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Trip Report: "La Papaya Paradise" : Part 1
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suzanna945
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:50 pm
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Trip Report: "La Papaya Paradise" : Part 1
We just got back from a fantastic week on St. John.
We brought along our 17-year-old daughter and her friend--who both just graduated from high school--and our 12-year-old son. We stayed for a week at the villa "La Papaya," high up in the hills above Chocolate Hole.
Our flights were on time, and when we arrived at the St. Thomas airport and checked in with Budget to get the Jeep Liberty we had reserved, there weren't any cars available at all. The Budget rep asked us to hang out for a half hour or so to see what came in, so my husband and I sat at the bar in the airport and had a couple of Rum Runners while the kids drank Cokes and glared at us. After about 45 minutes, she waved us back over to the rental desk and said that a big Jeep Commander had just been returned, but she'd give it to us at the cheaper Jeep Liberty rate. We said "Thanks," loaded up the kids and luggage, and left the airport in a seriously big-ass Jeep Commander, wondering how it would handle the tight turns on the hills of St. John, but willing to give it a shot.
Our first stop was at the K-Mart in TuTu for sunblock, bottled water, soda, rum, snacks, cereal, etc. Then we headed to Red Hook.
When we arrived on St. John, a representative from Destination St. John met us at the car ferry. She had us follow her up to the villa. When the Commander started ascending Jacob's Ladder, it got real quiet in the backseat, except for one comment: "Sick!" We made it up, then chugged our way up Rock Ridge Road into the hills until we arrived at La Papaya. The Destinations rep gave us a tour of the place and told us to call if we needed anything at all or had any questions or problems. Destinations had left us a large fruit basket with fresh fruit, bottled water, and some cheese and crackers. There were also vases of fresh flowers all over the villa, even in the bathrooms. It was a nice welcome, and we settled in and began to spread out in what would be our luxurious island home for the next week.
La Papaya is just incredible; what a gorgeous, comfortable, island hideaway to use as a home base while enjoying a week on St. John. The villa is very private, and it's beautiful throughout, with breathtaking views of Chocolate Hole, Hart Bay, and the blue Caribbean directly from the deck; and views of Great Cruz Bay and St. Thomas from the pool area. La Papaya had everything we needed for our stay, including beach chairs, towels, and coolers to take to the beach; floats and toys for the pool, an outdoor grill, more than enough outdoor seating in both sun-drenched and shaded areas, a washer and dryer, an entertainment center in the main living area and TVs in the bedrooms, radios and tape decks, and an extremely well-equipped kitchen. There wasn't anything we could have wanted that La Papaya didn't already have for our comfort and enjoyment. We were totally pleased and felt spoiled; like we were truly in paradise.
My husband and I stayed in the main master bedroom on the east side of the villa, which was large, airy, and had its own luxurious bathroom with a spacious, tropical, tiled shower. The bedroom had a king-sized bed that was the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. It had a pillow-topped mattress that made the bed incredibly comfortable....to the point that it became sort of ridiculous how we never wanted to get out of it. We developed a running joke during the week about it and about not wanting to leave the bed at all to get out and enjoy the rest of the island. Our room had large sliding glass doors opening onto the expansive deck, and looked out onto the Caribbean. The sliders' glass (and I think all the window glass at the villa) was sort of mirrored or 'smoked' on the outside, so we never needed to close the curtains and could enjoy the views in total privacy. There is also abundant tropical foliage all around the property, adding to the feeling of privacy. Very luxurious.
Our son stayed in the other master bedroom on the western side of the villa, overlooking the pool area. It too was spacious and airy, and had its own ensuite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub.
Our teenage daughter and her friend stayed downstairs in the two lower bedrooms, which had a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living area. The downstairs level also has another king bedroom with full bath, with a glass-block shower overlooking the lower deck. The girls loved the downstairs area, loved having a little extra privacy, and enjoyed staying in their 'apartment.'
After we got settled into our rooms, we headed out to Starfish Market to get fresh food for the next couple of days. We picked up some deli meats and sandwich bread to have on hand, and got stuff for our first night's dinner. Back at the villa, we grilled steaks and had them with salad and crusty bread for dinner, then swam in the pool until we tired ourselves out and decided it was probably time to turn in. We all slept like logs that first night.
We brought along our 17-year-old daughter and her friend--who both just graduated from high school--and our 12-year-old son. We stayed for a week at the villa "La Papaya," high up in the hills above Chocolate Hole.
