The Owner’s Story
The Accidental Hotelier
Discover the inspiring journey behind Bequia Beach Hotel in the owner’s new book, now available for purchase at the hotel, and available online*
by Bengt Mortstedt
Released May 2026
The stories and adventures of a Swedish entrepreneur, who set out to build a villa in paradise… and ended up building a celebrated resort on an island few had heard of.
*Available in UK and selected countries
Available in North America soon
The vision & creation of Bequia Beach Hotel came from Bengt Mortstedt, blending a passion for travel and an enduring love for the Caribbean. Bengt was drawn to the unspoiled charm and natural beauty of Bequia, captivated by its atmosphere and friendly, laid-back culture, envisioning a luxury boutique resort that would embody the essence of the island while offering luxury hospitality.
He brought his dream to reality with the opening of Bequia Beach Hotel, combining his vision of understated elegance and his commitment to preserving the island’s authentic Caribbean spirit.
"Looking back, I hadn't a clue what I was getting myself into when, aged 56, a lawyer in a previous life and property investor taking on a retirement project of this scale..."
A brief history
1992 - The First visit
Bengt’s first experience of Bequia came in 1992 when his family were invited to join his brother Sten on his sailing yacht Sea Shuttle to for a cruise to the Grenadines. Embarking from the Pitons in St Lucia south towards Grenada via St Vincent, Mustique, Tobago Cays & Union island.
Arriving in Bequia on New Year’s Eve 1992, or as they say in Bequia "Old Year’s Night" we anchored in Admiralty Bay, Bequia – one of countless yachts back then.
We left 8-year old Jennica & 6-year old Philip happy onboard with the crew and the best pizza delivered from Macs, the atmosphere in the bars along Belmont was electric and unforgettable, we danced through the night in the sand to sounds, sights and smells of this enchanting island.
At midnight, a steel band played "Auld Lang Syne" - 22 verses at a higher and higher tempo. Whilst watching the constant ongoing fireworks as various yachts sent up their out of date flares celebrating New Year in their respective home countries.
New year’s day we visited the old Friendship Bay Hotel, spending the day on the beach at Friendship blissfully unaware of what would the future would hold.
The old Friendship Bay Hotel, 1996 - The site is now occupied by Grenadine Hills, The Rock Villa & The Sand Bar
2004 - The Return
Several years would pass until Bequia called once more, a few years after the millennium I had started searching for a villa in a warmer climate. I had extensively travelled the Caribbean and also the Indian Ocean but always had an affinity for the West Indies.
In 2004 I was again invited by my brother on a sailing trip in the Grenadines this time in March.
During this visit to Bequia later in the year, I found the island’s character quite different from the ‘party mood’ at New Year’s, yet it had changed very little since my previous visits, charming, sleepy it was still like a postcard from the old Caribbean, reminding me of my first visit to Saint Barthélemy in the late early 1980s.
On a walk along one of the beautiful deserted beaches; Friendship Bay, I came across an old, closed Bed & Breakfast (Bequia Beach Club) with a "for sale" sign. The location was stunning; in the middle of the long crescent-shaped beach with just a few local houses and fishermen as neighbours.
Bengt writes in his book, The Accidental Hotelier, “I had found the ideal spot for a villa, acquired the derelict Bed & Breakfast and several adjoining lots including the neighbouring German-owned B&B 'Blue Tropic Hotel and had a crazy idea in my head; instead of building a holiday villa to build a resort.”
I found Bequia had the most wonderful climate, due to the trade winds, never colder than 25 and hardly warmer than 32 and not humid as in many places in Asia. The temperature in the clean turquoise sea ranged from 26 to 30C.
A tiny island only 9km long and 2 km wide, English speaking population of around 5,000 with one town, Port Elizabeth and a few charming villages. Lying just north of the better-known island of Mustique famed for it’s royal & celebrity connections.
Bequia in comparison was sleepy and off the beaten track, a sailor’s secret, but without a decent hotel / resort. I saw an opportunity to fulfil this with my new project and at the same time have the perfect excuse to build, creating a home in paradise for myself, my family and many friends.
Hurricanes & Building the dream
After purchasing the original derelict beachfront B&B in Friendship Bay, the day after I returned to London Hurricane Ivan was heading towards the Caribbean, hardest hit was Grenada. Shortly after Ivan passed by Bequia I received photos of my newly purchased prime ‘beach’ front property now without a beach!
The Hurricane and in particular storm surge afterwards removing all of the sand offshore, locals would reassure me that the sand would return to Friendship Bay, they were right, although it took a couple of years…
With Hurricane Ivan now behind us, the real work on Bequia’s first ‘resort’ started around 2005.
As a Swede and very hands on I wanted European quality on everything in this once in a lifetime project. To attain that I decided to start my own construction company after a few early missteps.
Bequia has no piped water supply so I decided to build my hotel the old fashion way with water-tanks located below every building and use the roofs as catchment. It has been working well.
I could tell many stories from the construction times but they shared in my book The Accidental Hotelier and are better-suited for the bar!
The first sections of the hotel opened 2007, initially only the rooms by the Blue Tropic which were quickly followed by cottages, our Junior Suites and some years later the Beachfront Suites which we are best known for.
Despite the challenges, I relished the experience of building Bequia Beach Hotel and continually finding ways to improve, be it incrementally or substantially.
Whilst the hotel is complete, welcoming new and returning guests, the experience and extreme challenges faced by construction on a small Caribbean island continue to keep me busy.
