Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Winner!

Guest: Katie (Milwaukee)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/10/12

The condo was just about perfect, clean, comfortable and attractive although a little on the small side. The view was absolutely spectacular. We also thought the resort was nicely landscaped and well maintained. Both beaches were kept clean and there was never a problem finding empty lawn chairs and the dive shop offered 2 hours a day free snorkel rental. The only thing lacking was a full restaurant although there were plenty of good restaurants and a grocery store at nearby Red Hook. Tours can be purchased at the Sapphire marina and even more are available at the marina at Red Hook as well as an inexpensive ferry ($12 round trip) to St. John. Sapphire Beach is also just a few minutes by rental car or taxi from Coral World. Both Coral World and St. John are must dos. Because of the quality of the condo, the wonderful view and the location of Sapphire Beach, we were very pleased with our choice and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone considering a vacation in St. Thomas.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful condominium with amazing ocean views

Guest: Nora (Albany, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/08/12 Review Submitted: 02/16/12

Recently stayed at this wonderful condominium on Sapphire Beach. It was an amazing week! The view from the balcony is beautiful, and it is very private. Sapphire Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on St. Thomas, and the snorkeling (both coral reefs and seagrass areas) is some of the best we saw on both St. Thomas and St. John! The beach itself can be crowded on certain days (if cruise ships are in), but that is not directly in front of this condominium, so it still remains tranquil and quiet. The condominium itself is beautiful, clean and was very comfortable. I look forward to returning regularly!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Quiet but not too remote

Guest: Richard L.
Date of Stay: 11/12/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

Great location -- right on the beach with very nice view. 3/4-mi from town (Red Hook) means it's quiet but still a very short trip to restaurants, groceries, ferry, etc. Unit was excellent, well-kept, clean. Owner checked to make sure all was well. If you like having good Internet connectivity, the router right in the unit is a real plus relative to units (such as the one I stayed in before) where you have to rely on the (non-free, weak) communal service. Only negative was the rain. Virtually every day, sometimes multiple times, but always fairly brief (10-30 minutes). I'm told this is common in November, and daily weather reports showed it continuing well into December. The boards above the balcony do not offer shelter. Next time (and I plan on there being one) I will probably go a different time of year.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review, unfortunately no one has control over the weather. I'm happy you agree that it's a peaceful place to be but yet close to many amenities, Marsha Heller

Recommended for:

Definitely Gorgeous with a View!

Guest: Laurie F.
Date of Stay: 09/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/11/11

We stayed at Marsha's condo for our son's wedding. The view was absolutely beautiful, we could see Pretty Klip Point where the wedding took place from the balcony. The water was so blue and warm, it was just so inviting. The condo was perfect, it was clean and newly renovated. The bathroom was very roomy and well appointed. Loved the walk-in shower! Beach towels were provided and we used them almost daily. The beaches were amazing, the condo was so nice to go home to at night, instead of a hotel room, we look forward to returning soon.

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Location, Location

Guest: Noreen (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

The view from this condo is breathtaking. The balcony is the perfect place to unwind with views of the beautiful water and St John. The snorkeling was great. The Marina gave us access to a one day adventure to the British Virgin Islands. Take advantage of the "Breakaway Adventure" and enjoy a day on the water with snorkeling, exploring and relaxation. Marsha's condo is lovely and comfortable. The balcony is the perfect place to begin your day with your morning coffee and end your day watching the twinkling lights on the other islands. I look forward to returning to this amazing condo on beautiful Sapphire Beach.

Owner response:It's always so nice to hear that others enjoy the view and our condo at Sapphire Beach, thank you for the nice review and we look forward to your return. Marsha Heller

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Luv this place!!!

Guest: bloozman (Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/11

This was our second stay at Marsha & Bill's place at Sapphire...the condo is great and Marsha & Bill are so nice to deal with!!! Copied and pasted below is a previous review we wrote of our prior stay at their Sapphire Beach condo from another website...nothing has changed!!!: Beautiful condo, fantastic location, beautiful views, and probably the most breathtaking sunrises to be seen from St. Thomas (worth getting up early for!) Sapphire is a great, convenient location for enjoying the East End/Red Hook area of St. Thomas and also for taking day trips to St. John (without the high lodging expense of staying on St. John.) Marsha's condo is very nice, comfortable, very clean, well maintained, with a tastefully remodeled kitchen. Condo is located on the quiet end of the resort, the beach immediately in front of the condo isn't well suited for swimming, great for snorkeling though, and is beautiful regardless (it's mostly a coral reef.) A very good swimming beach is located just a short walk from the condo on the other side of the resort. Because of that, it is much quieter with less activity then found on the other part of the resort. For those of you who don't like "swimming with the fishes" there's a very nice pool located a few steps from the condo. Lot's of great dining choices to be found just a 5 minute drive away in Red Hook, many restaurants to choose from. Some cool bars too, for those looking for some night life. We had a great stay at Marsha's condo and are hoping to return soon. Marsha was very nice to deal with and called soon after our arrival to see if everything was OK. Highly recommended!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Condo

