Swim in comfort year-round in the heated pool, a rare find in this location.
Your gateway to the great outdoors
Guests love the location for its easy national park access.
Discover nearby landmarks
Walk to Virgin Islands National Park
4 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 8
Popular amenities
Private pool
Spa pool on site
Onsite parking available
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Explore the area
St John, St John
Virgin Islands National Park
Place, Virgin Islands National Park
1 min walk
Reef Bay Trailhead
Place, Reef Bay Trailhead
14 min walk
Trunk Bay
Place, Trunk Bay
18 min drive
St. Thomas (STT-Cyril E. King)
Airport, St. Thomas (STT-Cyril E. King)
76 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 King Bed
Bedroom 3
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 4
1 King Bed
4 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 3
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 4
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 5
Toilet
Bathroom 6
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach!
Welcome to Drake's View, St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Drake's View has the same vista named by the magazine Caribbean Travel as 'the best view in the Caribbean'; a spectacular view of the British Virgin Islands and the East Shore of St. John. The villa has been voted 'Top Vacation Rental' for two years in a row now.
Drake's View is a four bedroom, 4.5 bath villa with a heated swimming pool, and hot tub that sleeps up to 8 people. Five tiled decks and a large tiled front porch provide ample outdoor lounging areas. One bedroom is in a separate cottage.
The traditional architecture of the house entrance with yellow stucco, red roof, and simple columns contrasts with a dramatic facade of glass along the east wall. No matter where you look in the house or cottage, you have a fantastic vista of Coral Bay, Drake's Passage, and the British Virgin Islands.
On a clear day, you can see the Baths at Virgin Gorda. Rainbows, mangrove cuckoos, kestrels and red tailed hawks are common sights. Drake's View has the ambiance of a home rather than a rental. The large great room is furnished with Indonesian, American antiques, and comfortable, plantation style furniture. The villa is filled with local art and a large reef painting and mobile by Robert Tharsing.
The well equipped kitchen is very spacious and includes one of two dining areas. Three bedrooms have king sized beds and one has a king, convertible to twins. Each bedroom has air conditioning, private bath and Swedish TempurPedic mattresses.
One to four couples or a large family will have ample room for privacy, different activities,and for relaxation at Drake's View.
Drake's View is centrally located, on Bordeaux Mtn., the highest point on St. John. The roads leading to Drake's View are all paved. It is surrounded by lush local vegetation and a large, terraced tropical garden with lime, coconut and mango trees. It is a six minute drive to the Northshore Beaches; three minutes to the Reef Bay Trail; ten minutes to Coral Bay; and fifteen minutes the Cruz Bay. From the front door, you can hike the Bordeaux Mountain Trail to Lameshur Beach in one hour.
St. John has fabulous snorkeling, diving, and hiking. The snorkeling is among the best in the Caribbean. Since 2/3 of the island is National Park, many beaches have amenities but no developments mar the expanse of sand and palms. From St. John, it is easy to take day trips to visit other islands such as the popular yachting destinations of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Peter, and Norman Islands.
The Park Service also offers snorkeling tours, hikes, birding tours, sails, archaeological digs, and lectures. Numerous park trails lead to stone ruins of old sugar mills and plantations, petroglyphs, and even waterfalls if rainfall is plentiful.
St. John is reached from St. Thomas via a twenty min. ferry ride.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses some solar energy
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
St. John
Located in Upper Carolina, a neighbourhood in St. John, this villa is in the mountains and near the beach. While the natural beauty of Virgin Islands National Park and Cinnamon Bay Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Tortola Cruise Ship Port.
Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain climbing and horse riding.
Virgin Islands National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Reef Bay Trailhead - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Cinnamon Bay Beach - 13 min drive - 6.7 km
Trunk Bay - 18 min drive - 7.5 km
Cruz Bay Beach - 20 min drive - 11.5 km
Getting around
St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 75 min drive
Restaurants
Skinny Legs - 7 min drive
Trunk Bay Beach Bar - 19 min drive
Shambles - 14 min drive
Maho Crossroads - 8 min drive
Johnny Lime - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach! have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach!?
As of 21 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach! on 13 August 2026 start from NZ$1,861, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Luxury Villa with Stupendous Views - 5 minutes from the beach! located?
Located in Upper Carolina, this villa is 1.3 mi (2 km) from Bordeaux Mountain and 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Virgin Islands National Park. Ajax Peak and Cinnamon Bay are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was a wonderful family experience. The house is just as advertised and perfectly equipped. Dorothy was outstanding as our host. Would definitely stay at Drake’s View again.
The villa was spotless and there was food in the cupboard. We enjoyed the beaches of the National Park. They were nearby, gorgeous and the snorkeling there was very accessible. We spent hours in the pool. It was a perfect place for family gathering. I highly highly recommend Drake's View.
