Sunset Ridge Villas

My wife and I have been going to Sunset Ridge Villa's Unit C since 2002. Unit C has a perfect location over looking the pool and facing west towards St Thomas. The unit is exceptional, with an open courtyard separating the master suite and the 2-level with kitchen, laundry, bathrooms, living area and sleeping accommodations.

We have owned at Sunset Ridge for over 20 years. Everyone who stays here agrees that the views from Sunset Ridge are absolutely gorgeous! St. John is a one-of-a-kind destination, and the timeshare options are either Westin or Sunset Ridge. Try trading into Westin with II or RCI...just about impossible! Sunset Ridge is even a very tough trade with RCI...Log on and try it, Resort ID #3870!

Sunset Ridge offers the guest a very affordable way to stay on this great island. The 2BR units are very spacious, and provide the basics a traveler would need. It is a great sampling of island living...laid back and surrounded by nature's beauty. The units have air-conditioning for an added fee. We own weeks 26 and 27. There is a microwave, full size fridge, and full size range. All units have a washer/dryer. The main pool has just been resurfaced and provides a perfect gathering area for guests. The pool deck offers beautiful views of St. Thomas. We absolutely love watching the 4th of July fireworks over Cruz Bay from the pool deck. If you have never had to look down to see fireworks, you have to try it in this island paradise.

We have been traveling to STJ now for 6 years, staying at SSRV 5 out of the 6. Coming to SSRV is truly like coming home. This boutique resort offers so much in terms of privacy, safety, comfort, fantastic views, wonderful pool. The kitchen is very well appointed, and includes a dishwasher. They provide umbrellas/tents, beach chairs, coolers, beach towels. The loft bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, as is the master suite. Having 2.5 bathrooms is wonderful for larger families, and the washer/dryer makes packing light possible. All you need is a few swimsuits, rashguards, a few coverups, a sundress, and flipflops! (bug spray is recommended and reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory) We typically rent a car on island from Sunshine, and have never had any issues whatsoever. They meet you @ the ferry dock and you're good to go. Food is expensive but we always pack one suitcase with food (frozen meat, dry goods, spices, frozen cheese) to help with the sticker shock of feeding the clan. Beaches are only a 20 minute drive away. Great restaurants in town (we usually share an entree to keep costs reasonable), and great shopping opportunities. Our favorite church, Freshwater, meets @ Hawksnest on Sunday mornings and you will be welcomed warmly. Nothing like church on the beach! STJ has spoiled us for other beach locations in the Caribbean - you won't be disappointed!

We have owned two weeks at Sunset Ridge Villas since 1997 and we consider it our home away from home. When hurricanes Irma and Maria hit in September 2017, Sunset Ridge Villas and the rest of St. John sustained major damage. However, the resort has been completely repaired, updated and improved. There are six luxurious, beautifully landscaped villas, each with 1600 sq. ft. of living space, so there is plenty of room to spread out and relax. The great house contains living and dining rooms, a well stocked kitchen, half bath and laundry on the first floor and a loft with two queen beds on the second floor. A sleeper sofa is available in the living area so the villa can sleep a total of eight.The master suite is across a completely enclosed courtyard which overlooks Cruz Bay and the lights of St. Thomas. After a day at the beach, the 20x40 ft. pool is a great place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the incredible sunsets. And after the sun does set, we love throwing a piece of fish or a great steak on the grill and enjoying dinner under the stars. If you visit Sunset Ridge Villas we are confident you will fall in love as we did way back in 1997!

I am a SRV owner. I bought sight unseen when two prime winter weeks became available. Having stayed at both 5-star resorts (where one is waited on/hovered over every second) and campgrounds (where the midnight trek to the privy is a l-o-n-g hike,) I felt that this would be a comfortable alternative.

Sunset Ridge Villas have totally lived up to my expectations- and then some!. Somebody made the comment that staying here is actually more like living on St. John. So true!!! There is ample space to invite friends and family and not feel cramped. The master suite is totally private, as are the villas themselves, set with privacy walls between them. There is a full kitchen with all of the amenities that one would expect. There are three bathrooms, so nobody has to wait for one. The courtyard is great for barbecuing and looking at the views. The in-unit washer and dryer are invaluable.

Speaking of the views, they are to die for! We loved watching the boat action in the sound, and the sunsets are stunning. It's also fascinating to watch the cruise ships leaving and/or docking in Charlotte Amalie at night. Yes, you can see that far! From unit E, you can watch the car ferry come from Red Hook. You can also look "down" upon the Westin, LOL.

The pool and common area maintain that stunning view. We enjoyed sitting on the pool deck with other vacationers watching the sunset over a drink. The pool is great--- I was able to swim laps almost every day in the salt-filtrated water.

Apparently, there are now air conditioners in the master bedroom suite. In January, this was not necessary. We enjoyed having the screens open and listening to the tropical rains trickle down in the wee hours... (thinking about our friends and family back home, buried in two feet of snow.) There is a flat-screen TV in the master suite.

My only criticism is that in our units (E and C) there are queen-size beds in the master suite. For those of us who are used to king-size beds at home, this can get uncomfortable.

The world-class beaches on St. John are superb. They are sometimes crowded with cruise ship clients, and parking spots in high season are at a premium. Plan on getting to the beach early, especially on the weekend. Trunk Bay is guarded and has an underwater snorkeling park. Cinnamon Bay is beautiful, crescent-shaped and usually has good snorkeling. Both beaches have full amenities, including showers and refreshments. Other beaches are more primitive. The SRV units are each equipped with beach equipment, so you don't have to pack them, unless you are extremely picky about what you use.