Guest: Kathy (North Reading, MA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 11/10/10

We enjoyed staying in Marsha's condo which was definitely updated compared to others. True to video and photos, clean and well maintained. Especially loved the kitchen and bathroom. Felt at home and found everything we needed. Loved the views, beach and pool. One negative - as mentioned in other reviews about the resort itself, the restaurant and pool bar are closed. Even though it is a short walk Red Hook, the roads are busy, no sidewalks, and walking on the shoulder is dangerous so we were forced to pay for cabs to the grocery store andestaurants which gets costly. Other than that, we would return to beautiful St. Thomas.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome

Guest: Adrienne (Birmingham, AL)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 08/01/10

We had a great time in St. Thomas! This was our first trip there. The view from the condo was amazing. Everything was just as described in the listing. Marsha was excellent to work with. When we had an issue with the A/C, she had it fixed promptly. The condo was clean and well decorated. It was nice having the lovely condo to come back home to after our days spent outside enjoying the beautiful Virgin Islands. We can't say enough good things about our stay. and we are ready to go back next year. Thanks Marsha!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent time at Sapphire Beach Resort Condo

Guest: Markie Mark (Madison, CT)
Date of Stay: 06/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/29/10

My wife and I spent a beautiful week at Marsha's Sapphire Beach Resort Condo from 6/21/10-6/27/10. The condo is nicely appointed and has a magnificent view of the beach, water, St. John, and the BVI's. It was wonderful waking-up to that view evey day. The resort iteself is nice, albeit a little tired. The grounds are nicely landscaped and the beach is top notch (one of the nicest on the island). There is great snorkeling with a reef just off-shore. Lots of fish and corals. The beach is soft and wide and never feels crowded. Cocktails and sandwiches are served all day by waitresses from the Banana Cabana, or Dive Shop waiters (they seem to work the beach against each other - either way you win). The pool is beautiful and rarely used (a shame as it is a GREAT location). The marina is right next door if you want to take an excursion, or rent wave runners. The walk up the resort hill is steep but provides some good exercise each day. You can catch a bus at the top of the hill into Red Hook (about 2 minutes down the road) for $1 each, or take a cab at the Lobby for $5 each. Lots of good restaurants, bars, and shops in Red Hook, as well as the ferry to St. John (a MUST DO). Parasailing right in front of resort was a lot o fun. Go to Trunk Bay Beach on St. John. Fabulous!!!!! We went to Coki Beach on St. Thomas for a diversion one day. Nice beach and great fresh fruit smoothie drinks (w/rum). Ate dinner at Agave (Point Pleasant), Morgan's Mango and High Tide (St. John), Molly Malone's and Duffy's Love Shack (Red Hook). Also had the Mahi sandwich at Banana Cabana (delicious). Would return to this location again in a minute. Marsha's condo had most everything we needed (except a washer/dryer) and was exactly as described. Sam and his crew are on the ball and the ride to the airport was nice.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Best Condo-Best Beach-Great Location

Guest: ColoradoBeachLover (Castle Rock, CO)
Date of Stay: 05/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/08/10

Marsha and Bill's condo is perfect! The renovations are top of the line, the unit is kept spotlessly clean and the bath towels, beach towels and bed linens are new and top quality. The unit is directly on the beach and just 30 or so feet from the water's edge. The view from the balcony is breathtaking of St. John, the beach and the marina. I've stayed in four units at Sapphire Beach and this is THE BEST by far. This unit is located in the last building in the complex giving you your own private beach to relax on away from the crowds. Just steps away you can be a part of all of the action on the main part of the beach which is stunning. No need to head out to any other beaches. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with access to all of the water sports you could desire. The location of this condo on the east end is unsurpassed with easy access via safari bus or taxi to all of the night life and dining in Red Hook. Marsha's on-site property manager, Sam, is available 24/7 and went above and beyond to make my stay a perfect 10. You can't go wrong with this unit or these owner's or this manager!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Condo, Great Views, Great Time!!!!!