Libby E.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 April 2026
It was a pleasure hosting your group and we would love to have you return anytime.
The views for the extensive balcony areas of the Home were outstanding. Such a joy to have the morning views with a cup of coffee during the early morning. The kitchen was terrific with every conceivable dish, pot, pan and utensil available as we eat in during our stay a great deal. The open concept kitchen level was great for our meal use and later for our game nights in the kitchen level, family room area. Access to the home on improved road ways was a treat and such easy access to the North shore beaches. The best accommodations we have experienced during our several visits to St. John USVI.
Daniel B.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 April 2026
We very much appreciate your great review and thank you for choosing Drake's View as your vacation villa.
Amazing home filled with everything we needed for our vacation.
Katie S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 5 August 2022
Katie- Thank you for your kind review. We are so glad you enjoyed the house! Hope you and your family return soon.
Best wishes- Shannon & Tracy (owners)
This property has amazing views. Dorothy was a great help finding Thanksgiving dinner and made check in simple! We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to come back!
Chris R.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 January 2023
We loved having you and hope you will return again in the near future!
This was a wondeful villa, with beautiful views and plenty of room for the 8 of us. The hot tub was nice and hot and the pool was confortably warm. 7 of us are in our 70s, the only recommendation is a hand rail for the pool and hot tub.
Jeni F.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 January 2025
It was a pleasure meeting all of you and having you stay with us and we hope you will think of us again when you return to St John.
Spacious, clean, beautiful view, quiet (though the frogs serenaded us every night); central location close to northern bays / beaches for snorkeling. Nice kitchen / Grill for in-house food, or Coral bay / Cruz Bay for meals out. Easy access (compared to friends staying closer to Coral Bay that definitely needed 4-wheel drive to get to their house).
From check-in to check-out our stay was absolute perfection. The view of Drake’s passage was surreal and it never got old as we lounged on the balconies. The details of the inside of the villa were exquisite and we loved to roam the grounds each morning taking in all of it’s beauty. We could not believe the foliage and flora that grow in abundance. Even the hummingbirds couldn’t stay away. We would book again without a doubt!
Cari E.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
carol C.
12 December 2013
Awesome family vacation over Thanksgiving
Our second stay at Drake's View was every bit as wonderful as the first. Th e villa is well appointed, confortable beds, space for the family to spread out and have quiet time but also great spaces for us to be together. We loved the new appliances. We look forward to returning, and hope the pool heater is working next time!,
carol C.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Thank you for your great review and for your understanding about the pool heater. On an island, it is not always easy to repair equipment immediately. Dorothy and Fernando worked very hard to replace the necessary part but the suppliers were slow and the holiday further slowed delivery. We are glad you and your family enjoyed the house and hope you return for a third visit.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
west j.
10 April 2014
Stunning mountaintop view all the way to Virgin Gorda!
Secluded, gated, spacious, beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully appointed.
Nice heated pool with bench seat and jacuzzi. A car is a must to get to beaches,
restaurants, and grocery stores. Super comfy beds to finish the day!
We had a 6 year old with us who enjoyed the pool and the large kitchen table
to play cards.
west j.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Thank you so much for your great comments. We bought the property based on the view and have become citizens of the Coral Bay Republic! Each time a family tells us that they had a great time at Drake's View, it reminds us why we have a house on St. John. Please come back- no matter where on the island. It is so special.
Best Regards-
Ellen and Edward
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Brandy B.
19 November 2014
Family vacation
This was a perfect place for our family plus my mom and dad that joined us. The rooms were perfect for our boys and the separate house was great for my parents. The view was beautiful and the pool was great for the kids. Nothing can explain the sounds at night, which later we found were tiny frogs as one was trapped behind a door, how cool seeing lizards regularly outside were. My husband and I love St. John so we wanted to share with our family. We had a great stay here!!!!
Brandy B.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
We are glad that Drake's View worked as well for you as it does for us. The tree frogs are the "island crickets" and lulls us to sleep. We are glad that you enjoyed all the things we love- the view, the pool and the space in the house. We hope you return soon.
Drake's View was fabulous! The house, the amazing view, the island, the beaches and, of course, the pool and hot tub were perfect. Our family group of 7 adults was celebrating birthdays and our upcoming 45th Anniversary. The house layout and separate cottage was great and the kitchen was very well stocked. We had great meals at the house and in the local restaurants. I hope we can get back to Drake's View in the future. Thanks so much for sharing your home!
Nadine J.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2021
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Drakes View. St John is a special place and we are pleased that you got to know the island. We hope that you will return to Drake‘s View.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kevin M.
21 August 2013
Great trip!
