Spring Special:Off-season rates! Off-road Experience! Tropical SolarEcoRetreat! | Cottage in St John

10.0 (38 Reviews) |   Pet Friendly   2 Bedrooms  1 Bathroom  2 Guests
Estate Emmaus Cottage | Spring Special:Off-season rates! Off-road Experience! Tropical SolarEcoRetreat!

2 Bedroom Cottage in Estate Emmaus, St John

2 BR, 2 BA furnished. Tropical living off the grid, live simply and close to nature with stunning panoramic views of the Caribbean sea, solar-powered, one of only a few homes on the border of the Virgin Islands National Park and its hiking trails plus a meditation circle nestled in natural rock formations. Hike the Johnny Horn Trail 1.5 miles to the beach and snorkeling at popular Waterlemon Cay. Only half mile to Lime Out!!
Work remotely with high speed internet, workspace, view of the sea.
The open air deck with hammock, solar umbrella table, love seat and LOTS of lush tropical plants is perfect for romantic star-gazing or hammock- warming. We're close to nature, a hiker's and lovers' paradise, private and remote, open-air and silence.
Solar-powered, spacious private decks overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Coral Bay and the British Virgin Islands. Only half a mile to Coral Bay’s restaurants, bars and shops, The Lime Out (floating taco boat) and Skinny Legs and a mile and a half hike to the beach. The retreat is best suited for a couple or solo traveler. This off-the-grid eco-retreat is an open-air/partially screened home that is solar-powered, cooled by the tradewinds, sustained by tropical showers and warmed by the sun.
Coral Bay Eco-Retreat offers the unique opportunity to be in a remote location, yet only half a mile from the heart of Coral Bay. It's perfect for hikers and adventurers wanting to get away from it all and experience island eco-living “off the beaten path” in a tropical setting. Experience quiet for writing, relaxing or contemplation, punctuated by the sounds of the surf, birds, tree frogs, island sheep and donkeys. One guest claimed, 'As I watched the sun go down, I felt my blood pressure do the same!' Others have called this home a treehouse, as it is surrounded by trees and even has a tree growing right next to the bed!
The large open deck is nestled among the trees and is perfect for admiring the view, meditating during sunrise (we call it the Morning Show) or for star-gazing on a balmy Caribbean night. It offers a glass-top solar umbrella table for outdoor dining with a Caribbean Sea view, a Weber grill and a Pawley Island hammock for two for the owner's favorite sport: hammock-warming! It is accessed by 'the stairway to heaven', lighted by solar lights and dotted with hoop-vine, orchids night-blooming cirrus and turpentine trees. It’s an open sky view for stargazing or soaking up the moonlight at night, sun for tanning during the day.
The deck connects through double cypress doors to the screened-in living room which has a large comfy sofa, smart ROKU TV with netlix, charging area for electronic devices (usb and usual electrical oulets), desk with fast internet and Caribbean art, mostly of Caribbean women, created by Caribbean artists. Generally, a strong cell signal is usually available, especially for AT&T with free wireless wifi.
The island-style open-air kitchen features a very busy hummingbird feeder and a coconut banana quit feeder, attracting many tiny yellow banana quits (official bird of the Virgin Islands) who greet you each morning. This old-time Caribbean style "mermaid kitchen" has a mermaid theme including hanging skillets, kettles.
The porch-style, open air kitchen overlooks a herb /aloe garden and utilizes solar-warmed rainwater that is gravity-fed from a small water tower made of recycled 'drums'. For true water conservation and in keeping with old island traditions, the “dishwasher” is a dishpan/bamboo dish drainer in which dishwater is saved for deck and garden plants.
It has a full-sized solar-powered frig with freezer and ice cube trays, an ice chest/cooler, a non-electronic six-burner propane stove and oven (no microwave), a bar-style seating area overlooking the view, dishes, bamboo and eco-cookware, coffee-bean grinder, French press coffee pot and a stove-top toaster. Guests make their coffee by grinding their coffee beans, (bring your own favorites), boiling water and combining it in the French press- delicious!
Eight gallons of purified island drinking water (in recycled gallon jugs) are provided as well as basic kitchen essentials: dish detergent, dishes, frying pans, wok, potholders, dish towels, paper towels, trash bags,and a pantry stocked with salt and pepper, nutmeg, There is a small amount of olive oil on hand, so bring your own favorite as well as your non-perishable foods, favorite coffee and snacks.
Most airlines allow you to bring a box and/or a cooler instead of a checked suitcase which is a great idea as groceries and supplies in general are expensive and hard-to-find in St. John's small markets.....very little grows on St. John, so there's a minimal amount of organic produce or even fresh fish. It's pricey and often flown in from the States. Many guests also order online for provisions from Dolphin or Staffish markets and pick up their orders on ther way to the retreat. It's generally not as smooth as stateside grocery store operations, but its a time-saver after a long day of traveling and helps ypu avoid shopping in an unfamilar market with limited products.
The "Life's a Beach" bedroom Suite offers fabulous views from your pillow, with a queen bed with lots of pillows, a heavenly, puffy duvet and romantic and practical mosquito netting. Cooled by the tradewinds, there is also a low voltage fan. It's an open-to-nature bedroom, (3 walls!) has a private full bath, garden with island mural (created by our first guest), deck with a tree growing bedside the bed.
Open-air bathrooms feature fixtures with water-conservation flushes, a half bath on the main-floor and an indoor shower and an outdoor garden shower. Rain water is collected from the roof, stored in cisterns, considered precious, limited and carefully conserved. Guests are encouraged to take the St. John Eco-Challenge: take cool-water, St John eco-showers (not hot), limit flushing, turn off lights when not in use, dry your hair in the breeze and leave a zero 'island eco-footprint, flip-flop style'! Basic supplies toilet paper, hand soap, limited shampoo and conditioner (suggest bringing your own), shower liquid soap, towels (hand, bath and wash cloths),
At this eco-retreat, you are at one with nature; the perfect place for you if you're okay with walking up hills (80' from the driveway to the house!), up steps (25 of them to the house), love to hike and drive a rough trail in four-wheel drive. If you're not highly allergic, critter-phobic or sensitive to tropical gheckos (little lizards) or occasion flying bugs who visit this open-air home, you'll love it! Generally, the tradewinds keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums to a minimum and frogs and hermit crabs are our natural bug exterminators!
Behind the cottage, a little trail leads to the Meditation Circle, a beautiful good-vibe natural circle of huge rocks, a little cave and a fire pit. This has been the venue for full moon gatherings and women's circles and is a powerfully energetic place for meditation and contemplation under the sun or stars.
Since it's off-the-grid, there are no hair dryers, microwave, dishwasher, hot water (Note: It is solar-warmed), air conditioners, pool. But in their place are awesome views, privacy, gentle breezes, only natural sounds and star-lit nights...and a smart tv and internet! Take the St. John Eco Challenge and see how small your environmental carbon footprint can be!
If you want a great view, peace and quiet, eco-adventure and a natural setting, then Coral Bay Eco-retreat is the home for you! Must love birds!