Guest: Married 5/15 :-) (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 05/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

My wife and I decided to rent Marsha’s Condo for our wedding weekend/honeymoon week 5/12-5/20. Renting her condo was the best decision we could have made as her condo is exactly as advertised. The condo was EXTREMELY clean, and VERY comfortable. We can only reiterate what everyone else has already stated: Sapphire Beach is a great place to get away and relax. The beach is one of the best on the island and the resort, though a bit older, is still very nice. The marina is directly beside the condo, which is a great plus for those that like to go out on chartered boat rides (recommend the New Horizons day sail). Marsha’s condo is a home away from home and we will definitely be back.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Excellent Experience

Guest: Denise and Kenny (Sundance, WY)
Date of Stay: 03/30/10 Review Submitted: 04/07/10

Our stay was wonderful. This was our first time renting a condo and we would do it over again. The condo was very clean and comfortable. The view from the balcony was beautiful. We enjoyed eating relaxed and quiet suppers after taking in the sites and sounds of St. Thomas. It was so nice to be able to hear the ocean lapping up on the beach! The amenities of the condo were top-notch. We had all of the comforts of home - full, updated kitchen, air conditioning, large shower and bathroom and all in a feeling of tropical privacy. When we e-mailed Marsha with questions or for her recommendations, she answered quickly and was spot-on with good ideas and information. My only regret is that the stay wasn't longer! I would highly recommend this location as a dream getaway!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome views

Guest: Fran918 (Ballston Spa, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/12/09 Review Submitted: 04/16/09

We loved Marsha's condo! It is very comfortable, clean, cheerful and tastefully decorated. The kitchen is well equiped and we enjoyed cooking some of our meals. The bathroom is spacious and we especially liked the double sink and the large step-in shower with new tiles. The king size bed was very comfortable. We had our morning coffee and an evening drink every day in the high back chairs on the balcony and admired the ocean and beautiful islands. The beach is very quiet but the ocean was still chilly in March on the east side of the island so we swam in the pool. We did not think that we would feel comfortable driving on the left so we did not rent a car. Sam was very helpful: he picked us up at the airport and took us to the supermarket to buy groceries on the way to our condo.We were within walking distance from the restaurant and bars in Red Hook but the roads are narrow with no shoulder so we hopped on the little open air bus that runs right by Sapphire Beach Resort. It was a wonderful, peaceful vacation and we would rent Marsha's condo again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great stay!!!

Guest: bloozman (Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 01/25/09 Review Submitted: 02/02/09

Beautiful condo, fantastic location, beautiful views, and probably the most breathtaking sunrises to be seen from St. Thomas (worth getting up early for!) Sapphire is a great, convenient location for enjoying the East End/Red Hook area of St. Thomas and also for taking day trips to St. John (without the high lodging expense of staying on St. John.) Marsha's condo is very nice, comfortable, very clean, well maintained, with a tastefully remodeled kitchen. Condo is located on the quiet end of the resort, the beach immediately in front of the condo isn't well suited for swimming, great for snorkeling though, and is beautiful regardless (it's mostly a coral reef.) A very good swimming beach is located just a short walk from the condo on the other side of the resort. Because of that, it is much quieter with less activity then found on the other part of the resort. For those of you who don't like "swimming with the fishes" there's a very nice pool located a few steps from the condo. Lot's of great dining choices to be found just a 5 minute drive away in Red Hook, many restaurants to choose from. Some cool bars too, for those looking for some night life. We had a great stay at Marsha's condo and are hoping to return soon. Marsha was very nice to deal with and called soon after our arrival to see if everything was OK. Highly recommended!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/28/08

Thank you so much for the incredible accomodations. Marsha, you did a fantastic job on the condo remodel. Our trip to St. Thomas in Feb. 2008 was a complete surprise for my wife for our anniversary and we were both impressed with your home. From start to finish we had a great time. It was very helpful to have Charles pick us up a the airport. We stopped at the market on the way to the condo which allowed us to eat breakfast on the balcony each morning to start the day. I really liked the second floor location as it provided more privacy than the first floor units. Looking at the other condos on vrbo it is my opinion that you have the nicest unit at Saphire Beach. I'm sure your balcony table and chairs are the finest as we looked back at all the buildings as we walked along the beach and most were small and dirty looking. The tall chairs provided for a great view of the beach and activity. I liked the location next to the small marina. We enjoyed watching the local boats coming and going out for fishing and excursions. It wasn't noisy at all and was nice to walk around and see the nice boats. Your location in unit E was nice and quiet. It is a short walk to the Grill (which has very good food and service) and little store for treats and such. There is a lot of activity at the other end such as volley ball, snorleling, bands, cruise ship adventurers, etc. and it was nice to venture over there to visit but nice to sit on our beach for privacy. Building E is at the quiet end of the resort. Most of the time we were 2 of maybe 6 people on the beach. The water was clear and warm with small waves to play in. Nice palm tree provided shade when needed. The condo faces St. John and does in fact get the tradewinds which is awesome. I didn't realize how nice it was to have the winds until we went to other areas without tradwinds that were hot and a bit stuffy. I could go on and on and on but really wanted to let those interested in Marsha's place know how much we appreciated all of her kindness and attention to ensuring our trip was awesome. Bottom line...... Excellent Condo and Owner! b/r, Mike

