Reviews for Cowpet Bay Vacation Rental - VRBO 163726 - 2 BR East End Condo in USVI - St. Thomas, Caribbean Condo

Loved it

Guest erichwalsh
Date of stay 04/12/13
Review Submitted 04/20/13

Just got back from a wonderful visit to this condo with a party of 5. Usually stay at the Anchorage nearby but decided to to try the Elysian for a change. Very happy we did! This unit was large, comfortable, the views were great, the furnishings were nice, and each unit has it's own balcony. We enjoyed the fact that this unit has it's own floor in the building, no other units next to it, felt more private that way. It was quite nice to come back to every day after a long day in the sun. The grounds of the Elysian were much nicer than we expected, and noticeably nicer than the Anchorage. The beach was clean, large, water beautiful, and lots of fun activitities to do on site. When we stayed local (as opposed to going to St. John or the BVI) we kayaked around the bay, including over to Christmas Island for snorkeling, which was even better than the snorkeling just off the beach to the left. Pool is really nice as well. The owners were also great to deal with. We'll be back for sure!

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

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Great Vacation Condo

Guest Zev C.
Date of stay 03/16/13
Review Submitted 04/02/13

Wonderful condo, excellent accommodations and location!

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

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Great girls get away!

Guest Madeleine S.
Date of stay 01/27/13
Review Submitted 02/03/13

Paul and Pat were excellent in communicating with us. Paul was always ready to answer any questions I might have and was very honest with his answers. Pat arranged our airport transfers and gave us great suggestions about excursions. The condo had a beautiful view of Cowpet Bay and was very nicely appointed inside. It was a perfect size for 4 women. The beds were very comfortable and we had more than enough room renting all 3 rooms. We had everything we needed especially in the kitchen. We loved its proximity to red hook where we took advantage of the ferry to St. John and sapphire marina. The pool and hot tub are fabulous. Stacy at the activities hut was a joy and helped us out a lot. The hamburgers at the beachside bar/ restaurant were excellent. The other higher end restaurant was nice to have within walking distance but we felt it overpriced for the value. Go next door to the Ritz. Our only complaint was the bay was small and you don't have a view of all the other islands across from st. Thomas. However, for the money, the condo was great!

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

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My Favorite St. Thomas Condo

Guest ac
Date of stay 12/16/12
Review Submitted 01/02/13

My daughter and I have been visiting St. Thomas for 8 years now and we've stayed at several different condo resorts. This one is our favorite! It's conveniently located, close to Red Hook and the ferries and still easy to get into town. The beach is beautiful with plenty of lounge chairs. The pool is lovely as well. This condo felt like home. It's nicely decorated and very comfortable. Every convenience we needed was there, and more! Everything, inside the condo and throughout the resort, was well-maintained. We'll be staying here next year!

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

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Fell in love with St. Thomas!

Guest Kathe
Date of stay 08/19/12
Review Submitted 09/08/12

We loved our stay in St. Thomas. The condo was perfect in every way. It is very accurately portrayed in the VRBO listing. It is the perfect home base for a St. Thomas vacation. Easily accessible to restaurants (2 really good ones right on the property), the ferry to St. John, grocery stores, shopping. The unit is in really good shape and perfectly maintained. The grounds are impeccable. The beach was very nice with a rental shop on the premises for excursions, rentals. The pool was beautiful. The beach chairs were very available and comfortable. The palm trees provided a nice natural shading but there was plenty of sunny area too. The snorkeling was good right off the beach. The condo itself was very comfortable and spacious. The owner provided coolers, lawn chairs, and snorkel equipment for excursions. This made the trip very convenient. The landlord is a great source of information. I felt like I knew the island before I got there! We would definitely like to do it again in the future! I would recommend this property to a friend of relative. Recommendations: Havanna Blue, Coral World, Gladdy's, trip to St. John, restaurants on the property

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

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luvthebeach

Guest luvthebeach
Date of stay 05/31/12
Review Submitted 07/11/12

We have stayed at this home twice and both experiences have been wonderful. The home is well equipped, the location is excellent, you can swim in the bay right at the condo and the best part is the owner. He is very responsive and communicates promptly.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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GREAT, RELAXING VACATION

Guest AMY
Date of stay 04/27/12
Review Submitted 05/07/12

Everthing was just exactly as promised. You did not want for anything in the units. My only problem I had the entire week was that it rained all day on a couple days but you cannot help that.

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

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Great place! Our family loved it and would definitely go back!

Guest Special K
Date of stay 04/15/12
Review Submitted 05/05/12

This resort is top notch with a great pool and superb restaurant called the Carribean Fish Market. It is very well located and has all the amenities of a big resort but a much more peaceful but still fun atmosphere! The condo itself is very nice, extremely clean and had lots of space for our family. The owner was terrific to work with, really pays attention to details and is very trustworthy. This was the first time we rented a condo on line and we couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

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First Caribbean Vacation

Guest Howlizach
Date of stay 04/06/12
Review Submitted 04/28/12

We loved Cowpet beach - quiet, calming, warm waters, not crowded. As promised, the snorkeling was pretty good - seemed to be hundreds of fish and plants in a relatively small area. Elysian staff was polite, friendly, and helpful -- especially the folks at the Carribean Fish Restaurant and Sangrias - don't miss out on "Michael's Confusion" or Buck's (aka "Mr. Livin da Life") friendly service and conversation. Good food, good drinks, very relaxing. The condo was immaculate, and when we had a minor problem, the Property Mgmt Staff was prompt, attentive, and helpful. No doubt, when we go back, this where we will stay.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Excellent Condo !!

