The pretty ​Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands. (Photo: Rosewood)

Rockefeller hotel gets a new lease of life following an extensive rebuild by NYC design firm.

The renowned Rosewood Little Dix Bay has attracted the rich and famous to the British Virgin Islands for decades, but much of this idyllic resort was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The group enlisted New York-based designers Meyer Davis to reimagine this legendary Caribbean resort. We take a look at the new design.

Rosewood and Rockefeller

The Rosewood Little Dix Bay has been an icon of the Caribbean ever since it opened its doors over half a century ago. The brainchild of American businessman, philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, the famous Little Dix Bay hotel has been operated by Rosewood since 1993, and has seen its fair share of wealthy clients and dignitaries over the years, including Queen Elizabeth II. The Virgin Gorda property, located on the third largest of the British Virgin Islands, was planning a renovation of the rooms, for which Meyer Davis was enlisted five years ago. However, tragedy struck in 2017 when Hurricane Irma ravaged the island, so Meyer Davis’ scope was extended to encompass rebuilding parts of the hotel that were destroyed.

New beginnings

The most iconic architectural feature of the Rosewood Little Dix Bay hotel was spared by the hurricane. The dining pavilion has always been the centrepiece of the resort, with its conical, tile-clad roofs that jut out to create shaded seating and dining areas underneath. Other signature features of the resort were the hexagonally-planned treehouses and beachfront cottages. These were destroyed in the disaster, so Meyer Davis set about bringing Rockefeller’s vision into the 21st century by retaining the footprints of these structures but executing them in a sustainable manner using natural materials such as wood and stone.

Features and amenities

Other aspects of the hotel have been reimagined for the modern era too. The dining area promotes the slow food movement, local distillation practices are on display at the Rum Room and a farm-to-table concept is employed in The Reef House dining experience. There is also a state of the art spa, fitness and wellness centre. The opening of this entirely revamped hotel and resort will cement its place in the contemporary history of these Caribbean islands.