Just got home and already can't wait to get back! The view, breezes and LACK of mosquitos were outstanding!. We started everyday sitting on the balcony watching the sun over Coral Bay and usually ended each evening looking out over the Bay as well. Very relaxing, beautiful home. Great location for visiting different beaches everyday. Pool and hot tub were refreshing although view was somewhat limited in the back of the house and location didn't allow for sunsets. House had just about everything except a good ice maker! Definitely hope to get back again soon!!!
Kevin M.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
So glad you liked the house. Sorry about the ice maker. We have a new refrigerator and dishwasher due in October. We hope you will return soon and we will be sure that you have ample ice.
The house is absolutely beautiful! From the well stocked kitchen to decor in the bedrooms, this place was amazing! We especially loved watching the sunrise over Drakes Channel and listening to night sounds on the front decks. The house is extremely well stocked with beach chairs, travel books, pool floaties, coolers, beach towels. It was clean and felt safe with the security gate and outside lighting. We cooked the majority of our meals at the house and everything was in working order. We used the outdoor grill a couple nights which was a great bonus. It was not a big deal to run to Dolphin Market in Coral Bay or Midway Market for groceries. We would stay here again!
We vacationed here with 4 couples and a two year old and had plenty of room. The villa is accurately depicted in the pictures on the website.
The villa's location makes it easy to access the entire island. You are 15 minutes from Cruz Bay, about 10 minutes from Coral Bay and the north shore beaches. It's less than 5 minutes from the Reef Bay Trailhead.
Views are fantastic from the balcony. Beach chairs, beach towels and even beach toys for the two year old were provided.
Communication with Dorothy was great before our arrival. And fortunately we had no need to contact her during our stay because everything was in working order.
We would definitely stay here again.
Paul V.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 December 2021
Thanks so much for staying with us, I enjoyed meeting your group. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year and look forward to your return to Drake's View.
No issues, no surprises. We felt the place was actually a little better than the pictures! We had 7 adults and there were no negative comments. Besides nature, the only distant sounds were roosters crowing and an occasional truck on the mountain highway.
Dorothy and the maintenance/cleaning staff do an excellent job with the property. Every room is fairly comparable and a comfortable size. The house is large enough that we could break into smaller groups for some privacy too.
Bruce P.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 June 2023
Thanks so much for staying with us! I enjoyed meeting your group and look forward to having you back at Drake's View in the near future.
Drake's View is the perfect vacation rental for two families. The house has so much space that you never felt on top of each other. We loved the amazing breeze and never felt hot at the house. The location was perfect and the views we're amazing even on cloudy days. The house had everything we needed, there wasn't anything that we felt was missing.
The communication with Dorothy and Fernando was excellent. Unfortunately, on our arrival day in St. John tropical storm Grace hit and we were stranded in Puerto Rico. We kept in regular contact with them and they met us at the ferry the next day to make sure we made it to the house with no issues. Fernando provided us a tour of the house to ensure we knew where everything was and to see if we had any questions.
We will definitely rent this villa again but we will come for 2 weeks next time as one week wasn't enough.
Heather C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 September 2021
It was a pleasure meeting your group and we thank you for staying with us. We also agree that a week is too short a time to visit the island and all our beautiful beaches and look forward to having you return in the near future!
This year 2022 was our 10th year on St. John. We have been admiring Drakes View for many years and decided to give it a go. This property was wonderful with easy access from Route 10 and a manageable gated entry. Top notch appliances and cookware in the kitchen. Dining (kitchen table and a more formal dining area for 8 people) and the Conversation/TV grouping (really comfortable for at least 8 people) and these furnishings were some of the nicest I've seen in a rental property anywhere. Beds were made with nicer linens and were sooo comfortable. Bath towels were also nicer with plenty for everyone. The outdoor covered porches (up and down) had enough cushioned seating and chaise lounges. We stayed for 10 nights and never even turned on the AC.
We were very pleased with our booking process and on island experience with our host Dorothy. She stayed on top of all communications we had from start to finish. We hope to get back again next year for another spectacular stay on St. John.
Patricia W.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 June 2022
Thank you for your kind review, we are so happy you enjoyed your stay. Dorothy does a wonderful job seeing that our guests needs are taken care of while at Drake’s View. We hope you choose to stay with us again on your next trip to St. John.
Regards- Shannon & Tracy (owners)
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Patty G.