Guest Kimberly D.
Date of stay 03/16/12
Review Submitted 04/09/12

There are no words to describe what a wonderful time we had on vacation. The condo was perfect! We ended up having dinner at The Cellar in Red Hook. It was fabulous. We spent a lot of time on the different beaches and I think we hit them all. We did 3 different charter trips and I think the most fun may have been when we rented a dinghy in St John and snorkeled the different spots around there. We made good use of your snorkel equipment! Thanks for having that stuff available. We walked over to the Yacht Club for the annual Rolex regatta party one night. What a blast!! Thank you for all your tips & info. It was a pleasure working with you! We will definitely stay here again if we return to St. Thomas!

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Great property in great location

Guest Greg L.
Date of stay 02/25/12
Review Submitted 03/29/12

Stayed for a week with our family of 4 (with two younger children). Plenty of space in the room(s) and on the beach/property. Surf was very calm and allowed us to relax while kids played with minimal concern for rough waves. Pool was great and rarely crowded. Also a great location - short walk / drive over to the Ritz (if that's your thing) and only a couple miles from Red Hook for plenty of restaurant options and the ferry over to St. John. Kitchen was stocked with all the essentials and plenty of snorkel equipment / chairs / kids toys in the closet for use. Paul (owner) was more than helpful. Would definitely go back to both the island and this property.

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Pleasantly surprised!

Guest Tim B.
Date of stay 02/08/12
Review Submitted 02/22/12

We were very pleased with our stay at the Ellyssian in Cowpet Bay. The place is set up very well for as many as 8 people. We had 8 people on our final night and there were no problems with privacy or comfort. There is a good variety of eating options both on the resort and in Red Hook only a 5 minute drive away. The beach was lovely as was the pool. You will have to try the poolside bar for their signature Z Whacher! The large Iguana's hanging around the pool were entertaining as well. We snorkelled from the beach and saw a good variety of colourful tropical fish including puffers and squid. If there is not much of a breeze you may want to put some bug repellent on to protect your ankles just around sunset but you will get that anywhere in the Carribean.

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

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What We Were Looking For

Guest Carol S.
Date of stay 02/05/12
Review Submitted 02/21/12

We were happy to find this roomy, well-maintained place and its approachable, helpful owner. We loved the relaxing beach with its view of the boats and surrounding coast. The restaurants, Sangria's and Caribbean Fish Market, had friendly staff, good food, and open-air seating with a view. Like the beach and pool, both restaurants were a very short walk from the unit. To our delight, there were many iguanas to be seen on the property. We only came across them on our last day there. They don't bother anyone, though they occasionally chase one another, and they are easily avoided if you're skittish. Ask anyone who works or lives there if you want to know where to find them. We had brought snorkels and snorkel masks, but no cumbersome fins. As promised, the closet just off the entryway was stocked with snorkel gear from which we were able to borrow fins. One other nice feature in the condo was a guide to the Elysian along with surrounding areas and attractions. We didn't have a car, but the printed guide made it clear that we could go to the front office and have them call a taxi for us. We did that on several occasions. One place that we found really nice for snorkeling was Secret Harbor, not far down the road by cab. For general island atmosphere, Cruz Bay in St. John is a short ferry ride from nearby Red Hook, and is worth a visit if you have the time. (As we discovered to our pleasure, the logistics of this particular rental can vary. Our bedroom, with two beds, was connected to the living room and kitchen area. Both the bedroom and living room had great views. The room with king-size bed has a separate entrance and, for our time there, was completely divided off from the rest of the unit via a locked door just off the living room. As a couple traveling alone, we never missed the second bedoom and never heard the folks next door.)

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Just as advertised and a personal touch too

Guest David E.
Date of stay 01/13/12
Review Submitted 02/18/12

Paul is a wonderful owner who spends time with you and communicates liberally using whatever method you feel comfortable with (phone, email, etc). His information and background material really give one a jump start on a vacation and his recommendations are generally spot on. The unit is just as advertised and the resort is wonderful. The restaurants at the resort have gone through a transition, but while we were there the primary restaurant (now the Caribbean Fish Market) re-opened and was wonderful. This was our second trip to this resort with great results each time even though we stayed with different owners. We would highly recommend a day trip to the BVI (seems expensive but you will want to go back again and again) and you get a great price from the on-resort folks - we were on the Breakaway in fairly high seas but the boat was big enough and powerful enough with an excellent crew so that one didn’t really notice the swells. The baths at Virgin Gorda are worth the trip alone. Additionally, we would highly recommend day trips to St.John as well as making your way all around St.Thomas - driving is really pretty easy once you get used to the left side. Coki Beach is not to be missed and has brand new facilities and lots of security. With the opening and energy of the new restaurant came beach parties and even a battle of the bands providing some great island entertainment for free which ended at a reasonable hour as well. If you want to support a local business rent from Amalie Car Rental – great people, reasonable price, great car, and they meet you at the airport with a personal touch making pick up and drop off a breeze. We would highly recommend Paul's unit and especially endorse his personal touch and willingness to work with special circumstances and needs of your party from young to older adult!

