Location: Magens Bay, Northside, USVI - St. Thomas, Caribbean (One Mile by Car from Magen Bay Beach; Peterborg Rd.) View Map
Accommodations: Condo, 2 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-5)
Keywords: Condominium
Villa Eau Claire is a unique property, behind a gate and fence, and sitting just over Magen Bay, with its own pocket beach, private deck with shower, and access to Magen's Bay, one of the most beautiful bodies of water anywhere. The property has two condo rentals; one a two bedroom property with one bath of 1000 sq ft and the other a two bedroom, two bath condo with about 1,400 sq ft.
This condo is the larger of the two and is the main portion of the owner's residence, with an extra bathroom and a much larger great room and kitchen, with vaulted ceilings in all rooms. The rents are slightly higher than for the other unit.
The house includes a covered deck for every bedroom, and the great room, and the views from the decks extend from Magen's Bay Beach to the South, the entire Bay and the Mountain across the Bay, down to the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest. The sunsets are wonderful, and the house faces southwest. The entire property was renovated completely, with all new kitchens and baths, and furniture, in 2008.
Magen's Bay is a very special place; the largest and most beautiful beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, about one mile long and 10 to 20 yards wide, with great picnic area, and a small restaurant that serves among the best hamburgers and pizza on St. Thomas. Magen's Bay gets its unusual character because the prevailing easterlies blow from the beach outward, creating a tranquil body of water that covers an entirely sand bottom bay, with no rip tides or major currents.
There is large, comfortable bedroom and bath, with a king sized bed; and 2 twin bedroom with a bathroom.
The Great room includes a large sitting area, an inside dining area, a full sized kitchen with eating counter for five, and an outside eating area on the deck, served by a barbecue. The condo has a walk down of about 50 steps to a large beach deck, that walks directly into the water at the pocket beach.
Every room in the house opens directly onto a covered deck that overlooks the waters of Magen Bay, and the views are wonderful. The breezes are nearly constant, coming out from the beach, and they cool the property in the summer. Air conditioning is very seldom required, although it is available throughout the property.
One hundred yards to the left is the largest pocket beach on Magen's Bay, a 100 yard long beach that is the only place where nude or topless bathing is permitted on St. Thomas. The beach is used by only a few people at any one time, seldom more than 8 or 10, and it is considered the alternative lifestyle beach on St. Thomas. However, Eau Claire is separated from that beach by a rocky promontory, and it is perfectly comfortable for children of all ages.
Villa Eau Claire is equipped with a 27k generator with an automatic changeover switch that kicks in after 15 seconds. The island is experiencing frequent power outages and if you rental does not have a generator, you might find yourself very unhappy in your stay.
Please note: This condo can be rented in conjunction with the other condo at Eau Claire (#207564), which creates a four bedroom/three bathroom/two kitchen arrangement that will take up to eight people. The rate for renting both units for the same period is 10 percent off the combined rental for the two units separately.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : Throughout the condo; but seldom necessary
- Linens Provided
- Washer : Located in a separate shared laundry room
- Dryer : Located in separate shared laundry room.
- Off Street Parking : Parking guananteed for one car.
- Beds
- King Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : Makes into a King on request
- Crib : Available upon request
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2) : Dishnetwook, some premium channels
- DVD
- Video Library : Two hundred plus movies
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : All appliances, open American kitchen design, with eating counter for six persons.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : Complete for owner.
- Refrigerator : On full sized in kitchen.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave : One in kitchen
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available : Several vendors.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : Upper deck.
- Deck/Patio : Large, covered deck, with eating area, sunbathing, adding more than 300 sq feet.
- Balcony : Huge deck, all covered, 9' by 30', for every bedroom, with seating, and for main living unit.
- View/Location
- Beachfront : A view from Magen's Bay Beach in the southwest to the Atlantic islands, to the northwest, with mountains across the Bay. Beaufiful sunsets. Pocket sandy beach with private deck and shower.