18 July 2016
Will EXCEED Your Expectations
Thank you for sharing your amazing home with us and our friends. It is beautiful and was the perfect villa for 4 couples. My husband and I traveled with 3 other couples for a week to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Three couples stayed in the main house which offered them each a private room with a king bed and private bath. The main level allowed the group to hang out together, cook meals, party and chat. My husband and I stayed in the cute little house behind the main villa. It was so nice to have our own space for the week. The cool breeze at night allowed you to keep your windows open and sleep like a rock. Our friends that stayed in the Mango room said they have never slept better in the whole lives. All four bedrooms offer a view. The kitchen is spacious and completlely stocked with everything you need. We had a private chef cook for us the night of our vow renewal on Trunk Bay Beach and he only had to bring the food and ice. Plenty of serving dishes, plates, utensils, etc. I did bring table decorations and left them behind for the next group. The library has tons of reference books to help you navigate the islands and we enjoyed the photo album of the house being built. The driveway was large enough for 3 four door jeeps and the owners SUV. The location was perfect to travel back to Cruz Bay or down to Coral Bay and the other beaches. As for beach equipment there are coolers, chairs and noodles. Each room came with 2 beach towels and plenty of bath towels. I could go on and on forever. We had a wonderful week and would come back to Drake’s View. It was like heaven on earth.
Patty G.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Thank you for your kind review. St. John is an island that chooses people. We are glad that you enjoyed the island and found the house comfortable. It is a great place for families and groups of friends. We hope you come back and explore more trails and beaches. We have been coming to St. John for 39 years and always see or do something new.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Heather C.
20 June 2016
A pleasure!
Having learned a little bit about the island from my first trip to St John just 5 months before this trip, I knew that Drake's view was the best location for enjoying the island. The home is perfectly located for quick trips to the best beaches. If you are a fan of what St John is about, then you will love the restaurants in Coral Bay as well.
The views from the home are so special. It is such a pleasure to be in the large living area where you can lounge, have coffee, all while enjoying the view, and the beautiful art work that surrounds you. The construction and care of this beautiful home is very impressive. We are very grateful the owners have opened their home for others to enjoy. The layout of the home is perfect for a large family. My friend and I took our combined family of four adult children and one youth. There was plenty of room! They all loved the home and the island! The privacy of the separate living quarters can not be understated! The views from this area are just as great as from the main home. There is also a large, private outdoor seating area connected to this separate suite.
We enjoyed hiking, snorkeling, shopping, eating, and beach bumming! If you hike you must hike Ram's head. Snorkeling the beaches along this hike is amazing! If you enjoy snorkeling there isn't a beach that will disappoint. You will always see something! For beach bums, the fluffy white sand and crystal clear water at Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay will make you smile. We were all, even the vegetarians, very happy with the food at Cafe Concordia, Miss Lucy's, Skinny Legs, and Indigo! The carnivores in the group, also enjoyed buckets of chicken wings from Chester's Chicken. Chester's chicken is great to pick up after a long day of beach activity!
Drake's View is the perfect place for a group to enjoy the beauty and essence of St John!
Heather C.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2020
Thank you for the great review. Like you, we feel that St John speaks for itself. We love the beaches, the people and the beautiful ocean and views. We are so happy that you enjoyed your time at our house and share our interest. We hope that you come back soon.
Drake's View is simply amazing! This was our first trip to St. John and we couldn't have picked a better place to stay. The views were incredible and the villa was spectacular. Plenty of room for the 7 of us. Dorothy greeted us when we arrived and showed us around the house. The gardens are gorgeous. We had an issue with one of the a/c units and Dorothy and Fernando resolved it very quickly. We'd highly recommend Drake's View.
Lori B.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 November 2021
We really enjoyed meeting all of you and thank you so much for staying with us! Looking forward to having you return in the near future.
Enjoy your holidays!
Our family of 5 stayed 7 nights at the Drake’s View Villa. Communication with the property manager Dorothy was very efficient and she made sure we had everything necessary for arrival and was responsive during the entire week.
The villa was the nicest we have stayed at on the island, a true gem. We enjoyed exploring trails and beaches in the morning and spent at least half of each day back at the house. Our kids had a great time too. We can’t wait to come back and stay at Drake’s View again soon.
Tom H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
About the host
Hosted by Dorothy Micheletti
Why they chose this property
The villa is located in a perfect central location on the island: close to both the ferry dock and restaurants in downtown Cruz Bay, and to the more relaxed vibes and great snorkeling in Coral Bay. It's also a short 5 minute drive to the North Shore Beaches.
What makes this property unique
Drake's View has the view voted by Caribbean Travel Magazine as 'the best in the Caribbean,' and ample patios and terraces from which to enjoy the vista, stargaze, and enjoy the sunset. Drake's View has incredible terraced gardens on site, great bird watching, and is walking distance from the famous Reef Bay Trail and other hiking on Bordeaux Mountain. It is a short drive to both the North Shore beaches (5 min. to closest beach) and the more secluded beaches on the East End. Also, unlike some beach-side rentals which are often buggy and hot, Drake's View is blessed with a constant breeze!
Languages:
English, French, Italian
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests