Our first visit to St John was perfect thanks to the weather, fantastic snorkeling and the House of Open Arms. Catherine was a fantastic host--so helpful when asked about restaurants and activities. As her website promises, she is available to the extent that you would like her to be. It truly felt like our home for (nearly) a week. We stayed at the villa and friends stayed at the cottage. The view was spectacular at both. The evening breezes kept the bugs at bay and meant a very comfortable night's sleep. The highlight of the day was watching the sun rise, feeding the bananaquits and relaxing. Perfect start to every day. The "welcome dinner" was delicious and Catherine provided use with coffee, granola and sugar for the birds. We found that this time of year, the pool was a bit cool once the sun went down, but perfect at about 9am, when the sun starts to get intense. We did not get to enjoy the cottage, but our friends seemed very happy down there. It was very private, had a very cool outdoor shower and spectacular view from their patio. I would feel lucky to stay in either the villa or cottage next time we visit. (There will be a next time!) i highly recommend The House of Open Arms.

A House of Open Arms is beautiful - inside and out. The view is incomparable, so lovely and peaceful, and we have never stayed anywhere with a better one. We stayed in the villa and took full advantage of the full kitchen, the pool, and the porch. We enjoyed watching the bananaquits, the sunrises, and the constantly changing sky there, night and day. The setting is magnificent, and the villa itself is immaculate, well appointed, and comfortable.

The house itself is Catherine's work of art, and the talent, hard work and care she puts into it are so evident. Her artwork gives the villa her creative touch, both in its design and its decoration. Catherine is the perfect host. She is always available but never intrusive, and she has great ideas for spots to eat, snorkel, hike, shop, or relax. Her intuition, kindness, ability to listen to her guests' interests, and knowledge of St. John make her a fantastic guide.

We hope to return soon to a House of Open Arms. It is a place we could only dream about, but Catherine's gifts of faith, trust, and tremendous effort have made that dream come true.

I recently had the great pleasure to spend two weeks at the House of Open Arms. One week in the Villa and one week in the cottage. This is truly a very special place. From the first moment, you know this a unique and beautiful destination. Spectacular views, immaculately maintained inside and out, impeccably furnished, peaceful and tranquil. Catherine, a working artist who lives on the property, is an incredible woman who has created a masterpiece nestled into the hills of Coral Bay. All the little touches, such as the homemade granola and the welcome dinner, serve to put the House of Open Arms in a class by itself. Sitting on the veranda each morning watching the Bananaquits and humming birds play in the garden is an incredible way to start the day. I am already dreaming of my return to St. John and can’t imagine staying anywhere but the amazing House of Open Arms

My wife and I were there 12/17 - 12/26/2011 for our second stay (first stay December, 2010). If I could, our third stay there would start next week! The Villa is wonderfully comfortable and the view is one of the best on the East end of St. John. After a day of sailing or snorkeling, my wife and I would spend the next day at the Villa, relaxing, loving the view, loving the hummingbirds, feeling like there's no other place on St. John we needed to be, feeling the sense of urgency from our daily lives just gone!! Getting there off the main road, you understand why a 4-wheel drive is needed on St. John, but once you are there, the journey over the bumpy, long driveway is rewarded with a profound sense of peace. The only negative part of the House of Open Arms that my wife and I found is leaving it to catch the plane back home!!