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Getting close - we booked a place called Solaris through www.cateredto.com back in November for the second week of February. There will be six of us. My wife and I with two other couples. It will be the first adventure to Caribbean for our friends. Really want to show them a good time.
Anyone out there stayed at Solaris and have any comments or impressions on the place - pictures look great.
From what I understand it is on Rock Ridge Rd over looking Chocolate Hole and Hart Bay by the description and pictures and I am hoping the road up does not compare to Jacob's Ladder.
We have stayed at Sunset Ridge Villas at the top of Jacob’s Ladder, and that was a ride everytime you came up or down. The last time down the ladder on the way to STT to catch our plane; my wife decide she had pushed fate often enough for the week and the hill was little wet - She decided to walk down after giving me a kiss saying this has been fun. I was not sure if she was talking about the vacation or our life to date?
Tom - that is a funny story about your wife and Jacob's Ladder. 😉
Happy vacation planning!
--Islander
Islander,
Have you ever driven up Rock Ridge Rd?
I think it is the first left past the Westin, but not sure.
Rock Ridge doesn't ring a bell. Anyone familiar with this road and villa?
--Islander
Rock ridge is just past the dumpster after the Weston turn left the road is paved one bad switch back towards the top not sure where that villa is on the road though
We stayed at Ristaba which is the 4th drive on the left hand side of Rock Ridge Rd (address is 465). The road is paved and it has a fairly steep grade but we didn't have any problems with it. The intersection at Rock Ridge Rd is a little hairy, when turning off of it onto the main road (Gift Hill Rd?) you don't have great visibility to your left.
I walked down it one time to deposit our trash in the previously mentioned dumpster, and it was quite a steep hike back up on foot. I am not sure where Solaris is located but the first part of Rock Ridge Rd is fine.
As best as I can tell using the rental company's location map and google world overlay it looks like it is on the top.
I forgot the address - I have it at work
Should have a good view! Sure hope my wife and friends will stay in the vehicle.
That really is up at the top. Where we stayed, Ristaba, is about 1/4 of the way up the road, it is the fourth villa off of Southside Rd and just before the first bend. It looks like there could be some switch backs further up towards the top which could make for an exciting ride. I always tell my wife that people pay good money for these kinds of rides at the State Fair so enjoy it.
You should have a great view of Great Cruz Bay right in font of the Westin. Chocolate Hole is at the bottom of your map, we didn't have a good view of it, but being farther up you should be able to see both.
Ruprek
I was hoping you were not going to say... "That really is up at the top"
Translated - We may not be in paradise, but we can see from there!
Well I finally got my answers in regards to Rock Ridge Road and the location of Solaris. Enjoy the ride
The only real question I have left is do we need reservations for the Sunday Brunch at Caneel, and I know it is very expensive but how expensive is expensive....
I know we she go to Lucy's, but my sweetie wants to go to Caneel.
TomB,
bad news, the video does not do upper rockridge justice, she's probably one of the toughest one lane paved rds on the island. that said, after you get over seeing the steep single lane ascend after travelers way turns off to right, the left switch back around ambiance and the right switch back around treasure ridge, you can tell your traveling companions that you're almost there and the road flatens out. think of the drive from trunk bay to the peter bay entrance ON A 2 WAY 1 LANE ROAD. the good news is the views are worth the drive.
while we have not been inside solaris, we stayed next door at temptress in 4/05 and then at treasure ridge (second before solaris) in 12/06. the ist timers to stj will be absolutely enthralled with the views. quiet a wow factor. only dispute will be over who gets the master bedroom!
on our 1st trip we did the drive in a camry and our biggest problem was backing up temptress' drive. did find a jeep made the climb up rockridge much easier next trip (not due to 4 wh dr except when wet but due to higher clearance). views are some of best on island if you enjoy sunrises, sunsets and expansive water views to st croix. after a couple of trips up and you learned your way and what to expect, the drive will seem like a piece of cake.
one word of caution. while turn off south shore onto rockridge is easy left at the very top of the hill beyond the westin, the turn coming back down is totally blind, because you cannot see oncoming cars from either direction. this means when going back toward cruz bay you must cross a lane blind to get in left lane to go toward cruz bay. we always opened all windows at the stop sign, looked for what we couldn't see and listen for the sound of oncoming traffic. when you start, don't hesitate because you have to worry not only about the traffic from town but also the traffic coming from the left heading back to cb. fortunately at night the oncoming lights make it easier!
after the trip up the hill and back, your friends won't bat an eye as you approach peter bay on north shore road.
have fun.
papabou
Thanks for the info papabou... I think :$)
When we stayed at Sunset Ridge it was much the same way. We were told Jacob's Ladder was the worst hard surface road on the island. Looks like I will get do to an A to B comparisson. As I told my wife on our last visit - going up did not bother me - keep the foot on the gas and keep here steady. Going down hill that is another story - it is that gravity thing with wet roads are ungood. Just when you think your safe - you have a blind turn!
Master Bedroom will be done by a draw before we leave the states
I won primary driver (most keep left experience)
Secondary driver went to our friends that have lived and travelled all over Europe (use to driving in strange locations)
Lastly we designated a banker - everybody is throwing in X amount of $s and all bills go to him.
All three of the guys love to cook and look forward to playing hard in the day and lovely dinners on top the hill watching the stars and cruise ships at night.
We have not figured out what the ladies are doing yet?
papabou
made up Rock Ridge Road no worries
Life is good
the views unbelievable
Solaris is everything we expected and 10 times more
gotta go and enjoy the island
tomB,
glad you're there. hope i didn't scare you too much about drive, but as i said it's well worth it. enjoy!
while many prefer being lower down and supposedly closer to the water. for me and the bride the views from upper rockridge and gifft hill are absolutely spellbounding. there's nothing better than days on the beaches in and looking out over the water and mornings and evenings viewing it all from up high!
can't wait to get back on gifft hill on 2/18.
papabou
Tom, enjoy yourself! Have a great time (tu)
TomB :
I see you use the Solaris map to view the island.
Try this site and have fun - the bird's eye feature does not work on STT, but it works well in other areas - all over the world. At least you will be able to get closer views of STT. Some of my views get as close as 25-yards off the earth. It's like floating in a balloon just above the earth. Try it out.
Enjoy, A
Cruise shps in the distance
lots of good red wine
I am not in pardise but I can see it on the hoizon
tomb,
paradise arrived with this morning's sunrise. go to your balcony and look to the left (east).
enjoy
papabou
TomB
Glad you made the trip ok and had no problems going up Rock Ridge. We never ventured up that way past our villa but I can imagine that the views are stunning. I'm sitting looking at 6" of snow on the ground here, dreaming about sitting on our balcony over looking Great Cruz Bay.
Have a great time!!!
Ruprek