A decade ago, acquiring the land of the former Friendship Bay hotel – where I first set foot on New Years day 1993 with my brother, thinking to myself what a beautiful spot. This is now the site of ‘Grenadine Hills’, three high-end luxury villas with stunning views and amenities. Down on the beach we have the recently opened ‘Sand Bar’, a huge success after only it’s first season!
I adore the Caribbean lifestyle and the "Don't stop the Carnival" way of life, the daily challenges soon ebb away when you sink your feet into the warm waters at Friendship…
The Recent Developments
From larger projects to constant room improvements and less glamorous infrastructure and back of house facilities such as warehouses, laundry, water supply, staff accommodation, over the years we always try to improve the property bit by bit with careful attention not to lose it’s appeal and character.
In 2018 we added the two stunning ultra-luxury villas, Coral Hill & Villa ONE part of the Grenadine Hills Villa collection.
Located in the privacy of it’s own property set on the pristine Friendship Beach with spectacular views of the Grenadines; an exclusive island sanctuary with the benefits of access to an iconic resort a 5 minute shuttle-ride away. Popular with families or larger groups seeking the ultimate in island hospitality.
2016/17 saw the well-received addition of Jack’s Beach Bar into the group, a wonderful compliment for hotel guests giving them signing privileges and beach chairs.
With a laid-back atmosphere, Jack’s offers a relaxed Beach Club experience with stunning views on Princess Margaret Beach. Savour delicious dishes inspired by local cuisine, enjoy beach service, cool off with exotic cocktails or simply sip on sundowners.
Grenadine Hills Villas, 2018
Jack’s Beach Bar, 2016/17
Seawater Infinity Pool, 2020
The history of the Saltwater Infinity Pool pre-dates the creation of Bequia Beach Hotel. Originally in 2004 on purchasing the former ‘Bequia Beach Club’, Bengt was told that this ‘concrete slab’ was a large water tank, given water is a scarce resource in Bequia it was dutifully used as one without much further thought.
It wasn’t until the forced closure due to the pandemic in 2020 that a proper inspection resulted in the discovery of steps in a corner and that the water tank was bright blue inside, it had been a pool once upon a time!
Marooned on the island and the hotel closed due to international flights all but suspended, work began on re-imagining this area to be a showstopper. The project would take 6+ months from demolition to finishing and not have been possible without the long closure.
The Sand Bar, 2023
Work began in 2023 to create a ‘watering hole’ for guests on this lovely beachfront site, an easy-going and laid back spot with great cocktails and nibbles.
Paying homage to the former Moskito restaurant with hanging bar-chairs and a toes-in-the-sand feel. Soak in the stunning views of the islands of Petit Nevis and southern Grenadines as you enjoy our delicious gourmet beach shack cuisine!
The Rock Villa, 2025
Bequia’s new all-suite adult only ‘super boutique’ villa-hotel offering the exclusivity & the amenities an ultra-luxe villa offers - whilst staying in the sanctuary of your own suite.
In late 2025 after meticulous construction and fitting out The Rock Villa opened, sitting perched on a rocky promontory within the Grenadine Hills estate mere steps from Friendship Beach & The Sand Bar - and only 500m down the beach from Bequia Beach Hotel.
Sandy Toes, 2026
February 2026 saw the arrival of Sandy Toes, Bequia Beach Hotel’s brand new private tour boat, offering day cruises to our neighbouring islands within the Grenadine archipelago.
With many guests sharing fond memories of Bengt’s former yacht Star of the Sea, which once offered sunset cruises as well as day trips and private charter, it was time to find a practical replacement ideal for the location.
Custom-built for the hotel with WiFi onboard, this twin-engined tour boat is comfortably appointed with multiple seating zones both on the main and upper deck. The raised helm offers guests the chance to interact with our Captain as you enjoy your day-trip onboard.
Gallery
The most efficient form of island transport!
The Desalination Plant out for delivery
A Royal Visit to Bequia! Bengt & Karin meeting Prince Edward & Sophie (2012)
Concept Sketches in London
To reality in Bequia
Bengt's own hand-drawn concept of the Kerne Erickson vintage travel poster
The original Bequia Beach painting by Kerne Erickson & Bengt
Bengt's technical drawing for the main pool with water lines and labels (2010)
The incredibly steep link road running through the property
Reception Building under construction
The second Junior Suite Building under construction
One Bedroom Cottages completed
The Beach Bar version 1.0 before many changes, improvements and alterations! (2007)
Posing infront of Villa ONE under construction at Grenadine Hills
At Grenadine Hills
Time for Solar! (2023)
Solar panels recently installed (2023)
During Covid, the hotel opened a Ministry of Health-approved PCR testing lab on Bequia, with 4,000+ tests performed, assisting entry & exit testing needs.
Bequia Air operations commence (2019)
Seawater Infinity Pool sketch
by Bengt Mortstedt
Released May 2026
The Accidental Hotelier
Discover the inspiring journey behind Bequia Beach Hotel in the owner’s new book, now available for purchase at the hotel, and available online*
This warm, personal memoir tells the story of a quietly determined Swede in pursuit of an improbable dream. Mortstedt writes of his journey to becoming a hotelier on the tiny Caribbean island of Bequia with both wry humour and surprising insight and detail.
Pitfalls, setbacks and triumphs are all chronicled with a twinkle in the eye (and the occasional glint of steel!) while his overwhelming affection for the island of Bequia and its people, together with stories of the colourful cast of characters that have crossed his path, make for a charming, vivid and entertaining read.
*Available in UK and selected countries
Available in North America soon
Explore the island
Discover why Bequia is known to many as 'the Caribbean's best-kept secret' - go out and explore an island that offers adventures and activities that will make your holiday unforgettable.