SUMMERSALT VILLA
BELMONT ESTATE TORTOLA,
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

SummerSalt is a recently completed privately owned villa furnished with the owners personal things. Please treat it with the same level of care and courtesy you would your own home.

RENTAL RATES:
The rental rates are on a per person basis with 8 (including all children) being the maximum number of guests without specific prior agreement. All normal utilities (except for long-distance phone calls) are included in the rental rate. As there is far few fresh water sources on the island, water is at a premium and we ask that you use only what you need.

HOTEL TAX & MANAGEMENT SERVICE FEES: Please note all Tortola and Virgin Gorda villa and hotel rentals are subject to a 7% HOTEL TAX. Please be sure to include this in your vacation budget. Unlike many other villas, hotels, and resorts in the BVI, SummerSalt does not charge an additional 10% management service fee.

PAYMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS: While in Tortola, you'll want to enjoy the feeling of being on "island time" so plan to spend a minimum of 7 days. Once you have phoned or e-mailed in your reservation and you've been advised SummerSalt is being held for you, you have a TWO-WEEK "Hold" grace period to send in a deposit equal to 50% of the rental fee, excluding the 7% hotel tax and security deposit. Upon receipt of the rental deposit, we'll either fax or email your confirmation. If after two weeks, we've not received your deposit, your "Hold" may be subject to cancellation without further notice. The initial payment of one half the rental fee will confirm and guarantee your reservation. The balance of rent, hotel tax and security deposit, is due no less 45 days prior to your arrival. Your first payment (deposit payment) will be applied toward the total rent amount due.. Cancellations will be honored if made 45 days prior to your arrival, less a 20% service charge. Cancellations, for whatever reason, made within 45 days of your arrival are subject to forfeiture of 100% of your total rent, unless we're able to re-book your rental dates. Naturally, we'll make every effort to fill the dates so a full or partial refund can be made to you. Refund arrangements depend largely on the amount of notice given to us of the cancellation, and on the time of the year. For peace of mind, we recommend cancellation insurance, available through your travel agent. No refunds may be given for early departure, unless there is a problem which cannot be resolved within 24 hours of notification or causes our guest's extreme undue discomfort or serious inconvenience.

SECURITY DEPOSIT:
As a courtesy and convenience to our guests, rather than installing Call Blocking on our phones we collect a security deposit, mostly to cover the cost of international phone calls (see Home Electronics & Communications below) and replacement of the air conditioning remote controls. A $500.00 security deposit is required and will be fully refunded to you within 45 days of your departure, minus any international long-distance charges, and/or any other outstanding charges (extended stay, additional guests, equipment rental, damage, lost/broken remote controls, or additional cleaning requested/required during or after your stay).

DISCOUNT AIRLINE FARES: As members of the Caribbean Villa Owner's Association, discounted airline fares are available to our SummerSalt guests. Feel free to contact the association directly at their toll-free number (877) 248-2862 or via email at info@cvoa.com. Generally they can save anywhere from $50- $400 (US) per ticket depending on the time of year. Let them know you'll be staying at SummerSalt and they'll confirm it with us.