This 2 Bedrooms Cottage provides accommodation with Kitchen, Pet Friendly, TV, for your convenience. This Cottage features many amenities for guests who want to stay for a few days, a weekend or probably a longer vacation with family, friends or group. The rental Cottage has 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bathroom to make you feel right at home.

Check to see if this Cottage has the amenities you need and a location that makes this a great choice to stay in Estate Emmaus. Enjoy your stay in Estate Emmaus at this Cottage.

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Unique Amenities

  • Parking
  • Pet Friendly
  • TV
  • Balcony/Terrace
  • Security/Safety
  • Sports/Activities
  • Bedding/Linens
  • Guest Services
  • Entertainment
  • Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking
  • Child Friendly
  • Hot Tub
  • Internet
  • Kitchen
 
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Policies

Event Policy No events allowed
Check-in Check-in time starts at 4:00 pm minimum check-in age: 12
Check-out Check-out before 9:00 am contactless check-out available
Child Policy This property does not allow children.
Pet Policy Pets allowed
Smoking Policy Smoking is not permitted
Other Policy Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip host has indicated there is no smoke detector on the property long-term renters welcome onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
 
St John, 00830, U.S. Virgin Islands

What Our Guests say 500 + Reviews

May 11, 2023 06:13:27 AM
Summary: My husband and I LOVED Allison's place. It is very open and to me it felt kind of like camping but with all the comforts. We were up every morning to watch the spectacular sun rise which you can enjoy without leaving the bed. Bugs were never an issue but if little lizards and crabs creep you out you may want to stay elsewhere. We enjoyed having them around and even gave them knick names. I have never stayed anywhere where the host was so thoughtful. Her place is very well stocked and she has so many little notes around to tell you what's what. She even left me a special birthday treat. Thank you Allison for allowing us to enjoy your Retreat. I can't wait to come again.
Jacqueline B. Jacqueline B.
Mar 15, 2023 06:56:44 PM
Summary: Pros: Great location if you like to hike which we do. View is spectacular and in spite of the “cons” below we encourage you to be adventurous and rent Allison’s cottage: We only share thr “con’s” so you will have a more realistic understanding of what your experience will be like renting this cottage than you may otherwise have from just reading the VRBO description of the cottage and with the hopes that our comments will spur Allison to give the cottage the deep cleaning and maintenance TLC it needs and install a proper solar shower that really does provide a hot shower. Cions: The cottage needs some TLC regarding maintenance and also needs a deep cleaning. There is also another cottage within a 100 feet and with no doors or windows on Allison’s house you can hear literally every word renters in the other house say when they are on their porch. We were at Allison’s house for a month and most of the groups of renters in the other house were respectful and not an issue but one couple had a full blown domestic meltdown complete with bodily threats towards each other etc and it was not a pleasant experience. You need to be aware that the “not hot” solar showers Allison refers to in her description are COLD and not warm which is disappointing since there is super abundant sunshine and it would be easy and “doable” to install a proper solar shower to furnish hot water to the fiberglass shower in the bathroom next to the bedroom rather than only furnish (as she does) a black vinyl bag so-called “solar shower” in an outdoor “shower” with the black vinyl bag of water in the shade and not hot as a result & not getting much direct sun and not pressurized. That “solar shower” experience consists of alternating a low pressure small stream of barely luke warm water with grabbing the other water source at the “shower” which is a much higher pressure COLD water garden hose to have enough water pressure to rinse. The other major disappointment with the house is the very poor condition of the “road” going to the house. It was not disappointing because of the steepness since in the mountains roads are expected to be steep. The problem with the road is that the handful of people who live on it seem to not want to spend the money to properly maintain it and the island rains have washed out the road to the extent that it is very tedious and neck snapping and bone jarring to drive up and down the mountain even at less than 5 miles per hour.