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

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Island Escape

Guest Samm M.
Date of stay 10/22/11
Review Submitted 11/04/11

We enjoyed our time in St. Thomas...how could you not with the amazing view from this spacious rental. Not one but two decks to relax on and loaded with amenities (beach chairs, floats, snorkle equipment). Paul (owner) and Pat (VIP Rentals) were attentive and responsive. Everyone appears to take the Breakaway charter from Sapphire Beach, we purchased our tickets at the Beach Hut with Elysian and saved considerably more than many of the others sailing with us that day. It was a nice day, made better by Marcus and Moose. Enjoy your stay and get to Glady's for the jerk chicken sandwich...better than any burger I've ever had.

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Great Condo - Super Flexible Owner

Guest Albert K.
Date of stay 09/11/11
Review Submitted 10/17/11

The condo was terrific. The property was terrific. It was a fabulous experience. I can't wait till my next trip. Our flights on September 10 th were cancelled as a result of Tropical Storm Maria. Everything was up in the air when we would be able to travel. Mr. Strong was terrific; since he did not have anyone else arriving immediately after us, he allowed us to extend our trip by the time lost at the beginning. The unit itself is incredibly well stocked. We packed up chairs and supplies into the trunk of our car, so we were well prepared at every beach site. It's amazing how much stuff he has in the beach supply closet. The kitchen had great supplies. It was fabulous being able to do laundry during the week and before packing up to go home. The beds were comfortable. Altogether a very comfortable place. We really loved it? Way better than staying in a hotel room. The snorkeling right off the left side of the beach was terrific. Sapphire Beach on the other side of Red Hook was amazing. I took some great pictures of Sea Turtles not far off the beach. New Horizons Sail/Snorkel Trip is one of the best bargains on the island. Just reserve on-line for half off. The food is good. The drinks are excellent and free flowing, and the snorkeling is just outstanding. We loved our vacation. Thank you.

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Couldn't ask for more!

Guest fun&sun
Date of stay 08/02/11
Review Submitted 10/13/11

Just wanted to thank you....We had a fantastic time, although the tropical storm gave us a couple of windy, cloudy days with rough surf! We were just glad it passed on by without becoming a hurricane! One of the best things I can say is that the condo was extremely well stocked and fit our family perfectly (me, my husband, 19 yr old son and 22 yr old daughter)....many things I brought that I wished I'd left home (flashlights, batteries, spices, laundry detergent, frisbees, etc.). The one thing I resisted bringing were beach towels---thank goodness---there were plenty there! You should maybe mention your "closet" full of beach toys/snorkeling equipment a bit more. We had our own snorkeling gear, but it looked you had a wide selection. All your notes/suggestions/maps were extremely helpful also. The condo was exactly as you described, very close to the beach/pool. We went on the BVI trip with Breakaway (highly recommend!) and drove our rental car (from Avis who did not object to us doing so) over to St. John's twice, again highly recommend. It cost $27 and $25 ($52 total RT) and was great because we went all over St. Johns, so actually was much cheaper than the passenger ferry/taxis would have been for the 4 of us. We also drove all over St. Thomas, up to Mountain Top, etc. I think we pretty much saw everything. Did a lot of shopping also. Went to Bamboos for HH several times and did Taco Tuesdays & Wednesday Ladies night at Duffy's Love Shack---what a blast! Island Time Pub and Latitudes 18, plus a few others along the way. We did call the first day and talked to your property mgr about the lock box key; we were trying to use the one in the King bedroom, and not the one in the hall by the 'toy' closet! She steered us in the right direction, no problem. Wish the restaurants would have been open onsite, especially the pool bar, and maybe until that is 'fixed' you might want to mention that. It would not have kept us from staying there, but it would have been a nice extra. Maybe mention prices in St. Thomas are pretty expensive, but again most people realize that. We did all our grocery shopping at the Food Center. We spent the majority of our time on the beaches, which are all awesome: Coki Beach was our favorite on St. Thomas and of course Trunk Bay on St. John's, but we pretty much tried just about all of them. All in all, a wonderful, relaxing, fun trip! I highly recommend your condo--it is in a perfect location for everything!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

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Best Vacation Ever!!!!!!

Guest Bev
Date of stay 07/15/11
Review Submitted 08/03/11

Your condo was the best, everything that we could possibly need was there and very clean and spacious.The basket on the island in the kitchen with flyers of things to do and the book from other visitors to your condo on places to see was great. The pool was beautiful and loved the Jacuzzi. Snorkeling gear and chairs at the condo made it nice as to not to need to rent them at the beaches we went to. It made it nice if we didn't want to go out to dinner that we could just cook at the condo. We were so relaxed that we all had a hard time staying awake even the two 20 year olds. Loved the beach and all the other beachs Sapphire beach (son got to swim with the sea turtles),Coki beach, Meagans bay, and Truck Beach on St. John. The weather was awsome the hole time we were there. And loved Duffys Love Shack great drinks ,entertainment ,friendly people and good food. Went to Fish Tails for dinner nice place good food and for pizza and drinks or beer Senior pizza that was good The only thing that I didn't like and is no ones fault but my own is I gained 8 pds ( to many delicious banana drinks BBC). I would love to come back some time soon it was a much needed vacation. Thank You so much