Our flights were on time, and when we arrived at the St. Thomas airport and checked in with Budget to get the Jeep Liberty we had reserved, there weren't any cars available at all. The Budget rep asked us to hang out for a half hour or so to see what came in, so my husband and I sat at the bar in the airport and had a couple of Rum Runners while the kids drank Cokes and glared at us. After about 45 minutes, she waved us back over to the rental desk and said that a big Jeep Commander had just been returned, but she'd give it to us at the cheaper Jeep Liberty rate. We said "Thanks," loaded up the kids and luggage, and left the airport in a seriously big-ass Jeep Commander, wondering how it would handle the tight turns on the hills of St. John, but willing to give it a shot.
Our first stop was at the K-Mart in TuTu for sunblock, bottled water, soda, rum, snacks, cereal, etc. Then we headed to Red Hook.
When we arrived on St. John, a representative from Destination St. John met us at the car ferry. She had us follow her up to the villa. When the Commander started ascending Jacob's Ladder, it got real quiet in the backseat, except for one comment: "Sick!" We made it up, then chugged our way up Rock Ridge Road into the hills until we arrived at La Papaya. The Destinations rep gave us a tour of the place and told us to call if we needed anything at all or had any questions or problems. Destinations had left us a large fruit basket with fresh fruit, bottled water, and some cheese and crackers. There were also vases of fresh flowers all over the villa, even in the bathrooms. It was a nice welcome, and we settled in and began to spread out in what would be our luxurious island home for the next week.
La Papaya is just incredible; what a gorgeous, comfortable, island hideaway to use as a home base while enjoying a week on St. John. The villa is very private, and it's beautiful throughout, with breathtaking views of Chocolate Hole, Hart Bay, and the blue Caribbean directly from the deck; and views of Great Cruz Bay and St. Thomas from the pool area. La Papaya had everything we needed for our stay, including beach chairs, towels, and coolers to take to the beach; floats and toys for the pool, an outdoor grill, more than enough outdoor seating in both sun-drenched and shaded areas, a washer and dryer, an entertainment center in the main living area and TVs in the bedrooms, radios and tape decks, and an extremely well-equipped kitchen. There wasn't anything we could have wanted that La Papaya didn't already have for our comfort and enjoyment. We were totally pleased and felt spoiled; like we were truly in paradise.
My husband and I stayed in the main master bedroom on the east side of the villa, which was large, airy, and had its own luxurious bathroom with a spacious, tropical, tiled shower. The bedroom had a king-sized bed that was the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. It had a pillow-topped mattress that made the bed incredibly comfortable....to the point that it became sort of ridiculous how we never wanted to get out of it. We developed a running joke during the week about it and about not wanting to leave the bed at all to get out and enjoy the rest of the island. Our room had large sliding glass doors opening onto the expansive deck, and looked out onto the Caribbean. The sliders' glass (and I think all the window glass at the villa) was sort of mirrored or 'smoked' on the outside, so we never needed to close the curtains and could enjoy the views in total privacy. There is also abundant tropical foliage all around the property, adding to the feeling of privacy. Very luxurious.
Our son stayed in the other master bedroom on the western side of the villa, overlooking the pool area. It too was spacious and airy, and had its own ensuite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub.
Our teenage daughter and her friend stayed downstairs in the two lower bedrooms, which had a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living area. The downstairs level also has another king bedroom with full bath, with a glass-block shower overlooking the lower deck. The girls loved the downstairs area, loved having a little extra privacy, and enjoyed staying in their 'apartment.'
After we got settled into our rooms, we headed out to Starfish Market to get fresh food for the next couple of days. We picked up some deli meats and sandwich bread to have on hand, and got stuff for our first night's dinner. Back at the villa, we grilled steaks and had them with salad and crusty bread for dinner, then swam in the pool until we tired ourselves out and decided it was probably time to turn in. We all slept like logs that first night.
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wheretonext?
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:06 pm
- Location: AZ
I’m playing “catch up” on the forum and came across your reports. We had La Papaya reserved in May as part of the DBFT along with our neighbors behind us. At the last minute we had to cancel out trip – but we encouraged our friends/neighbors to go. They decided to find a smaller villa – but had a great time.
I’m so glad that you did a report on the villa and glad that it worked out for you so well. I was wondering what the villa was like.
Thanks - FlaGeorge
I’m so glad that you did a report on the villa and glad that it worked out for you so well. I was wondering what the villa was like.
Thanks - FlaGeorge
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"