BEEF ISLAND AIRPORT ARRIVAL - JEEP CAR RENTAL OR TAXI:
If arriving by air into Beef Island airport, we suggest you reserve a jeep with DeDe's Rentals (phone 284 495 2041/cell 284 496 7979/e-mail dedescarrental@surfbvi.com). Rates are comparable with other car rental firms, they make every effort to accommodate our clients regardless of business hours or flight delays, you'll pick up your jeep right at the airport (eliminating the hassle of transferring suitcases, and saving you the expense of taxi fare to & from the airport (gratuity's are welcome)). Given Tortola's terrain and roads, we recommend renting an automatic jeep/SUV. Once your vehicle paperwork is complete, the folks at DeDe's will give you a map of the island and directions to the West End ferry dock (it's easy, you just follow the coast road- remember to keep to the left!) where you'll meet Judy and be escorted to and shown SummerSalt. Along the way, you might want to shop for a few provisions as you pass through Road Town. There's a large well-stocked Rite Way Market after the first "round about". It's on the opposite side of the road so you'll need to pass it then do a U-turn. If you plan to stop, please let DeDe's know as they always calls Judy to advise you're on your way. Of course, you're free to make other rental car arrangements (see West End Ferry Dock Arrival below) and taxis are readily available at the airport (sorry, taxi fare/pickup fees are not included in SummerSalt's rental rate). Excluding "per suitcase" and gratuities, expect a taxi from the airport to Road Town to cost around $18-20 for parties of 1or 2 and $8 per person for groups of 3 or more. When coming from the airport to West End and Belmont Estate, expect to pay around $36-40 for 1 or 2 people or $12 each for parties of 3 or more. Due to it's private location, not all taxi drivers know how to reach SummerSalt. If you're going directly to the villa, we recommend you make arrangements in advance with James "Deadman" Pickering's Taxi Service to meet you and your flight. James can be reached on 284 495-2072. You might like to know we have no financial, professional, or business arrangement with either De&De's Car Rentals or James Pickering. Over the years, they've proven to be reliable, have safe vehicles, are conveniently located near the airport, and know Judy and SummerSalt. By using folks we're familiar with, we hope to simplify the logistics of your trip to Tortola and SummerSalt.

WEST END FERRY DOCK ARRIVAL - JEEP CAR RENTAL:
Be sure to arrive in St Thomas before 3:00 or 3:30pm as the last ferry to Tortola leaves around 4:30 pm (the islands do not use day light savings time so be sure to set your watches accordingly). There are several ferry companies operating in Tortola. Schedules and contact numbers can be found in the BVI Welcome magazine and on their web site www.bviwelcome.com (click on "BVI Info" then "Ferry Schedules". You'll take the ferry to West End (the first Tortola stop). We suggest you contact either D&D Car Rental (phone 284 495-7676, fax 284-494-8241, email- d&dcarrental@surfbvi.com - no connection with DeDe's at the airport) or Hertz (284 495-4405, email-Hertzbvi@hotmail.com). Both D&D and Hertz are located close to the ferry dock, rental rates are comparable with other rental companies, they'll meet you at the ferry dock and take you to their location to complete the paperwork (eliminating the trouble of transferring suitcases and saving you the expense of taxi fare) -gratuity's are welcome. Given Tortola's terrain and roads, we recommend renting an automatic jeep/SUV. Of course, you're free to make other rental car arrangements and taxis are readily available at the ferry dock (sorry, taxi fare/pickup fees are not included in SummerSalt's rental rate). Due to it's private location, not all taxi drivers know how to reach SummerSalt. Your arrival time and jeep rental/taxi arrangements will determine where and how you'll connect with Judy, SummerSalt's hostess, to be escorted to and shown around the villa. You might like to know we have no financial, professional, or business arrangement with either D&D Car Rentals or Hertz. Over the years, they've proven to be very reliable and accommodating to our guests, provide safe vehicles, are conveniently located near the ferry dock (they each have an in-town location as well) and SummerSalt, and know Judy and SummerSalt. In fact, Veronica has been known to show newly arriving guests around SummerSalt in a pinch. By suggesting folks we're familiar with and who are familiar with us, we hope to simplify the logistics of your visit to Tortola and SummerSalt.

HOUSEKEEPING:
After careful consideration, we've arranged for Madeline, SummerSalt's wonderful housekeeper and her staff, to thoroughly clean the villa before you arrive, again mid week (1 week rentals) or twice per week with stays 10 days or longer, and then again after your departure. This is for hotel-type general cleaning, laundry, and tidying. Our own personal experience is that more frequent maid service is an intrusion on our privacy and really isn't necessary (SummerSalt is new and it's open uncluttered design allows easy living). If, however, you prefer more frequent service, we can arrange maid service as often as you wish at an average price of $50 to $75 per visit. No washer and dryer is available on-site for guest use but laundry facilities are close by in West End. Any personal laundry, provisioning/shopping, cooking, or baby sitting should be arranged in advance. Prices are set according to services required and we'll do our best to arrange them for you. Guests often ask about tipping, and Madeline and her staff appreciate tips.

