Experience St. John - Local Style: Clean, Comfortable And Affordable !!!
Wanting to visit St. John, but don't have the $$$$ to pay for expensive villas and amenities? Have I got a solution for you. Spend a week or two in this clean, comfortable and affordable 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the island as a local without emptying your pocket. Explore all that St John has to offer and return home with a million $ tan and fully satisfied. It is located in Estate Upper Pastory, approximately 1 mile from Cruz Bay town. Upper Pastory is a safe residential neighborhood with a jambalaya of cultures. The apartment features: one bedroom with king size bed; bathroom with tub; full kitchen, living room with cable TV and a small dining table. It is fully furnished. Parking is available. Both the living room and bedroom has fans. This apartment is owned by the owners of Pine Cone Drive Villa -. The apartment is attached to the owner's private resident. However, you have full privacy. The resident has three apartments. The main house is occupied by the owners (husband and wife). The lower apartment (apartment B) is occupied by renting tenant and the top apartment (apartment A) is the subject.
Property manager
Catherine Stephen
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Outdoor space
Sea view
Parking available
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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
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
St. John
St. John is home to this apartment. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Virgin Islands National Park and Cruz Bay Beach. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Virgin Islands National Park - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
Caneel Bay Beach - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
Honeymoon Beach - 6 min drive - 1.8 km
Trunk Bay - 13 min drive - 6.7 km
Getting around
St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 58 min drive
Restaurants
Cruz Bay Landing - 13 min walk
Greengo’s - 14 min walk
Woody's Seafood Saloon - 12 min walk
Sun Dog Cafe - 16 min walk
Roti King Foodtruck - 12 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Experience St. John - Local Style: Clean, Comfortable And Affordable !!! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Experience St. John - Local Style: Clean, Comfortable And Affordable !!!?
Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.
What time is check-out at Experience St. John - Local Style: Clean, Comfortable And Affordable !!!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Experience St. John - Local Style: Clean, Comfortable And Affordable !!! located?
Situated in St. John, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Battery and Virgin Islands National Park. St. John Spice and Mongoose Junction are also within 15 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The Apt was totally sufficient for our needs. Clean, cooking amenities, easy to get to, close to town. It was just enough to recover for our next adventure. We saved a ton by staying here instead of blowing more money at a place you aren't hanging out at anyway. We are out doing things and seeing the sights. This Apt was perfect to come back to to "regroup" and head out for our next adventure.....plus they were our rental car company as well. Easy communication for both staying and mobility. Perfect
Cute. Perfect for a single or a couple. Host was easily reachable. You do need a car rental as it is a bit from town
April E.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2024
8/10 Good
Liron G.
19 Feb, 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in
nice quiet stay in Cruz Bay
Had a great weeklong stay in the apartment, clean and cozy with everything we needed. Was a bit tricky to find from the directions but no problem once we did. Appreciated that it was close enough to Cruz Bay for quick grocery runs, restaurants, etc but far enough to be quiet/peaceful, and convenient to visiting all the beaches.
It was exactly as advertised. Check in was simple. The hardest part was finding the location. But once I spoke with Catherine on the phone she gave perfect direction.
She was very helpful and friendly.
Love City is what you feel when you meet Mrs Catherine
Mrs.Catherine will make you feel at home and can teach you a lot about the Island plants and trees of healing on her property. She was very nice and very helpful with all my questions and needs before and during my trip to St. John
I would recommend this rental to any solo traveler or couple. It is perfect size and location from Cruz Bay and North Shore Beaches also the Windmill Bar as well.
I would rent a Jeep from Lionel Jeep Rental it will make your trip so much better and add convenice to your trip,
Mike B.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Peter & Rebecca F.
14 Feb, 2016
St. John appartment A
We very much enjoyed our trip to St.John. Working with Catherine was very organized and she was quick to get back to us when we had questions prior to the trip. The appartment was neat, clean and perfect for two. We found renting a jeep from Catherine's Rental business very helpful for easy access to town and beaches. We enjoyed the use of lawn chairs, beach towels and coolers that the appartment provided just perfect. Looking forwars to our next trip to St. John!!
This property is exactly how the manager describes it. Our biggest complaints were that it had no air conditioning and that you had to keep the doors closed due to mosquitoes and other insects and, sometimes, rats. If you have no objection to the heat or the ants, then this inexpensive place will work well for you. The host is kind, the location is good and the place is furnished with reasonable furniture.
I would definitely come back. Considering the high cost of other options this property is a steal. Internet, TV, refrigerator, oven, stove, coffee maker. What else do you need? I would recommend a rental from Lionel Jeep Rental since you're a mile from downtown venues. At first I was concerned about no A/C, but with the patio door & all windows opened I actually got chilly at night.
If you keep the appropriate expectations this is a solid place with great value. The owner is communicative and just a nice person who helped us out after we got lost. I’ll note that we got lost because the appropriate directions or address aren’t listed. The location estimate is quite off but even with it being off we had an easy time getting into town in under 10 minutes using taxis only. I’m disappointed in the VRBO experience for its location misrepresentation, but I won’t hold that against the owner, she was terrific and her place does the job for an amazing vaca getaway! Would stay here again if I wanted a no frills place to sleep.
Nikita A.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Ryan D.
3 Sept, 2016
Everything we were hoping for!
