WhereToStay.com's Review
Villa Gardenia has a number of nooks and crannies for guests to tuck themselves away for some quiet contemplation and reflection. The fountain that empties into the pool adds a soothing, trickling sound to the breezes that come across the pool deck and covered terraces. A self-contained paradise, you may not venture any further afield than the terrace but Villa Gardenia is also just a few minutes away from Magens Bay Beach and the many shops and restaurants of Charlotte Amalie. So, if the urge to shop becomes too strong, you're a mere 10 minutes away from a retail fix. While visiting town, be sure to try some of the local cuisine. The fresh fish prepared with island spices is yummy. Make good use of the hot tub by climbing in at sundown. This is the ideal spot to watch the sun drop over the horizon.
Villa Description
Located on a knoll less than 10 minutes' drive from famous Magens Bay Beach, Villa Gardenia is one of the most beautifully finished and decorated villas on St. Thomas. Serpentine garden planters rest alongside Villa Gardenia's entry gate. The garden courtyard has a fountain filled with tropical fish, a 1500-square foot covered tiled terrace, and brick-lined arches framing ocean views, welcoming you into this property.
The shaded terrace, dotted with potted palms, is set for cool alfresco dining and offers a cushioned seating area with a bar, just right for sundown cocktails before dinner. Through the bricked arches is a green lawn landscaped with more palm trees, and more palm trees border the walled garden perimeter.
Screened doors open from the terrace into Villa Gardenia's Great Room, a large, fully air-conditioned space which is divided into a sitting and conversation area, a formal dining area, and the gourmet kitchen beyond. Along one Great Room wall are screened French doors showcasing tropical gardens just outside; these can be opened to allow cooling trade winds within.
Villa Gardenia's kitchen is a gourmet's delight, and will please even the most demanding of culinary buffs-a marble countertop on three sides of the kitchen, one side of which serves as a counter with six bar stools, ideal for sipping wine in air-conditioned comfort while dinner unfolds. A large center island has a 5-burner gas cook top, two ovens, and a microwave, and all expected chef's tools and the finest appliances can be found here. A gas grill is on the patio just off the kitchen.
A marble-walled powder room is located just off the kitchen, as is a small home office alcove equipped with a fax machine, DSL, and Wi-Fi for your laptop. A separate laundry room, fitted with a wine cooler, adjoins the kitchen.
A screened door opens from the kitchen out to a private walled garden patio, furnished with a built-in bench softened by cushions, wicker seating, a small table, and a gas grill.
Villa Gardenia's three fully air-conditioned bedroom/bath suites are accessed from the Great Room. The master suite is done in a refined style, with a queen sleigh bed and a sitting area with a sofa bed, and the en-suite bath is pure luxury: marble from floor to ceiling, a raised bathtub, a large shower, and an enclosed toilet area. A large cedar-lined walk-in closet is also just off the master bedroom. A door from the master suite opens directly out to the covered terrace.
A hallway connects the second and third bedroom suites to the covered terrace, allowing access to the master suite as well. The queen suite, which also has a comfortable sofa bed, is furnished in classic French country blue, white and yellow, and the adjoining bathroom is marble with a glass-enclosed shower. The third bedroom offers two twin beds (or one king) and an all-marble bath with shower.
Right outside the Great Room, a few steps lead down to the tiled pool and hot tub deck, which overlooks the ocean and the outlying islands of Hans Lollick, Little Tobago, Jost Van Dyke, and Tortola in the distance. Chaise lounges beckon sun worshippers, and the sun deck gives way to an expanse of green lawn. Just mid-level above the sun deck is a blue-tiled bar with a built-in gas grill, ideal for evening gatherings under the stars.
This home is furnished with pleasing and comfortable pieces, carefully chosen accessories and lighting, and is well-equipped. Villa Gardenia is completely fenced and located on a cul-de-sac in a quiet residential neighborhood, just a short drive (7-10 minutes) from Magens Bay. Charlotte Amalie is just over the hill, less than a 10-minute drive away, but you may prefer to stay and relax within the walled comfort of this property.
Additional Amenities:
5 Dish Network TVs (a 52-inch flat-screen TV with DVR + Blu-Ray DVD player in Great Room, a 32-inch flat-screen TV with a DVD player in the master bedroom + in the 2-twin bedroom, a 22-inch flat-screen TV in the blue bedroom, + a 22-inch flat-screen TV in kitchen), music + movie collections; games, game table; full A/C throughout villa; laptop computer with high-speed internet (1 MBPS) + Wi-Fi, printer/copier/scanner, fax machine, answering machine; 2 safes for valuables; hair dryers; large gourmet kitchen, wine cooler, built-in gas grill + 2nd gas grill on patio off kitchen; Mosquito Magnet; beach chairs + coolers; koi fish pond with fountain; UV water purification system; automatic generator; dishwasher; laundry room with washer + dryer; trash collection twice per week (Wednesday and Saturday)
Villa Notes:
2 queens (with feather bed toppers), + 2 twins (OR 1 king, your choice), toiletries