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

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Fabulous Views

Guest Kathy
Date of stay 06/05/11
Review Submitted 06/18/11

The view to the ocean as you enter the unit is beautiful! Each room has an amazing view to wake to each morning. It is spacious, has all the kitchen amenities we needed, and is very well arranged for a family. We had a fabulous family vacation with plenty of room for all 8. Paul had a pack and play and high chair available for our 1 year old grandson. We had three couples, a 4 year old and 1 year old, and the space was perfect for us. It is an easy walk to the beach, very convienent, we spent time every day on the beach. It was so easy for members of our group to travel to and from the beach as each person needed. Unfortunately the pool was closed for renovations during our stay, but it looked beautiful. The condo is close to Red Hook making it convienent to other attractions, restaurants, the ferry to other islands, and shopping. The condo was well cared for and clean. Paul gave very good directions, instructions and helpful hints. He was very easy to work with in making all arrangements. We would recommend this unit to everyone, it is great for families or couples. A great vacation spot. Jim and Kathy

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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Nicely appointed condo on a great cove

Guest Jim S.
Date of stay 03/27/11
Review Submitted 05/02/11

We had a very enjoyable stay in this condo. It's very spacious, comfortable and conveniently located - in terms of proximity to the beach and to nearby Red Hook. The place is well stocked and our host was very accommodating. For example, he provided amenities that we didn't have to bring such as beach towels, a cooler and snorkel gear and that lightened our load coming down. I also like the local beach as there is a constent breeze and lots of trees for shade when needed. We'll definately consider this condo again when we return to St. Thomas.

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

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Great Resort

Guest David
Date of stay 03/19/11
Review Submitted 05/05/11

The resort is small + casual, but intimate with great amenities on the property (nice restaurant, beach bar, fitness center, small store, office w/internet, + salon) The unit has a great floor plan with master bedrooms on either side of the living area, which is well equipped. Another amenity is the close proximity (100 yds) to the Ritz + walking + jogging trails. However, it is crowded over there. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay as it was very relaxing but not boring.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

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Beautiful location, spacious condo

Guest Mark
Date of stay 03/12/11
Review Submitted 05/09/11

First off, the condo is great. There is plenty of space, the kitchen is well-equipped, the two bathrooms are a must. The two patios are wonderful. The furniture is comfortable, washer and dryer work really well. There's not a thing about this condo that I'd change. Second, the resort: Its everything you need. Restaurants, water sports, massage, etc. Heck, there's decent snorkeling in the bay right outside your door (and snorkeling equipment in the condo). The resort is beautifully kept, the pool is great for kids, the beach is right there, and really nice. Its a little expensive to get around the island, but we found a non-union cabbie who was great and seemed to be everywhere, all the time. Coki beach was a must-see and, if you have kids, Coral World (next to Coki beach) is great!

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

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Great vacation!

Guest Linda N.
Date of stay 09/03/10
Review Submitted 09/19/10

In spite of some minor problems as a result of arriving on the heels of Hurricane Earl, we had a great time. The condo was beautiful and had everything we needed without having to rush to the store! We think that this condo has the best view of the beach than any others! The staff of Ainsley's and Roberts were excellent! They went out of their way to make our stay memorable, including a special birthday dinner set up on the sand! Paul included all the information needed in his "welcome" so packet that we had no problems finding what we needed or wanted. The whole process of planning this vacation from start to finish was easy. We liked being able to go directly to the condo and skipping the registration. Paul was wonderful to work with, clearly caring about our satisfaction. We hope come back soon!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

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Great vacation!

Guest Marina
Date of stay 08/15/10
Review Submitted 08/26/10

Excellent vacation! The appartement is very comfortable, equipped with everything we needed during the stay ( from the washing and dryer to the snorkling gears ). The view from the balcony is breath taking! The beach is great for snorkling and just swimming. Very nice night entertainment at the restaurant. I highly recomend the trip to BVI with New Horizon II ( Jost Van Dyke island and Virgin Gorda are absolutely amaizing) ! Paul does a wonderful job to accomodate all the needs of his guests!

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

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Clean, Spacious Condo in Lovely Resort

Guest Robin
Date of stay 06/05/10
Review Submitted 06/18/10

I can highly recommend this condo at the Elysian Beach Resort. The property was as close to perfect as I can imagine. It was very clean and uncluttered, and very well equipped. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. We especially loved the balconies. We enjoyed cooking in the kitchen so that we did not have to eat every meal in a restaurant. The kitchen was so well equipped. We did not want for anything. The resort is absolutely beautiful. The grounds are meticulously maintained, but in a light-handed manner so that it still looks natural. The property is a lush paradise. My children loved seeing iguanas that roam freely. The pool was beautiful and inviting. Both restaurants are fabulous. We kept going back for meals and drinks and entertainment. The bay is very calm and beautiful. The condo contained snorkeling gear and beach toys and plenty of beach towels. All of the appliances are fairly new and work well. The queen-size Murphy bed was surprisingly the most comfortable bed. (I actually didn't try the king.) The one thing to be aware of is that to go from the room to the beach you have to walk up 2 flights of stairs and then down another set of stairs and then down steps. We did not mind this, but it could be an issue for someone with limited mobility. If you want to take the ferry to St. John it is very nearby and runs hourly.

