What a great question.. We have stayed 3 times on the coral bay side at BBrisas del Mar http://www.vrbo.com/322786 and asking your exact question. We love the coral bay side and it's a quick trip to trunk bay and others. The sunrises and moonrises in the fall are exceptional. We are now asking the same question about should we stay where we can watch the sunsets. The vila we stayed at was perfect for us with 2 yung kids and grandma. Everyone also loved the drive up to the villa with the bumpy road. It was very private and wonderful views.

The reason why we are looking for sunset is that the afternoon seems to go by quick with the sun setting over Bordux mt, but the advantage is with the sunrise we were always up and at the which ever beach we went too before anyone else. We also were able to go to the saltpond easily in the afternoon or back to trunk bay..

Personally, I think sunset views are oversold. While it's true that sunsets are usually more spectacular than sunrises, there is a downside to that southwestern view: hot late-afternoon sun beating down on your deck and in your windows. Admittedly, stw has a point about the day being a little shorter on the east side of the mountain.

There is a middle ground - pick a location on the top of the mountain where you can see both sunrise AND sunset. Creolla, on Ajax Peak, really does have a view like that. And, IMHO, there is no more convenient location on the island than Ajax Peak: 10 minutes to the north shore, 10-15 to Coral Bay, and 20 minutes to Cruz Bay.

Creolla is too small for your family, Mrs_Eisey, but take a look at Orion Hill. It was the only villa we could see from Creolla at anything like our altitude, and we spent a lot of time sitting in our humble gazebo admiring the wraparound deck and rooftop widow's walk over there.

Thank you! Middle ground.... never thought about that! I will look into that now for sure. I will look at Orion. Thanks for your insight!

To be fair, you can't see the sun sinking into the ocean from Ajax Peak, but from where we were you could see the sky lit up orange and pink above the peak of Bordeaux Mtn to the west and south. It was QUITE the view. I think Orion Hill would have a similar view.

Orchid Knoll is another affordable 2BR with 270-degree mountain-top views. It's even higher on the mountain, and I think a little harder to get to. But my goodness it looks lovely. There are some properties on Mamey Peak that look to have similar vantage points.