You'll find this luxurious villa in a gated modern compound with a West Indies vibe perched above Long Bay Beach with some of the best views of any home in the BVI.
Overview:
Sitting high on the ridge overlooking Long Bay Beach and the Atlantic on one side, and the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the Caribbean Sea on the other, the 1.8 acre gated compound has total privacy and truly spectacular views that are second to none. Designed by a renowned architect, Ridgemont House is made up of two separate pavilions that incorporate traditional Caribbean cues with their exteriors painted boldly in the vibrant colors of the West Indies with contrasting modern, elegant interiors. It is the definition of today’s sophisticated Caribbean luxury.
The prestigious location and the expansive, amenity-packed property might keep you wanting to stay at home, but just down the hill is the stunning white-sand beach of Long Bay & its beachfront bars, restaurants and spa, as well as the Long Bay Beach Resort that provides available daily passes to access to their pool area, tennis and pickleball courts and fitness center.
Our team at Villas of Tortola would love to welcome you!
Space:
LIVING AREAS:
The first floors of the main house and guest house, the shaded veranda, the large pool, the guest bathroom and parking are all set on the same level, unusual on our mountainous island and perfect for socializing with a larger group. The main house contains the ballroom-sized Great Room and separate office. Enjoy the game on the big screen or your music on the Sonos sound system from the ample supply of comfortable seating. Packed with light & air, the living and dining areas feature six sets of 9' high French doors that open to the terrace running along three sides allowing indoor/outdoor living. The view from here is simply stunning.
The Caribbean-tiled Great Room opens into the kitchen, appointed with stone counter tops, high quality Viking cooking appliances, and both a prep sink and separate cleanup sink next to the dishwasher. No need to shoo guest away. It is enormous and allows everyone to gather around the center island/breakfast bar for meal prep and cocktails. You'll find everything you need here for self-catering and more than enough workspace. Or choose our available chef for a fully catered affair.
The glass and teak Balinese dining table offers a sophisticated indoor dining option, although we think you're going to want to go outside for that...
STEP OUTSIDE:
Outside there is more than 2000 square ft of coral-tiled living space. Pull up a lounger and catch some rays on the expansive deck alongside the large infinity edge pool, or lounge in the shade of the veranda's spacious al fresco seating area. The convenient guest bathroom, changing room and shower is also just off the deck. You'll find a large propane BBQ poolside, which is perfect for grilling up a local Anegada lobster and enjoying it from the covered outdoor dining area. The views from here are just breathtaking - looking out along the coastline and across to Jost Van Dyke and its surrounding isles with a gentle ocean breeze is just blissful. It's a really magical spot to sit with friends & family and enjoy a meal together or listen to some music through the Sonos sound system.
To get above it all, head to the colorful gazebo high atop the ridge for a yoga session or cocktail with friends, or some downtime. Another incredible viewpoint, this is where I'd be going at sunset to watch those famous fiery BVI skies.
BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS:
No arguing over bedrooms necessary, as all five of the luxuriously decorated bedrooms are large with high ceilings, large windows and patios or balconies that frame glimmering views of the Atlantic or Caribbean Sea. Named after famous colonial explorers, each provides a king-size bed (or alternatively up to two rooms can be converted to XL-twins), flat screen television & Google smart sound speaker. All bedrooms are separated from the others and all have en-suites. One even offers all the features of a self-sufficient apartment, including an eat-in kitchenette complete with stove, microwave and refrigerator.
The DaGAMA is downstairs of the guest house, adjacent to the pool, and has a poster king bed & ensuite with shower. There are two outdoor seating areas with expansive views from the bedroom and bathroom.
The BALBOA is upstairs of the guest house and has a king sleigh bed, and is ensuite with a large walk-in closet and with a separate shower & tub. There are three outdoor seating areas with expansive views from the bedroom balcony, bathroom balcony and overlooking the pool.
The COLUMBUS is on the lower level of the main house and has a 4-poster mahogany king bed as well as a daybed, and is ensuite with shower. There is also a self-contained kitchen and dinette area. Outside is a full-width private porch with expansive views.
