Reviews for Coral Bay Vacation Rental - VRBO 115306 - 3 BR USVI - St. John House, Waterlemon Villa Coral Bay, St.John ~ it's All About the View!

A dream come true

Guest Cam and Donna
Date of stay 04/29/13
Review Submitted 05/14/13

Our very first trip to the island and we were kinda scared because we planned our trip through the Internet. We looked at pictures of the island and knew we had to go there. We found waterlemon villa scrolling through dozens and dozens of villas available to us. We knew waterlemon was the place for us because of the pictures of the view looking down on coral bay. We contacted the owner Ellen and she was so eager to help us plan our trip and confident that waterlemon would make us happy. We trusted her because every time we contacted her leading up to the trip she was quick at responding and such a nice person. We arrived at the villa and pulling into the driveway we seen right away that the scenery was exact to what was displayed on the web site. The villa was breath taking. I immediately rushed to the screened in porch because that is the place we were most excited to spend our time while we were there. The scenery was so breath taking that it made me emotional. I knew if heaven was on earth we found it. Every detail of the home was so perfect. You have to shower in the outdoor showers, looking down on the view while standing in the shower iis amazing. The home is Set up with everything a couple could possibly need or want but also set up to accommodate a larger party. We cannot say enough about Ellen and what a wonderful person she is. She won't let you down. One of the biggest questions I wondered was why was people telling us we needed to rent a jeep vrs a car? Well,we found out. The whole island is all hills. You are either climbing steep hills or descending steep hills. We explored every inch of the island. At first, I was white knuckled as my husband took on the duties of driving us around but after the first couple trips to and from the villa I was relaxed and had my feet pressed up to the rolled down windows. I don't no exactly what you are all looking for on your trip but I can say if you are anything like my husband and me and want a special time away from home with adventure trust in Ellen and I promise you will go home from your trip knowing that you are blessed. We can't wait to go to St. John again and already know that we don't want to stay anyplace but coral bay at waterlemon villa. Truly, a dream come true.

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

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Experience Shangri-la

Guest Julia B.
Date of stay 02/02/13
Review Submitted 02/21/13

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but mine is definitely still in St. John. And more specifically at Waterlemon Villa. It was our first visit to the islands and Ellen's, the owner, information before we arrived was invaluable. A word of advice, whatever Ellen suggests, follow it and you will save valuable time for enjoying the fun that awaits. She was always quick and pleasant in answering my many questions. The views from Waterlemon cannot be described, they must be experienced. The home truly felt like home upon arrival. Beautiful accommodations but homey and comfortable at the same time. The porches were wonderful for morning coffee and evening dinners outside. And the guys especially enjoyed the outside showers overlooking the bay. It exceeded our expectations. And in the words of my 27 yr. old son, the house was “awesome”. Seawatch, our favorite local bar was not far and great for happy hour appetizers. Also, just down the hill were Lily’s grocery and a lovely restaurant called Aqua Bistro. Very convenient. I found everyone we met fascinating, friendly and happy to share a story or two. Coral Bay is peaceful with much to offer in picturesque bays, beaches and snorkeling. A day trip to Cruz Bay for shopping and beach bar hopping was fun, but back to Coral Bay for exquisite sunsets and star gazing. Driving was an adventure as you dodged donkeys, goats and even a mongoose here and there. I found myself smiling for a week. Sitting by the pool at Waterlemon and looking out over Coral Bay was surreal. I can still see it in my dreams and all I can say to you is GO!

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

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What an escape!

