Bigger Splash is a recently renovated, well-maintained villa in one of the best spots on Earth. It's just a short walk from the magical Baths; you can see the house from the porch of Mad Dog, one of the two great restaurants at the top of the Baths. The same 70-million-year-old volcanic boulders that create stunning coves and grottoes at the Baths also decorate the villa's yard, for an effect you have to see to believe.
Next to the Baths is Devil's Bay, a cool little swimming and snorkeling spot with a cave and beautiful rock formations.
A slightly longer walk, or a few-minute drive, gets you to Spring Bay, another gorgeous beach sheltered by more of the same boulders.
The villa is covered with decks and porches that offer breathtaking views of Virgin Gorda, the Caribbean and other islands. The bedrooms are nicely appointed, and each has its own full bath, including two outdoor showers.
Our concierge, Cathy Ann, greeted us at the waterfront when we arrived and helped us get to the house. She was always available to answer questions or give advice. One of our boys cut his foot on a rock, and she told us where to get the best medical care. The housekeeper, Gina, appeared a few times during the week to expertly wash and fold our clothes and tidy up the house.
The beautiful pool, with its multi-colored lights, was a nice touch, especially for our young daughter, who spent just about every moment in the pool when we weren't in the Caribbean.
The villa might be a bit tricky for some families to navigate, with the master bedroom, cottage and pool on separate levels from the common area, kitchen and second and third bedrooms. To travel between those levels, you must climb an outdoor staircase that isn't sheltered from the rain. This wasn't really a problem for our family, but it may pose difficulties for others.
The sprawling, comfortable common area (where there's a large smart TV) and dining room don't have AC, but you can open all the sliders and get nice breezes. In the evening, with the powerful ceiling fans going, it wasn't uncomfortable at all. My only wish is that the kitchen had AC, as it was a little tougher to get air circulating there. All the other rooms have AC, along with smart TVs, and are totally comfortable for sleeping or relaxing.
Those are minor notes. All in all, this villa is an alluring combo of luxury and natural beauty in an unbeatable locale. My family would gladly stay there again.