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
- 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)
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
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US dollars & Euros accepted
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:




Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2001
Property Photos
- "Catch 'n' Keep" on a half-acre of mature tropical gardens - Coral Bay, St. John Rental
- The charming kitchen is fully equipped, even for serious cooks. - Coral Bay, St. John Rental
- The romantic bedroom opens onto the oversized covered porch. - Coral Bay, St. John Rental
- Stonework in shower enhances your tropical idyll.
- Relax here with a good book or enjoy a movie.
- Breakfast on the porch is unforgettable.
Guest Comments (18)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #75872
There have been 31049 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2005.
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - November 24, 2009


Positive Rating
Troy , New York, NY
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Allan & Ann Druschel , Portersville, PA
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Trish Kawa , Rockport, MA
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.
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jackie henderson ,
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Anne & Doug Craner , Syracuse, NY
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, NY, NY
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alcooke , Pittsboro, NC
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Kerri Moser , Windham, NH
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Heidi ,
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Chris & Cliff Vermilya , Chester, CT