The only of the U.S. Virgin Islands that isn't completely
built out, St. John is the atmospheric
alternative to its sister islands. Despite long fingers
of sand all across the island, on St John there are few
beach front villas and even fewer
of the hotel variety. You will find only two luxury resorts
and a handful of luxury hotels. What the island does have
is a large number of St John villas up in the hills, many
of them tucked away between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay on
the southern shore. The former is the closest thing you
have to a busy metropolis, thus it has quite a few accommodations
available – mostly condos and some of the many sparse
St John hotels that you'll find on the island. Campgrounds
are here for the true nature lovers - Cinnamon Bay and
Maho Bay are the most popular. The former is in the center
of Virgin Islands National Park and the latter is to the
north.
You might wonder why all the best St John villas are
along the southern coast while all the best beaches rest
on the north – but they are a mere 20 minute car
ride away. Consequently, many St John hotels have made
deals with car rental companies,
and you can purchase them in a package to cut costs. For
everyone else, taxis are infrequent but will get the job
done. Cruz Bay is home to the Coconut Coast Villas and
Serendip – not luxury hotels by any means, but fine
examples of St. John villas all the same. Located in residential
areas, these are quite a hike from the beach, so be prepared
to rent a car.
While St John hotels are often times akin to your first post-collegiate apartment (though likely with a better view), there are a few cottages and inns that are well equipped to deal with even the pickiest of travelers. The Estate Zootenvaal is hard to spell but easy to get used to – located far away from absolutely everything, you are free to see how much peace and quiet you are actually able to take. Distances on the island shrink when you've got a rental car, but even then this is as far away from anything resembling civilization as you can get while staying at a St John hotel. Eco-lodges and the abundant campgrounds are the only thing around where you can get as close to nature.
Since the island shuns many of the tourist-driven resorts
that are ubiquitous on other islands, those looking for
supreme lodgings will be at a loss. There are hardly any
St John luxury hotels and even fewer St John beach front
villas. Because the island is less beach-oriented, sometimes
you might forget that you are in the Caribbean.
But a drive down any stretch of road will quickly remind
you that a beach is never too far off. Don't you worry
about that.