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Unforgettable experience

Guest: Spider22 (Maryland,USA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/08 Review Submitted: 04/29/08

This condo is truly beautiful. The recent renovations in the kitchen and bath are gorgeous. It is very well maintained and well stocked with quality products- cookware, dinnerware, towels,... It is clean! The location is idyllic since it is at the end of the resort, next to the marina. We had the beach to ourselves for the majority of our time, which was in the busy season . The resort itself of Sapphire Bay, is ideally located in the east end of St. Thomas, away from crowds but close enough to Red Hook for entertainment, dining, and the ferry. A short walk( 15 minutes) had us at the ferry or the fun Duffy's Love Shack for their great island fare and beverages. The resort's own Mango's Bar and Grill( a 2 minute walk) is newly re-opened and is serving up great food! They'll even take your order on the beach; no need to get up from your chair. The pool is right on the beach so you can look out on the torquoise waters of the bay while sunning yourself on the deck of the pool. But the best view is right from this rental's balcony- an unobstructed view of St. John and the beautiful Caribbean waters. No need to go any other place to truly catch the beauty of the islands. This is THE place to enjoy St. Thomas.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 02/23/08

Simply fabulous! Just visited for a week in February 2008. No words can really describe the fantastic view and the wonderful accomodation! Beaches galore, nice on-site retaurant/bar, easy transportation to Red Hook and the ferry to St. John. Highly, highly recommend this unit and the owners, namely Marsha, who take great care in making sure everything is superb! Would love to visit again!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: janice marshall (columbus, oh)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/19/07

Hi Marsha, We just loved our stay in E207 the first part of November. Everything there has the right feel. It's clean, comfortable and pretty, and the view is really and truly gorgeous. Your choices in decor are just lovely, from the bathroom ( we really love that tiled walk-in shower and that type of shower head ) to the kitchen and seating areas. I used the new microwave several times and loved it, too. My family and I were commenting on the great choice of patio sets. The chairs are comfy and the right height to allow you to see easily over the railing. And, you were right about being able to find just enough shade from the morning sun during breakfast. Thank you, too, for the call after we arrived to be sure everything was as we expected. Renting from an owner and not a management company, it is nice to know things are looked after. We would not hesitate to rent from you again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Donna Hammond (Alexandria Bay, New York)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/28/07

We had an excellent stay. The view from the balcony is one of the best, looking out at St. John. Just feet from the water and excellent snorkeling and swimming. This unit was just what we were looking for. The owners are wonderful, they treated us like old friends. If you are looking for a beautiful place to stay, this is it. Very clean, the best view on the island. Close to marina, also Red Hook. Check it out you won't be disappointed.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: INLETBOATBROKERS (MYRTLE BCH, SC)
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 02/17/07

MY HUSBAND & I HAD A BALL AT YOUR CONDO AT SAPHIRE BCH RESORT. WE FELT RIGHT AT HOME & WE HAD EVERYTHING WE NEEDED FOR OUR STAY. WE ARE IN THE BOAT BUSINESS, SO WE REALLY LOVED BEING NEXT TO THE MARINA. WE ENJOYED WATCHING THE BOATS COMING & GOING, PLUS THE CONVIENENCE OF HAVING THE BOAT/JETSKI RENTALS ON SITE, WAS A BONUS. YOUR BALCONY VIEW IS AWESOME! YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT WHENEVER THERE IS A ROADSIDE SCENIC OVERLOOK ON YOUR PROPERTY. GREAT SNORKLING FROM THE BEACH, GREAT LOCATION, CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. HEAVEN!!"

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A GREAT VACATION

Guest: INLETBOATBROKERS (MYRTLE BCH, SC)
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 02/15/07

MY HUSBAND & I HAD A BALL AT YOUR CONDO AT SAPHIRE BCH RESORT. WE FELT RIGHT AT HOME & WE HAD EVERYTHING WE NEEDED FOR OUR STAY. WE ARE IN THE BOAT BUSINESS, SO WE REALLY LOVED BEING NEXT TO THE MARINA. WE ENJOYED WATCHING THE BOATS COMING & GOING, PLUS THE CONVIENENCE OF HAVING THE BOAT/JETSKI RENTALS ON SITE, WAS A BONUS. YOUR BALCONY VIEW IS AWESOME! YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT WHENEVER THERE IS A ROADSIDE SCENIC OVERLOOK ON YOUR PROPERTY. GREAT SNORKLING FROM THE BEACH, GREAT LOCATION, CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. HEAVEN!!

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