The MAGELLAN is on the upper level of main house and has a choice of king or two twin beds, and is ensuite with shower. There is a “Juliet balcony” overlooking pool with expansive views. It is at the opposite end of a hallway from the Marco Polo which makes it ideal for parents and younger children.
The MARCO POLO is on the upper level of main house and has a choice of king or two twin beds, and is ensuite with shower. There is a private covered porch with views of the Caribbean Sea. It is at the opposite end of hallway from the Magellan, which makes it ideal for parents and younger children.
OFFICE:
The air conditioned office, located off the Great Room, allows for a discreet conference call or a bit of work, if you must. It is available for two additional guests (total of 12 guests) on a queen-size pullout sofa. The guest bathroom, also on the main level, is available to those staying in the office.
Access
Guests have sole access to the entire property. The estate road that winds its way up to Ridgemont House is fully paved but a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended.
AC: There is AC in all bedrooms & the office, & ceiling fans throughout
HOUSEKEEPING: Housekeeping is twice per week. All linen and towels will be changed and a general cleaning will be done. Additional housecleaning is optionally available.
GENERATOR: The automatic-start generator is a great plus for any pesky power outages
WIFI: There is Wifi in all rooms to log into from your personal devices.
PARKING: There is same-level driveway parking off the kitchen for your convenience - no long slog with shopping bags or suitcases!
ACTIVITIES: Long Bay Beach and Long Bay Beach Resort are located below Ridgemont House. Enquire with Long Bay Resort for spa treatments or to purchase passes to the gym, tennis & pickle-ball courts and pool. (Check for latest pricing and food & beverage credit. Under 12's are free.) Tranquil Smugglers Cove to the west or the best surfing location in the BVI to the east are minutes away.
NEARBY
Ridgemont House is in the hills of the exclusive but welcoming area of Long Bay in the heart of the West End of Tortola. Lots of the most beautiful and unique villas have been built here over many years as well as Long Bay Beach Resort. It has a friendly community feel with a good mix of residents and tourists.
APPLE BAY (1.3 miles away)
A little village with world-class winter surf and a handful of bars and restaurants (Nardie's Beach Bar, Sugar Mill, Tramonti) for all occasions.
SMUGGLER’S COVE (1.8 miles away)
Smuggler’s Cove is idyllic and perfectly sheltered by its vibrant reef which provides sensational snorkelling and is home to Patricia’s laid-back beach bar. *cruise ship passengers sometimes come here so look online for the "BVI cruise ship schedule" to avoid the busier days.
CARROT BAY (2.1 miles away)
A charming village where you'll find local fisherman, fruit stalls, North Shore Shell Museum and D’Coal Pot restaurant.
WINDY HILL (3 miles away)
Head to Stoutts Lookout for a chilled beer with an incredible view over Cane Garden Bay or Banakeet (Heritage Inn) restaurant for one of the best dinner spots to watch the sunset on island.
SOPER’S HOLE MARINA (3.6 miles away)
Here you’ll find West End Ferry Terminal (where you can catch boats to fellow British Virgin Island Jost Van Dyke and US Virgin Islands St John and St Thomas) and a great selection of restaurants (Omar's Coffee House, Omar's Fusion & Pusser's Landing), a well-stocked grocery store, boat charter companies, shops and more.
CANE GARDEN BAY (4.3 miles away)
Cane Garden Bay is a hub of nightlife with plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry. To name a few, there’s Indigo House, Myetts, Elm’s Beach Bar, Paradise Club and Quito’s Gazebo for eating and drinking right on the beach. Many of these also have live music nights and fun events. Bobby’s Marketplace has all the essentials for stocking up on groceries.
For beach activities, there’s plenty of beach bars you can rent a lounger from (or just setup on the sand). The water is calm and clear and underfoot is sandy so it's an excellent place for swimming. If you're feeling adventurous, there is a shipwreck a very short swim out from the North end of the beach which is great to check out with a snorkel. There are also jet skis, paddle boards and kayaks which can be rented along the beach. Callwood’s Rum Distillery is a great place to check out to see a local family business that has been running for over 200 years and to try some of their delicious tipples. *all these amenities mean that the cruise ship passengers come here, so look online for the "BVI cruise ship schedule" to avoid the busier days.