Guest CA Kid
Date of stay 10/08/12
Review Submitted 11/13/12

Waterlemon Villa was a wonderful home base for our stay on St. John. The days were filled with beach excursions, exploring the island, shopping in Cruz Bay and simply enjoying the wonderful island of St. John. The afternoons and evenings were filled with unforgettable family time at Waterlemon Villa. The Villa gave us the "homey" feeling we were looking for as we enjoyed the pool, large screened-in porch, comfy porch furniture, well-equiped kitchen, ample living space, wireless connectivity, beautiful rising moons, gentle trade winds and, of course, THE VIEWS!!! We hardly went out for dinner as we wanted to enjoy all the the Villa offered. Waterlemon Villa is a wondeful place to stay, relax, enjoy and be refreshed.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Inspiring View

Guest Beachnut
Date of stay 06/20/12
Review Submitted 08/20/12

This comfy house perched on a mountain-side is an appealing vacation rental. The indoor/outdoor showers are a unique and fun feature. With a well-outfitted kitchen and comfortable living spaces including an appealing screened deck, it was easy to settle right in. With the high price of restaurants in Coral Bay, a good kitchen was essential. The owner is great to work with; she genuinely wants her renters to have a wonderful time, and we did. Two considerations: The stairs to the lower level bedrooms are steep and narrow, not for those with disabilities. Also, the road to the house requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle as do many roads on St. John. Since we were a family of 12, we also rented Almost Heaven next door. This was an ideal combination for our family. What a way to celebrate a 50th Wedding Anniversary

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers.

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Gorgeous Waterlemon Villa

Guest angie l.
Date of stay 06/09/12
Review Submitted 06/24/12

Our family of 5( girls ages 15,13 and 11) just returned from our second stay at the lovely Waterlemon Villa. Our first stay was June 2010 and we knew we had to get back as soon as possible! Waterlemon Villa is truly our favorite place we have ever stayed and would never consider staying anywhere else on STJ. The beautiful villa has everything you need to feel at home and lots of space for a family. The three bedrooms are very comfortable and the outdoor showers have incredible views overlooking Coral Bay. The views from the villa are unbelievable from every angle. The large screened in porch off the family room and kitchen is where we spent the most time when home. The breezes make it so comfortable for breakfast, lounging and reading. Evenings were spent on the porch also - eating dinner in and watching the girls take a swim before bed. The villa is cool and comfortable - no need for AC. Ellen has beach chairs, towels and coolers - everything you need for a day at the beach. Coral Bay is a great location 15-20 minutes to reach most beaches. There are great restaurants in the area and a market at the bottom of the hill. Skinny Legs and Shipwreck Landing were our favorites. We traveled into Cruz Bay a couple of times for boat rental and dinner but much prefer the quieter side of the island. The house has several guide books and a guest book to help you make the most of your visit - great tips to be found. We highly recommend Waterlemon Villa and Ellen is a pleasure to work with. We are already plotting our return to STJ and will surely return to Waterlemon Villa!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

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More Than a Million Dollar View!

Guest Nancy B.
Date of stay 05/31/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

Waterlemon Villa was perfect for our family of six. Our daughters and their partners enjoyed the lovely four poster beds and showers with a view on the lower level. My husband and I found the upper level bedroom convenient for getting up first to make coffee and see the sunrise over the island. We began our days with roosters crowing and birds chirping as we looked over Coral Bay and the sailboats below. The screened in porch covered the length of the house and included a wicker sitting area and iron dining table and six chairs. The glass doors to the porch opened up completely to the interior living room, dining, room, and kitchen. We had fun cooking, dining, and playing games in this entire area. Each morning and late afternoon we enjoyed the pool and lounge chairs among beautiful flowers and astounding views. This vacation brought our family in from Canada, NYC, and Omaha and we had the time of our lives. Of course we explored many beaches on this quiet side of St. John, snorkeling and swimming in crystal clear water. We love nature and spent most of our time on these winding roads, meeting the donkeys and goat herds along the way. Hiking included meeting up with red roosters, hens, and chicks as well as mongoose. The owner ofWaterlemon Villa i responded by phone to my email inquiry within ten minutes and was completely prepared with every phase of the rental process. She promptly answered all my questions and had her caretaker meet us at the ferry to lead us to Waterlemon. We had his number in case we had any problems. Her home is generously furnished, decorated, and supplied. It is a wonderful place to enjoy family and time together. This was the best experience for our first time in St. John. I highly recommend Waterlemon Villa.

