Stafford and Judy / Denver, CO
Judy’s Comments: My husband and I stayed here while celebrating our 32nd Anniversary and really enjoyed this clean, beautifully decorated cottage in the mountains. We could see the ocean, and the constant breezes were wonderful, especially in the mornings and evenings. When we went anywhere, we were always glad to get back to our own place at the cottage. Several days we came back in the afternoon, cooked our meals in the wonderfully equipped kitchen, and then enjoyed relaxing inside or out on the deck. We enjoyed going out on the deck at night with the lights off to sit and watch the clouds and the stars, with the wind blowing in the trees. Mike and Claire were great hosts, giving us privacy, but being there when we needed them. We really enjoyed getting to know them. Great people and a great place.
Stafford’s Comments: O.K. guys, my wife said I needed to write a comment on this cottage from a male perspective. So, that’s what you’ll get. Just don’t let your wife read this. I was in the Virgin Islands on business, so my wife and I stayed in a fancy, expensive resort on St. Thomas’ east end. Then, we moved to the cottage for a vacation. She and I preferred the cottage to the resort, hands-down. Park close to the door and no steps. It’s so much nicer – expensively decorated from granite counter tops to wrap-around couch and comfortable deck furniture, to the perfect bedroom-bathroom combination (all very-much to be preferred over the resort ‘room’). Great job, Mike!!
Guys, great satellite-reception TV and a DVD. It’s like your own place in the woods! Great for the two of you! If you are a ‘romantic’ and you want a place to take your babe, this is it. Privacy is honored. We were there when Hurricane Bill was threatening. I was comforted that Mike was very alert, and practiced, at monitoring the weather and was ready to care for us if Bill turned upon St. Thomas. Yes, it is true; the summer trade winds constantly blow, cooling the island.Wan’a see it from an 2009 aerial photo view – paste these coordinates into Google Maps and zoom-in - 18.3618 N, 64.9794 W. That’s it under the green arrow. The large white roof to the left is Mike and Claire’s house – help is only a bell-ring away. They both know the V.I.s intimately. Guys, when Mike says, ‘I’ll meet you and take you to the cottage’ – let him do it, and just say, ‘Thanks.’
Downside? Yep! You may hear something like, "Why can’t our place be as nice as the cottage?"
Guest: Matt / Rochester, NY 3/11/10
My wife and I spent our honeymoon here, and highly recommend it to anyone interested. The hosts were always available, yet particularly respectful of our privacy during our whole stay. The cottage itself is a dream... the pictures try, but it would be impossible to capture the overall ambiance of the cottage. It is amazing to be able to go back at the end of the day and have a real homebase with a real kitchen and space to unwind- something one could not do in a hotel room. We also saved a considerable amount by shopping for food and cooking in. The cottage is located in an area that is very private, with a short ride into town- or a scenic drive to the east side of the island. Our host had several activity books and suggestions on things to do, and there are plenty. He also has special rates negotiated for several activities that apply only to guests at the cottage. We enjoyed everything, but in particular we enjoyed Horseback Riding on St. John with Dana at Carolina Corral. All in all this was a wonderful experience, and most of it can be directly attributed to our hosts and our great stay at the cottage.
Guests: Judy and Phil DeVries / Alberta, Canada 02/28/10
We had a wonderful stay at the St. Thomas Cottage, and felt the accommodations surpassed our expectations. The cottage is spacious, clean, airy and beautifully decorated. With a modern kitchen, two bathrooms, spacious living room/dining area, large bedroom and huge deck complete with deck furniture, this place is well priced. The grounds are lush, private and safe. Claire and Mike are friendly and knowledgeable and offer advice when requested, but in no way make their presence noticeable. We really appreciated Mike meeting us at the airport, stopping for beer and snacks, and leading us to their property. Thanks for contributing to our vacation time in St. Thomas.
Guest: Cathy Miller 02/13/10
My husband and I rented the cottage for 10 nights in January and were very pleased. This cottage is very spacious and well-appointed and was the perfect place for us to spend our time in St. Thomas. The retreat-like setting is a welcome haven away from the cruise ship atmosphere in town. We found the kitchen well equipped for gourmet cooking and enjoyed many meals there. Mike is a great landlord who is intent on making everything perfect for his guests and we were really comfortable. I would very highly recommend staying at this cottage!
Guest: Judy Binder / Lakewood, CO 08/26/09
My husband and I really enjoyed and appreciated out stay at this lovely cottage in St. Thomas. We looked forward to coming here at the end of the day or coming home early, fixing supper, and relaxing in this clean, beautifully decorated place. Mornings and evenings were especially nice with a constant breeze. The owners, Mike and Claire are wonderful people; honest, kind, and helpful.