- Beach View : Directly below the house; Little Magen's Beach, and the main beach for Magen Bay.
- Oceanfront : Magen's Bay joins to the Atlantic Ocean.
- Ocean View : Islands in the Atlantic
- Mountain View : 1700 ft mountain ridge across the Bay, lit up like a Christmas tree at night.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet : Broadband is provided by a DSL line.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : WiFi throughout the condo and on the decks.
- Other Amenities
- The condo has covered decks with magnificent water views attached to every bedroom and the great room. The condo has a beach front deck, shared with another condo, with a walkdown of five steps to a pocket, sandy beach, directly on Magen's Bay. Half mile water walk to Magen's Bay Main Beach, and 100 yards from Little Magen Beach.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly : Magen Bay is one of the gentlest bodies of ocean water anywhere -- no waves and no currents, shallow well out from the beach.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : We allow all ages, but children under 8 require a liability waiver for each child.
- Smoking Allowed : On outside decks only.
- Smoking Not Allowed : Inside the condo!
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Other Activities
- While the Villa, Eau Claire, has its own pocket beach, it is also about 100 yards through the water to Little Magen's Beach, an underused, alternative lifestyle beach where nude and topless bathing are permitted. The pocket beach in front of Eau Claire is separated from Little Magen's by a rcok promentory, which makes it protected for children, and the magnificent Magen's Bay Public Beach is a half mile walk through the water or a mile by car. Magen's Bay Beach is generally regards as the best beach in the Virgin Islands, taken care of by a public authority that maintains it beautifully, with the best hamburgers and pizza on St. Thomas, and a delight for small children because of the lack of waves or currents.
Rate Details (In Dollar)
$475/night, high season, Dec 15-Apr 30, (four day min) 5th person - $100 per night
$375/night, Middle season, May 01-Sept 5th, (three day min) 5th per - $80 per nig
$750/night, Christmas Season, Dec 19-Jan 02,seven day min). 5th per - $150 per nig
$475/night, Thanksgiving Week. (7 day minimum) 5th person - $100 per night
$275.00/night, Low Season, Sept 5th - Oct 31st. (3 day min) 5th per - $70 per nigh
10% hotel tax; $125.00 cleaning fee/$50.00 tip/ $300 security deposit.
15 percent discount for stays of seven days or more/20 percent for two weeks
25 percent discount if booking is within 30 days of arrival.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Magens Bay
Why this property? It is THE ONLY CONDO available directly on Magen Bay, with its own deck, shower, lawn chairs, and pocket beach. Villa Eau Claire is less than one half mile through the water -- a gentle sandy walk seldom above your knees -- to the main beach at Magen Bay. The views are spectacular; the sound of the waves is enticing; and the sand is wonderful. What more could anyone want? The property is gated and with good parking, and the lot is beautiful -- flowers, flowers everywhere!
The Unique Benefits at this Condo
The condo is directly above the beach, with about 50 steps down to the deck below, and six steps to the beach itself. Also, the laundry room is directly below the deck. Although the property is completely air-conditioned, most guests, particularly in winter, do not use the air-conditioning because they want to hear the water at night. The beach next door -- less than 100 yards away -- is the alternative lifestyle beach and the hope to nude bathing -- the only such beach on St. Thomas.
This is the villa in which the condo is located. As you can see if your get closer, it is two separate structures, with each one having a condo.
This mile long stretch of sand is the main beach, which is about .4 miles through shallow water and sandy bottom from our own pocket beach.
This is the alternative lifestyle beach on St. Thomas, where nude bathing is permitted without harassment.
This is the only 18 hole golf course on the island, and it is a 7 minute drive from our villa.
This is the beginning of Main Street where the shopping begins in downtown.
