USVI-On-Line

I was going to try and get all my questions together before posting but noticed that someone referred to Sunset Ridge Villas in a post today about electricity. I will be staying at Sunset Ridge Villas in May, 2012, as a timeshare exchange, as it appears impossible to trade into the Westin. Does anyone own there or stay there? The reviews are either very scary or good. I have only been to St. John once before - in 2003 we stayed for 3 days prior to spending 7 days on Antigua. I have been looking forward to returning to STJ for a VERY LONG time!!!

I will post again once I get all my questions together seeking assistance from you seasoned STJ vacation experts.

Juli

First of all, you will have a grand time. There should be no worries. If you have already been to STJ you know what to expect about driving, so the trip up to the villas will not be as daunting as if you were there for the first time.

The scary reviews and we can't make them go away, are from several years ago. The original developer had let the place go somewhat, hence the scathing reviews. The owners association took over management of the villas a few years ago and we have been steadily improving the the resort since. New cabinetry has been installed this year, and each year we try to make more and more improvements. In previous years we had worked to clean up, fix and repair all that was let go in previous years.

www.sunsetridgevillas.com
http://www.vrbo.com/321094

Here is our VRBO site and a website we put together to entice renters with pictures and a layout of the units. We have a great pool, some units have small dipping pools in their courtyards.

Per square footage we think we have the best deal in the Caribbean. These are not luxury condos but they are very comfortable and all you should need will be there. While we do not have a/c, we are on top of a hill and catch all the breezes and there are many fans in each unit. I know will have a great time. Just the views alone are worth it.

We have owned at SRV for the last three years but have been staying with friends for the last 15. Somehow I got myself elected to the board of the homeowners association just so you understand my stake in this. Thanks for writing.

I am an owner at Sunset Ridge as well and want to thank Bill and the other owners who have worked so hard to make our timeshare what it is today.

I spent about five nights there this summer with my son and although we had no AC, the tradewinds and fans were sufficient to keep us comfortable. We cooked in most nights and enjoyed the plunge pool and the resort pool on several occasions. We enjoyed nights in watching TV or using the free wi-fi to check in back home.

Like Bill stated, Sunset Ridge is not a luxury resort, but it is a great home base for visiting St. John and we'll be back!

Thank you both very much for responding. I am obviously not using the right search engine as I had not found that particular website before. I feel much better having received your information. We are not looking for luxury or a resort with a number of amenities (as it will also contain a number of people), just a quiet place to stay with some comforts. The pictures are very nice and I am pleased to hear that there is wireless internet, and free at that. As my trip gets closer, I will post again with questions regarding what to take, what to buy there, and the best way to do a cell phone. I find this Forum very helpful and everyone's trip reports are so much fun to read, it is almost like being there.

I also own a week at Sunset Ridge and love it. In "my opinion" people who love and get St. John will enjoy it. People who want a 1st class/ all-inclusive resort won't. It is comfortable, quiet and roomy with a great view. My wife and I along with our 3 kids can't wait to visit every year but we are low maintenance people who love the island expierence of St. John. Give it a chance, the drive is worth the view and I've been up worse,un-paved roads to other villas. We own in June and the tradewinds keep it cool at night, don't know about July or August though. Good Luck

Thank you, I'm pleased to hear that. I'm taking four "girls" and I have told them St. John is a nature island, not an all-inclusive resort island - at least not in our price range. Everyone has seen the pictures of the timeshare on line and thinks it is very nice. We are doing a no frills trip - I ordered a Polar Bear cooler today - I will look funny carrying a "camo" cooler through the airport but it was the cheapest one I could find. We are all very excited about our trip and our stay at Sunset Ridge. I think it will be absolutely perfect for us.