Great Turtle

Great Turtle is accessed via all paved roads, a rare amenity on St. John and very welcome in a tropical downpour. It's located in the comfortable, upscale neighborhood of Upper Carolina; surrounding homes sit on large lots hidden by lush foliage that provides plenty of privacy. The drive enters through an electronic gate, which adds extra security and keeps the wild donkeys out.

The front door opens onto the larger pavilion's main level — attractive living and dining areas plus a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with a marble-topped work table and breakfast bar. Hand-polished mahogany screened french doors open onto spacious shaded decks with cushy rockers and inviting chaises, perfect for enjoying the cool trade winds. An outdoor walkway above the pool and courtyard garden leads to the other pavilion with its Yellow Bedroom suite.

All four equal-size bedrooms open onto large decks with dazzling views, have AC, adjoining baths, and walk-in closets — making Great Turtle a perfect rental for friends or families to share. No one gets stuck in the 'back bedroom with no view.' The pool, just steps from your bedroom, is perfect from a morning dip to a midnight swim.

Just minutes from fabulous National Park beaches and the funky bars and restaurants of Coral Bay, the villa's central location allows easy access to both sides of St. John. Cruz Bay is only a 20-minute drive away and all the best hiking trails are within easy reach.

Everything about Great Turtle invites you to relax. Spend the day in the cushy rockers on the deck or let your cares slip away as you lounge by the pool. The lush tropical gardens are filled with birds-of-paradise, scarlet bougainvillea, and rainbow-colored hibiscus. But it's the awe-inspiring view — sparkling white sails bobbing on turquoise water in Coral Bay, shimmering islands on the horizon, the ever-changing greens of Bordeaux Mountain — that you'll carry forever in the memory of your visit.