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

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The Perfect Island Oasis

Guest Chris, and David
Date of stay 03/27/10
Review Submitted 04/14/10

We had a wonderful vacation in St. Thomas...your condo and its location were fabulous! We sure loved sitting on the balcony early in the morning reading our books and having the beach right there. We're not much for crowds and we enjoyed not having wall to wall people on the beach.. I honestly can't think of a thing you need to improve on. Everything we needed was provided by you. We enjoyed the drinks during "Happy Hour" at Ainsley's Place (food was good too) and Roberts (a bit pricey). Try the best Maine lobster roll at Linda Beans in Charlotte Amalie (unless you're at their store in Maine- 2 hot dogs & chips only $7.99). Did not care for the restaurant Fungis but the views were spectacular! Loved the panorama from the restaurant "Room with a View" (very pricey) and would definitely recommend the snorkeling trip provided by New Horizons out of Sapphire beach. Be sure to check out the Activities hut at the Elysian for discounts and onsite activities such as free drinks & snacks. Keep in mind that food is expensive on St Thomas so prices are high if you eat out or eat in. Also the pace is slow and service is leisurely so enjoy! We will definitely recommend your place to our friends.

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

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Great Vacation at Paul's Condo

Guest MB from Boston
Date of stay 03/06/10
Review Submitted 03/14/10

Five of us just returned from a week at Paul's condo and had a great time. The condo was everthing Paul promised and more. The unit was very clean (and I am very picky about this) and well equiped. Plenty of towels, the kitchen was well stocked with dishes, silverware, etc. The beds were comfortable, even the Murphy bed. Having three bathrooms was great, especially with five women. We took advantage of the washer/dryer and packed light. We ate out for most of our meals, but it was nice to be able to eat breakfast in the unit., and to stock the refrigerator with drinks. Though we didn't use any, Paul has stocked the unit with a cooler, beach toys/floats, etc. The unit has a beautiful view of Cowpet Bay. The beach was perfect, with plenty of chairs available, shady spots if you wanted, and two bars and restaurants. We did not use the pool as we were either boating or on the beach, but it was a really nice spot with a bar adjacent. We ate lunch at Ainlsely's twice, and had dinner twice at Robert's. We also ate at Molly Malone's (just ok), Blue Moon Cafe and Agave Terrace (both fantastic). We also went to Iggie's at Bolongo Beach for carnival night. We went to St. John one day (so beautiful with great snorkeling) and to Virgin Gorda another day (the caves and baths are amazing) with Shooting Star Charters VI. Five minute cab ride to the dock from the Elysian. Nice to have a boat to yourself and do what you want, when you want. Thanks again Paul--you were exceptionally responsive to all my questions, and the guide you prepared of the island and to the unit was comprehensive and well thought out. I would highly recommend this unit to anyone traveling to St. Thomas. I'm sure we will be in contact again in the future.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

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Great vacation. Great facilities.

Guest Eric from Denver
Date of stay 02/21/10
Review Submitted 03/09/10

We had a great time. Thanks Paul. Everything went as laid out for us. The "user guide" was very helpful. The rooms were clean and nicely decorated. The murphy bed was surprisingly comfortable. We used three rooms for a couple of days and two rooms for a couple of days (thanks again, Paul) so we got to see it all and it was great. We had nice tradewinds for most of the stay and we opened the patio doors and the front door and got a great cross breeze. 85 degrees and did not feel we had to use the air conditioning during the day except for the last. When there is little wind, it gets hot. The tennis court was great and well maintained. We were disappointed with Robert's Grill - way overpriced and not that good. Our favorite restaurant on the island was Fungi's just north of Red Hook. Our favorite beech was Sapphire Beach north of Red Hook because it was larger and had a nice reef. The beach at the Elysan was very nice and had some decent snorkeling, but it was small. We went diving three days with Admiralty Dive Center and had a great time. Excellent dive shop operation. Overall a five diamond vacation.

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

Owner response: I appreciate these comments/recommendations. We will follow up on the comments about Robert's. We have been very happy with them for many years and have recommended them but clearly our guest wasn't happy. We'll follow-up with our guest and check into Robert's very carefully on our next visit in April

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Fun in the Sun

Guest troutbum
Date of stay 02/08/10
Review Submitted 03/18/10

This was a new adventure to us staying on St.Thomas and we were not disappointed .The place was great. Loved the location;far enough away from town but everything within a short drive.Monday night buffet at Robert's was fantastic .Huge portion of seared tuna with many sauces to delight all.Throughly enjoyed the St.John sailing adventure with Horizon Adventures at the Sapphire beach marina.$60 for all day with snorkeling ,Cont.Breakfast, and lunch with all the drinks one wanted to consume.Great hosts and a great value.We had a fantastic trip .Thanks for the use of your beautiful home and all the great advice.For anyone thinking of coming you won't be disappointed.

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

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Great vacation condo!

Guest BVB09
Date of stay 01/30/10
Review Submitted 04/12/10

We stayed in Paul's condo the first week of Feb 2009. It was absolutely perfect and even better than described. Paul certainly knows how to make a vacation go smoothly from the detailed directions from the airport, dining recommendations to the information for local attractions and medical facilities. The condo was perfect and the snorkel gear and beach toys definitely made for a wonderful vacation. Thanks again Paul, we hope to stay again someday.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children.

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Guest Jennifer Taylor
Date of stay 12/04/09
Review Submitted 12/04/09

Our stay at the condo was FANTASTIC! We try every year to meet with our friends who live in VA for vacation, and the set up at the Strong condo worked very well for us. The bedrooms were spacious, the kitchen had everything we needed and the living area was comfortable. The view was amazing! Paul provided us with a guide to the island that was EXTREMELY HELPFUL- all of his suggestions were right on. The beach was not very crowded and had great snorkeling. We ate several times at Robert's and Ainsley's the resturants on site. The food was awesome and the bartender Paige at Robert's is quite a character. Just imagine a younger Barry White. We had the best time and we can't wait to come back again!

