| Tortola is one of the many British Virgin Islands. Just 60 | | | | cuisine in an imaginative, award-winning menu that |
| miles east of Puerto Rico lay the West Indies. These | | | | changes nightly. |
| islands are accessible from the air via San Juan or by | | | | Across the street from a small white sand beach in |
| a 15-mile ferry via St. Thomas (approximately $50 | | | | reef-protected water this resort is located on the west |
| person/round trip). The islands were named one of the | | | | side of the island. Travelers from the U.S. must |
| top ten Caribbean islands for 2006 in the Conde Nast | | | | remember that driving is on the left side of the road. I |
| Traveler. The 12 inhabited islands have villas, | | | | suggest a taxi from the airport. Car rental can be |
| apartments and resorts to choose from. Finding the | | | | arranged at the Sugar Mill Hotel if one is so inclined. |
| most romantic on each island is my personal quest. I | | | | The hotel has a honeymoon suite located very near |
| specialize in Romantic travel and I try to find at least | | | | the restaurant. Although superbly appointed, this |
| one great property on each island I visit to share with | | | | stand-alone unit is too close to parking and the pool for |
| my clients. | | | | me. I much rather prefer the Plantation House Suites. |
| The BVI, as those in the know refer to them, are an | | | | They are designed to reflect the charm of the |
| overseas territory of the United Kingdom even thought | | | | traditional Caribbean architecture, with fine stonework, |
| the U.S. dollar is the only legal tender. To most visitors, | | | | breezy porches and lacy gingerbread trim. These |
| the islands are really all about sailing. One can charter a | | | | rooms are just a few steps from the beach. With an |
| yacht with a crew or attend a recognized teaching | | | | open plan layout, each master suite has a king size |
| school for sailing. For me, it was finding a romantic | | | | bed, large bathroom with double sinks a living room are |
| hotel to send my honeymoon and anniversary clients | | | | with sofa and chairs, cable TV, VCR and kitchenette |
| to visit. | | | | with microwave and refrigerator. Steep hillsides give all |
| A wedding in the British Virgin Islands will be | | | | guest great views of the ocean and some neighboring |
| memorable and stress-free. A marriage license is | | | | islands. |
| simple to arrange and the certificate is valid in the | | | | The honeymoon package for 7 nights includes deluxe |
| United States. I was able to witness one of those | | | | accommodations, bottle of fine champagne, 3-day |
| stress-free weddings at the cozy and romantic Sugar | | | | jeep rental, 1-hour massage, full day sail to neighboring |
| Mill Hotel. The rain forced the wedding to take place | | | | islands including lunch and drinks, gourmet picnic for |
| under the large, tree-shaded alfresco gazebo. With | | | | two, a bottle of Sugar Mill rum, welcome cocktail and a |
| twinkling lights, flowers and ribbons the ambiance was | | | | copy of the Sugar Mill Caribbean cookbook written by |
| definitely romantic. | | | | Jeff & Jinx Morgan - Bon Appetit columnists. |
| The Sugar Mill Hotel is set in a lush tropical garden | | | | Breakfast and dinner can be included in your daily |
| among the ruins of a 17th century sugar plantation. | | | | charge. |
| According to Conde Nast Traveler 2006, the Sugar Mill | | | | If low key and relaxing is what you are looking for than |
| Hotel is one of the top 5 in the Caribbean. The critically | | | | this island resort is for you. Not for the physically |
| acclaimed cuisine in the historic stone building once | | | | challenged, this hotel is for a few special people whom |
| housed the plantation's rum distillery. The food is a | | | | enjoy getting to know the staff and other guests. |
| culmination of Caribbean ingredients meets California | | | | |