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More Than A Million Dollar View!

Guest Nancy B.
Date of stay 05/31/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

Waterlemon Villa was perfect for our family of six. Our daughters and their partners enjoyed the lovely four poster beds and showers with a view on the lower level. My husband and I found the upper level bedroom convenient for getting up first to make coffee and see the sunrise over the island. We began our days with roosters crowing and birds chirping as we looked over Coral Bay and the sailboats below. The screened in porch covered the length of the house and included a wicker sitting area and iron dining table and six chairs. The glass doors to the porch opened up completely to the interior living room, dining, room, and kitchen. We had fun cooking, dining, and playing games in this entire area. Each morning and late afternoon we enjoyed the pool and lounge chairs among beautiful flowers and astounding views. This vacation brought our family in from Canada, NYC, and Omaha and we had the time of our lives. Of course we explored many beaches on this quiet side of St. John, snorkeling and swimming in crystal clear water. We love nature and spent most of our time on these winding roads, meeting the donkeys and goat herds along the way. Hiking included meeting up with red roosters, hens, and chicks as well as mongoose. The owner of Waterlemon Villa responded by phone to my email inquiry within ten minutes and was completely prepared with every phase of the rental process. She promptly answered all my questions and had her caretaker meet us at the ferry to lead us to Waterlemon. We had his number in case we had any problems.The home is generously furnished, decorated, and supplied. It is a wonderful place to enjoy family and time together. This was the best experience for our first time in St. John. I highly recommend Waterlemon Villa.

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

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Wonderful Villa, Wonderful Vacation!

Guest Liz W
Date of stay 03/31/12
Review Submitted 04/15/12

Our family thorougly enjoyed staying at Waterlemon Villa during Spring Break this year. The house was wonderfully appointed and the views were amazing. The beds were so comfortable and the kitchen was great. But by far the best feature was the screened in porch - we lived out there! And we loved how we could open all the french doors and open up the indoor and outdoor space. We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teen boys) and the house fit us perfectly. Each boy had their own room and they loved the pool. I liked that we all had space to move around but still stayed connected as a family. St. John is beautiful and this is a wonderful house to stay at. The house was recommend to us by a friend and we highly recommend it as well. And yes, we do plan to return one day soon. Ellen Sandler and Marc Miller were great to work.

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

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Fantastic Getaway

Guest Father of 3
Date of stay 12/17/11
Review Submitted 12/30/11

This was an excellent vacation. The home sits up high and gives the most incredible view of the bay below. Breathtaking. Purely relaxing vacation. Fun to find a different beach to go to daily and explore. Would highly recommend

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Paradise

Guest Caribtrvlr
Date of stay 10/08/11
Review Submitted 10/20/11

Just got back from a fabulous trip to St. John. Waterlemon Villa is ALL ABOUT THE VIEW. It is a beautiful Villa overlooking hurricaine hole and Sir Frances Drake passage. The landscaping and Villa are immaculate. I would definatley recommend(and have) this property to anyone wanting to rent a Villa on STJ. We loved the privacy and enjoyed the pool very much and would jump in after coming back from the beaches or from our many hikes on STJ. The island is very safe and all the locals are very friendly. The closet beach to Waterlemon Villa is Maho and it was one of my favorites. My husband said the snorkling was the best there. He seen barracuda,stingrays,nurse sharks,tarpon,sea turles and lots of healthy coral and colorful fish. Hopeful we can return in a couple years and stay at Waterlemon Villa it is truley a beautiful place.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Paradise!