After doing extensive research into lodging options, my sister and I decided to stay in this apartment for our trip to St. John. Everything about the apartment was perfect - only a few minutes away from town (by car), a well stocked kitchen, ceiling fans (which helped tremendously), and plenty of space for the two of us. Catherine was an excellent host and made our trip even better! She got in touch with us before our arrival, met us at the ferry, and checked in with us throughout the trip to make sure everything was going well. Additionally, as someone who lives on the island, she was able to provide us with lots of great advice that is usually only known to locals.
Our trip was amazing, and staying in Catherine's unit made it exceed expectations while remaining very affordable. We are already planning on going back, and when we do, will be sure to stay here again!
This property fit our needs perfectly! It was clean and had a well equipped kitchen. My husband and I have specific dietary needs, we prefer to cook our meals so the amenities worked out great! It is a mile from the center of town and close to markets which made it nice.
We arrived on St John later than expected (it was getting dark) and we were afraid we would not be able to find the jeep rental or the apartment easily. Leo met us at the ferry, took us to Lionel Jeep to get our vehicle. While my husband did the paperwork he brought me to the grocery store so I could pick up some basic provisions to have that evening and to make dinner. We then followed him to the rental, The apartment rental is a difficult place to find for the first time, particularly if it is dark so his extra care to help us was appreciated!
We spent 16 days on St. John. We spent our days outdoors hiking, snorkeling and reading on the beach. They provided beach chairs which made our days on the beach comfortable.
If you are expecting a resort than this is not your place. If you want a budget minded place that fits basic needs than we recommend it to you!
Catherine and Leo were prompt and helpful through all of our communications. Before we left Leo gave us some Star fruit from one of their trees, it was delicious! Thank you Leo, Catherine and Tyler for helping to make our experience on St John a great one!
Location, friendly host, neighborhood and affordability
We had great time on the busy island because of the place we stayed in. The neighborhood is quiet and private, with friendly host and neighbors, always there to help. It was always nice to come back “home” after outdoor activities. The facilities are also great. Highly recommend this place for smaller size families.
This is such an awesome location it’s hard to put into words. Up on the hill, you can eat breakfast while having a view of the island and down to the sea. Our host was excellent, so warm and welcoming!
We stayed here 10 days and had a wonderful time. It’s small, but the kitchen is fully stocked with pots and pans and the king bed was nice. Private parking was nice and it was a good location - far enough out of town to be quiet at night, but not a tough drive. Catherine and her husband were very kind and communicated well. One note: it is the dry season, and you will need to be mindful of water use. We had read reviews saying water flow was low, but it was fine when we arrived and we did not conserve as well as we should have and ran into low pressure after a few days. A few tips to maximize your water:
Toilet - don’t flush after every use, it uses a lot of water. Instead, if it’s yellow let it mellow, and if it’s brown flush it down.
Sink - while brushing teeth, shut off the faucet. Don’t let all that great water go down the drain.
Shower - turn it on, get wet and then shut off the water. Add your shampoo and soap up, and then turn the water back on to rinse. You’ll be glad you did, because your water will last a lot longer!!
Cute place, clean. Would stay here again!
Very quaint and functional apartment only a few minutes drive outside Cruz Bay. It has everything you need for a week or weekend exploring St. John. Catherine and Leonard are great hosts and can answer any questions you have.
You will need to rent a car(jeep) to get around. Which, unless you're looking to camp out at a resort for the duration of your stay, a vehicle is necessary for experiencing St. John anyway. A taxi can easily get you there if needed your first day/nighto if you arrive late for $5 per head (Plus $2 per suitcase). Please note that Google maps does not put the address in the right spot. The coordinates are 18.335470,-64.782699. Don't be daunted by the roads/driveway. You'll get used to driving on St. John quickly.
The apartment itself is fully furnished with all the kitchen hardware needed to prepare meals there. We would cook breakfast, pack lunches in one of the available coolers, and set off for a day exploring different bays.
Overall, this is a great, affordable option for your stay on the island.
Catherine was so hospitable. Always responded immediately to my texts or emails. Very informative. The bed was very comfortable. Only problem we had was the shower was more like a trickle. Not enough pressure. Other than that, we loved the apartment.
Convenient spot just outside of CruzBay to get out of town, but close enough to drive there in 5 mins. Considerate host with excellent communication. Would recommend for any solo traveler who enjoys staying off the beaten path.
The property had all the basic needs and got the job done. I I would recommend to anyone who is traveling on a budget and wants to save money
Josh H.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2021
About the host
Hosted by Catherine Stephen
My husband and I have lived on St John for more than 30 years. We have one son who has graduated from collage and is now help us run our rental car business. We love St John because it is very quiet and very natural; because it is 75% National Park. We also enjoy the crystal clear waters that surround the island. I am a Certified Residential Appraiser -( has stop appraising for now) by profession who also operates a rental car company; and my husband is now retired. We both love people regardless of what race, religious belief, sexual orientation or nationality. Our family enjoys meeting people because it is a chance to learn something new about different cultures. We are both Christian who love God and stand on His words.
Why they chose this property
This was the first property my husband and I own as a young couple who had just gotten married. We built it together and poured our heart worth into it. We built it in sections. We were young and had limited resources, so we built the main house first. Several years later, we completed the bottom apartment. Approximately, 8 years after we completed the bottom, we built the top level which is the subject apartment. We had a large family on both sides, so we built this apartment as a family and guest apt. However, our families have all grown up and disperse. They all have their own place; so we have decided to open it to people who may want a "get away" to the VI; but don't have the budget for expensive villas and amenities.
What makes this property unique
Clean, Comfortable and Affordable. It is close to town and all amenities. Close to public transportation. Clients have their privacy.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests