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Reef Bay Holiday Villa Review
Reef Bay Holiday Villa Review
Didn't see a lot of feedback on this villa on the forum before our trip, so I thought I'd add a formal review with little insights I know forumites want to know...
Pictures - http://stjohnhouserentals.com/reef-bay- ... -villa.htm
(It is as displayed on the site).
Our Background - Two families: four adults, three kids ages 8, 7 and 5; two jeeps; desired a pool, hot tub, decent view (some elevation), A/C in bedrooms, and washer/dryer; budget: $4,200 - $4500 for 8 "crazy" days and 8 "must be able to get some sleep" nights
Location - All the way out Fish Bay way, basically on the peninsula or point separating Fish Bay and Reef Bay; 15-minute drive to Cruz, 8 to closest grocery (STJ Market), 25 to the North Shore and 30 to Coral Bay via Gift Hill road
(NOTE: The commute to Cruz Bay really wasn't an issue at anytime. The 15 minutes went by fast and we never really felt like we were sacrificing our time. If anything, we enjoyed the time in the car to sing songs with the kids or let them catch cat naps.)
View - It's a two story villa with all but one bedroom on the top floor; looks out on Reef Bay towards the East End; it's not that high up, but almost every angle you look out on is unspoiled, nothing but trees, water, and sky...you have to look straight up and backwards to see other villas.
Layout - From our perspective, it's actually quite genius because it struck a perfect balance between privacy and community; the two master bedrooms with walk in showers and good A/C (about 74 at night and colder with fans) are one on top of the other with motel style outside staircase; the other two bedrooms are on the other side of the compound joined by a full bath - one room with two twin beds and the other with a queen (perfect for the kids who loved the independence); then there's the great room that is it's own separate unit located between the bedrooms complete with half bath and full kitchen, big fridge (ice trays) and all the items cooks like to see in STJ villas (no A/C, but some very powerful ceiling and floor fans that really kept us happy)
But the genius part really came in the fact that it wasn't 7 people under one roof, it was more like 7 people under 4 rooves. Basically, if you wanted privacy with a great view, you went to a bedroom. If you wanted a great view with others, you hung out in the great room. This allowed people to get up at all hours (and I mean all hours) of the morning without disturbing others. The hot tub and pool also had great views and were just far enough apart that the parents could keep an eye on the kids in the pool while enjoying a quiet cocktail in the hot tub.
Owner/Villa Host - Simply put, best we've ever encountered. Totally knowledgable, responsive and not the least bit intrusive.
Unique Amenities -
- Circular, covered driveway - Didn't think much of it before the trip, but can not tell you how much we appreciated it during the trip, especially with two cars; and it was actually wide enough under the portico to park a jeep on the far left and pass it with a jeep on the right; no backing up out of the driveway ever and the cars never got ridiculously hot during the day
- Reef Bay Beach access - There is a stone staircase and easy to follow trail (about 5 minutes) to the beach; now it's not a limin' beach per se as the surf is really strong, but it's great for hunting for sea glass and exploring. Plus it gave the early risers something to do while they waited for the sleepy heads; neatest of all though, we were able to park one car at the reef bay trailhead and hike the kids down to the Petroglyphs/Sugar Mill ruins and then along the beach back to the villa without having to make the dreaded, soul sucking climb back up!
- Surfing - In addition to the usual beach accoutrement (chairs, cooler, noodles, etc.), the villa also comes replete with boogie boards, which are great fun for the kids (of all ages) to use in the Reef Bay swells on the far right side. A lot of locals like to surf down there when the swells are up and they're fun to watch too.
Please feel free to IM or respond with questions. Hope this helps.
Pictures - http://stjohnhouserentals.com/reef-bay- ... -villa.htm
(It is as displayed on the site).
