Palm Vista St. John

A winding road brings you up to this just-completed hillside vacation hideaway in Skytop, where you're greeted by cool tradewind breezes and wide-angled sea views of Reef Bay, Fish Bay, Rendezvous Bay (and, on a clear day, breathtaking views of St.Croix 50 miles to the south).

Entering through french doors just a few steps from the driveway, the main level of Palm Vista features a living room furnished with a comfortable L-shaped sofa and a 40-inch Sony LCD TV with surround sound and stereo. Large glass sliding doors open out to the covered verandah and adjacent pool and sun deck, all overlooking 280-degree panoramic vistas of the Caribbean and lush, green National Park areas. A stunning native-stone bar area and a completely-equipped kitchen conveniently adjoin the living and verandah areas. The handsome kitchen features custom mahogany cabinetry and concrete counters inlaid with island shells and sea glass. On the other side of the living room is an air-conditioned queen bedroom suite with a spacious bath which boasts a cypress ceiling and a spacious travertine shower framing yet another ocean vista. This bathroom can also be accessed from the living area for handy use as a powder room. Outside, the scenic coral-tiled verandah offers comfortable chairs and chaises for hours of lounging, reading, napping and evening cocktails, and also has an alfresco dining area if you just can't take your eyes off those mesmerizing views.

Between the verandah and pool deck, a brick staircase takes you to Palm Vista's lower level. There, two large, identically-sized air-conditioned king bedroom/bath suites are located side by side, with a patio in front bordering the entire ocean side of the villa. The baths in these lower suites are spacious and done in travertine. A laundry room is also located on Palm Vista's lower level. Back up on the main level, the pool and sun deck provide full sun for that island tan; a wooden gate can close off this pool and sun deck area for safety as needed. Palm Vista was built in artistic St.-John style, with striking accent walls of brick, local bluebit stone and shells. A soothing palette for walls, cool travertine tile floors, and vaulted cypress ceilings complete Palm Vista's charming interiors. It's only a leisurely 15-minute drive to Cruz Bay and shopping, if you wish to leave your privacy and ocean views to explore St. John. If you're in search of a memorable setting for a vacation with family, friends or a lover, Palm Vista is your ideal hideaway, high on St. John's green hills. The driveway on this villa is steep and we recommend a 4WD vehicle.