Drake's View - Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views-Great Rates!
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
Welcome to Drake's View, St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Drake's View has the same vista named by the magazine Caribbean Travel as 'the best view in the Caribbean'; a spectacular view of the British Virgin Islands and the East Shore of St. John. The villa has been voted 'Top Vacation Rental' by TripAdvisor/FlipKey for two years in a row now.
Drake's View is a four bedroom, 4.5 bath villa with a tile patio, heated swimming pool, and hot tub. Five additional tile decks and a large tiled front porch provide ample outdoor lounging areas. One bedroom is in a separate cottage.
The traditional architecture of the house entrance with yellow stucco, red roof, and simple columns contrasts with a dramatic facade of glass along the east wall. No matter where you look in the house or cottage, you see Coral Bay, the valley of Estate Carolina, Drake's Passage, and the British Virgin Islands.
On a clear day, you can see the Baths at Virgin Gorda. Rainbows, mangrove cuckoos, kestrels and red tailed hawks are common sights. Drake's View has the ambiance of a home rather than a rental. The large great room is furnished with Indonesian, American antiques, and comfortable, plantation style furniture. The villa is filled with local art and a large reef painting and mobile by Robert Tharsing.
The well equipped kitchen is very spacious and includes one of two dining areas. Three bedrooms have queen sized beds and one has a king, convertible to twins. Each bedroom has air conditioning, private bath and Swedish TempurPedic mattresses.
One to four couples or a large family will have ample room for privacy, different activities,and for relaxation at Drake's View.
Drake's View is centrally located, on Bordeaux Mtn., the highest point on St. John. The roads leading to Drake's View are all paved. It is surrounded by lush local vegetation and a large, tropical garden with lime, coconut and mango trees. It is a six minute drive to the Northshore Beaches; three minutes to the Reef Bay Trail; ten minutes to Coral Bay; and fifteen minutes the Cruz Bay. From the front door, you can hike the Bordeaux Mountain Trail to Lameshur Beach in one hour.
St. John has fabulous snorkeling, diving, and hiking. The snorkeling is among the best in the Caribbean. Since 2/3 of the island is National Park, many beaches have amenities but no developments mar the expanse of sand and palms. From St. John, it is easy to take day trips to visit other islands such as the popular yachting destinations of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Peter, and Norman Islands.
The Park Service also offers snorkeling tours, hikes, birding tours, sails, archaeological digs, and lectures. Numerous park trials lead to stone ruins of old sugar mills and plantations, petroglyphs, and even waterfalls if rainfall is plentiful.
St. John is reached from St. Thomas via a twenty min. ferry ride. St. Thomas is primarily serviced by Delta, American, US Air, United and Continental Airlines from the states.
Keywords: Luxury Villa
Property Type
- Villa
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
Bedrooms
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 8
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Bedroom 3
- Bedroom 4
Bathrooms
- 4.0 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- Bathroom 2
- Bathroom 3
- Bathroom 4
Kitchen & Dining
- Dishwasher
- Ice Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Microwave
- Catering Available
Amenities
- Babysitter
- Clothes Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Washing Machine
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Stereo
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- VCR
- Satellite / Cable
Communications
- Wireless Internet
- Telephone
Pool & Spa
- Hot Tub
- Private Pool
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
Activities
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
- Deepsea Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Scuba Diving Or Snorkeling
- Snorkeling
- Hospital
- Sound/Bay Fishing
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Sailing
- Cycling
- Wind-Surfing
- Surfing
- Parasailing
- Fishing
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Hiking
- Groceries
- Fitness Center
- Ruins
- Churches
- Playground
- Recreation Center
- Restaurants
- Beachcombing
- Bird Watching
- Eco Tourism
- ATM/Bank
- Paddle Boating
- Walking
- Shopping
- Sight Seeing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Horseback Riding
- Horseshoes
- Boating
- Miniature Golf
- Scenic Drives
- Tennis
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
A Memorable Family Vacation at Drake's View
A Memorable Family Vacation at Drake's View
- Guest Betsy
- Date of stay 04/10/13
- Review Submitted 05/09/13
Drake's View was the perfect villa for our family vacation of six adults and three children. The open floor plan on the main floor allowed for family activities, group cooking in the spacious kitchen and gathering for our meals and games around the large kitchen table, all with a spectacular view of Coral Bay and the Drake Channel. Each bedroom was private, very comfortable with a private bathroom and outdoor deck with the same beautiful view and breezes. My husband and I had the detached cottage bedroom with private veranda and spectacular views. There was a constant breeze and we never needed the air conditioning. The grounds are lovely with orchids and other beautiful tropical plants, including lime, papaya and coconut trees, all of which contributed to our localvore cooking with locally caught fish. Beaches are easily accessible and just 10 minutes away. On days we hiked we were content to come back to the villa and hang out at the pool and hot tub. The owners have provided comfortable furnishings and beautiful original art. The property manager was helpful and just a phone call away if we needed her. This was a memorable vacation at a lovely villa and we would love to come back again.Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.
