Mom & Dad’s 50th anniversary came in April, and on April 30, 18 family members came to occupy the wonderful Mongoose Apartments…for the second time.

Though Mom & Dad make an annual trek here from Chicago, the family – now with several additions – was here ten years ago, for the 40th anniversary.

We loved the Mongoose in 1996, and were captivated in 2006. Some comforts have been added – the bedrooms now have air-conditioning; there is TV for those seeking to maintain contact with the mainland.

Otherwise, nothing much has changed – the teal and salmon building and apartments remain well appointed, comfortable and hugely appealing. Plus, we have terrific hosts in Elroy and Sandra. There is no information they can’t provide; few amenities they can’t either supply or direct us to.

A three-minute walk will take you to the beach in Cane Garden Bay, one of Tortola’s highest recommended. Sandra & Elroy offer beach chairs, floats – and shade trees! For your bearings, the sun rises behind you, and sets in front of you, so there is plenty of sun to be enjoyed.

Best of all, after all those years, Sandra & Elroy are part of the family: our anniversary dinner out with Mom & Dad served not 18, but 20!

Again, I won't repeat alot of the great things already mentioned. My wife and I stayed at the Mongoose Apts for 1 night before our Windjammer Cruise 4/30/06. We love Cane Garden Bay, but wanted a nice quiet place to relax and sleep at night and that is what we got at Mongoose. Sandra is very nice and left a note on the door for us upon arriving later in the evening. Everything is within walking distance at Cane Garden Bay, including Bobby's Market for food.

I'm not going to repeat all the wonderful things mentioned below - but I agree with them! Some additional comments I dont think anyone else has made about Mongoose-

The place is incredibly safe! As a New Yorker, its hard for me to go out and leave the doors wide open, but everyone else did - including the office with all equipment. By my last day, I was doing it too.

Egyptian cotton sheets! Need I say more.

The best end of the beach! I love Bob Marley, but I would kill myself if I had to listen to poor imitations all day/night staying in one of the close together beach hotels. Mongoose is on the quiet end of the beach - it only gets crowded when the cruise ship people are there. And, there's plenty of shade!

The only negative I can think of is the crowing roosters, which are everywhere - including Lotus-land, St Barth.

I have friends who have been coming to Mongoose for years. This year, I decided to join them for part of their visit. Mongoose Apartments (Sandra, Elroy, Sr. and Elroy, Jr. could not do enough to make my visit completely enjoyable and relaxing). My apartment was fantastic...equipped to have any type of dinner party one would desire....with everything that would be needed for preparation. The entire apartment was perfect and met every need.

The beach is only a few steps away and all types of beach chairs are available for guest use. They have thought about everything, including, fresh-daily, beach towels.

Mongoose is located within a very easy walk (most important for me) to restaurants, entertainment, fully-stocked grocery, laundramat, and shops....take the road or meander along the beach.

Naturally, I have already booked for next Winter, as I don't want to be disappointed and have to stay elsewhere. The many guests at Mongoose have become new friends....look forward to seeing them again. I recommend Mongoose Apartments to anyone who does not want a "Miami Beach Resort Hotel", full of people.... Definitely "5-Star" without the price.

I have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and Mongoose is at the top of the list!