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Guest myisha mccarthy
Date of stay 11/21/09
Review Submitted 11/21/09

My family and I went for my mother's birthday. She is a hard one to please and she was so happy!!! The location was private, clean and beautiful. It was really a lovely trip. Thanks for everything!!!

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Guest Steve130
Date of stay 10/11/09
Review Submitted 10/11/09

Just wanted to say three words about our trip.....OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!. We cannot possibly begin to describe how great our trip was. It met and exceded all of our expectations each and every day. Your condo was magnificent to say the least. You have made it such a wonderful place for families to go and enjoy the island. There was not one amenity that you missed in that every thing that we could possibly need or use was supplied. We really enjoyed the snorkeling gear and we used it often. The snorkeling along the left side of the bay was as you described...spectacular. The beach was heaven and the water equally devine. We spent a lot of time there and most days had it to ourselves except for a few others. Robert's grill was awesome and we dined there on three different occassions. We rented a car and we were glad that we did. It was very convenient and easy to get around to different parts of the island. We visited St. John and other islands while we were there and would recommend it to anyone who travels to St. Thomas. The weather was absolutely beautiful every day we were there. It rained one day for only ten minutes and that was all. We didn't even mind the heat since we were having so much fun. We snorkeled, rented jet skis, went parasailing, too a day tour out in the water on a great boat (Horizons) and even went horseback riding over on St. Johns. All were an adventure to remember for a lifetime. Believe me when I say it was extremely difficult to get onboard that plane and come back to old boring Maryland. We met a lot of nice people on the island and know for a fact that we will be back again to visit and without a doubt we will be renting your condo once again. It made our stay there so convenient and relaxing. You have a wonderful place and your manager was very helpful and gracious. We didn't need her very much but she kept in touch to see if we needed anything and to see if everything was going o.k. Again thanks for making our trip so wonderful with your condo and all of the information that you provided us ahead of our trip there.

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Guest Donna66
Date of stay 09/16/09
Review Submitted 09/16/09

My husband, two daughters and two of my daughters friends stayed in Paul Strong's condo from Aug. 22 to Aug. 29. The condo was very clean, spacious and best of all, right on the beach!! The kids loved the ipod speaker dock and the snorkeling gear that was provided. The beach towels and also the bath towels were oversized and plush. Paul was very helpful in every aspect of our trip. Very courteous and knowledgable about the island. The best recommendation Paul gave us was going over to St. John for the day and visiting Trunk Bay. Truly the best beach we have EVER seen!! So thanks, Paul, for everything. Couldn't have asked for a better vacation! Donna & Tom Glennon & Family

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Everything we thought it would be, and more!

Guest From Tennessee
Date of stay 08/14/09
Review Submitted 09/14/09

Thia is the best condo we have stayed at, period. Available space in condo is more than ample, the supplies in the condo exceeded anything we have seen, view was everything you would expect based on pictures, and more; beach was wonderful, pool is great...not crowded, information available from Paul (A - Z document) was very, very helpful on sites to see, places to eat, where to shop, etc; use of snorkel gear is great, and snorkeling onsite at Cowpet is very good. Paul went out of his way to assure we had a great vacation. He always responded very quickly to inquiries. We have already recommended the condo to relatives back home.

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

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Guest Lisa149
Date of stay 06/07/09
Review Submitted 06/07/09

It was truly fantastic and the layout worked so well for our family. We loved the location!!! You own quite a beautiful part of paradise.....I'm green with envy :) We did do the BVI excursion to Virgin Gorda and of course the Soggy Dollar Bar. That will definitely be a return trip for us with a longer stay on BVI. A tip for you. Not sure if you know about Homer's Night Snorkeling (I wrote his number down in your visitor book). Homer is really a great contact for you and future visitors....he's so knowledgeable about snorkeling spots...you can organize one-day dive sessions with him and he has other suggestions of doing excursions rather than the typical resort version with 30 people on one boat. We discovered for the same price as our BVI excursion we could have rented a boat and a captain for the entire day...only our family...no rush....bring a lunch....go at our leisure....and would probably have saved money. But you learn as you go and the "next" time I would definitely connect with him and ask for suggestions. We found him too late in our trip to use him for other adventures...BUT...we did finish our vacation on Friday night with a night snorkeling trip. If you haven't tried it...it is a must. On our night the ocean was full of activity: sea turtles, rays, lobster, squid, octopi, etc. It was the highlight of our trip........our girls LOVED it!! Restaurant note: If you haven't....try the Chicken Roti's at Glady's Cafe downtown. The locals recommended it and it didn't disappoint. They also recommended Mimm's at Bolongo Bay, but the day we went they were closed. Anyways, Paul, I would definitely recommend your place.....it's convenient.......easy to get around.........beautiful beach.......fantastic layout, etc. etc. We would definitely rent from you again!!! Thank you for sharing your vacation abode with the rest of us!!!

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Guest Dean & Crystal
Date of stay 06/07/09
Review Submitted 06/07/09

Just got back and had a lovely stay at your place. Truly more than advertised..... Everything went great and there were no issues at all. Dean and Crystal

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Guest Drew9
Date of stay 06/07/09
Review Submitted 06/07/09

What an absolutely terrific vacation we had thanks to you. The condo was great and the facilities were incredible. My wife is already making plans for November to go back and stay at your place. In addition, I had a chance to meet Cara and I don't think you could have chosen a better person to represent your location. Also, the individual she recommended, Drew, to show us the sights made our vacation. He actually became part of the family and I would highly recommend him to anyone. Again, thank you so very much for allowing the use of your condo and we look forward to going back soon!!

