Rara Avis | St John Virgin Islands Rental | Hart Bay

 

Bedrooms:	4
Beds:	2 queens, 2 twins convert to kings
Bathrooms:	3.5
Property Location:	Hart Bay
Proximity:	Beachfront
Property Size:	2800+ sq ft
Year Property Completed:	1997- remodel
Beach:	Hart Bay Below You
Pool:	Yes - half moon shape
Hot Tub:	No
A/C	No
Internet:	WiFi
Maid Service:	Not Included
IPod Connectivity:	No
Security Deposit:	$500

LOCATION. Rara Avis is located on an oversized lot in the southwest corner of Hart Bay, which is 1/4 mile east of Great Cruz Bay, on the south coast of St. John. The setting gives this villa an excellent degree of privacy and tranquility. Rara is the last villa on a private drive so there is no vehicle traffic or noise; the only sound you'll hear in this villa is the music of small waves breaking on the beach below you and the music on your iPod. It is blessedly peaceful and quiet, yet only minutes from Cruz Bay. Rara is truly a place where you are indulged with the basic elements of Caribbean life – sun, sea, moonlit sky, lush vegetation and the trade winds. The house faces southeast and the sun shines on your decks from early morning to late in the afternoon. The beautiful 180 degree view sweeps from north to south and takes in most of the south coast of St John, much of which is unspoiled National Park. A short walk down a private path leads to the 83 degree crystal clear waters of Hart Bay Beach, where on a calm day you'll enjoy some good snorkeling or swimming. It's about a 2 mile drive into the restaurants, shopping and nightlife in Cruz Bay, and about a mile to the restaurants and spa at the Westin Resort.

This is your wake up view

This is a villa where you feel a part of the sea, like on a boat, but without the uncomfortable motion

DESIGN. Rara consists of three distinct buildings – a 2-level stone great house, plus a master bedroom cabana on the left (east) and another on the right (west) side of the great house. You park above the great house and descend a stone stairway into a sheltered garden courtyard on the leeward side of the great house. The upper level of the great house contains the great room with the living, dining and kitchen areas, plus a half bath, and a laundry room. In the great room you'll find native stonework, exposed beam cathedral ceilings, terra cotta tiled floors, bamboo furniture, and native artwork. On the south side of the great house is a 450 sq/ft tiled sun deck where the views are magnificent. Two sets of exterior stairs lead down to the two bedrooms, shared bath and deck on the lower level of the great house. The pool and its sun deck are in a garden setting in front of the west cabana. In addition to the pool's sun deck there are four other private sun decks including two off the great house, and one off each cabana. The three buildings and the pool are connected by courtyards, gardens and walkways.

Colorful tropical landscaping and a picture postcard setting combine to create a classic island villa

Your first view of the great house as you descend the Mongoose stairway

The south deck of the great house

The pool and its sun deck are quite private

LIVING/DINING. The living and dining rooms have been artistically finished to look like the interior of a centuries old Spanish or Italian villa. They are furnished with a combination of antiques and designer furniture that blends comfort with function. From either room screened sliding glass doors open to warm breezes, a spacious deck and sweeping views of the south shore National Park. A cable 32" flat screen TV/DVD, an AM/FM stereo//CD with iPod connection and wireless internet are provided.

Dine inside at the stately mahogany table seating 6 - 8, or outside on the sheltered garden patio.

Looking from the dining room into the living room
The great room has ben artistically altered to resemble a centuries old Tuscan villa
Looking out from the living room	The dining room also mirrors the Tuscan look

KITCHEN. The complete kitchen includes a 4 burner stove and oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender, coffee maker, toaster and a fine selection of dinnerware, cookware, and server ware. There is a gas barbeque grill in the courtyard.

Looking out at the view from the dining room	The kitchen
The west (right) bedroom cabana
The interior view of the right cabana

BEDROOMS. The two bedrooms cabanas (queen beds) are spacious (370 sq/ft) and each offers excellent privacy, lovely views and an intimate setting. Each cabana includes a tiled bath and a private deck or patio that is perfect for morning coffee and other quiet moments. The two guest bedrooms (twins that convert to a king) are located on the lower level of the great house and also offer romantic ocean views. The lower level guest bedrooms share a bath, and a 1/2 bath is located off the kitchen in the great house.

The east (left) bedroom cabana

The interior view of the left cabana

The pillow view from the left cabana

The pillow view from the lower right bedroom in the main house

The pillow view from the lower left bedroom in the main house

CARIBBEAN VILLAS' COMMENTS. In the mid 1990s the original great house of Rara was demolished and a new stone house was built and completed in 1997. A skilled artisan was imported to St. John to give the house the aged look of a centuries old villa in Tuscany. It's an alluring concept – a European style villa on a beautiful waterfront site on St. John – and it certainly works well for Rara. At night, with the great house doors open and the soft glow of the valence lighting, you could well imagine yourself on the coast of Italy or Spain. In 1991 we wrote that Rara Avis is "located in an unusually quiet and private seaside setting where shimmering moonlight, warm trade winds, mesmerizing views and the background sounds of breaking surf weave a totally relaxing almost magical atmosphere." What was true in 1991 is just as true in 2011; the passage of time has not spoiled either the setting or the villa. Rara is proof of the maxim that great real estate is defined by "location, location, location." If you love the concept of being immersed in sun, sea, sky, flora and peace and quiet, then this is your place in the sun. This setting will massage you and relax you to such an extent that you may never want to go home. Located below Le Lapin and Dolphin Run, Rara is strongly recommended for honeymooners and other lovers (this is a very romantic villa), multiple couples, and families with beach kids.

* Rara Avis has a resident outdoor cat that visits the property

A flattering close up view of Hart Bay Beach on a calm day

DISTANCE TO. Cruz Bay (town): 2 miles; Swimming/snorkeling: 0 miles; Restaurants/nightlife: 1-2 miles; National Park beaches: 2-3 miles; Groceries: 1 mile

GUEST COMMENTS.

• Awesome..just awesome!! Thank you - we will be returning to Rara Avis!
• We had a wonderful time! The house was perfect for our family! Loved the views and breezes over Hart Bay!
• Everything was perfect, thank you so much! Though Rara Avis may not be the newest property, we found that it had an intimacy with the water and an openness to the sky and sun that gave us much peace and relaxation. We all loved it!
• Thank you for all of your assistance with our rental of Rara Avis. The home was great and we were pleasantly surprised that Rara had done some painting, new bedding etc. This was our 14 trip to St John and rental with you and Rara Avis is clearly one of the best locations on the island.

Rates, Printing Errors, Changes and Omissions: Caribbean Villas is not responsible for printing errors and inadvertent omissions. All rates and villa details are subject to change without prior notice.

Privacy Policy: All photos are the property of Caribbean Villas and Resorts Management Company (unless otherwise indicated) and may not be reproduced or used for commercial purposes without the express written consent of Caribbean Villas and Resorts.

Availability Calendar & Rates for Rara Avis

Rates

IN Season Prices: Dec 17, 2011 – April 13, 2012

$3850/wk for 2-6 people * $4270/wk 7-8 * 2011-Christmas/ New Years $5124/wk 2-8

OFF Season Prices: April 14, 2012 – Dec. 14, 2012

$1925/wk for 2-4 people * $2310/wk 5-6 * $2625/wk 7-8 * 2011-Thanksgiving- Off Season Rates Apply

Security Deposit: $500

Hotel Tax/Service Charge: 10% Hotel Tax/ 5% Service Charge