Owner's Map of Magens Bay
Villa Eau Claire is one of three properties that Gordon and Annika Black own and rent on St. Thomas. We specialize in rehabbing the entire property, with Gordon taking responsibility for the purchase and the basic design of the rehab, and with Annika providing the furnishings and interior decoration. Annika is a European, and it shows in the taste applied to the furnishing of the property. This is the sixth property we have done together, having sold three other villas. Gordon was in his past life the founder, Chairman and CEO of Harris Interactive (HPOL). Annika is an Interior Designer. They spend about six months on St. Thomas and the rest of the time in Paris and traveling. Julia Quetel is the House Manager and John Cooper, who built the Villa, takes care of maintenance.
Property Photos
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- Pocket Beach, with deck and shower at Eau Claire - Magens Bay Beachfront Condo with Water View
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- View of ships in the Bay -- from the deck - Magens Bay Beachfront Condo with Water View
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- The Beach at Little Magen Bay from condo deck -- Alternative Lifestyle - Magens Bay Beachfront Condo with Water View
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- Front Door to Condo
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- Full kitchen with counter seating for five.
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- Main seating with large television/dishnetwork
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- Inside formal eating area.
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- Deck Eating Area in front of Great Room -- View of Magen Bay Beach
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- The Deck in front of the bedrooms, with sitting areas and grill.
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- Kingsized Bedroom
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- One of two bathrooms
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- Gated Entry to Eau Claire -- with the lovely flowers.
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- Sunset at Villa Eau Claire
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- Little Magen's Beach -- 100 yards from our deck
Traveler Reviews (6)
STEPS to the beach...literally!
Guest: RockChalkJayhawk
(Overland Park, KS, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11
Review Submitted: 05/05/11
I would like to add to my previous comments that this is one of the only true "beachfront" properties on Magen's Bay. Some say "view" but that does not mean you can walk to the beach from there. We met many people that said they were jealous of us because we could walk and they had to drive and park at the beach. Another priceless part of this property is the fact that it has its OWN private beach with deck and lounge chairs. This was absolutely incredible when there are 5 cruise ships at dock for the day and the main beach is insanely crazy. Less than 50 steps and you are at your own private spot on the beach! Go back for a nap or lunch, then an afternoon or sunset swim. I can't put a price on being this close to the beach and saving driving and money paying to go to one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The PRIVATE BEACH, deck, lounge chairs and deck shower alone are worth every single penny for this place! Trust me on this one! You'll want to cancel any other excursions you have planned because just BEING at this house will make you not want to leave.
Owner response:Thank you for the very kind review. The property is unique. We love the location and we are very happy that our guests love it as well.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Pics don't do this place justice. Stayed with 2 teens
Guest: RockChalkJayhawk
(Overland Park, KS, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11
Review Submitted: 05/03/11
First let me say that a friend of mine suggested VRBO.com and the Virgin Islands. From there, I researched on my own "top 10 beaches in the world" and stumbled acrossed Magen's Bay. I had heard of it because the cruise ship I was on in Feb 2010 stopped at St Thomas but we didn't go to Magen's Bay but other cruise ship passengers did and I remembered them bragging about it. From there I did my research for homes for rent on St. Thomas hoping for beach front property. Let me tell you -- as a 41 year old mother, who took 2 teenagers (ages 17) with her - this place was the jackpot. The kids could walk to the "main beach" while I relaxed at the villas private beach which was PRICELESS. Let me tell you that 50 steps down to one of the top 10 beaches in the world was phenomenal. Gordon and Annika's property on top of that was FIRST CLASS. I was worried it was "too nice" for the kids but they loved it. Spacious enough that we could each be in different parts of the home without being on top of eachother. (hello privacy!) The villa was so great that we only left the home for 1 day to go to Tortola to swim with the dolphins for my sons 17th birthday. I was so afraid the kids would get bored or not understand life in the Caribbean but by hour 1 they totally got it. They told all their friends it was HEAVEN ON EARTH. (by the way they actually ran into some kids on the main beach from the same school district here in Kansas and THOSE kids were jealous that we could walk to the main beach and they had to drive AND pay to park and enter) ...we did not since we swam there. A trip to the grocery store and we were set for 10 days. Julia Quetal the house manager was helpful, pleasant, nice and treated us like family. Others were staying in the 3 other villas on the property (different sizes)and we never heard them once! The owners have spared no expense on the villa both on the inside and out. There is NO WAY the pictures do this place justice. Not to mention the price compared LESS than say the Marriott or places at Sapphire beach. This is a luxury villa but from what I could tell would suit ANY family. Couples, kids, families. It's quiet and we totally respect that. Honestly, not one bad thing (however, do NOT rent from Discount Car Rental). I would even be willing to speak with someone over the phone or email to discuss in depth review if someone wanted to know first-hand experience. It was 10 days we'll never forget & we'll be back!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Dream come true vacation!