Tom & Lindy H. Tom & Lindy H.
Apr 17, 2021 11:37:58 PM
Summary: Allison, our host was flexible and allowed us to change the dates. She is a kind soul. Her property is nestled in nature and there is animal life everywhere. Easy access for hiking, beaches and amazing trails from her place. An unforgettable experience. Feeling very grateful.
Gabriela R. Gabriela R.
Aug 2, 2020 11:48:32 AM
Summary: Thank you so much to Allison for allowing us to come down and stay in this wonderful little, well-built, special home to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary. We could feel her loving care in every detail. We really appreciate Allison bending over backwards to let us come during this extraordinary summer of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know she made special efforts to allow us to be here, and we really appreciate it. Our time here has been absolutely wonderful, including our adventures getting here (we got a little lost at first after taking a wrong turn). We highly recommend this home to the right people. It is not for those that are seeking a four star hotel with all the amenities, it is for those who are seeking a wonderful getaway off the beaten path who don’t mind working a bit to get here.
Michael B. Michael B.
Mar 8, 2020 01:35:05 AM
Summary: Love the location, including the rigorous jeep approach; the isolation that resulted was worth every bump in the rocky road. Allison could not have been more responsive and helpful. We're planning on two weeks next year, and even that seems too short!
Erik B. Erik B.
Feb 5, 2020 03:57:35 AM
Summary: We loved our stay at the Eco Retreat! The views of the islands are breathtaking and waking up with the sunrise was incredible. We enjoyed getting on the park trail right next to the house and accessing beaches on the north coast that way. Allison was a perfect host, very responsive to our questions and full of great advice. It is a steep and exciting drive up to the retreat and having 4WD was a must! Well worth it to access this beautiful, peaceful and private piece of paradise!
Pascale P. Pascale P.
Feb 19, 2019 01:08:48 PM
Summary: A wonderful stay! Best view on east side of St John, from decks to bedroom! A secluded, private retreat, but easily accessible to beaches, restaurants and other services. I will gladly stay again!
Patrick M. Patrick M.
May 6, 2017 11:45:08 PM
Summary: Allison’s Coral Bay ecoretreat cottage was an absolute dream. My husband and I stayed there on our honeymoon in April 2017. I had a vision of a private cottage somewhere tropical, which was surprisingly hard to find! We stumbled across this cottage while searching all of central America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean for something, and I couldn’t have been happier with out choice. Allison warned us that it would be a rough 4x4 road to the house with a nice steep set of stairs. We felt pretty comfortable with that situation - we’re active, work in natural resources and have to drive bad roads for work a lot of the time - so we signed up. She is not lying about the road or the stairs! It was doable, but definitely an adventure :P It made us plan our days ahead of time so we minimized the number of trips up and down that road per day, which I ended up really enjoying. The cottage is adorable and it’s obvious that a lot of love went into the design. There are personal touches everywhere, and the open-air bedroom is so dreamy. It’s definitely the type of place you could be just sitting in the hammock, reading a book and letting the day pass by. We were never in a rush to leave the cottage :) I loved feeling like I was part of nature - the little bananaquit birds do come right up to you as if they’re asking for sugar, little anole lizards skitter around in the evenings, and we even saw a hermit crab crawling around outside. The kitchen frog didn’t show up until our last day when we accidentally left the kettle lid open :-o and found him in there the next morning! We really enjoyed off-the-grid living. It ended up just feeling like a REALLY luxurious camping trip and we loved being on that natural camping sleep schedule: wake with the sunrise (absolutely stunning view out of the Love Nest), fall asleep shortly after sunset. This worked out most nights except for the one where we partied hard in Coral Bay and didn’t get back until 11pm - no worries, there are solar lamps to light your way up the stairs! I seriously would love to come back to this cottage. St. John was lovely, too. We made no plans other than “get on plane, get rental car to cottage” and it was still a magical vacation. We spent our days snorkeling in all the little bays that are easily accessible by jeep or on foot, we hiked the Johnny Horn Trail to Waterlemon Cay (do it! We saw 4 sea turtles up close in the water!), and successfully visited (I think) every bar and restaurant in Coral Bay.