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NC visitors
NC visitors
- Guest NC
- Date of stay 04/28/13
- Review Submitted 05/08/13
The Drake’s View home exceeded our expectations, very private, tastefully decorated and providing generous viewing of the surrounding islands. Like previous visitor reviews, the photos do not capture the breathtaking views of the Coral Bay area from the home (just beautiful). Our group of 7 found the home roomy and comfortable. The mountain breeze was a pleasant surprise. The kitchen area was so accommodating that we dined at home most of the week vs. going to restaurants. We hope to return soon.Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.
Owner response: Thank you for your wonderful review. We are so glad that you enjoyed the house and island. I wish photographs could convey the spectacular vistas. We hope you will return soon. Repeat visitors receive a 10% discount if they book within a year. Thank you for renting Drake's View.
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Simply Wonderful!
Simply Wonderful!
- Guest Ellen M.
- Date of stay 04/03/13
- Review Submitted 04/12/13
So glad we chose the Bordeaux Mts. over being close to the shore, perfect location between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. This villa has everything you would need and so many wonderful touches. We thought we would not use the hot tub but spent more time there than in the pool. The wonderful breezes keep the air delightful when Cruz Bay was hot. We used every inch of this outstanding home, front and side balconies, back veranda and lovely candle light dinner at the grand table. Great smoothies close by and a short trip to the north shore beaches. We had a 2 year old and it was great for her.We would love to go back!Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Owner response: Thank you for staying at Drake's View and your kind comments. We also love to sit in the hot tub at dusk and watch the shadows fall on the valley below and see the glow of the sunset in the clouds. We are glad you enjoyed the house. We hope you will consider a return visit. There is a 10% discount if you book within a year. Ellen R. (owner)
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Fantastic, and then there is the view....
Guest comment entered by ownerFantastic, and then there is the view....
- Guest Diana and Steve
- Date of stay 12/08/12
- Review Submitted 03/06/13
The villa is totally fantastic and then there is the view... We enjoyed the back deck, front patio,pool, hot tub,kitchen/breakfast table, the living room and the dining area- plus, everything else!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Drake's View - A Wonderful Family Vacation Home
Drake's View - A Wonderful Family Vacation Home
- Guest Shannon
- Date of stay 11/16/12
- Review Submitted 12/06/12
My husband, children, and grandchildren stayed at Drake's View over Thanksgiving, and it was a wonderful stay. The home is beautifully decorated and extremely clean. Everything we needed for a day at the beach was provided, (except some paper products). Plenty of beach chairs, towels, floats, coolers, and beach toys for young children. The guest house provides a little space for one couple, away from the rest of the family. There is no other house on St. John with such beautiful, lush, landscaping. Every morning we woke to the most incredible view on the Island. The home is very convenient to the National Park beaches. Each day we went to a different beach in the park, and returned to the hot tub and pool at the end of the day. The kitchen is well stocked and open to the great room with plenty of space for eating and socializing. We have stayed many times on St. John and Drake's View is by far our favorite. The location is 5 miles from Cruz Bay and 2 1/2 miles from Coral Bay, and a security gated entrance made us feel very safe at night. The property is well managed, and the were very responsive about any needs we had. We also recommend an excursion with Captain Fernando to snorkel the Mangroves or go tour the BVI's. We would love to stay at this exceptional home again soon!Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.
