St. John Inn, The

The St. John Inn is an older, casual kind of place perfect for people who want to be close to the island's main town, Cruz Bay, but not smack in the middle of its hustle and bustle. Located about a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock, this small guesthouse recently got an upgrade when new owners took over. It was formerly called the Cruz Inn.

In addition to a dozen rooms of varying sizes and decors that ramble up and down several one and two-story buildings, the St. John Inn now features a small pool with a surrounding deck perfect for spending a morning with a good book. When you're tired of the pool, stroll into Cruz Bay for lunch, and catch a taxi to anyone of the North Shore beaches for an afternoon swim.

After a shower, join your fellow guests at the alfresco bar to watch the sun go down. Head back to town for dinner, or if you're staying in one of the four suites that come with a kitchen, cook up your own dinner with whatever you picked up from the nearby supermarket. The St. John Inn offers movies on its big screen two nights a week, or you can walk into town for dancing at one of several local nightspots.

The rooms, with names like Nob Hill Suite and Big Sur that reflect the owner's California roots, come in several configurations which make them suitable for everyone from singles to families. They range from one room with a queen-sized bed and shared bath to two-bedroom suites with sitting areas and kitchens. A few have rather pedestrian ocean views. You won't see much to write home about from the others. Most have four-poster beds with antique pine furniture and complimentary decor - Ralph Lauren spreads and curtains - in a variety of rich colors. Most of the rooms have ceramic tile floors, but a few have new carpeting. All have ceiling fans and air-conditioning.

While you might enjoy television or watching movies on the VCR in your room, the very modest Elaine I. Sprauve public library is just a short walk away. You'll find lots bigger collections at any mainland library, but it's worth a stop to browse the collection of Caribbean books and to enjoy the 18th-century architecture of this former plantation Great House.