Couples Retreat, Sweeping VIEWS, Kayaks Await at the Beach!

Thanks so much, Mark. I also love that about this place. So spacious and comfortable - the then the “forever views”. Glad you enjoyed it as all our guests do!

Hi Brian, Thanks so much for your review and comments, but most importantly, for choosing our place and being the best part of Joy of Life Villa. After all the years of building it, it’s such a pleasure to see people enjoy it and return, year after year. They call it their “happy place”. It is why we named it Joy of Life. Look us up directly when you come back, and thanks again! Karen & Jeff, owners

Thank you for your 4 star review, Andrew. Yes, St. John is mountainous and our neighborhood is no exception, but it affords the spectacular views my guests love. Renting a Jeep is the norm on St. John and clear in my property description; we’ve never had any accidents. Also in my listing, it is clear is that prior permission for one pet only is required but I had no notice you were bringing two dogs. My many repeat guests value the peaceful setting of this couple’s retreat but that doesn’t work when you bring two barking dogs and let them run without a leash, then yell at them. I was also clear that you must pick up after your pets. A little communication beforehand would have prevented undue expectations. Yes, I asked you to quiet your dogs for the comfort of other guests - at their request, and as any good host would. Not sure what their home town of NYC has to do with anything? Everyone deserves a peaceful stay. No dishwasher or laundry was listed as an amenity for this unit. And I got new living room furniture this year; sorry the one chair didn’t recline but I wasn’t expecting it to be used for sleeping with two men renting this couples retreat. My suggestion is to read the house rules, amenities and communicate with your hosts honestly about your bringing multiple, noisy and free roaming pets. Everyone will have a better experience if that effort is made. To prevent any future problems, I have discontinued allowing pets.

Thank you and spot on! Big compliment that it’s the nicest place on the island you’ve stayed in. Means a lot.

Thanks, Don! We love meeting people like you and seeing great vacations unfold. Always look forward to seeing our repeat "guest family" again. Until next time! Karen, Jeff & Taco

Dear Amy, After reading your review, we feel compelled to say that yours is the first and ONLY negative review we’ve ever had in 7 years of renting our villa year round. To address your comments: 1). Our listing and all advertising clearly states that St. John is a very mountainous island with steep, narrow and winding roads, and to rent our villa, with its expansive views, you MUST have a 4WD vehicle. 2.) We let you use our personal vehicle, with only 60,000 miles on it, for half the cost of a Jeep rental, because you instructed us you were unable to find a rental vehicle available anywhere. Due to the travel boom, rental rental cars are going for upwards of $200/day if you can even find one. 3.) 90% of villas and homes in the Caribbean have rain water collection as their sole water supply and septic systems as sole means of disposal. Water conservation is a must when traveling to the Caribbean and we provided you with a video explaining all house rules, especially those concerning conservation, which you clearly neglected to watch. 4). Our kayaks and water sports equipment are provided free of charge and conveniently stored at the beach, where sand and rain is sometimes an issue, but mold is not as it cannot grow in direct sunlight. We’ve stopped advertising snorkel gear due to Covid. What you used was your choice to use for free or can be rented down the road for a daily fee. 5.) As for your comments about the impoverished peoples of St. John and the Caribbean, we feel this is a rather insensitive depiction of our community and neighboring islands. Perhaps you’re unaware that just 3 years ago, we were hit by TWO devastating category 5 hurricanes, 12 days apart: Irma and Maria. Irma struck us directly and was the strongest storm in Atlantic history. The people you describe as impoverished are people who have been struggling to rebuild their homes, businesses and lives for the last 3 years. The nice villas you enjoy (including ours) cost between $2-30 million to build, and St. John is one of the richest and most desirable islands in the Caribbean. After the two hurricanes, Covid devastated our tourism industry for another full year. 99% of the people who come to St. John LOVE St. John for all that it is - and isn’t. Perhaps you are the one percent who would find your happy place elsewhere. Karen & Jeff Owners

Thank you, Brie! We sure love the snorkeling and beach hopping there too. So much that we dedicated ourselves to building in that incredible view for the last 21 years...it's worth every bit of effort to have such a special place, and hear and see our guests enjoy it. See you next time! Karen & Jeff, owners

Hi Mary, Thanks for your review! So glad you enjoyed our little slice of heaven at Joy of Life Villa. We built it from the ground up over the past 20 years, with much love for St. John. Hope to see you again. Also very proud of our caretakers, Terri & Tracy! Thanks again, Karen & Jeff Owners

Thanks for reviewing us, Mark! The best part about our job is seeing and hearing our guests having an amazing vacation. We put a lot of love into building the villa over the last 21 years, and now you know why we named it "Joy of Life Villa". Hope to see you again - it sounds like you'll be one of our many return guests who become like family. Cheers, Karen & Jeff, owners