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A piece of Paradise!
Guest comment entered by ownerA piece of Paradise!
- Guest Patrick and Susan
- Date of stay 08/15/12
- Review Submitted 08/30/12
Thank you for sharing your incredible piece of paradise with us! We visited St John for the 1st time to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Both the island and the house were more than could have been imagined. Well cherish the memories and look forward to a return visit in the near future.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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"Perfection Itself"
Guest comment entered by owner"Perfection Itself"
- Guest Nina
- Date of stay 03/22/12
- Review Submitted 08/16/12
"Yet again, perfection itself. This year, we availed ourselves to several magnificent trails and really got bitten by the hiking bug. It's extra great to have earned the right to sit and take the wind-cure in the afternoons. We also discovered the delights of Donkey Diner! We put it up there alongside Miss Lucy's and Sweet Plantains for delicious eats. We all feel our batteries recharged and, sad as we are to return to reality, we are prepared! Our thanks "Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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"You have created a masterpiece..."
Guest comment entered by owner"You have created a masterpiece..."
- Guest Carolyn and Steve
- Date of stay 12/06/11
- Review Submitted 08/16/12
"What a wonderful and relaxing week this has been! Ellen and Edward, you have created a masterpiece by embracing not only a spectacular view, but also capturing a feeling of welcome and natural beauty inside...elegant, but tastefully simple to reflect upon. We have enjoyed the hot tub and morning swims - the few rains have not stopped us one bit from exploring the trails and beaches. ... We enjoy the view so much here at Drake's View, we decided to grill and prepare meals at home - Why venture to an "inside" restaurant? A relaxing week was had by all. Thank you to Dorothy - she made us feel so welcomed to the island and introduced us to many points of interest and so many wonderful people! Dorothy and Fernando's warm hospitality add much to all the amenities available at Drake's View. Thank you again for sharing your lovely home. It has been a memorable and fun vacation."Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Spectacular view and gorgeous home!
Guest comment entered by ownerSpectacular view and gorgeous home!
- Guest Debbi & John
- Date of stay 01/02/12
- Review Submitted 08/16/12
"We had the most wonderful stay here at Drake's View. The view is spectacular and your home - gorgeous! We love all of the hiking, fishing, beaches and exploring that St John has to offer. We hope to be back again before too long. Thank You!!"Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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"Fantastic house.... you spared no expense!"
Guest comment entered by owner"Fantastic house.... you spared no expense!"
- Guest Jeni & Rob
- Date of stay 05/12/12
- Review Submitted 08/16/12
"This was our 2nd trip to St. John. Being able to stay at your beautiful home has given us the opportunity to spend time here to see if this island is a "right fit" for our eventual dream home. We are fairly sure that this is it! The people are wonderful, it feels like a little community. Fantastic house, first of all, you spared no expense! We had everything we needed and more! - View... heavenly! Love the breeze here. We didn't even use A/C once. Thank you for sharing your incredible home with us. We will never forget this and will be back to stay again...You surely make your home open, welcoming and beautiful! That's a wonderful feeling to have." "p.s. Dorothy & Fernando are absolute gems!"Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
High Season(mid Dec-Sat after Easter).. Up to 8 Guests $6200/week $895/night Christmas/New Year's ........... Up to 8 Guests $6950/week 1 week minimum Low Season(Sat after Easter -mid Dec)....... 1-4 Guests $3700/week $550/night 5-6 Guests $4100/week $600/night 7-8 Guests $4500/week $650/night Thanksgiving.................... Up to 8 Guests $5250/week 4 night minimum stay ... $300 refundable damage deposit required
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
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Zozo's Ristorante
- Restaurant
- 6.6 miles to rental
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U.S. Virgin Islands National Park
"Drake's view is adjacent to National Park land. From the door, you can hike to Lameshur, Reef Bay or just hike the Bordeaux Mt. Road. Two thirds of the island is national park and there are numerous park beaches, trails and ruins to explore. You can volunteer to maintain trails and enjoy park hikes and educational programs."
