Fill the Gaps Sale! $100/Night Dec-Apr $80/Nov Coral Bay Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 75872

"Catch 'n' Keep" on a half-acre of mature tropical gardens

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Location: Coral Bay, USVI - St. John, Caribbean (Driveway to cottage! No parking far and carrying luggage!)

Accommodations:  Cottage, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)

"Catch 'n' Keep" is just what so many budget-minded travelers dream of finding. For less than the price of a condominium you can experience living in a real island home. The cottage is comfortable, tastefully decorated, and best of all, authentic. The affordable pricing may let you stay longer, or treat yourself to a day sail or massage. With today's emphasis on "eco-tourism" you can see how an actual home tries to fit into its environment conscientiously.

In scenic Coral Bay, "Catch 'n' Keep" is a charming, new, West Indies-style home. Just ten to 15 minutes from nearby white sand beaches, the cottage sits on a half acre of wooded hillside, with a panoramic view of the valley and stone sugar mill ruins. Plants and trees native to the environment have been encouraged and a large variety of native birds feel at home in the neighborhood.

Well-sited to catch the tradewinds, the cottage is fully screened and has Hunter ceiling fans. Six large double doors open onto two covered decks where you can grill out with a Weber gas grill and dine in the fresh air. Or lounge in the hammocks and enjoy the country view, tropical breezes, and beautiful evening sky.

The full kitchen is charmingly decorated with folk art and hand-painted ceramics collected by the owner in her travels. The bathroom features native stonework in the shower and full amenities. A comfortable queen-size bed with four pillows and lovely cotton linens awaits you.

The cottage is thoughtfully appointed for your comfort, and includes guidebooks, a CD collection, lots of vacation reading, and games. You will also find beach chairs, beach towels, and coolers for your beach days. A variety of restaurants, eclectic shopping, kayaking, hiking, and live music are conveniently nearby in the Coral Bay area. Less developed than the Cruz Bay side of island, you will find Coral Bay less trafficked, more relaxing and exactly your dream of what an island get-away should be like!

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Air Conditioning: House does not need AC as it is well sited to catch Trade Winds and doesn't need to add mechanical air. There is a constant breeze, so fewer insects.
  • Washer: available
  • Linens Provided: Fresh new linens and towels.
  • Off Street Parking: Driveway lets you park and unload right next to cottage. No long flights of hillside stairs to carry groceries and luggage up and down. No leaving car on main road!
• Beds
  • Queen Bed: New firm mattress
  • Convertible Bed: Futon/couch
• Entertainment
  • Cable/Satellite TV: WiFi also available
  • DVD
  • CD Player
  • Music Library
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen: Plus microwave, toaster, coffee maker,coffee bean grinder, blender, AND condiments
  • Cooking Utensils Provided: new for cottage, not cast-offs
  • Refrigerator: standard size, with top freezer
  • Dishwasher: You!
  • Microwave
  • Catering Available: Several companies available on island. You can also arrange for some groceries to be bought ahead of time (your list). The cost is the cash register receipt plus service charge.
• Outdoor Features
  • Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Weber gas grill.
  • Deck/Patio: 2 roofed decks for afternoon shade
  • Balcony: 2 covered balconies/decks with hammock, comfortable seating, and dining area
  • Lanai
• View/Location
  • Mountain View: Cottage overlooks Coral Bay Harbour but low hill blocks water view. Instead there is a view on 3 sides of surrounding green hills and sugar mill in valley. Located on hillside, cottage always receives cooling breeze and thus, less bugs. Very quiet dead end road with only neighbors' traffic. Tropical plants, banana and papaya trees, and lots of birds. Binoculars provided.
• Communications
  • Telephone
  • Broadband Internet: DSL/WIFI connection in cottage plus three broadband computer cafes available in Coral Bay area.
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet): In cottage
• Other Amenities
  • Handy to Coral Bay, on dead end road with only neighborhood traffic offers privacy, no traffic or construction noise, and peaceful setting. Mature landscaping with native plants (bananas, papayas) and lots of birds. An important renting consideration is driveway and parking are close to cottage, so you do not have long flights of hillside steps to navigate to carry luggage and groceries as in other rentals that have you park on main road away from rental.
• Suitability
  • Pet Friendly: Check with owner. Pet care is also available for evenings out or if you take day trips to surrounding islands.
  • Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations): You drive up close to cottage. There are 2 entry stair landings of 6 steps with handrails. The cottage itself is one level with no obstacles. Commodious stone shower with only slight step up. No slippery tubs or slick shower surface.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): Easy to move from cottage out onto covered deck. Wood floors, no carpeting, interior of cottage wheelchair friendly. Assistance is needed to descend 6 steps with handrail, a flat landing, then 6 more steps onto decks. Wheelchair would have to be handcarried down stairs from driveway. One National Park beach here has a reservable wheelchair with large tires so you can also visit beach.
  • Kid Friendly: Contact owner. Babysitting is also available.
  • Smoking Not Allowed: But smoking outside on the covered deck would be a happy compromise.
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Tennis
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Boating
  • Shelling
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling/Diving
  • Surfing
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Health/Beauty Spa
  • Basketball Court
  • Horseshoes
  • Miniature golf
  • Horseback Riding
• Other Activities
  • I provide information on Virgin Island National Park outings, hikes, lectures, cultural demonstrations and Ranger Guided Educational activities.