Guest Todd
Date of stay 08/01/11
Review Submitted 08/15/11

My family of 5 just got back from paradise at Waterlemon Villa. This lovely home was the perfect base camp for our beach and snorkeling adventure. The villa is well-appointed with terra cotta tile throughout the entire home, porch and pool areas. The 2 porches are magnificent; one is screened in to protect you from the bugs and where you will want to eat candle lit meals. We all loved the breezes and vistas of blue waters, lush mountain sides and the clouds passing by. The view is to die for -- no kidding. The house also features awesome wooded ceiling beams which gives the home extra character as well as support. There are also very cool stone and coral arches that reflect the history and style of the sugar mill ruins. The kitchen has everything you need. The outside showers are private and give incredible views. The pool is small, but lovely. You need to skim the pool a few times a day of leaves and flower blossoms, but that was a joy for me. Swimming in the pool is how I started and ended every day. The road to the house really is a rollercoaster, which was a bit scary at first, but then became a fun and exciting part of the day. Driving on all the roads in St. John is not for the faint of heart (especially if you are not in the driver's seat), but is the way to see this gorgeous island. And driving back at home now is a bit boring. The beds are extremely comfortable, as are the couches in the great room and on the porch. We did not need A/C during our trip in August. The ceiling fans and new oscillating fans did the trick. We left the bedroom doors open at night for the trade winds, and were awakened each morning to the sunrise and the roosters crowing. I loved this. The home is very well maintained and clean. We had a few ants here and there, but, hey, you are in paradise at a National Park, there will be bugs. The palms, flowering vines and other flora around the property are beautiful. The house is larger than it appears with ample room to relax and play. Coral Bay is the quiet side of town. We found beaches only a 15-minute drive away; some a bit farther. The house was a great base for use to hike and explore beaches on the East End, South Side and the North Side. I often went on solo adventures as my family loved this house so much that they didn't want to leave its loveliness. Ellen is a great and caring owner who wants you to enjoy her home. Mark, the property manager was terrific!

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

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My Blue Heaven

Guest Carole S.
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 04/11/11

Our family of five just returned from eight days in paradise! Waterlemon Villa is truly the location for a dream come true vacation. Beginning with the reservation process through multiple emails and telephone conversations with Ellen, the owner of the property, our experience was nothing short of perfect. Ellen answered all our questions and suggested places to visit and things to do to make our vacation memorable. Arriving on St. John and following the property manager across the island and up the hill to the villa was only the beginning of our adventure! The driveway is quite steep, but my husband managed quite nicely in our rented 4 wheel drive Jeep - extra thrills, but what a view! So worth it! The villa is exactly as it is depicted on the website - beautiful, clean, well-appointed and luxurious. We slept soundly on comfortable mattresses with ceiling fans keeping us cool. The screened in porch affords plenty of space to read, relax, dine, or sit and enjoy the view. We ate outdoors on the porch for every meal except those when we dined out. The pool is a fun option. The kitchen has everything you need to cook any type of meal, in fact the villa lacks nothing in the way of amenities - when I wanted to light the candles, there was a lighter. When I wanted to open a bottle of wine there was a corkscrew. And of course there is a blender! Ellen had pointed us in the direction of all the things we would need - the grocery stores, restaurants, snorkel rental outfitter, etc. Coral Bay is so laid back and peaceful - we were so happy we were not in busy Cruz Bay which bustled like NYC in comparison! The villa is visible from everywhere in Coral Bay high on its hillside and it is fun to look for it when down in town. It is a short drive to the best beaches in the world and the snorkeling is fabulous everywhere. This is the most relaxed we have been EVER on vacation. Our two boys are 15 and 14 and our daughter is 12. They all enjoyed themselves and rated it the most relaxing vacation ever, too. Our son turned 14 while on this trip and he declared it his best birthday ever - high praise from someone who celebrated his 12th birthday at the Grand Canyon! But after snorkeling at Trunk Bay, lunch in Cruz Bay, more snorkeling at Francis Bay topped off with a "cheeseburger in paradise" at Skinny Legs, he speaks truth! We certainly hope to return to St. John and when we do would absolutely return to Waterlemon Villa! Loved it, loved it!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

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Relax and Enjoy the View!

