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Caribbean Cottage with Breathtaking Views and Your Own Private Pool!
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Reviews
9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 8
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Cruz Bay, St John
- Place, Rendezvous Bay1 min walk
- Place, Chocolate Hole4 min walk
- Place, Great Cruz Bay18 min walk
- Airport, St. Thomas (STT-Cyril E. King)59 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Bathroom 3
Bathroom 4
Spaces
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area
About this property
Caribbean Cottage with Breathtaking Views and Your Own Private Pool!
Rara Avis is a waterfront villa that is located on an oversized lot in Hart Bay, which is a bay with a small beach on the south coast of St. John. Rara is the last villa on a private drive and it sits in the middle of an oversized lot, so it is blessedly peaceful and quiet without even a whisper of vehicle traffic or other noise. As Rara’s website states, this home is 'located in an unusually quiet and private seaside setting where shimmering moonlight, warm trade winds, mesmerizing views and the background sounds of breaking surf weave a totally relaxing almost magical atmosphere.' Although Rara enjoys an excellent degree of privacy and tranquility, you are less than 3 miles from Cruz Bay. The beautiful 180 degree view takes in the entire south coast of St John, much of which is unspoiled National Park. Rara Avis faces south and the sun hits your decks from early in the morning to late in the afternoon. A short hike down a private path leads to the 83-degree, crystal clear waters of Hart Beach, where on a calm day you’ll enjoy some good snorkeling or swimming.
Rara consists of three distinct buildings – a 2-level stone house, plus two bedroom cabanas on both sides of the great house. Courtyards, gardens and walkways connect the three buildings and the pool. The upper level of the great house contains the great room with the living, dining and kitchen areas, plus a half bath, and a laundry room. A 450 sq/ft tiled sun deck with magnificent views runs along the waterfront side of the great house. The two bedrooms and the deck on the lower level are accessed by two sets of exterior stairs on either side of the great house. In addition to the pool’s sun deck there are four other private sun decks including two off the great house, and one off each bedroom cabana.
The two bedrooms cabanas are spacious (370 sq/ft) with queen beds, excellent privacy, lovely views and an intimate setting. Each cabana includes a tiled bath and a private deck or patio. The two guest bedrooms (twins that convert to a king) are located on the lower level of the great house and also offer romantic ocean views. The lower level guest bedrooms share a bath, and a fourth half bath is located off the kitchen in the great house
The living and dining rooms have been artistically finished to look like the interior of a centuries old Spanish or Italian villa. They are furnished with a combination of antiques and designer furniture that blends comfort with function. From either room screened sliding glass doors open to warm breezes, a spacious deck and sweeping views of the south shore National Park. A cable 32” flat screen TV, stereo and wireless internet are provided. You can dine inside at the stately mahogany table seating 6 - 8, or outside on the sheltered garden patio.
The complete kitchen includes a 4-burner stove and oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender, coffee maker, toaster and a fine selection of dinnerware, cookware, and server ware. There is a gas barbeque grill in the courtyard.
Rara consists of three distinct buildings – a 2-level stone house, plus two bedroom cabanas on both sides of the great house. Courtyards, gardens and walkways connect the three buildings and the pool. The upper level of the great house contains the great room with the living, dining and kitchen areas, plus a half bath, and a laundry room. A 450 sq/ft tiled sun deck with magnificent views runs along the waterfront side of the great house. The two bedrooms and the deck on the lower level are accessed by two sets of exterior stairs on either side of the great house. In addition to the pool’s sun deck there are four other private sun decks including two off the great house, and one off each bedroom cabana.
The two bedrooms cabanas are spacious (370 sq/ft) with queen beds, excellent privacy, lovely views and an intimate setting. Each cabana includes a tiled bath and a private deck or patio. The two guest bedrooms (twins that convert to a king) are located on the lower level of the great house and also offer romantic ocean views. The lower level guest bedrooms share a bath, and a fourth half bath is located off the kitchen in the great house
The living and dining rooms have been artistically finished to look like the interior of a centuries old Spanish or Italian villa. They are furnished with a combination of antiques and designer furniture that blends comfort with function. From either room screened sliding glass doors open to warm breezes, a spacious deck and sweeping views of the south shore National Park. A cable 32” flat screen TV, stereo and wireless internet are provided. You can dine inside at the stately mahogany table seating 6 - 8, or outside on the sheltered garden patio.
The complete kitchen includes a 4-burner stove and oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender, coffee maker, toaster and a fine selection of dinnerware, cookware, and server ware. There is a gas barbeque grill in the courtyard.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Parking available
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children Welcome
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No smoking is allowed on the premises.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
St. John
Located in St. John, this villa is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Virgin Islands National Park and Cruz Bay Beach. Kayaking, scuba diving and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.

Cruz Bay, St John
What's nearby
- Devers Bay - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
- Rendezvous Bay - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
- Chocolate Hole - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
- Chocolate Hole Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
- Great Cruz Bay - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Woody's Seafood Saloon - 8 min drive
- Greengo’s - 8 min drive
- The Longboard - 8 min drive
- Sun Dog Cafe - 9 min drive
- extra virgin - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.2/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
9.6/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
28 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Barbara E.
14 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heather Roberts and Family and Barbara Entwiste
Barbara E.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
John W.
7 Aug, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely the best property we have stayed in yet, in St. John!!!
John W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
Luke H.
7 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Staying for a friend’s wedding on St John
Luke H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
8/10 Good
William M.
12 Feb, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family getaway
William M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Robin K.
26 Jan, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Et in Acadia Ego
Robin K.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Quinn S.
23 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect home for a large family!
Quinn S.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
8/10 Good
brad b.
9 Aug, 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a location!
brad b.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Heather O.
6 Feb, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise
Heather O.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
8/10 Good
Michelle S.
30 May, 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Girls trip
Michelle S.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
6/10 Okay
Kathy L., South Berwick
4 May, 2017
Beautiful view
Kathy L.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2017
6/10 Okay
Jennifer M.
16 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rara Avis
Jennifer M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
6/10 Okay
Susanne C.
15 Jul, 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Rara Avis
Susanne C.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Courtney S.
6 Jan, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise with a nice breeze
Courtney S.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
6/10 Okay
Jeffrey M., A small town in New Hampshire
15 Mar, 2017
Excellent location, property showing its lack of maintenance, so add a bit of age to the photos.
Jeffrey M.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017
10/10 Excellent
William O.
1 Aug, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful views
William O.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
10/10 Excellent
James G.
29 Jul, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
James G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
10/10 Excellent
Megan G.
3 Aug, 2018
Doesn't Get Any Better!
Megan G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Judi R.
31 Jan, 2017
A Wonderful St. John Gem
Judi R.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Lisa F.
25 Mar, 2016
Great House in St John
Lisa F.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
8/10 Good
Kaye M.
17 Nov, 2015
Great Location, Great Open Spaces
Kaye M.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
Jo J.
3 Mar, 2015
Rara Avis is a dream spot.
Jo J.
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.
10/10 Excellent
25 May, 2014
Rara Avis is a rare find!
8/10 Good
Frank F.
30 Dec, 2025
Frank F.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025
About the host
Hosted by Caribbean Villas of St. John
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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