St. John Villas & Luxury Vacation Rentals : Rental Escapes

Your Guide to St. John Luxury Villas

Though it's the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. John is arguably the most scenic, with over 60% of the island being designated national parkland. St. John luxury villas are designed to let you enjoy the best of these amazing natural surroundings in a one-of-a-kind way.

One thing you'll notice right away is that St. John villas are highly unique. Each are independently owned and uniquely constructed, with a character that reflects the diversity and raw beauty of the island's landscapes. You'll see everything from Modernist to Mediterranean to neo-Classical architecture, as well as some highly elevated takes on the traditional beach house.

The first step to renting a St. John villa, then, is to decide on the approximate size of your party. From there, you'll want to look at your party's travel needs, and what they want to get out of their holiday.

Cruz Bay, where the ferries land, is really the heart of all the action on St. John, including restaurants, bars, and shops. If you want to be nearby but still enjoy some privacy and quiet, then Great Cruz Bay and Virgin Gran are just 5 minutes out from the town of Cruz Bay and have some beautiful villa choices.

If, on the other hand, you want that feeling of getting away from it all, then Peter Bay, Fish Bay, and hilltop Bordeaux are great choices that will give you that feeling of remoteness, without the feeling of being stranded.

Finally, the last step is to decide your travel dates. Once you have an approximate idea of what you're looking for, who you're traveling with, and when, your Rental Escapes reservations specialist will be happy to present you with the best available options.

St. John Luxury Villa Rentals

Because of their locations, architecture, and surroundings, St. John luxury villa rentals have the potential to elevate your Caribbean experience into something truly unforgettable. Imagine pulling up to a hillside villa surrounded by tropical landscaping, overlooking lush forestry, volcanic rock, verdant hills, and clear, blue water. That's just the start of what a St. John luxury villa experience has to offer.

Peter Bay Villas in St. John

Located on the coveted northern coast of the island, Peter Bay benefits from being close to St. John's beautiful north coast beaches and is just a scenic 20-minute drive from Cruz Bay. Peter Bay villas are also often hilltop, offering exquisite views of St. Thomas, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke depending on where you turn.

Some great villa rentals in Peter Bay include:

2B at Peter Bay: Perched atop a secluded hilltop you'll find 2B at Peter Bay, a westward facing oceanfront villa whose location, landscaping, and architecture combine to create a truly unique villa experience. The panoramic views of the stunning sea and verdant greens below are enough to set this villa apart, but it's the multitude of tiers and the way they offer their own one-of-a-king views and experiences that creates so much awe and wonder. From the gallery surrounded by its wraparound balcony to its private overlook over the reef and shoreline, through to the aptly named beach terrace, this villa will make you feel like you stepped into another world, again and again.

Limetree: With its privileged location atop Upper Peter Bay, the 5-bedroom Limetree offers one of the most magnificent views in all USVI, including stunning panoramics of both USVI and BVI. The villa itself also benefits from an open concept design, which, combined with the location, means you get to enjoy gentle trade winds keeping the house pleasant all year round. Its mix of Mediterranean, Mexican, and Moroccan elements also provide for an inspired décor that compliments the surroundings delightfully, and there's even a guesthouse that's perfect for lovebirds, giving groups more flexibility.

Villa Cartola: Recently renovated following Irma, the stunning Villa Cartola not only has the stunning ocean views that Peter Bay is known for, but it also benefits from its owner's fine attention to detail. From mahogany cabinetry to cedar plank ceilings, right down to the Egyptian cotton towels, everything here is of the finest quality. And just wait until you see the cliffside infinity pool. An elegant option with positively opulent views.

Great Cruz Bay Villas

Just 5 minutes from the town of Cruz Bay, Great Cruz Bay is a residential neighborhood that offers a great balance between privacy, quiet, and convenience. Great Cruz Bay villas strive for the same balance by offering guests exquisite ocean views and plenty of modern amenities, making them especially popular for families.

Some great choices here include:

A La Mer: Easily one of St. John's most spectacular villas, the 7-bedroom waterfront A La Mer is a true testament to fine craftsmanship and fine living. It features what is probably the biggest private pool in St. John, complete with a faux-beach area and a waterfall, surrounded by beautiful tropical flowers and royal, foxtail, and coconut palm trees. Step inside, meanwhile, and you'll marvel at the meticulous stonework and custom detailing that has gone into every piece of décor, furnishing, and featuring. It all comes together to create a truly breathtaking experience.

Estate Rose: Spread out over 1.1 acres on a ridge between Chocolate Hole and Cruz Bay, the 4-bedroom Estate Rose is a lovely choice for guests that want to enjoy an added bit of privacy, while still being centrally located. The panoramic views here are really something else, and cover St. Croix to the south and Pillsbury Sound and St. Tomas to the west, as well as Ram Head to the east. It's also just a short walk to the Westin Resort and its beach, dining, bars, and spa service.

Coqui: A lovely 3-bedroom cliffside villa overlooking Pillsbury Sound, Coqui is an ideal choice for a small group or family who want a comfy villa to retreat to after a long day relaxing at the beach. It features imported Italian tile, tropical hardwood, and a large private pool on an oceanfront terrace 50 feet above the brilliantly blue sea below. A great little villa for up to 6 guests.