Guest Tricia
Date of stay 12/19/10
Review Submitted 12/29/10

What a beautiful place to get away from it all! We stayed at Waterlemon Villa for Christmas, and it was wonderful. The description of the property is accurate, and the property is very clean and well-maintained. Both the owner, Ellen Sandler, and the agent on St. John, Marc Miller, were pleasant to work with. I would definitely recommend this property to my best friend. We rent a villa because we want to be able to cook for ourselves rather than going out to eat all the time. This is especially true of Waterlemon--we didn't want to be driving all over the island after dark, and it gets dark by 6:00 this time of year. I also found that I didn't want to cook every night, so I discovered a wonderful caterer in Coral Bay who supplied us with a welcome basket the first night, a rise and shine basket for the next morning, and several other meals, both ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook, throughout the week. Since we bought our own wine and cocktails rather than paying restaurant prices, we figure the cost was a toss-up with going out to eat for those meals. Plus, the helpings were heaping, so we had leftovers for other meals. I highly recommend Julie Van Pelt at EastWest Catering. I can't say enough about the food--it was absolutely delicious. We sailed with the Gallups and Kiwi on Long Distance, which is moored in Coral Bay. It was delightful. They took us to two snorkeling places offshore (Newfound Bay and Flanagan's Island), and the snorkeling was superb. It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve. We found some of the beaches a bit crowded--even Lameshur Bay was wall-to-wall people in the afternoon. However, Francis Bay, the best beach on the island in my opinion, never did get very crowded. We didn't even go to Trunk Bay as we stopped and looked at it from above, and it appeared very crowded. Just stick with Francis. It's easy to get to and is a beautiful beach. The snorkeling wasn't as good there as at other beaches (Salt Pond, Leinster, Waterlemon Cay), but I think that was because there were a bunch of swells, which had actually almost closed down Trunk the previous day, in the area. We did see a turtle and plenty of fish, but the water wasn't very clear. That was the only day we had that issue, however. The pace is slow, which is why we went to an island. The house was perfect, the view was amazing, and we'll be back. "How beautiful it is to do nothing and relax afterward." ~Spanish Proverb

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

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ANOTHER GREAT STAY AT WATERLEMON VILLA!!!

Guest Tom L.
Date of stay 06/22/10
Review Submitted 07/12/10

My wife and I recently had an incredible stay at Waterlemon Villa, where we have stayed in the past and will DEFINTELY stay in the future! In fact, St John is our favorite place on earth, and we would not even CONSIDER returning to St John and renting another home! This property sits on a hillside with an impossibly beautiful view of Coral Bay, and an easy 5 minute drive gets you to the grocery store or to great bars and restaurants. Being on the hillside is a big advantage, because you'll take advantage of the cooling breezes at night. We have rented homes in STJ by the water, and even with A/C, it was always hot and muggy in the house. Waterlemon sits high and the breeze blows right through the house; even without A/C we have never thought it was "too hot" (and we always visit in the summer, when temps are highest). Your private pool really IS private--it faces East, meaning you'll get great sunshine for swimming and laying out starting as early as 8 or 9 every morning; we enjoyed spending a few hours every morning laying out, swimming and reading at home before hitting the beach. There is a home under construction next door, but the noise was minimal, and from our pool and/or lounge chairs we couldn't see any of the workers, and they couldn't see us either. We loved cooking dinner and eating at home. This house has great dishes, pots, pans, etc--everything you need, whether making a full meal for dinner or just preparing snacks to eat poolside. You'll love both the screened in upstairs porch--perfect for eating dinner outside (and protected from the mosquitoes)--and the outside tiled stairs that lead from the kitchen down to the pool deck. The owners of this home seem to have thought of everything to create the perfect vacation home. There are two master bedrooms downstairs, both with their own ensuite bathrooms and showers. This is great if you are traveling with friends (we've stayed here by ourselves, and with another couple). The furniture is very high quality, and the bedding, towels, etc are just great. Again, these owners do NOT cut corners! The bottom line is that this home gives you the comfort and luxury of a fine hotel combined with the privacy and flexibility that you can only get with a rental home. Additionally, the pricing is such that if you are traveling alone, the cost is similar to a nice hotel, and if you are traveling with friends or family and can share the cost, you'll pay much less.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Taylor
Date of stay 12/31/09
Review Submitted 12/30/09

