Skyride to Paradise Point — Attraction in Saint Thomas

The view from the overlook is great, and that's where the good news ends. Shops are typical tourist fare, nothing special. If you've been to the top before and had drinks and food while you enjoy the view, the offerings have declined significantly in the last couple years. Can't comment on the alcoholic drinks as we didn't have any, just sodas, but there are about 9 food choices on the menu at the café up top now. We went last week and they were out of the big ticket items, plus some ingredients from the things they did still have (no coconut shrimp, no lobster fritters, no cheese for burgers according to the waitress, though they somehow had queso for nachos). So we went with burgers and the loaded fries subbing queso sauce for cheese, which should have been an obvious solution but the waitress gave a strange look at the suggestion. Whatever. Fries tasted like cardboard and were cold/stale. Took about 30 minutes for the burgers to come out. The burgers were round lumps burnt to a crisp (they don't ask to what temp you want them done, but we didn't really expect that being a small, relatively cheap place). We asked them to just remake it. Less than 5 minutes later the waitress returned with burgers, which would have been surprising given the amount of time it took to get them the first time, but then we could see that it was just the same burgers smashed a little flatter, but every bit as coal black all the way through as before. So we just sent them back and they were removed from the bill. I can understand the cooks maybe being short staffed and not really caring enough to remake the burgers, but I was more shocked the waitress thought the very obviously same food was going to be well-received. That is until we realized gratuity is automatically added to the bill regardless of party size. Normally, for even kinda ok service we tip 18-20%, but in this case with the poor quality and unavailability of the food items and the time wasted, it was lucky for the staff that they automatically add gratuity to the bill at this location. Basically, if you just want the Instagram-worthy photo op and don't care about grabbing some food while visiting, this might not be a bad option for you. Maybe try some drinks (if they aren't out...

My husband and I visited St. Thomas on a recent cruise and booked this little adventure off the cruise ship on our own, which ended up being cheaper than through said cruise line. We got to the skyride shortly after it opened for the day, and after purchasing tickets, we had no wait to get on. Early enough in the day that we only had one other couple in our gondola, so we had enough room on our way up. The ride itself is pretty short, maybe a 5-7 minute ride up to Paradise Point. Once up at the top, the views are just amazing. There are a few lookout points that allow for some post worthy pictures of the landscape or some selfies. We also stopped in at the restaurant at the top, Taste, for some island libations, including the famous Bailey's Bushwacker, but we ordered it berry-whacked, which adds strawberry to the mix. Our drinks were delicious but strong, no complaints there. The staff was also very friendly and efficient while we enjoyed our drinks with a beautiful view. Afterward, we stopped in the various shops, which allowed us to get any souvenirs for ourselves and others to bring home. I'm sure we might have been able to get similar stuff in the shops closer to the ship for a little cheaper, but being at Paradise Point made it an easy all in one trip. By the time we were ready to head back down, it had become quite busy, but we still only waited about 10 minutes to get onto a gondola. At this point, they did pack us in to the max of eight people but didn't detract from our overall experience. Would highly recommend this experience for anyone...

An absolute MUST! The views are spectacular, and if you time it right, you get the day view, the sunset and the night view. We looked up the time of sunset and went up about 45 minutes prior. We walked around, looked at the shops of local goods and art, and then picked a seat along the railing (the tables having a view without cables from the gondola were reserved for a large party). The cables didn't bother my view, but I would have preferred no cables for photos.

The food and drinks are expensive, but I was expecting that and planned for it. We stayed in an all-inclusive resort, so paying for drinks seemed odd for a minute. Doesn't take long to get used to free bars! Both the food and the drinks were good, there is live music on Wednesday nights from 7 - 9 PM and the view makes it worth it.

Time it right and the sun will be setting while you eat, and you can sip a cocktail while you admire the harbor light up below.

The gondola ride is humorously expensive ($21 per person in 2017), however, there is a road you can drive or walk up. I am pretty sure it's free to use the road. TAKE NOTE: there were no advertisements for this, but I read it in a review and it is true... if you are staying in a hotel or resort, go on a Wednesday after 4 PM and bring your room key. They have a deal for locals for $5 per person. Sounds better huh? You just have to know this... if you are NOT coming in on a cruise, they consider you local. Just remember your room key (or bracelet). Again......