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- 1.8 miles to rental
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Francis Bay
"We swim at Francis in the morning before the beachgoers arrive. We have seen dolphins, manta rays, turtles and numerous fish. We often swim the point at the end of the beach. There are beautiful fish and the coral improves as you go further out the tip. This is one of our favorites because of our daily swim. It's usually calm and is, therefore, nice for children"
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- 3.7 miles to rental
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Woody's Seafood Saloon
- Restaurant
- 6.3 miles to rental
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Ocean Grill
- Restaurant
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La Tapa
"This chef owned restaurant is one of our favorites. The Argentinian chef-owner is there cooking up delicious food. There is an excellent wine list which usually has some good, reasonable Argentinian wines. If you don't have reservations, try walking in and eating at the bar. This has been one of the most reliable restaurants on the island. "
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- 3.7 miles to rental
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SKINNY LEGS BAR & RESTAURANT
"A 12 minute drive from our house in the Republic of Coral Bay. This bar is filled with locals and tourists. It usually has music on Saturday nights and I highly recommend the Hot Club of Coral Bay, who usually play on Saturdays. It is casual, to say the least. Burgers are their specialty but there are chicken and fish sandwiches and salads. No fries. The food used to better but it is an institution. Watch for special entertainment and movie night."
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- 2.7 miles to rental
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Reef Bay Trail & Petroglyphs
"Beautiful trail with petroglyphs and a waterfall if it has been wet. there are actually 2 more waterfalls above the petroglyphs. I love to walk around the ruins of the rum factory and there is a nearby spur on the trail to Lameshur with the Reef Bay plantation house ruins. From this trail, you can connect tot the trail to Lameshur and could even return to our house on Bordeaux. That is a long (9mile) hike. You could also connect to Fish Bay or the L'Esperance Trail. This is one of our favorite hikes."
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- 1.7 miles to rental
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Sweet Plantains Restaurant Rum Bar and Spice Shop
- Restaurant
- 3.8 miles to rental
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WATERLEMON CAY
"A short walk and you are at a stony, small beach. Use your fins to swim to the Cay and snorkel on the ocean side of the Cay. It has lovely Coral. We have seen people walk the point to get nearer to the cay. Unfortunately, they walk over the small coral which is developing on the rocks. So- if you are not comfortable with swimming from the beach, consider snorkeling where you can put in from the beach and don't walk on coral. It takes decades for coral to grow and it is under constant threat from disease and snorkelers."
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- 4.2 miles to rental
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- 2.3 miles to rental
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DONKEY DINER
- Restaurant
- 2.6 miles to rental
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LOVE CITY MINI MART
- Attraction
- 2.3 miles to rental
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Elaine Ione Sprauve Library & Museum
- Attraction
- 6.4 miles to rental
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Salt Pond Beach
- Attraction
- 5.9 miles to rental
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The Fish Trap
- Restaurant
- 6.3 miles to rental
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Aqua Bistro
- Restaurant
- 2.3 miles to rental
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Shipwreck Landing
- Restaurant
- 2.5 miles to rental
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Pickles,
"This deli is on the road to Salt Pond and is on the right, just after you turn right at the triangle with all the signs in Coral Bay. It has a great cheap breakfast menu and the sandwiches and quiche are some of the best on the island. The quiche has a buttery, homemade crust as is thick and creamy. There are meats and cheeses and various prepared dishes that you can buy for your house or for a picnic. love this place !"