Our Background - Two families: four adults, three kids ages 8, 7 and 5; two jeeps; desired a pool, hot tub, decent view (some elevation), A/C in bedrooms, and washer/dryer; budget: $4,200 - $4500 for 8 "crazy" days and 8 "must be able to get some sleep" nights
Location - All the way out Fish Bay way, basically on the peninsula or point separating Fish Bay and Reef Bay; 15-minute drive to Cruz, 8 to closest grocery (STJ Market), 25 to the North Shore and 30 to Coral Bay via Gift Hill road
(NOTE: The commute to Cruz Bay really wasn't an issue at anytime. The 15 minutes went by fast and we never really felt like we were sacrificing our time. If anything, we enjoyed the time in the car to sing songs with the kids or let them catch cat naps.)
View - It's a two story villa with all but one bedroom on the top floor; looks out on Reef Bay towards the East End; it's not that high up, but almost every angle you look out on is unspoiled, nothing but trees, water, and sky...you have to look straight up and backwards to see other villas.
Layout - From our perspective, it's actually quite genius because it struck a perfect balance between privacy and community; the two master bedrooms with walk in showers and good A/C (about 74 at night and colder with fans) are one on top of the other with motel style outside staircase; the other two bedrooms are on the other side of the compound joined by a full bath - one room with two twin beds and the other with a queen (perfect for the kids who loved the independence); then there's the great room that is it's own separate unit located between the bedrooms complete with half bath and full kitchen, big fridge (ice trays) and all the items cooks like to see in STJ villas (no A/C, but some very powerful ceiling and floor fans that really kept us happy)
But the genius part really came in the fact that it wasn't 7 people under one roof, it was more like 7 people under 4 rooves. Basically, if you wanted privacy with a great view, you went to a bedroom. If you wanted a great view with others, you hung out in the great room. This allowed people to get up at all hours (and I mean all hours) of the morning without disturbing others. The hot tub and pool also had great views and were just far enough apart that the parents could keep an eye on the kids in the pool while enjoying a quiet cocktail in the hot tub.
Owner/Villa Host - Simply put, best we've ever encountered. Totally knowledgable, responsive and not the least bit intrusive.
Unique Amenities -
- Circular, covered driveway - Didn't think much of it before the trip, but can not tell you how much we appreciated it during the trip, especially with two cars; and it was actually wide enough under the portico to park a jeep on the far left and pass it with a jeep on the right; no backing up out of the driveway ever and the cars never got ridiculously hot during the day
- Reef Bay Beach access - There is a stone staircase and easy to follow trail (about 5 minutes) to the beach; now it's not a limin' beach per se as the surf is really strong, but it's great for hunting for sea glass and exploring. Plus it gave the early risers something to do while they waited for the sleepy heads; neatest of all though, we were able to park one car at the reef bay trailhead and hike the kids down to the Petroglyphs/Sugar Mill ruins and then along the beach back to the villa without having to make the dreaded, soul sucking climb back up!
- Surfing - In addition to the usual beach accoutrement (chairs, cooler, noodles, etc.), the villa also comes replete with boogie boards, which are great fun for the kids (of all ages) to use in the Reef Bay swells on the far right side. A lot of locals like to surf down there when the swells are up and they're fun to watch too.
Please feel free to IM or respond with questions. Hope this helps.
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow
Hi,Just a couple of questions. Were any of the bedrooms directly connected to the kitchen and greatroom without having to go outside to access ? And do you happen to know what the length of the pool was...sometimes they look a little bigger in photo's than they really are. Thanks!
Sherry in SC
" I believe there's Magic here...."
Hi Sherry,philbetm wrote:
Just a couple of questions. Were any of the bedrooms directly connected to the kitchen and greatroom without having to go outside to access ? And do you happen to know what the length of the pool was...sometimes they look a little bigger in photo's than they really are. Thanks!
Sherry in SC
No, the bedrooms are completely separate from the kitchen/great room. There is a nice little courtyard the opens out to a balcony between the great room and the two smaller bedrooms and there is a outdoor dining area and a pool on the other side between the great room and one of the master bedrooms. All living areas except for the 2nd master bedroom on are the top floor. (sorry if that's confusing).
I did not measure the pool, but I would say it was about 20 feet long and 10 feet wide and 4 foot deep all the way across.
CBama - thanks and it was a cool villa, especially if you like that minimalist modern feel.
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow