Isla Vista St. John

Absolutely magnificent in every way! Isla Vista commands sweeping sea views from a breezy hillside, tucked in its own private enclave behind an electronic gate.

Lushly landscaped grounds surround this very secluded two-bedroom luxury home, bordered by pristine Virgin Islands National Park lands, but conveniently just a few minutes' drive into Cruz Bay. Isla Vista features a spacious two-level floor plan with stunning custom interiors, expanded by dramatic island views stretching to the horizon.

Arriving into the paved courtyard, Isla Vista's arched portico ushers you into the gallery. A grand arched doorway trimmed with island mahogany frames the heated pool and the adjoining jacuzzi just outside; with a tiled travertine deck for sunbathing punctuated by gardens and stately palm trees, the pool area overlooks a picture postcard panorama of sky and sea, Cruz Bay below, the green expanse of unspoiled National Park, and St. Thomas in the distance.

The gallery opens to the Great Room, offering plush sofas for conversation, a mahogany and marble wet bar for cocktails, and a formal dining area. On the other side of the entry hallway is Isla Vista's fantastic gourmet kitchen. With lots of space for chefs and onlookers, this grand area is beautifully crafted in mahogany cabinetry, granite countertops, and features a professional gas cooktop, a bountiful array of cooking and serving pieces, lots of small appliances including an ice cream maker, and an office nook - all wonderfully laid out and equipped. Adjoining the kitchen is a separate open-air covered barbeque room with a stainless steel gas grill.

From the kitchen through the gallery, past an eye-catching large trompe l'oeil wall mural, is the villa's media room. A sofa and reclining chair beckon for reading, relaxing and watching satellite TV or the latest DVD movie. An arched door connects to the pool deck right outside. Just beyond the media room is the air-conditioned king bedroom/bath suite, a sophisticated pool-level sanctuary with a lavish bath with double sinks and a separate WC. Mahogany french doors connect this suite to the pool and sun deck, perfect for an impromptu midnight swim in the heated pool.

A graceful staircase ascends from Isla Vista's main-level gallery to the opulent master suite. The modern mahogany four-poster king bed, personally designed with handcarved pineapple accents, faces a wide arched doorway which escorts you out to the dramatic curved balcony set with table and chairs for two. This favorite spot overlooks the pool and the magnificent sea vistas in the distance; this balcony is the place to be for cocktails, savoring technicolor sunsets every evening. Included in this elegant suite is a separate air-conditioned home office, fully equipped and ready for your laptop. The large master bath is pure splendor, with a sleek travertine vanity with double sinks, a separate WC, a step-out balcony, and just outside, your own private alfresco shower pavilion bordered by serpentine walls which curve around manicured gardens. The shower pavilion expands into a tiled terrace, a private and peaceful spot for reading and quality time together.

Isla Vista's exclusive breeze-swept Caneel Hill location and its amazing views are indeed impressive, but the artful interior design and its polished and luxe detail put this home in a special class by itself: cool, smooth travertine floors throughout, vaulted cypress ceilings, rich mahogany cabinetry (some with handcarved detail), windows and doors, exquisitely-designed custom lighting inside and out, and artistic stained glass windows. The motif of grand arches continues throughout Isla Vista, gracefully melding one part of this villa with another; the floor plan has a very pleasing flow and provides lots of space and seclusion. Designer furnishings are absolutely top-notch, elegant and placed with your ease and comfort in mind.

It's only a quick 5-minute drive into Cruz Bay, with all of St. John's shopping and dining pleasures conveniently nearby.

Refined perfection and luxurious privacy reign at Isla Vista. Share the many sun-kissed pleasures of St. John and the beauty of this superb home - what a memorable backdrop to lazy days spent here unwinding and lazing in the sun. This is the ultimate couples' vacation oasis - romantic, unparalleled, and way beyond five stars. Wonderful!