Rate Details (In US Dollars and Euros)

• Features
• Rate Details
• Owner's Profile
• All Photos (6)
• Guest Comments (18)
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Personal Currency Assistant™

May 01, 2008- Nov 30, 2008 (Low Season)........... $145/nt.. $1015/wk
Dec 01, 2008- Apr 30, 2009 (High Season) ........... $170/nt .. $1190/wk
Sep 1-Oct 31 "Shoulder Season" $100/nt and its still as beautiful!
"Economic Stimulus" Sale
PayPal
US dollars & Euros accepted

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

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Owner's Profile

• Features
• Rate Details
• Owner's Profile
• All Photos (6)
• Guest Comments (18)
• Back to Top

Property Photos

• Features
• Rate Details
• Owner's Profile
• All Photos (6)
• Guest Comments (18)
• Back to Top

Guest Comments (18)

• Features
• Rate Details
• Owner's Profile
• All Photos (6)
• Guest Comments (18)
• Back to Top

• 03/16/09
  Positive Rating
  Troy , New York, NY
  • We had such a wonderful time in Judy's cottage and St. John! I had been to St. John before and stayed at the Westin. And let me tell you, this was so much better! Coral bay is such a lovely side of the island that is much less trafficked and therefore private. Judy was wonderful and made our stay so nice. The house was SUPER CLEAN which was just wonderful as that can be worrisome. (We're extremely picky too!) The house had basically everything we needed and more. She even has copies of all of the guides so you don't have to bring any! I was initially worried about not having an ocean view, but the mountain one was just spectacular as were the morning breakfasts on the porch. We would definitely stay here again!
• 01/18/09
  Positive Rating
  Allan & Ann Druschel , Portersville, PA
  • Catch n Keep Cottage is just that, you never want to leave it. It is just as described and the photos don't do it justice. You will never miss an ocean view, hot tub or air conditioning. You don't need it here, so why pay extra for it. Judy is the best. She has a great new washer (inside joke). The kitchen and grill worked out great to save on some meals. My husband bonded with her dog to the point they went for walks and left me to read on the porch. Heavenly! I would go back in a minute.
• 11/19/08
  Positive Rating
  Trish Kawa , Rockport, MA
  • Catch N Keep is awesome! We stayed there for our honeymoon and it we couldn't have made a better choice. Wonderful breezes, adorable decor and complete relaxation. Every night we'd head home from the beach to our own little hideaway on the hill. It felt like home. You need to be an intrepid driver to get there but it's worth it.
    
