Retreat - Dreekets Bay - St. John

The Retreat on St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a uniquely spectacular oceanfront rental villa. The villa consists of three quietly elegant pavilions centered around a private garden courtyard, on a hillside. Located on the pristine east end of St. John, Dreekets Bay is known among locals for having some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Reached by a scenic drive through the National Park along paved roads from Cruz Bay, the location of The Retreat offers an experience of untouched, secluded natural beauty just a fifteen minute drive from outstanding restaurants featuring local and continental cuisine in Coral Bay.

Stunning views of the bay and across Sir Francis Drake Passage to the magnificent island of Tortola encompass you as you approach The Retreat by road. Each room of the house is oriented to maximize these sweeping vistas, second to none of St. John. No other homes overlook The Retreat, and across Dreekets Bay from the house lay the untouched landscape of Virgin Islands National Park. The front of each pavilion is a glazed rollup door, allowing the entire wall to open up to tropical breezes and the view. Just below the house down a set of stairs and a private switchback trail, the secluded sandy beach provides a perfect spot for sunbathing, snorkeling or pure relaxation.

From the balcony of the house, brilliant fish are often visible swimming in the bay, in the clearest, cleanest water on St. John. Because of its location, the beach at Dreekets Bay remains unspoiled by crowds and pollution, providing an unsurpassed setting for sunbathing, snorkeling and diving. Just offshore, waters teem with waving anemones, soft-corals and multi-hued hard corals that shelter brilliant fish of all shapes and sizes. Dolphins and sea turtles play offshore, lobster, black corals and even rare Elkhorn corals are often spotted here.

Built with an eye for elegant simplicity, the house perfectly complements the natural beauty of its hillside setting above one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Every room in The Retreat features breathtaking views: stand in the kitchen and watch fish swim through crystal-clear aquamarine waters or relax in bed while looking out across the bay to the island of Tortola. Inside, each room is tastefully furnished with king beds, slate floors, vaulted ceilings, and modern amenities.

A central pavilion contains the living room and a gourmet kitchen, while the two side pavilions each contain a separate bedroom suite. Both bedroom suites have closets, separate bathrooms, balconies and completely private slate-lined outdoor showers with a view of the sea. The bedrooms are furnished with king-sized beds, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Sleeping lofts tucked into the roof rafters of the bedroom pavilions can accommodate kids or extra guests. Each of the two lower bedroom pavilions, while on the same level as the courtyard and living room is completely private from the rest of the Retreat.

The well-equipped gourmet kitchen in the main pavilion offers ocean views as well as a gas stove and oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, trash-compactor, professional quality cookware and an eating bar. A laundry area with washer and dryer is adjacent to the kitchen. The living room of The Retreat, also in the main pavilion, contains comfortable seating and dining areas, along with satellite television, Wi-Fi internet access, VCR, DVD player, surround-sound Hi-Fi, and library of books and movies. The pull-out couch transforms into a queen bed to accommodate extra guests.

Two separate bedroom suites allow families or couples to enjoy complete privacy. On either side of the main pavilion, each of the two bedroom pavilions contains a king bed, a loft with an extra double bed (accessed by a pull-down wooden ladder), a separate bathroom and an outdoor shower with ocean views. Both bedroom suites are air-conditioned and are equipped with ceiling fans.

Conveniently close to the town of Coral Bay yet stunningly secluded and untouched, the location of The Retreat is perfect for romantic couples, adventure-seeking families, busy executives looking for solitude, and anyone searching for peaceful luxury in a setting of glorious natural beauty.