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Guest Stella Hogan
Date of stay 05/03/09
Review Submitted 05/03/09

5-3-09 We stayed at the Strong condo the end of March this year. Had a wonderful time. Our whole family (my husband and I, our two adult sons, our daughter-in-law and two granddaughters all stayed in the condo. There was plenty of room. Beds were comfortable, kitched was wonderful and having three bathrooms meant no one had to wait. The beach was beautiful and our granddaughters, as well as ourselves really enjoyed the pool. Everything was available on site--food, drink, entertainment, or just quiet time on the balcony but if you want more it's not far to Red Hook with great restaurants or Charlotte Amelie for entertainment, food and of course great shopping. We especially enjoyed the old part of the city. We did discover the best place to buy groceries is the Pueblo Grocery Store across from the cruise ship dock in Charlotte Amelie. Prices were much better than anywhere else. Once again, great place, had a wonderful time and hope to go back.

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Guest Maureen Kelly1
Date of stay 04/24/09
Review Submitted 04/24/09

We had a fantastic time at Pual Strong's condo. The condo was clean, well equiped, and has a fabulous view of Cowpet Bay. The beach is beautiful and we enjoyed all of the activities it had to offer. Both restaurants ( Roberts and Ainslies) were enjoyed by our party of seven which included 5 adults and 2 children. The resort staff were very helpful informing us of activities. St Thomas is a beautiful island with many beautiful beaches including Magens Bay and Coki Beach, with great snorkeling opportunites.

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Great Time!

Guest Elizabeth-Linton
Date of stay 04/22/09
Review Submitted 06/07/09

We had a great time at your place. We were only on your beach the first and the last day. The rest of the time we spent island hopping. There's so much to do that 8 days was not enough time! The condo was so roomy! Even with 5 women we had room to spare. It's close to Redhook, which we loved. I have very little negative to say about your condo. It wasn't on the route of the public transportation which we greatly used on our last trip to STT. But, every trip has a little hidden cost. The only other thing we noticed is that the toilet in the smaller bathroom leaked occasionally. We would come back from a day on the beach and the rug beside the tub would be damp and there was a small amount of water on the floor behind the toilet. Otherwise, the trip was outstanding and I would recommend your condo to anyone. We also, left a couple of floaties in your back closet for the future guests to use. We didn't want to pack them home! Thanks again for helping us have a great trip!

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

Owner response: Elizabeth mentions how roomy it was for her group of 5 and I just wanted to add that her group stayed in only 2 of the 3 rooms available. All 3 rooms can accommodate more guests very comfortably.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 04/20/09
Review Submitted 04/20/09

We stayed at Paul’s place for 6 days in February/09 and have only positive things to say about it. The guestrooms are clean, comfortable, modern and spacious, just as advertised. Everything you need in the way of amenities is right there. Grocery shopping is conveniently close. Beaches on St. Thomas and St. John are beautiful. There were only a few brief rainshowers all week to interrupt the sunshine. The food at Robert’s and Ainsley’s (both on site) is as good as anywhere on the island. We rented a car and found that worked very well for us. It was nice to have the freedom to come and go as we wanted. We took it on the car ferry to St. John for a day outing as well. The roads aren’t particularly well signed on either island, so if you’ve got a good sense of direction that will be to your advantage. Paul sent us a vast amount of information ahead of time, including an alphabetized directory on every subject you could think as well as a few that you never would have thought of – pertaining to the resort. Also detailed directions to and from the airport and some general tourist information. All of it was very helpful. We would recommend this place anytime! John & Debbie

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 04/01/09
Review Submitted 04/19/09

We stayed at Paul’s place for 6 days in February/09 and have only positive things to say about it. The guestrooms are clean, comfortable, modern and spacious, just as advertised. Everything you need in the way of amenities is right there. Grocery shopping is conveniently close. Beaches on St. Thomas and St. John are beautiful. There were only a few brief rainshowers all week to interrupt the sunshine. The food at Robert’s and Ainsley’s (both on site) is as good as anywhere on the island. We rented a car and found that worked very well for us. It was nice to have the freedom to come and go as we wanted. We took it on the car ferry to St. John for a day outing as well. The roads aren’t particularly well signed on either island, so if you’ve got a good sense of direction that will be to your advantage. Paul sent us a vast amount of information ahead of time, including an alphabetized directory on every subject you could think as well as a few that you never would have thought of – pertaining to the resort. Also detailed directions to and from the airport and some general tourist information. All of it was very helpful. We would recommend this place anytime! John & Debbie

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/01/09
Review Submitted 03/21/09

Everything was wonderful during our stay. Everyone at the resort was so friendly and helpful. Your unit was great, we couldn't haven't asked for anything better!!! Whenever we go back we will definetley be looking you up!! As far as any suggestions go, I have none!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/01/09
Review Submitted 03/21/09

I just wanted to say thank you very much for giving is a chance to stay at your place. It was absolutely incredible and we had the greatest time. I just wish we could have stayed longer. I will definitely contact you the next time we go and hope that you will have availability. Ill give you some more notice next time! The condo was beautiful and the Elysian was great. And thank you for your email with the recommendations. They were very helpful. We ended up going on the Breakaway 2 and that was the best. I will absolutely recommend your place to anyone and cant wait to come back!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/01/09
Review Submitted 03/10/09