Virgin Gran Estates Rentals

Located near Great Cruz Bay, Virgin Gran Estates has many of the same advantages in terms of its proximity to Cruz Bay and its overall sense of calm and serenity. Virgin Gran Estate rentals in general tend to be the newer side and are also often better suited for smaller groups.

Virgin Gran Estates rentals include:

Vista Caribe: With four lovely bedrooms and a private pool area overlooking beautiful views of Cruz Bay, Vista Caribe offers a great mix of classic Caribbean elegance and modern amenities. Think vaulted ceilings, rich tapestries, and plenty of tropical landscaping.

Chase the Sun: A great choice for families or a group of 4 couples, Chase the Sun is a modern cliffside villa with stunning views, lovely features like granite countertops, and a large sundeck that's great for entertaining. As the name implies, this one is perfect for sun worshipers.

Bananaquit Villa: A rare 3-bedroom villa, Bananaquit Villa is perfect for smaller groups, including families or a group of couples. Each of the bedrooms includes an en-suite bathroom, and there's a large pool cliffside pool with gorgeous views of Pillsbury Sound and St. Thomas.

St. John FAQ

What Should I Know Before Traveling to St John?

A passport is not required for visitors from the US, though it does serve as useful identification while traveling.

A visa is also not required for most visitors from Canada, the EU, and the Commonwealth; however, a valid passport is required.

How to Travel to St. John?

Most visitors to St John will first land in St. Thomas at the Cyril E. King Airport.

From there, you can catch a ferry or water taxi to St. John, or you can charter your own boat ride, including a speedboat or sailboat charter.

Once you arrive on St. John, you may want to rent a car. While a rental car is not necessarily needed the closer you to stay to Cruz Bay, it is recommended so you can explore the island, including the beautiful beaches on the north shore.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can arrange your airport transfer and rental car for you.

When's the Best Time to Visit St John?

December-March is peak season on St. John. Temperatures hover around 80°F (26°C), and you'll see very little rainfall and a slight breeze in the evenings. That said, this is also when you'll see the highest prices on the island.

That's why, for many, shoulder season from April-July is the best time to visit St John. Temperatures are just as mild as during peak season, and while there's a slightly higher chance of rainfall, it's mostly relegated to some afternoon showers here and there.

Wet season runs from July to November, which is when you'll see the highest chance of rain and storms. Temperatures during this time are also the highest and go up to the upper 80s. If you can deal with that, though, this is when you'll find the absolute best deals on St. John villas.

Best Things to do in St. John?

Visit Virgin Islands National Park: Over 60% of St John is operated by the national park service, who maintain trails and offer guided sightseeing and birdwatching tours. The park itself is full of wildlife, lush tropical forest, and even historical sites with ancient petroglyphs and plantation ruins. Trunk Bay, within the park, is also one of the most picturesque beaches in USVI, and where you can catch some beautiful coral reefs on an underwater snorkeling trail or rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for a bit of fun.

Hike Ram's Head Trail: Located on the southeastern tip of the island, Ram's Head Bay directly faces the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument and offers some great hiking and snorkeling opportunities. Ram's Head Trail itself is known for its stunning views all throughout the hike, and while it can get hot (especially in the sun), swimming and snorkeling in Salt Pond afterward is a lovely refresher.

Visit Maho Bay Beach: A favorite of those staying near Cruz Bay and especially near the north shore, Maho Bay Beach on the island's northern coast features the white sand and cerulean water you want in a Caribbean beach. The beach and water are both generally quite calm, and there are some amenities to have drinks nearby. The turtles here are the real stars of the show, though, and you can swim with Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles and even with the endangered Green Turtle.

How's the Food in St. John?

For such a relatively small island, St John has a big foodie scene, with a big focus on fresh seafood and contemporary Caribbean cuisine.

You'll find plenty of great restaurants near Cruz Bay, as well as St John's own answer to food trucks – food boats!

And if you want to try some traditional USVI cuisine, be sure to sample some conch with butter sauce, conch fritters, johnny cakes, and fish and fungi, which many consider the national dish of USVI.

If you want to combine drinks and desert, have a Bushwacker Cocktail – it's like a Mudslide made with dark rum, and it was born in the USVI.

How's the Weather in St. John?

St. John sees warm, tropical weather year-round, with a dry season running from December to June, and a wet season from July to November.

January to March sees the lowest overall temperatures, with averages near 82°F (28°C) and water temperatures hovering between 79°F-81°F (26-27°C).

The weather heats up a bit more from April onward, with the average temperature increasing by 1°C per month until July's peak of 90°F (32°C).

August sees the most sunshine with an average of 10 hours per day, while St. John as a whole sees between 11 hours of daylight per day in December and 13.2 hours of daylight in June.

Lastly, while October and November see the highest chance of rain, March and April see the lowest, with only 12.5 days having some rain. That said, the UV rating is highest at this time, hovering near 7.5.

Book a St. John Villa with Rental Escapes

If want to enjoy the best of this beautiful island, Rental Escapes can elevate your St. John villa rental into a true luxury experience.

Our portfolio includes the finest properties in St. John, including luxury villas in Great Cruz Bay, Chocolate Hole, Virgin Gran Estates, Peter Bay, Fish Bay, Bordeaux, and more.

Your Rental Escapes reservation expert can find the best villa for your group, and from there your concierge personalizes your trip to create the ultimate St. John luxury villa experience.