5 Best Hotels in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Beautiful views and friendly staff keep guests coming back to these hilltop one- to three-bedroom villas and cottages, the nicest accommodations on the island. The villas are well-designed self-catering units with Caribbean-style louvered windows and bright terra-cotta tiles. Rooms are comfortable, though not luxurious, but as soon as you see the view from your verandah you'll feel like royalty. Almost everything is provided: linens and beach towels, dishes and cooking utensils, flashlight, grill, DVD library, cable TV, and even a pair of binoculars for watching the sea below. White Bay Villas is on the hillside between Great Harbour and White Bay; the physically fit can easily walk to either within 10 minutes (coming back up is the hard part, though). Many guests choose to rent cars, however, especially if they're staying in one of the high hillside villas. The three Seaside Cottages are closest to the beach and the private beach club.

Just above Ali Baba's restaurant, owner Wayson "Baba" Hatchett offers seven simple but attractive rooms—three renovated after the 2017 hurricane, the other four brand-new—steps from the beach, each equipped with queen beds, air-conditioning, a private bath, and a porch with water views.

Ivan's will give you a quintessential Caribbean experience in a comfortable guesthouse setting. Ivan opened this "guest house" in 2007, a short walk up the hillside overlooking his campground. Each of the two units is equipped with a full kitchen, air-conditioning, TV, DVD player, telephone, and Internet hookup. A downstairs studio sleeps two for $150 per night, while the largest villa sleeps up to five for $460 per night. And Ivan's is true to its name: a few nights here is one of the surest roads to relaxation you'll ever find. There is a casual restaurant serving drinks and lunch most days, and on Thursday in season Ivan's barbecue attracts guests and nonguests alike. Ivan will happily conduct nature walks and arrange island tours, sailing, and diving trips, but he's a musician at heart. Impromptu jam sessions are always a highlight, and if you pack a musical instrument, you can join in, too. (Don't be surprised if you see Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones playing along.) Steps away is the beach, where country singer Kenny Chesney filmed the video for his number one hit single, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem."

One-bedroom suites, as well as one- and two-bedroom guesthouses, all come equipped with private bath, air-conditioning, stove, satellite TV, and refrigerator. Owner-operators Gregory and Hilda Callwood also run a taxi service and can deliver you to any locale on the island. Greg is a reggae music fanatic who can give you tips on up-and-coming Caribbean artists, too.

Sea Crest offers the cheapest lodging on Jost Van Dyke, save for camping, and the location is smack-dab in the hub of Great Harbour. This two-story white building with red trim has four one-bedroom apartments, each equipped with basics like a refrigerator, gas range, microwave oven, cable TV, and air-conditioning. An alfresco dining area offers lovely views of Great Harbour; breakfast, lunch, and happy hour are offered here. All units are neatly furnished with soothing green bedspreads and curtains and cool tile floors. From the balconies you get sweeping views of the beach, where a half-dozen bars and restaurants are within a five minute or less walking distance. It's also fun to watch the comings and goings of sailboats and ferries in the harbor below. Great Harbour does rock, especially on weekend nights, and the thumping bass from live bands at the beach bars may entice you to join the party. Heavy soundproof curtains do a good job of preserving the quiet for those who would rather sleep. If you need tips on where to party, eat, or sightsee, just ask the charming proprietor, Jost native Ivy Chinnery Moses.