Early in the morning, the sun emerges from behind the mountains. Its orange glow gently illuminates the homes which decorate Spyglass Hill below, kissing each roof one by one with its powerful shine. From high up on Tortola’s Northern coast, in the scenic hills above Long Bay Beach, a sunrise is no better witnessed than from the balcony of the luxurious retreat, Ridgemont House, proudly presented by Villas of Tortola.
Ridgemont is a 1.8 acre compound located on the hillside of Long Bay, in the West End of Tortola. Long Bay Beach is renowned for its beautiful turquoise waters and mile-long white sand shore. With two beach restaurants offering Caribbean-American menus, and one of Tortola’s most unique beach bars, Nature Boy’s, Long Bay is a tranquil choice to spend a day by the sea, embracing the sunshine while escaping the more commercial beach areas. Renowned Smuggler’s Cove is also a 10 minute drive from the property; prime for an ultimate snorkelling experience.
The location of the villa offers maximum privacy, yet it is close enough to amenities for convenient access. Ridgemont is a short drive from many shops and restaurants located in the West End, including Soper’s Hole Marina, Apple Bay, and Carrot Bay. Along the North coast are many secluded bays to explore, leading to Cane Garden Bay, a popular beach home to an array of waterfront dining options, bars, and nightlife.
A stay at Ridgemont is one of luxury as the villa displays both a stunning exterior and interior, yet delivers the relaxing ambiance of a welcoming home. Situated atop its own private driveway lined with beautiful tropical palm trees and meticulously landscaped flora, it is a modern spin on traditional Caribbean-style accommodation. Hand-laid stone walls outside, complement the main and guest houses’ characteristic appearances, which feature vivid multi-colours. Ridgemont House was newly renovated in 2014, undergoing an outstanding transformation of redecoration, brand new furnishings, and the latest technological gadgets.
The main house of the villa contains The Great Room, a spacious living room with cosy sofas; perfect for enjoying an evening movie on the 60” flat screen television. Its open plan contains an elegant glass table for indoor dining, and a Sonos surround system which travels throughout the main level. Floor length windows provide stunning views overlooking the ocean, creating natural light and breezes which carry throughout, opening up to a modern kitchen with gorgeous quartz countertops and state-of-the-art appliances. Attached is also an air-conditioned office space with an Epson printer to catch up on necessary business between holiday excursions. Accommodating up to 10 guests, there are five charmingly decorated bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, king size bed (two of which can alternatively be converted into two XL-twins), air conditioning, and ceiling fans. Private balconies attach to every room, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain range and Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the lower bedroom of the main house contains its own kitchenette and private path out to the driveway. The bedrooms also feature Bluetooth sound systems and 40” flat screen televisions for when private down-time is a must.
Throughout the villa, the interior is a tribute to classic explorers, and each of the bedrooms is named after a historical figure who first travelled the Caribbean seas. All of the unique decor and furniture was hand-picked by the owners—some acquired from Africa during a safari. Ridgemont’s appearance is unique to other luxury villas, as the juxtaposition of character and class creates the perfect match for a special kind of elegant ambiance.
Between the houses, a spacious deck with outdoor lounging furniture provides over 2000 sqft of living space. This area features an infinity pool, where a refreshing dip can be relished while absorbing a view of the entire horizon, expanding from Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay to the Northern tip of Tortola.
Beside the pool, a conveniently located sixth bathroom is easily accessible for poolside access or use when socialising in the common areas. Located on the shaded side of the patio, a deluxe grill for cooking and Bluetooth sound system, complete the option of an al-fresco dining experience.
Supplementary outdoor seating extends beyond this space into a veranda surrounding The Great Room, with rocking chairs perfect for relaxing while watching the sun as it glistens on the gentle waves.
Its prime location offers an exclusive, serene spot for absorbing the island’s most alluring views of the Caribbean seas. Set atop the property’s highest peak is a charming wooden gazebo, complete with a comfy hammock, perfect for private relaxation or a casual cocktail gathering.
From this point, the views overlooking Jost Van Dyke and its neighbouring islands can be seen from a higher altitude. Additionally, this peak offers breath-taking vistas of Peter Island and Norman Island, appearing as art work as they sit upon the horizon beneath the perfect alignment of the clouds. At sunrise and sunset, the gazebo is an optimal spot for the perfect picture, as the sun is visible at its very best, creeping behind the hills as it illuminates the divide between Long Bay and the Sir Francis Drake Channel where Ridgemont is situated. Ridgemont House is true peace, suited to be enjoyed by anyone, especially catering to intimate vacations for family bonding, or retreats for friends and couples wishing to spoil themselves in affluent luxury travel. On any occasion, Villas of Tortola will work to accommodate their guests for an incredible vacation in the pristine British Virgin Islands.
Presented by Villas of Tortola Location: Long Bay, West End, Tortola Bedrooms: 5 (3 x king, 2 x king/twins) Bathrooms: 6 Maximum Guests: 10 Pool: Yes – 30′ x15′ Beach: 5 min drive Maid Service: every other day Contact Property manager: Click to show facebook.com/BVIVillas Villasoftortola.com Photography by Don Herbert