Devon S. Devon S.
Apr 7, 2017 02:44:42 AM
Summary: Seeking adventurous, good natured people! If you enjoy solitude, unbelievable views, a refreshing breeze, geckos on the spice rack, birds all around, hermit crabs traveling through your shower, driving your jeep like they do in TV commercials, plus you're willing to wash your own dishes, conserve resources (water and electricity are precious commodities here!), and grab a broom to sweep off the deck after a rainy or windy night, then this place is for you! If you crave a busy, sterile all-inclusive resort with drinks by the pool, maids and turn-down service, then keep looking. Allison is a super host and the place is so lovely that it's hard to know where to begin. She responded to our texts and mini-emergencies promptly -such as referring a chiropractor when one of our group had a back issue flare up (she always adds, "tell him you're staying at my place, he's a good friend" with any referral). I read another review suggesting not to use the kitchen. Au contraire! We cooked nearly all our meals here and packed lunches. Love this kitchen! Except one basket over the stove hangs too low for tall people;) so we used it on the counter to thwart bird attacks on our food. Bonus: the kitchen is in the shady part of the house so you can cook whenever and not get baked by the sun. If you're a serious cook, you will appreciate the well-seasoned cast iron pans in a variety of sizes. Two items to add- a mixing bowl and a cheese grater (so we improvised), but otherwise the kitchen has everything you need- including a coffee grinder (we brought our fav fair trade, shade grown, organic roasted beans from home). Word of caution: don't leave that banana you started eating and set down for a sec on the counter and walk away- not even for a minute! Those thieving pearly-eyed thrashers (birds sized like a jay) will help themselves!! Toss a dish towel, plate, or upside down basket over your precious food and all will be well, lol. You really have to be the right sort of people to enjoy this quiet, out of the way treehouse for grown ups. We thought about camping but didn't want to schlep our gear here. This was more like glamping- you feel nestled in mother natures lap, but with a comfy bed and amenities like wifi and a charging dock whenever you want it. It was the perfect spot for us!
Winnie R. Winnie R.
Jan 23, 2017 02:06:46 PM
Summary: Warning- if you don't like camping and nature, this is not the place for you! Now that that's out of the way, the Coral Bay eco retreat was freaking awesome!!! This peaceful, secluded, off the grid tree-house lands you 'far from the maddening crowd'. In staying, one experiences true off the grid living with solar power, a propane stove, indoor plumbing fed by captured rain water, and discharged into a septic. There is an indoor and outdoor shower that isn't heated, so be prepared for a cool shower... but in the hot sun it can be refreshing. If it's too cold for you, just heat some water on the stove to bathe with. Be prepared for critters to scurry about and bring bug spray.... again just like camping (or perhaps eco-glamping in this case). You also want to stock up on drinking water because it's too risky to drink rain water stored in unsealed containers. This tree house was relaxing and helped me reset my circadian rhythm that was so interrupted from my busy and hectic job a software engineer. My hubby is an env. scientist, so needless to say, we both were in heaven. We experienced multiple engagements with the bananaquints you can hand feed, humming birds, geckos, lizards, hawks, finches, millipedes, and even found a tarantula in its hole! Sleeping outside, under the stars in the mosquito net, and being naturally woke up with the sunrise was awesome. Thank you, Allison, for sharing your retreat with us!!
Teri M. Teri M.