The Strong's Condo was absolutely perfect for our week long vacation at the Elysian. We stayed there from 2/27-3/6. It has all the comforts of home. The view is spectacular! There is a fitness center right on campus. The two restaurants on site are excellent....we ate at Robert's twice and it did not disappoint!!!! We also ate at the Agave Terrace, Mim's Seaside Restaurant, The Blue Moon and all were excellent. We will definetly be coming back next year to stay at the Strong's condo and will not be leaving the resort - it has everything you could need or want! Thank you for all of your hospitality, Paul!!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/01/09
Review Submitted 03/02/09

We had a great time in the Strong's condo. I brought my wife, 2 young kids, and mother-in-law and the place worked perfectly for us. They even provided a portable crib and high chair for our youngest. The condo view of the beach and water is great, my wife and I loved hanging out on the balcony at the end of the night listening to the water or sometimes music floating up from the beach bar. The restaurants at the beach have good food and service (especially Robert's), and in general the whole facility is well maintained. I would recommend this rental to anyone heading to the Island. Red Hook is close by for easy access to the ferry to St. John, Tortola, etc. and there are some great local restaurants on the island (don't miss Craig and Sally's in Frenchtown) Snorkelers will enjoy Cowpet Bay. Stay to the left when you swim out from the beach and you'll find some good stuff out there.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/01/09
Review Submitted 02/22/09

Our family just returned this weekend from a wonderful week in Paul and Kim's wonderful condo (feb 09)!!! We had not been to St Thomas for more then a stop on a cruise so for us it was a chance to find all the great spots on the island and I have to say we got lucky with their place!! The rooms are HUGE and clean and so very comfortable...not to mention the large balconies...we used a different one each night just to say we did:)) After this time I would say the East End is the way to go...especially with the access to Red Hook for ferries...we had a blast! Rent a car...follow Paul's great directions to the place...nothing could be easier and the guest directory they have put together gave us great local tips...(all suggestions were winners and you can see how much time Paul takes to make sure you're thrilled!) We had already arranged with Paul for a longer stay next year so I already know I have more time in paradise planned. I would recommend this rental to everyone looking for a great place to stay and a great place to call home base in St Thomas!!!

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 01/10/09
Review Submitted 01/10/09

We stayed at Paul’s place in June/July of 2008. It was a leap of faith for us as we had not rented a condo like this for vacation before. We were two couples and 4 teenagers and it couldn’t have worked out better. First, Paul provided us all the information we needed and everything was as advertised or better. The rooms were spacious, the kitchen great and the views/setting for cocktail hour were perfect. We ate breakfast and prepared most lunches in the condo which allowed all to stay just that much more relaxed. We certainly took advantage of the worlds best beaches in St. John and elsewhere on St. Thomas but we spent most of our beach time right on Cowpet Bay! In writing this I want to go back now!!Josh and Tricia HazelwoodW. Simsbury, CT

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 01/01/09
Review Submitted 01/26/09

This is the place! If you're considering a Caribbean vacation in V.I., this is where to stay. We stayed here on our honeymoon and had an amazing time. It's perfectly situated to tour St. Thomas or take the ferry from Red Hook to St. John. But it's great to just relax on the pristine beach and watch the day pass. The rooms are setup nicely and had all the amenities we needed and more. And if there's any problems, you just need to make a phone call and it'll be taken care of. We would stay their again in a heartbeat and hope to again soon.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Caribbean Condo - a Perfect Escape! [#163726] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (56)

Loved it

Loved it

Great Vacation Condo

Great Vacation Condo

Great girls get away!

Great girls get away!

My Favorite St. Thomas Condo

My Favorite St. Thomas Condo

Fell in love with St. Thomas!

Fell in love with St. Thomas!

luvthebeach

luvthebeach

GREAT, RELAXING VACATION

GREAT, RELAXING VACATION

Great place! Our family loved it and would definitely go back!

Great place! Our family loved it and would definitely go back!

First Caribbean Vacation

First Caribbean Vacation

Excellent Condo !!

Excellent Condo !!

Great property in great location

Great property in great location

Pleasantly surprised!

Pleasantly surprised!

What We Were Looking For

What We Were Looking For

Just as advertised and a personal touch too

Just as advertised and a personal touch too

Island Escape

Island Escape

Great Condo - Super Flexible Owner

Great Condo - Super Flexible Owner

Couldn't ask for more!

Couldn't ask for more!

Best Vacation Ever!!!!!!

Best Vacation Ever!!!!!!

Fabulous Views

Fabulous Views

Nicely appointed condo on a great cove

Nicely appointed condo on a great cove

Great Resort

Great Resort

Beautiful location, spacious condo

Beautiful location, spacious condo

Great vacation!

Great vacation!

Great vacation!

Great vacation!

Clean, Spacious Condo in Lovely Resort

Clean, Spacious Condo in Lovely Resort

The Perfect Island Oasis

The Perfect Island Oasis

Great Vacation at Paul's Condo

Great Vacation at Paul's Condo

Great vacation. Great facilities.

Great vacation. Great facilities.

Fun in the Sun

Fun in the Sun

Great vacation condo!

Great vacation condo!

Everything we thought it would be, and more!

Everything we thought it would be, and more!

Great Time!

Great Time!

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Guestbook Comment

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