Highly recommended are the National Park Service hikes--- a great way to see the gorgeous interior of St. John. Book early--- even months in advance, as these hikes fill up fast. The one we took has a shuttle ride to the top of a mountain, a hike down to the sugar mill and a deserted beach (trickier than it sounds,) and a boat ride back to town.

It's very convenient to have a car (four-wheel drive absolutely necessary.) Parking at the Villas is tight, but do-able. There are, however, other ways to get about. There is a bus that runs on Centerline Road (you would need to walk up and down the hill to get to/from it) to points unknown about every two hours. There are also the ubiquitous open-air taxis that would be happy to drive you to wherever. Fees are regulated, but understandably expensive.

Speaking of expensive... to spare you sticker shock... be forewarned that groceries are twice as expensive as on the mainland. There are two grocery stores, the Dolphin Market at the roundabout in the center of town, where parking is limited, plus the Starfish Market down the road, which is upscale and extremely expensive, but has ample parking. Plan on paying at least 50% more for gas.

Some traveling tips: the first year we visited St, John, we rented a car from a local rental company. The second time we got one at the Charlotte Amalie airport and drove to Red Hook car ferry. As much as I like to support local businesses, I have to say that the latter was much more convenient and not any more expensive, plus we got an infinitely better (safer?) vehicle. When it came time to take our son back to the airport, it would have been cheaper to take the car ferry back and forth between St. John and St. Thomas, by the time the ferry and taxi fares are paid. If you plan on traveling to St. Croix, the seaplane port is just a few paces from the Charlotte Amalie ferry which is much more convenient than the Red Hook one. This is a passenger ferry that runs erratically to and from St. John, and is ofter booked up on the weekend in season, so plan accordingly.

All in all, with a stay in the Sunset Ridge Villas you can expect comfort, independence, privacy, relaxation, spectacular venues and room for the entire family. Hope you have the opportunity to enjoy it.

Stayed 05/31/2014-06/07/14. Loved the quiet and beautiful views. HE washer and dryer in each unit. Nice pool! Very relaxing! Loved the extras---like laundry detergent, extra paper towels, beach chairs, cooler, noddles for kids, snorkeling equipment, salt and pepper, gallon of bottled water, coffee filters, two packages of coffee, and beach towels. Very pleased with resort!

This Review was updated on 3/3/2012. We just returned from two weeks at Sunset Ridge and I had to report in because the upgrades to the villas look so great.

The views are simply spectacular morning to night.

The units at Sunset Ridge are approximetely 1500 square feet (with a very private master). The private patio (with your own barbecue) allows us to have family dinners watching the sun set over the beautiful carribean waters all the way over to St. Thomas. The kitchens have been renovated and there is everything you could want to prepare meals and dine in at this beautiful site (as fantastic as the restaurants are on St. John, you will choose to eat at home many nights because of this special setting and the ease of dining on the patio).

The pool is great and it is steps away from every unit, although we head to the beach every day (we have at least eight beaches that rival for our "favorite" - St. John is just that exceptional). For us, staying as Sunset Ridge on St. John is the ideal Carribean experience.

We own at both Sunset Ridge and the Westin and our family happens to favor our unit at Sunset Ridge for it's 1500 square feet of living space, panoramic hilltop views and private outdoor patio and barbecue. (Sunset Ridge and the Westin St. John are both great, although entirely different properties.)

It is important to know that you really must have a vehicle on St. John to really appreciate the island and you must have a car to enjoy your stay at Sunset. St. John is simply fantastic for exploring and it is easy to explore (you can try a new beach every day and your drives will be full of "Ooohs and Ahhs ... look at that !!!"). Wherever you stay, make sure you have a car. The people on St. John are very welcoming so touring around is easy and worth the car rental.

If you are lucky enough to come across a week to rent or trade (finding a trade to St. John is rare), Sunset Ridge is a wonderful place to stay while on St. John.

*** Years ago the property was not cared for as it is now - please know that any dated reviews are not representative of the property as it looks and is managed now. An active Board of Trustess, a dedicated financial investment by the owners over the last 5 years, and a responsive and terrific management company have resulted in Sunset Ridge being an extraordinary value (whether renting or buying)!

We had always wanted to go to St. John and when we found this exchange and looked up the reviews, we were nervous but decided to go for it. What a charming villa! Two buildings with a courtyard separating them one is the main house with a kitchen, living room, dining area, washer dryer and half bath and upstairs was a huge open bedroom with a queen and two twins and full bath. In the other building was the master suite with a large tiled bedroom huge vanity and large shower. There are only 6 villas and they all have million dollar views of Cruz Bay. A nice size pool to share and very private. We were more than pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Apparently they are under new management and have upgraded the villas...very nice job! We would highly recommend and may come back with the rest of the family next time.

We are owners at Sunset and spend a second week at the Westin each year. After the carnival like atmosphere of the Westin, Sunset Ridge is a welcome retreat. We have a spacious 2 story villa witha private terrace and a master suite in a separate single story building. The pool is completely refurbished and clean - we spent all week swimming with the pool virtually to ourselves. The views are spectacular and evenings on the patios are breezy and lovely. Sunset Ridge is more like living on St. John rather than just vacationing.

To update: We never filed our deed with the USVI until May of 2007. We had no problem and have the recorded deed in our possession. I really don't understand why the reviewer in 8/06 had a problem