Our extended family of twelve recently spent a week at the Sunset House in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Our group spanned multiple generations, including two 7-year-old twins, a 13-year-old, three college students aged 19 to 21, and seven adults. The moment you arrive at Sunset House and enter the front door onto a spacious terrace, you're struck by the breathtaking ocean view, which is visible from almost every room, deck, and patio. The panorama is truly awe-inspiring: To the left, the rolling hills of Tortola cascade down to the pristine white sands of Long Bay Beach that extend in front of you to the base of the majestic mountain of Belmont Point. To the right, a vast expanse of ocean stretches to the horizon, its colors shifting between shades of blue and turquoise as the sun and clouds move across the sky. On most days, you can spot the islands of Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke in the distance. For most of your stay, this terrace and the connected balcony that wraps the kitchen and dining room area will become a favorite spot for morning coffee, evening drinks, appetizers, or doing some work. We arrived at Sunset House in the mid-afternoon of our travel day. After settling in, we decided to explore the area without specific plans. A short walk down the road brought us to Long Bay Resort, home to an excellent beachside bar and restaurant. There, we met Stephen, the friendly bartender who would serve us throughout our stay whenever we had time for a local swim and drink. This nearby beach was a highlight for our kids, who loved playing in the surf. Having this beach a short walk away (with the bar) added significant value to our stay at Sunset House. There is...
Read moreOur extended family of twelve recently spent a week at the Sunset House in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Our group spanned multiple generations, including two 7-year-old twins, a 13-year-old, three college students aged 19 to 21, and seven adults.
The moment you arrive at Sunset House and enter the front door onto a spacious terrace, you're struck by the breathtaking ocean view, which is visible from almost every room, deck, and patio. The panorama is truly awe-inspiring: To the left, the rolling hills of Tortola cascade down to the pristine white sands of Long Bay Beach that extend in front of you to the base of the majestic mountain of Belmont Point. To the right, a vast expanse of ocean stretches to the horizon, its colors shifting between shades of blue and turquoise as the sun and clouds move across the sky. On most days, you can spot the islands of Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke in the distance. For most of your stay, this terrace and the connected balcony that wraps the kitchen and dining room area will become a favorite spot for morning coffee, evening drinks, appetizers, or doing some work.
We arrived at Sunset House in the mid-afternoon of our travel day. After settling in, we decided to explore the area without specific plans. A short walk down the road brought us to Long Bay Resort, home to an excellent beachside bar and restaurant. There, we met Stephen, the friendly bartender who would serve us throughout our stay whenever we had time for a local swim and drink. This nearby beach was a highlight for our kids, who loved playing in the surf. Having this beach a short walk away (with the bar) added significant value to our stay at Sunset House. There is some excellent shallow-water snorkeling here and lots of sea life.
Our first full day at Sunset House set the perfect tone for our vacation. The owner thoughtfully arranged post-breakfast one-hour massages for the adults on the pool deck. This luxurious treat marked the beginning of what would be a fun, relaxing, yet active week.
Feeling refreshed after our massages, we ventured to Smuggler's Cove beach, a 10-minute drive or one-hour walk from the house. We discovered a charming bar and outdoor restaurant that Patricia and her family run there.
Smuggler's Cove itself was a true gem. The beach boasted pristine sands and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and fantastic snorkeling with vibrant marine life right below the gentle waves. We saw lobsters, octopus, and tons of fish.
Most days, we ventured off the island after breakfast via a local ferry. The neighboring islands offer legendary sites, and the ferries are very convenient. Our group's two favorite trips included a full day at the Baths of Virgin Gorda, and a full day at the world-famous Jost Van Dyke Beach, home to the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar and Foxies.
One day, we chartered a power boat with Patrick of Celtic Powerboats and visited Turtle Bay (I don't recall the island), where we snorkeled with many turtles who reliably visited the bay to feed on its grass. Next, we snorkeled near the world's famous diving spot, The Indians, and the caves of Norman Island. We stopped for a great lunch at the Cooper Island Beach Club, followed by more snorkeling before finishing the day with some drinks and the mandatory jump off the second deck of the legendary Willy T's floating bar on Norman Island.
The house is incredibly comfortable, updated, and modern. The rooms get quite chilly if you want them to be. The linens and towels are of excellent quality, the water pressure is fantastic, and the mattresses are really comfortable. Our rooms were always clean and tidied daily, and housekeepers Jenny and Rose were excellent and helpful. The onsite laundry was convenient and meant we could travel lighter. The pool and hot tub are fantastic and serve as great respites after active days exploring area beaches and islands. The house's Wi-Fi is great, allowing those who have to work to be productive. Our family uses Verizon mobile services, and I do not recall ever being out of range, even as we were between islands.
Each night, Chef Cynthia and Loris dazzled us with a fabulous three-course meal that always started with a homemade soup to die for. The meals were large, and we always had extra that we needed help finishing. Each day began with great island coffee, fresh fruit, and whatever else you requested. The house manager, Carmen, was also fantastic, and she made sure the house was stocked with our preferred beverages and food.
Our family has enjoyed many great vacations, but this one to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) was their favorite. The experience offered something special for everyone: beautiful islands, a relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, excellent weather, and delicious food. If you're planning a BVI holiday, I highly recommend the Sunset House! It's an amazing home base for exploring the islands. I can't forget one charming detail: waking up each morning to the sound of a local rooster crowing. It added to the authentic island experience. We're already looking forward to our next visit!...
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