SUPPLIES & PROVISIONS:
Supplies included in the rental rate are: All linens (kitchen, bed, bath, & beach towels), fully stocked kitchen (stove*, ice making refrigerator*, pots & pans; toaster oven, coffee maker, blender, microwave oven, dishwasher*, tableware, glassware, dishes), toilet tissue, a roll of paper towels per kitchen (there are many kitchen dish towels). Basic cooking supplies such salt, pepper, mustard, catsup, hot sauce, flour, & sugar are provided. While not included in the rate, all kinds of beer, wine and liquor are readily available in the BVI and tend to be less expensive than at home so there's no need to pack a supply in your suitcase. If you wish, we can arrange to have SummerSalt stocked with food and drink items prior to your arrival and/or recommend several chefs who'll shop and prepare delicious meals. Please email or call to discuss menus, dietary requirements, and your grocery-shopping list. A deposit may be required for the initial provisioning. * SummerSalt is comprised of two separate houses, both fully stocked as noted above with the following exceptions- The main house has a large open kitchen, pantry, 2 sinks (1 in the kitchen and the other in the pantry), full stove, dishwasher, and side-by-side refrigerator/freezer with automatic ice maker and in-door water and ice dispenser. The guesthouse kitchen has a sink, build-in stove top, and refrigerator/freezer (you'll need to make the ice).

HOME ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS:
Each of SummerSalt two houses is equipped with the following: TV/VCR combination, CD stereo system, and a telephone and alarm clock in each bedroom. In addition, the main house has a combination fax /answering machine and cordless telephone. The main house number is (284) 495-4708 and the guesthouse can be reached on (284) 495-4276. Local calls are included in our villa rental rate and we feel a note of caution is appropriate regarding direct dialed international calls. The cost of international calls placed from the BVI is usually much higher than calls originated in the US, Canada, or Europe to the BVI. To avoid having an unhappy surprise when your full deposit is applied to the telephone bill, we suggest you make arrangements to have folks with whom you need to stay in touch call you at SummerSalt. An alternative would be tor use your LD carrier's access number and telephone calling card for all long-distance and international phone calls (our experience is that calling cards calls are usually less expensive than those direct dialed though Cable & Wireless, the local BVI phone company). Some communications companies automatically block international calling card calls originating in foreign countries and access numbers vary for calls placed from hotels and private homes. To avoid confusion, you may want to confirm with your provider before beginning your holiday. There is a collection of movies and CDs, each with about 30 titles. Unfortunately, cable TV is not yet available in Belmont but videos are available to rent nearby. As everyone's taste in movies and music is different, feel free to pack your favorites. We would really appreciate an extra effort to make sure you leave SummerSalt CDs and movies so other guests may enjoy them. We also have an extensive paperback book collection. While the hard backed books and a several paperbacks really need to stay so others can use them (most are noted and you'll need to use common sense), feel free to leave the book you brought down and "borrow" another. It would be great if you wrote your name, town, and country on the front leaf so other guests know where the books came from.

LOUD, LATE PARTYING:
 SummerSalt is located in Belmont Estate, a private, residential area of mostly year round residents. We want you to enjoy yourselves while in residence and expect some amount of partying to be a part of your holiday. We do ask you be considerate of your neighbors. Unfortunately, experience dictates that NO parties or gatherings for groups larger than those renting the house are permitted without our written permission - PLEASE talk with us about your needs and desires well before you arrive.

