Agape Cottages (Coconut Breeze Villas)

Set high on a hill above Tortola’s famed Cane Garden Bay, Agape Cottages makes a stunning first impression — if you can find it. The property’s hilltop location means it’s difficult to spot from the road, and a lack of (visible) signage makes it tricky for newcomers to locate. From the main road, a long, steep, winding driveway zigzags through the property — a hill that only some cars can handle. The “office” (aka Tom and Donna’s kitchen) is located at the top of the hill, so be wary of cab drivers who insist on dropping you off at the bottom of the driveway. Once at the top, however, the property offers stunning views of Cane Garden Bay, and Jost Van Dyke in the distance. Tom and Donna, the hotel’s owners, welcome guests like family into their home. The property and the original “A Building” were previously owned by Donna’s parents, who used it as their private home. Signs of Donna’s parents can still be seen all over Agape — dad’s paintings and mom’s hand written recipes can be found in every apartment, which gives the property a homey feel. Donna’s parents are also the ones who named the property Agape, a term derived from Greek that means “the highest form of love.” 

Agape Cottages is a hilltop property located above Tortola’s famed Cane Garden Bay. The beach and and surrounding neighborhood are wildly popular with tourists, especially on days when cruise ships dock in Road Town. Cane Garden Bay is a large, wide beach with shallow, relatively calm waters. The beach is dotted with tons of bars and restaurants, which can make things a bit rowdy. Cane Garden Bay has a reputation for fun. It’s a place where people come to listen to music and enjoy the sun, and the party continues into the wee hours. Travelers looking for a quieter, less crowded beach should check out Long Bay or Brewers Bay instead.  Agape Cottages is within walking distance (as long as you can tolerate the massive hill) of the beach and all its restaurants. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Road Town (Tortola’s capital), and about a 35-minute drive from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Visitors can rent a car or rely on taxis to get around. Tortola doesn’t have the Caribbean’s best infrastructure, and road conditions can be iffy at times. Taxis are reliable and fairly reasonable, and local drivers are often better at handling the island’s insanely hilly, winding roads.  

Rooms at Agape Cottages are split amongst four buildings — A, J, P, and D. The A building is located closest to the main road at the bottom of the driveway. The J building is further up the hill, and the P and D buildings are located at the very top. Agape currently has six one- and two-bedroom units available, but Tom and Donna may transform their own home into a three-bedroom unit in the future. Each apartment is individually decorated, and features vary a bit between units, but all have tropical, homey decor. Wicker furniture, brightly colored tile, and hand-painted canvas artwork can be found in almost every unit. Some may consider the decor dated, while others may find it simple and charming. Not all units have TVs, and the Wi-Fi can be difficult to connect to, so for most people, in-room entertainment consists of books and board games. Kitchens are equipped with full-size ovens, stoves, and refrigerators, and are stocked with plenty of pots, pans, and flatware. Donna usually supplies a few basics, such as eggs, bread, milk, and coffee free of charge. It should be noted that only the bedrooms have air conditioners. But, if bedroom doors are left open, the air conditioners have the power to cool entire units.   What makes the rooms at Agape Cottages special are the thoughtful touches found throughout. Donna provides visitors with hand-drawn (and incredibly detailed) maps of the neighborhood and surrounding areas near the hotel. She also selects a few of her mother’s handwritten recipes to leave in each kitchen, and welcomes guests with a bottle of rum or wine. Bathrooms are stocked with towels, and bedrooms have extra pillows and sheet sets. Rooms may not have the most modern, or updated decor, but something about them feels like home.           

There aren’t many features at Agape Cottages, save for the free Wi-Fi that can be terribly spotty. There’s no pool or on-site restaurant, but the beach and tons of local eateries are within walking distance.