Guest: helen d.
(Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11
Review Submitted: 03/30/11
Our first trip to the Caribbean was March 2011. Friends of ours suggested St. Thomas, specifically Magen's bay. We loved staying at this condo. There are only four units which made for a quiet and private getaway vacation. I cannot say enough about the views. The green mountains, blue sky, and turquoise water were all incredible - like a dream come true. We went to the 1 mile public beach twice during our stay but honestly, our children actually enjoyed having our own private beach at the condo even more. We felt that this was the best property on all of Magen's bay because it was the only one that you could walk down steps to your own beach. The water is so clear that from our deck we were able to see two sting rays, a large turtle, and a tarpon on different days. We also observed humming birds several times a day each day of our stay. We had the pleasure of meeting the owners who were very hospitable and charming people to speak with. Next year we hope to stay for 2 weeks!
Owner response:Thank you, Helen, for your very kind review. We, the owners appreciate it, and we very much hope to see you again. Gordon
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with young children.
The best condo experience ever
Guest: Jill B.
(New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10
Review Submitted: 01/12/11
The moment we walked into the Bruce and Sue's condo, we knew we'd made the right choice. Spacious, extremely comfortable and well equipped, the rooms are full of clean and light filled. We also liked the resort a lot. It's low key and has all the amenities of most beach resorts. The only note is that you have to go to the hotel lobby to get towels--there was no one manning the poolside shack--and on a couple of occasions there were no towels available. But that's a small quibble--overall we were entirely happy with our stay.
Owner response:I am not sure why, but this review is not about us. We are an independent condo, not a hotel, and the owners are Gordon And Annika, not Bruce and Sue..Nice review, but wrong place.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Best deal on the island!!!!
Guest: The new Mrs.
(Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/20/10
Review Submitted: 07/30/10
My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at villa Eau Claire for our wedding/honeymoon in July '10. I can't say enough about how truly beautiful this place is! It is tastefully decorated and the grounds are like your own rainforest! The deck is so big and you can access it from every room. It was just the two of us, and we felt like we were on an island of our own;) the beach is great and very private with calm clear water which made for some fun snorkling near the rocks:) There's another beach right next door which I maybe saw 10 people at all week so we had 2 beaches to ourselves! I even got to snorkel with a baby sea turtle from our porch... My family and friends could not believe the pics from this place, and I will sing it's praises to anyone headed to St. Thomas! Just get some groceries and I promise you'll never want to leave! We are already trying to find a way back! By the way, the house manager, Julia, was so sweet and really made our wedding day special by taking some pics on our private beach for us to send to family, and suprising us with champagne and flowers:) she was prompt in returning my calls and very helpful without being intrusive. Truly a gem! We feel very lucky to have made the choice to rent a private villa instead of staying on a crowded resort!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.
Guest: Joe & Wanda Wilson
(Gulf Shores, Alabama)
Date of Stay: 11/12/09
Review Submitted: 11/12/09
We've vacationed annualy for the past five years in St. Thomas and St. John and this was the most relaxing and beautiful place we've stayed. The beach is extremely private and the deck has a nice shade. The owners and their staff are extremely professional and a pleasure to deal with. The home is tastefully decorated and very comfortable. You will not find a nicer place to stay for the money. Wonderful memories were made here!
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #221807
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