Waterlemon Villa is a wonderful place to stay. It is located in Coral Bay and has the most spectacular view. I took several books to read, but just could not get into them because I couldn’t take my eyes off the view long enough to do so. The villa is top notch, very nicely decorated and meticulously maintained. There is a screened in porch on the living/kitchen level that was in constant use during our stay. It was great to be able to sit, relax, enjoy the view and not have to worry about the skeeters. There was also a lower level veranda that was not screened that was equally terrific. The two master bedrooms opened to this veranda which also had access to the pool. Excellent seating on both levels and at the pool (which had plenty of loungers and a dining set). The screened porch also had a dining table and we ate all of our meals there. Enjoyed the outside shower attached to the master bedroom. Once again, gorgeous view. The second bedroom was a duplicate of the master. There is a third bedroom with twins on the upper level. With the exception of the third bedroom and bath, there are incredible views from every room in the house. The owner was a pleasure to deal with, as was the on island manager. I highly recommend this villa, but beware, it is very difficult to have to leave when the time comes!Taylor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Stephanie B.
Date of stay 11/08/09
Review Submitted 11/07/09

Ellen - So sorry that I never posted a review on VRBO... I just tried to go there, and couldn't figure out how to post. If you would like to post the following for me, please feel free: Although we stayed at Waterlemon Villa in June, I am just today putting some vacation pictures into frames to hang in my home & office. What a wonderful stay - what a beautiful place -- and the VIEW... This was our first trip to the Virgin Islands, and we are so glad we stayed here, and not in a hotel. We had no problems finding our way around the island. Staying where we did, we felt that we really got to see the best of the island. We met some folks staying at one of the big hotels, and while they were having a good time...their experience was TOTALLY different... they never really left the hotel property... BIG MISTAKE. This island is just begging to be discovered. I recently shared my vacation pictures with a friend -- she could not get over the beauty... and the color of the water. We were busy exploring and snorkeling everyday... and I can't think of a better place to return to at the end of the day and relax, but Waterlemon Villa. Sitting on the porch and watching the sunrise was also a favorite to-do. If you think the pictures on the website take your breath away...just WAIT till you see it in person!!! Stephanie

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Amy
Date of stay 08/05/09
Review Submitted 08/04/09

Dear Ellen, Thank you ~ Thank you! We SOO enjoyed your lovely and absolutely perfect home.....so perfect for us this trip. I loved the sunrises on the deck with my coffee...MOST mornings I was up early enough. :) Your place a very comfortable feel, while still being very beautiful and that's hard to accomplish! We had a couple of charming dinners on the patio and many good conversations, which rarely happens these days. I gave a very special job to my 10 year daughter; she was the one who wrote in your guest book. I think you will enjoy it. Summer is almost gone, and so happy to have been able to have our children experience one of our greatest loves: your island of St. John.... Many good memories ahead for you and your wonderful home! Thank you for sharing, Amy

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Tom McDowell
Date of stay 07/29/09
Review Submitted 07/28/09

We just came back from a week at Waterlemon Villa. The villa is only a couple of years old and shows no wear. It overlooks Coral Bay and has killer views. All furnishings are first class with great seating on both decks. The pool was great after a day in the sun. There are two master bedrooms with queen beds and one bedroom with twins. Both masters have really cool outside showers accessable only from the bedroom. The kitchen and greatroom were very well furnished. The drive up the hill is not bad at all until you get to the very last part and after a couple of trips it really wasn't bad (never used 4 wheel drive).There is a villa being built next door but it was never any kind of problem. Very little noise if any. Rented directly from the owner who was a joy to deal with. There is an on island manager who was great to work with also. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 07/26/09
Review Submitted 07/26/09

Our family of five stayed at the beautiful Waterlemon Villa for 10 days in July. WOW! The house is lovely and the pictures on the website are 100% accurate; the views are spectacular, and the design of the home complements its surroundings. Staying in the Coral Bay area of St. John definitely is an adventure, but as Ellen, the home's gracious and knowledgeable owner notes, this isn't just a trip to the beach! In fact, it is a trip to 30+ beaches with the best snorkeling we have experienced. We give our adventure the perfect 10!

