass were delicious.
Every week they have a festival on North Beach where guest of the hotel are treated to a Caribbean buffet set up on the beach with live music. This was our favorite meal on the island serving the most traditional Caribbean cuisines. We really enjoyed our meal here and it was nice to watch the sun set on the beach as we ate. You have to sign up ahead of time to reserve you spot for this and you can do so with the front desk. They do seat you in general tables so warning that there will be forced socialization, if you’re an extrovert, this will be a dream. They even had stilt walkers come in a started a conga line. I wouldn’t say it’s an authentic Caribbean experience but it’s a fun activity for kids and guest of the hotel. I believe even if you are not staying at the hotel you can sign up for this as there were guest there who were not staying at the resort.
Our last night we enjoyed dinner at on Marina Cay island at the Marina Cay Bar & Grill. I know I said the festival was our favorite food but this actually was our favorite meal. They had a plantain hummus that was incredible, I’m still thinking about it. You have to take a ferry to Marina Cay but it’s a short ride about 5 minutes. And you need to make a reservation beforehand.
NORTH BEACH
There are two beaches on the property, one on the main part by the lobby which is smaller with only a few lounge chairs and then there’s North Beach on the other side of the island which you need to take a golf cart to. North Beach was our favorite. They have lovely cabanas you can reserve to lounge in that have their own coolers with a generous amount of space as well as a waiter that can come and serve you food and drinks. There’s a little pool and bar area as well as lounge chairs around the beach that are open to any guest. The ocean water is crystal clear and it’s on a coral reef so it’s shallow for a long stretch. That part was the coolest because the reef causes the waves to crash far out so you don’t have waves coming on shore and you can also walk really far out to where the waves crash. We didn’t walk that far out because it is on coral reef so you do need water shoes and we didn’t have any but I totally would have if we did. This fact made the beach super kid friendly though because it is shallow with minimal waves. The girls absolutely loved hanging out here and we did too.
MARINA CAY
Marina Cay is an island close by to the hotel. You can take a ferry that comes every 30 minutes and its about a 5 minute ride. There was a hurricane that devastated the island so it doesn’t have as much to offer as it used to but you can do some water activities there including snorkeling, hang on the beach, play some games set up around the lounge chairs and have lunch and dinner there. That’s pretty much it but it’s a nice little spot to visit and the girls loved hanging on the beach there. It was VERY quiet when we went. We were the only ones enjoying the beach for hours. Be mindful that they do not have towels there so you will have to bring your own. (We learned that one the hard way and just air dried)
THE POOLS
There are two pools on the property. One in the main area with a water slide and and two levels. The adults seemed more drawn to the top level which offered an infinity pool that overlooked the ocean. The lower pool had a swim up bar and because of the slide attracted more of the families and kids. The day we spent at the pool there were a ton of kids enjoying it. There are lounge chairs all around with umbrellas and it’s first come first serve. They also have a stand where you can get floaties and other things for the pool. The girls loved hanging in the pool. We stayed there for hours.
The second pool is just a small pool on North Beach. It wasn’t used as much because it’s right on the beach and people opted for the beach over the pool but it was a nice touch to have it there. It’s rather small making it perfect for kids.
Overall we enjoyed our stay here. I loved that the entire island was just for the resort and it was like we we had a little oasis all to ourselves. Although it’s on an island, it did seem small and I can’t imagine what it would be like during busy season. I feel like it would be too crowded for our liking but going in March was perfect as it was not busy at all and we really could enjoy all the amenities. I highly recommend staying here if you head to the BVI, it’s super kid friendly and really a little slice of paradise. But make sure to take time to visit the other islands for day trips!