Our family of four (two kids, ages 7 and 8) spent a week at the Starlit Escape in March. The house is located near Coral Bay, up a rough dirt road into the jungle (watch for goats in the road!) It’s very secluded, private and quiet. Tree frogs sing you to sleep at night, and you wake to the braying of donkeys (really!) The house was clean and equipped with everything we needed. The three bedrooms + sleeping loft was more room than our family needed. There is a very comfortable living room/ dining room / kitchen area where we spent much of our time. This area opens to a covered porch, which was the perfect spot for a leisurely breakfast or afternoon snack. The master bedroom also opens to a covered deck. There is a/c available in the master bedroom, but with the constant cooling breezes, you won’t need it. And, although we tried to be frugal with the water, there’s nothing better than that hot, powerful shower at the end of a sandy day at the beach! The pool was clean, and a refreshing place to take a dip when you got tired of saltwater. The deck area around the pool was a great spot to relax (the geckos thought so too), and a perfect setting for star-gazing at night.
If you plan to spend lots of time in Cruz Bay, this probably isn’t the ideal spot for you, as the winding drive from one end of the island to the other can get a little old. However, if you’re interested in great beaches and hiking, the location of Starlit Escape is ideal. We had very easy access to beaches on the north side, south side, and even East End of St. John. We simply packed a cooler and beach chairs (provided by the owners!) and headed out each day for a short drive to the shore. Finally, the owners were wonderful hosts. As first-timers to St. John, we found them to be an invaluable resource. Even before we arrived, they provided prompt help answering any questions we had and making recommendations for things to do, places to see, what to bring, etc. Once we arrived, they met us at the dock, led us to the house, were always available to help with questions and suggestions. However, they also allowed us as much privacy as we wanted. We remarked that they struck the perfect balance between accessible and invisible. We loved Starlit Escape, and would highly recommend it for anyone with a sense of adventure!