A FEW WORDS ON FRESH WATER:
Every drop counts! There's a limited supply of fresh spring water in the BVI so most fresh water is rainwater gathered via roof/gutter systems and stored in below ground cisterns on-site. This year, because there were few rain intensive hurricanes, water is even more precious as the whole Caribbean is experiencing a bit of a drought. Luckily, SummerSalt has 2 cisterns with a total capacity of nearly 30,000 gallons, more than enough in times of normal weather/rain conditions. The larger of the two cisterns has a capacity of just under 18,000 gallons (located under the main house dining porch- each foot of water equals about 2,000 gallons of water), and is the primary water source for both houses (they draw from the same cistern). A smaller one (10,000 gallons- each foot equals about 1,000 gallons) is under the guesthouse bedroom and used as back up if the main cistern runs dry. Our site manager, Ghing, to insure enough water is on hand, checks the water level of the main cistern regularly. If it appears more water is needed, he'll arrange for water to be delivered by truck from BVI Spring Water Co. In fact, we've had well over 20,000 gallons delivered so far this year. The water, both rainwater and spring water, is safe to drink (We do!) and tastes great. Some island visitors prefer to buy bottled water as a matter of personal choice. Because water is so precious, when designing our villa, we had a "gray water" system installed to direct sink and shower water to the plants and trees on the grounds. The whole arrangement works well, especially when everyone does their part and makes an effort to conserve- quick showers, run only enough water to fill pots, wash a load of dishes when the dishwasher is full, build up a sink full of pots and pans before washing (not one at a time), a splash of water to wash hands, and wet toothbrushes, etc. This year, given the drought, everyone in the BVI has asked to go an extra step and, in the immortal words of a Tortola neighbor and Charles Dickens descendent, "In the Land of the Sun & Fun, there's no need to flush for # 1!"

LOCATION :
Belmont Estate is a private estate area located above a palm grove and Smuggler's Cove Beach on the northwest coast of Tortola, about as far from the world as one can get on Tortola. Estate roads are not paved but are certainly passable. Because there are several lovely beaches more easily accessible, Smuggler's is quieter and less visited than most. SummerSalt is one of a just handful of private villas located on a dead-end road branching off the main road through Belmont. From the intersection at the top, our road actually looks more like a private drive than a road and so gets little traffic beyond the residents. As SummerSalt is at the end, except for and an occasional lost tourist looking for the road to Smuggler's, almost no one ventures down. Surprisingly, we're just a couple hundred yards above Smuggler's (5 minutes down!) but we're off the beaten path. We have no neighbors to the west and have cut a private path diagonally across the grounds to the property line, then down through the bush to the road running behind Smuggler's Cove Beach. The path through the bush may be accessed from 2 villas only, SummerSalt & the one directly above and the section traversing our grounds is for the exclusive use of SummerSalt guests only.

SAFETY AT SUMMERSALT:
Tortola is known as a safe and trouble free part of the world with a strong economy (international/off-shore banking, tourism, blue water sailing) and a stable government. BVIslanders are wonderful, dignified, hard-working folks and we consider ourselves very lucky to count several as dear friends. That being said, sadly, Tortola is not immune to some of the same things causing difficulty elsewhere and we want your stay to be a safe and happy one. While Tortola has little crime and, given it's location, SummerSalt receives few unexpected guests, we'd rather you be safe than sorry and recommend that you:

Each time we're "on island" we agree on a different spot to hide keys so we don't have to worry about who has them. And we always lock the doors at night (and bring in the keys) so we don't have to think about it. It works well for us and we hope and recommend you adopt the same "better safe than sorry" policy and practices.