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27th Anniversary trip-July 2009

Guest Kellyemc
Date of stay 07/22/09
Review Submitted 07/31/09

Our trip to Waterlemon Villa was also our first trip to St. John so we did not know what to expect. We were VERY worried that the lack of AC would be a problem in July. Many people on the forums discouraged us from renting one without air based on our concerns but we took a chance and do not regret it one bit! We are from Alabama and run our air constantly from April to September! The breezes that blow continuously were a joy and believe it or not, one night we actually got a little COLD (it had finally rained about 30 minutes)! The view from the villa is breathtaking and the villa itself is magnificent. The beds were great and the fans kept us cool each night. Waterlemon has so many great touches that made everything so much easier. We are used to walking directly out to a beach when on the Gulf Coast and trips to the beautiful beaches of St. John require some packing and planning. Ellen (the owner) has taken that into account and provides chairs, coolers, and beach towels, which makes this so much easier! The outdoor showers were really nice. I actually put my contacts in BEFORE the shower so I could enjoy the view during the shower! There is also an indoor shower for those nights when you come in late or for the less adventurous so all tastes are covered. There are so many nice touches, like books, movies, candles, spices, and a really well stocked kitchen, not that I believe in doing much cooking on a vacation, but many people do! There are even hairdryers in the bathrooms with diffusers! I didn't take mine to save space so that was great! Another surprise was a speaker for our MP3 player that is NOT an IPOD. I was also able to take my computer so we could find info while there. The drive up was not nearly as frightening some other driveways we have seen on the forums. Backing out required a few passes but my husband mastered that quickly. After we got there, I was really glad we picked Coral Bay. I really can't imagine staying around Cruz Bay and the villas with views of just the ocean are too much like what we have at home. We researched places to stay for hundreds of hours but it really paid off! We have been to other places in the Caribbean and I didn't think any place could be more beautiful that St. Lucia, but St. John just has so many wonderful beaches and the views to the other islands make it a cut above. The colors of the water are amazing and the snorkeling was fantastic. This was our best trip yet!

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

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Guest Tom L
Date of stay 07/08/09
Review Submitted 07/08/09

We have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean. St John is, without question, our favorite island. This was our 5th trip to St John and first stay at Waterlemon Villa. Waterlemon Villa sits directly above Coral Bay harbor. The view alone is worth the trip! I wanted our 20th wedding anniversary trip to be perfect, so I carefully researched dozens of homes. What first struck me was the professional way that Ellen, the homeowner, answered all of my questions. It was clear that she loves this home and is very careful about her clientele. That meant a lot because we wanted a home that has been well cared for, and not just trashed by a succession of renters. Sure enough, the home appeared brand new, was sparkling clean, and every detail has been taken into consideration--including having a nice driveway, which is a BIG plus! The pool was very clean. The tiled pool deck has an outside shower, reclining lounges, chairs, thick floating mats and a table with a retractable shade umbrella. The chair and lounge material stays cool and dries quickly--important in a tropical climate. The exterior staircase from the pool to the kitchen allowed us to get drinks and snacks without dripping water through the house. There are beautiful plants and flowers around the pool deck, and we enjoyed complete privacy in and around the pool. We and another couple used both downstairs master suites. The beds are beautiful, firm and sturdy, and we slept GREAT! There is no A/C, but it didn't matter--not only are there fans in every room, but the whole house enjoys an amazing and nearly constand island breeze. The kitchen and living areas were excellent. In 9 days we ate all but 4 or 5 meals at home (groceries were expensive but not outrageous). The kitchen had everything we needed to cook a wide variety of meals. The screened in porch off of the kitchen allowed us to eat outside, enjoy the amazing breeze, and be protected from St John's thriving evening Mosquito population. We are adventuresome people. We like to run, swim, snorkel, hike, eat, and explore. We don't like traffic, crowds, or tourist traps. Coral Bay is heaven! Just enough of everything but not too much of anything. Waterlemon Villa is perfectly located. Thanks Ellen, Mark (local manager) and previous guests for making this home so beautiful! We had the time of our lives--we can't wait until our next visit to St John and Waterlemon Villa!!! Tom and Tracy (Oregon).