    Homeowner Response:
    Road has been graded and widened since comment. The hardly-any-traffic road is a boon for relaxation and privacy, but every few years we several neighbors have to cooperate on the regrading.
• 07/28/08
  Positive Rating
  jackie henderson ,
  • Catch and Keep is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of St John. The cottage was as described and truly lovely. It is very tastefully and comfortably decorated. The views, birds, and ocean breezes are spectacular. The beaches are close and Coral Bay feels very welcoming. Judy has thought of everything to make a visit memorable, great information and suggestions. HIghly recommended
• 01/27/08
  Positive Rating
  Anne & Doug Craner , Syracuse, NY
  • We recently stayed at Catch & Keep Cottage for twelve days and it more than met our expectations. The cottage was as pictured, but pictures can not capture the wonderful peaceful comfort of the cottage. We had stayed at a cottage last year that was higher up (and further out) with an unbelievable ocean view and we had some concern that we would not like Catch and Keep as well since there is no view of the ocean. We were wrong! We actually enjoyed the mountain view and location better! The cottage with it's wooded location was shaded much of the day, the open design of the cottage allowed breezes to keep us cool and the peepers sang us to sleep at night as the birds woke us up in the morning. The cottage was perfectly located just a mile or so from the main intersection in Coral Bay which made for easy trips to the beaches. We found it enchanting to have such a wonderful view of the mountains and valley below. If you didn't know you would think you were in Brazil! Judy (the owner) was as available as you want (or not) and friendly and helpful. One evening when we were out to diner the power was out on the island for a short time, as happens occasionally on St. John. When we returned we found that Judy had set out and lit candles for us and then came back and blew them out since the power came on before we returned! If you want to get a real feeling for what the the island and the people that live there are about, then you can't go wrong with Catch & Keep. We'll definitely be back. Anne & Doug Craner, Syracuse, NY
• 03/10/07
  Positive Rating
  , NY, NY
  • We had an unbelievable time in St. John! Catch 'n'Keep was exactly what we wanted and so much more. The constant gentle breeze blowing through the cheerful cottage felt heavenly. Most importantly we will never forget the wraparound balcony overlooking the tropical mountainside because it is the place where Noel, with ring in hand, proposed to me! We can't wait to come back. Thanks again, Colleen & Noel
• 07/15/06
  Positive Rating
  alcooke , Pittsboro, NC
  • After a taxi, ferry, taxi, and ferry from Virgin Gorda via Tortola; after the hustle of dealing with holiday crowds in Cruz Bay and finally getting some lunch; when we finally arrived at Judy Kane’s Catch ‘n’ Keep cottage, we felt we finally deserved this oasis of tranquility in the hills above Coral Bay. As my wife experimented with the hammock, I couldn’t resist taking pictures of this photogenic cottage before – as I knew we would – we strewed our own “stuff” all over. We were on St. John primarily for the snorkeling, which was excellent. We have rented a variety of cottages on a variety of islands, but nothing has ever matched the charm and comfort of Catch ‘n’ Keep. It seems to emerge out of the hillside. The colors are a delight to the eye. The furnishings and kitchen equipment are as complete as you’ll find. There is always a breeze coming up or across the hillside; if that’s insufficient, turn on a fan. If the morning sun is too intense, simply close the storm shutters. And not to worry, it’s shaded all afternoon. It’s built for living. It's island style, a place for relaxing. The porch is the best room for relaxing with a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon rum punch. Be sure to notice the woodwork on the rails and stairs. Built with love. Before we left, we finally got a chance to actually meet Judy. Seems she keeps a full schedule, and we didn’t spend all our time at her cottage – although it was tempting! But Judy is a delight herself. It was a pleasure to sit down and chat with her. We quickly felt like old friends. Judy, thanks for everything, especially just being there and sharing your cottage. We hope to see you again soon. Al & Daphne
• 04/17/06
  Positive Rating
  Kerri Moser , Windham, NH
  • Ryan and I stayed at Catch 'n' Keep Cottage during the last week of March and would stay there again in a heartbeat. It was ideal for a couple and you cannot beat the price! Located in Coral Bay, this eclectic cottage provides privacy and tranquility. Judy has a great guestbook where she has recommended the best places to dine and has several books describing all of the beaches St. John has to offer. If you want to head out for a night over to Cruz Bay for a little more night life and shopping, the drive was only 20 minutes. Our favorite beach was Salt Pond Bay on the south eastern side of the island, close to the cottage with great snorkeling and sand. Most importantly, be sure to take advantage of breakfast on the porch and beverages in the hammock. The view is breathtaking! ~ Kerri Moser and Ryan Lever Boston, MA
• 04/12/06
  Positive Rating
  Heidi ,
  • Dear Judy, My parents just loved your place. It was so beautiful and comfortable and everybody LOVED your dog! We wanted to take him home. Please give him a pat on the head for us!
• 03/24/06
  Positive Rating
  Chris & Cliff Vermilya , Chester, CT
  • We spent three weeks at “Catch ‘n Keep” during February and March 2006 and were delighted with it. The cottage is open, bright and spacious and always seemed to have a delightful breeze flowing through it. We also loved the proximity to Coral Bay which is our favorite part of the island. We had a great time; our only dilemma was which beach to go to each day. Judy is a warm, friendly, helpful person who it was a joy to meet. We recommend it highly. Chris & Cliff Vermilya

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