Villa Caribe Condominiums - St. John, USVI

Located on the West Side of St. John, Villa Caribe is a quiet, well-maintained property overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea. The beach at Turner Bay and the town of Cruz Bay are only short walks away.

This Mediterranean-style villa will make you feel as though you've been transported to a scene in the movie Casablanca. Grand arched, screened windows covered in a white labyrinth of iron invite the warm breezes in and whisk them about with ceiling fans, keeping the rooms surprisingly cool. That's why you'll only find one unit with air-conditioning in the bedroom. The white stucco architecture is a delightful contrast to the terra-cotta tile floors and colorful beach decor.

There are three units run by Park Isle Villas. Orion is a two-bedroom, two-bath home with a private Jacuzzi and spiral staircase leading to the upper bedroom. Villa Caribe 2 has one bedroom with a king-sized bed, a queen-sized sleeper sofa and one bath. Soleil is currently owned by Gary Trudeau, illustrator of the comic strip Doonesbury, and husband to Today Show's Jane Pauley. These famous owners never actually stay in this two-bedroom, two-bath villa, but its walls still don heartfelt works of art by Gary's stepmother.

Despite its famous owners, Villa Caribe is far from pretentious with eclectic old bottles and books lining the shelves, modest rattan furnishings and beds absent of headboards. Each villa possesses it's own unique flair, but all units have a kitchen with a microwave, gas stove, refrigerator and all of your cooking utensils as well as a separate living and dining area.

Nature lovers will probably spend most of their timeon the balcony, swinging peacefully on the hammocks while staring out over Frank Bay and Turner Bay, with exception to Orion's small deck, which offers a quite restricted view. You can also host a Caribbean-style BBQ on the balcony of Soleil and Villa Caribe 2 compliments of your very own grill. While these balconies are definitely a relaxing retreat, the privacy is limited due to their close proximity and the fact that wooden lattice is the only thing blocking visibility.

From the property you can see ducks and stilts residing on a small freshwater pond, which is
currently undergoing a beautification project by the Audubon Society. For those in pursuit of clearer waters, you can take a short stroll down to Frank Bay's rocky beach for a little snorkeling among the plethora of colorful fish. Or simply step out your door and jump in the long, skinny pool open around the clock and perfect for lap swimming. A reverse osmosis plant is located on a hill nearby; its humming, no louder than a distant motor boat, may be disturbing to some, but will soon be replaced by a newer, quieter one.

What really sets Villa Caribe apart from other condominium-style complexes is the convenient location and service. The manager lives right next door and extends a type of concierge service to all guests. After booking your stay at Villa Caribe you'll receive a confirmation packet with all kinds of literature on what to do on the island, and the manager is always available to answer any more questions that you may have, help you make tour arrangements, and provide you with extended maid or baby-sitting services. Plus, Villa Caribe is only a 10-minute ride to the North Shore beaches and a short walk to the many shops and restaurants in Cruz Bay.