THE POOL AND GROUNDS:
SummerSalt has a lovely terrace and dipping pool (we call it our cocktail pool) between the guest house /master suite and main house with panoramic views out over the center of Smuggler's Cove to Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, and several other islands. One side of the pool has a build in bench for access and seating. Both the pool and gardens will be serviced regularly. McKee does an excellent job maintaining the pool (twice a week) so please expect him to drop by periodically during your visit. He'll have a copy of the guest schedule and will make every attempt to clean it when it is the least intrusive to you. James comes several days every month to garden and perform light maintenance around SummerSalt. He also has a guest calendar and is usually able to plan his work schedule for turnover days between parties so you may not ever see or meet him. Feel free to call for the tentative schedule. PLEASE NOTE - THE TERRACE AND POOL ARE NOT CHILD PROOF - THERE IS NO FENCE OR GATE RESTRICTING OR LIMITING ACCESS AND THE POOL HAS NO STEPS. RENTERS & GUESTS SHOULD BE AWARE THEY ACCEPT FULL AND COMPLETE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL ACCIDENTS THAT MAY OCCUR. AS IT TAKES ONLY A FEW SECONDS FOR A TRAGEDY TO OCCUR, EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE WITHOUT CHILDREN, SHOULD TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO INSURE THEIR SAFETY AND WELL BEING.

SPECIAL REQUESTS & BABY EQUIPMENT:
We can arrange almost anything you wish with ample advance notice - please discuss your needs with us and we'll provide whatever assistance, dining/restaurant information, and island activities you wish to experience as part of your SummerSalt holiday. Infants and toddlers are included in the head count, which determines your rental rate. Baby items such as a Port-a-Crib, cot, portable playpen or high chair may be arranged for a fee. (Car seats may be available from the car rental car agency for a small fee- please request one when your jeep reservation.

AIR CONDITIONING:
The Caribbean is blessed with gentle sea breezes which help keep the climate and humidity delightful so very few homes have air-conditioning. SummerSalt has ceiling fans in every room, and these, combined with the breezes from Smuggler's Cove, will keep you quite comfortable during the day. As many of our guests are from the US where air-conditioning is a standard feature in most homes, air conditioning has recently been installed in all 4 bedrooms. SummerSalt is one of the first privately owned villas with air conditioning and we hope it will help keep you comfortable. We ask that bedroom doors and windows be kept shut (exterior doors and windows locked) at night when the air conditioning is on. Sorry to say, lost and damaged remote controls require the service company to make a service call to replace and recalibrate the units- please handle them with care as they are subject to a $100 per unit fee deducted from your security deposit. Please be sure to leave the remote controls units on the bedside tables so they are available for the next guests.

CRITTER'S:
You'll be in the Caribbean and, as in all tropical locales, there are critters, most of which help keep the bugs and the bush in check. Humming birds and other Caribbean birds dine in the garden and several types of small lizards native to Tortola can be found around SummerSalt. Each type is no more than a couple of inches long, shy, and harmless (to humans). Once and awhile, a lizard may confuse you with another lizard and may stand his ground and flex his muscles to intimidate you. They're more scared of you than you are of them and will run for the nearest cover at the first hint that you are not intimidated. Both the birds and lizards do a great job minimizing the bug population so we kike to have them around. We're not sure of the reactions of the birds and lizards but we do know you'll make yourselves much less attractive to the bugs by not using scented products while in residence. No perfumes, scented hand/body lotions/sunscreen, soaps, deodorant, or hair spray. There are also 2 happy cats, both coincidently named Sophie, living in nearby homes with their personal staffs. One recently relocated to the neighborhood and it appears neither Sophie cat can read (either that or they do not choose to respect boundaries and boarders) as each has been known to cross into the others property. As a result, you may hear an occasional discussion between them. Rest assured, they're civilized cats and, as such, violence is beneath them. So it appears, is SummerSalt, as they very rarely make an appearance even by special invitation. Given the cat population, you're unlikely to spot any other critters, mongoose and the like, which is not a bad thing.

CHECK OUT TIME:
Madeline, our wonderful and excellent housekeeper, takes special pride in keeping SummerSalt sparkling clean and fresh. The house is frequently booked with new guests arriving the same day the previous party departs. In order to assure Madeline and the cleaning staff have enough time and can devote their full attention to thoroughly cleaning and preparing SummerSalt for the next guests, please plan to depart no later than 10 A.M.