April 2024

We enjoyed an amazing family getaway at Long Bay Beach Villa in St. John, taking advantage of their soft opening special. Our group included me, my husband, our three young children, and another couple with two kids around the same age. The villa was ideal for our needs, with the older kids turning the bunk room into their play and sleepover area while my husband and I enjoyed privacy in the adjoining jack-and-jill room. Our friends stayed in the upstairs master bedroom. I want to note that every room in the house offered unobstructed views of the bay and a private balcony. Long Bay Beach Villa became our stunning perfect retreat with its seamless indoor-outdoor design.  

Each morning, I savored coffee under the cabana as the sun rose, while the kids explored the beach, chasing iguanas and visiting hermit crabs. You can expect to be greeted by a goat or two on the beach daily! We often ventured to nearby beaches like Maho or Trunk Bay, though some days were spent right at the villa snorkeling, kayaking, or sailing. I particularly enjoyed snorkeling near Pelican Rock, while my husband relished kayaking to Hansen Bay Beach and sailing in the bay during happy hour.

Afternoons were relaxed affairs with the kids in the pool and us lounging in the cabana. Cooking in the well-equipped kitchen was a pleasure, allowing me to keep an eye on the children playing in various areas. Evenings were spent together, with family-style dinners and adults enjoying games or drinks under the cabana, all against a backdrop of tropical sunset views through the villa’s large sliding glass doors. There were two mega-yachts anchored in the bay which belonged to some famous people during our stay. Very impressed with the snorkeling reefs directly in front of the house, honestly the best snorkeling on the whole island! We have snorkeled on every famous beach while on our vacation, but the most colorful fish we encountered were right at our doorstep!

There are a few restaurants within a 10-minute drive, but the villa had literally everything a picky cook might need, so we didn't even go out to eat! The nearby famous beaches vary in sand quality compared to the rocky beach directly accessible from the villa, where water shoes were a must for the kids due to sea urchins. While the island is small, getting to famous beaches like Maho or Trunk Bay required navigating bumpy roads, typically taking at least 20 minutes by car. Despite evening mosquitoes, which were less bothersome than those at home in Florida, the villa’s allure was further enhanced by very affordable flights from Orlando—a major key consideration for our family of five.

In summary, Long Bay Beach Villa exceeded our expectations, providing an unforgettable vacation experience that catered to both adults and children. We highly recommend it for families or groups seeking a secluded, well-appointed retreat on beautiful St. John.