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- 3.7 miles to rental
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Trunk Bay
- Attraction
- 5.5 miles to rental
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Cinnamon Bay Beach
- Attraction
- 4.6 miles to rental
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Rhumb Lines
- Restaurant
- 6.4 miles to rental
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Maho Bay
- Attraction
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Miss Lucy’s Restaurant
- Restaurant
- 3.8 miles to rental
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Vie's Snack Shack
- Restaurant
- 4.7 miles to rental
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Mongoose Junction
"I love to look around here. RI Patton's jewelry is a must. The art gallery, Bajo el Sol is wonderful. The Sundog cafe is a reliable and a favorite for lunch but they also have dinner. Be sure to check out Michael Banzhof Gallery and Jewelry at street level. love the quality and variety of shops and restaurants"
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- 6.3 miles to rental
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Asolare
"Where the guest is considered an inconvenience......Haven't been here in several years after repeated rudeness, poor service and one inedible meal. When I finally got the waitress to return to the table to ask how things were, I said I couldn't chew the overcooked chicken, I was told to hurry up and choose something that was quick to cook. (I have left chicken in the oven for hours by mistake. This compared to that fiasco) Then, we were left waiting for our check for 45 minute. finally, the manager came and said we would have to leave as they had another seating. We said we would be happy to, if only we could see our waitress and get a check. Other guests were a party of 8 with reservations for 8. Part of the party came in an one car and when they arrived they asked to be seated. It was a tiny bit early but they wanted to see the sunset. The manager he would only seat them when the rest of the party arrived. The early party said they didn't want to be served, just see the sunset. The response was no, it would make the waitress nervous.We decided to try again. Perhaps the staff had changed. We made reservations but were told that if we were 15 minutes late, there would be a hefty charge on our credit card. I think it is reasonable to charge for reservations made but not kept but on St. John where trucks break down,etc., it seemed too risky. Reminds me of Monty Python's Faulty Towers where the guest is an inconvenience. Perhaps if they were under new management we would reconsider reconsider."
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- 6.7 miles to rental
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- Restaurant
- 6.3 miles to rental
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Owner info
Year Purchased: 2000
About the owner: We have been traveling to St. John for over thirty years, and our children have come with us since they were born. St. John is home for us: the moment we stepped on the island in the 1970s it just felt right, and we've been coming back every year since. We look forward to sharing our dream home with you!
Why the Owner Chose Bordeaux Mountain:
We fell in love with the Bordeaux Mountain site for Drake's View because of the breathtaking views. We knew that we would build on the site as soon as we saw the vista from this incredible spot(it used to host a hang gliding launch pad!). The villa is located in a perfect central location on the island: close to both the ferry dock and restaurants in downtown Cruz Bay, and to the more relaxed vibes and great snorkeling in Coral Bay.
The Unique Benefits at this Villa:
Drake's View has the view voted by Caribbean Travel Magazine as 'the best in the Caribbean,' and ample patios and terraces from which to enjoy the vista, stargaze, and enjoy the sunset. Drake's View has incredible terraced gardens on site, great birdwatching, and is walking distance from the famous Reef Bay Trail and other hiking on Bordeaux Mountain. It is a short drive to both the North Shore beaches (5 min. to closest beach) and the more secluded beaches on the East End. Also, unlike some beach-side rentals which are often buggy and hot, Drake's View is blessed with a constant breeze!
Contact us
- Primary: (305) 606-1197 (Florida, USA)
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - More Photos & Information
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Dine & lounge overlooking the award-winning vista at Drake's View
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The great room with doors to the covered porch and view of the British Virgins
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The wraparound Bar Area in the Great Room with vista
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Mango bedroom with kind size Tempurpedic, private bath, & stunning views
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The White Bedroom, with King Size Tempurpedic bed and private bath & patio
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Turquoise Bedroom: featuring King size Tempurpedic or two singles & private bath
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Cottage bedroom with king size Tempurpedic, and private bath & patio
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A view of the front side of the villa (& solar panels) from down Bordeaux Mtn.
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The view from the hot tub
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The entrance to Drake's View complete with lush tropical landscaping
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This is one of the dining areas overlooking the East End and the BVI's
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The spacious kitchen: ample counterspace, Corian countertops, & breakfast area
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All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms
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Each ensuite bathroom features a custom tiled walk in shower
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View of the private cottage through the lush plantings around the villa
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Gorgeous terraced gardens surround the villa
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Local art is featured in each room of the villa
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Sunrise from the Mango bedroom
There have been visitors to this page since
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This listing was first published here in 2001.
Date last modified - Tuesday, March 12, 2013
(305) 606-1197 (Florida, USA)