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

WE LOVE WATERLEMON VILLA!!

Guest Tom L
Date of stay 06/24/09
Review Submitted 07/08/09

We have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean. St John is, without question, our favorite island. This was our 5th trip to St John and first stay at Waterlemon Villa. Waterlemon Villa sits directly above Coral Bay harbor. The view alone is worth the trip! I wanted our 20th wedding anniversary trip to be perfect, so I carefully researched dozens of homes. What first struck me was the professional way that Ellen, the homeowner, answered all of my questions. It was clear that she loves this home and is very careful about her clientele. That meant a lot because we wanted a home that has been well cared for, and not just trashed by a succession of renters. Sure enough, the home appeared brand new, was sparkling clean, and every detail has been taken into consideration--including having a nice driveway, which is a BIG plus! The pool was very clean. The tiled pool deck has an outside shower, reclining lounges, chairs, thick floating mats and a table with a retractable shade umbrella. The chair and lounge material stays cool and dries quickly--important in a tropical climate. The exterior staircase from the pool to the kitchen allowed us to get drinks and snacks without dripping water through the house. There are beautiful plants and flowers around the pool deck, and we enjoyed complete privacy in and around the pool. We and another couple used both downstairs master suites. The beds are beautiful, firm and sturdy, and we slept GREAT! There is no A/C, but it didn't matter--not only are there fans in every room, but the whole house enjoys an amazing and nearly constand island breeze. The kitchen and living areas were excellent. In 9 days we ate all but 4 or 5 meals at home (groceries were expensive but not outrageous). The kitchen had everything we needed to cook a wide variety of meals. The screened in porch off of the kitchen allowed us to eat outside, enjoy the amazing breeze, and be protected from St John's thriving evening Mosquito population. We are adventuresome people. We like to run, swim, snorkel, hike, eat, and explore. We don't like traffic, crowds, or tourist traps. Coral Bay is heaven! Just enough of everything but not too much of anything. Waterlemon Villa is perfectly located. Thanks Ellen, Mark (local manager) and previous guests for making this home so beautiful! We had the time of our lives--we can't wait until our next visit to St John and Waterlemon Villa!!! Tom and Tracy (Oregon).

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Waterlemon Villa Coral Bay, St.John ~ it's All About the View! [#115306] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (22)

A dream come true

A dream come true

Experience Shangri-la

Experience Shangri-la

What an escape!

What an escape!

Inspiring View

Inspiring View

Gorgeous Waterlemon Villa

Gorgeous Waterlemon Villa

More Than a Million Dollar View!

More Than a Million Dollar View!

More Than A Million Dollar View!

More Than A Million Dollar View!

Wonderful Villa, Wonderful Vacation!

Wonderful Villa, Wonderful Vacation!

Fantastic Getaway

Fantastic Getaway

Paradise

Paradise

Paradise!

Paradise!

My Blue Heaven

My Blue Heaven

Relax and Enjoy the View!

Relax and Enjoy the View!

ANOTHER GREAT STAY AT WATERLEMON VILLA!!!

ANOTHER GREAT STAY AT WATERLEMON VILLA!!!

27th Anniversary trip-July 2009

27th Anniversary trip-July 2009

WE LOVE WATERLEMON VILLA!!

WE LOVE WATERLEMON VILLA!!