FAQ's

Is this Estate Emmaus cottage pet-friendly for guests?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.

Does the Estate Emmaus cottage have a swimming pool?

No, this Estate Emmaus cottage does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.

How much does it cost per night to stay in Estate Emmaus cottage?

Best-rates for the Estate Emmaus cottage starts from $222 per night with includes Guest Services, Entertainment, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, Kitchen, Pet Friendly, TV, Sports/Activities, Bedding/Linens, Child Friendly, Hot Tub, Internet, Parking, Balcony/Terrace, Security/Safety StayAndPlay offers fully equipped golf villas, golf hotels, golf resorts, luxury golf cabins, and exclusive golf retreats, making it easier than ever to find your perfect golf escape — ideal for families, peaceful getaways, or pet-friendly retreats with the whole crew.

Is Estate Emmaus cottage a family-friendly place to stay?

Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this cottage Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the cottage has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.

Is the Estate Emmaus cottage wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?

Based on the information received from our partner, the Estate Emmaus cottage has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.

What is the minimum night stay policy for the Estate Emmaus cottage?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Estate Emmaus cottage indicates 1 day stay policy at this cottage. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.

What cancellation policy is in place for Estate Emmaus cottage?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, details for the cancellation policy for the Estate Emmaus cottage are as follows: Cancellation policy Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.

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9.6 (133 Reviews)
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