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Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.

Waterfront holiday home with private pool and kitchen

Photo gallery for Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.

Deck, pool, salt pond, ocean
Lounge chairs, pool, and ocean
Outdoor dining
Pool and dining area
Pool at night

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 4167.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Chocolate Hole
  • Place, Chocolate Hole Beach
  • Place, Great Cruz Bay
  • Airport, St. Thomas (STT-Cyril E. King)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.

The villa has a swimming pool, expanded deck with Pergola, and an outside eating area you can enjoy while looking at the beautiful ocean waters of Hart Bay.

We are located on St. John’s beautiful south shore, Pura Vida (Pure Life), is a beautiful island home and private estate situated on 1.5 acres. The villa is surrounded by a profusion of native landscaping and historical Dutch ruins. Our villa's plateau location makes for lots of lovely island breezes with wonderful ocean views of Hart Bay and Chocolate Hole Bay.

Pura Vida boasts a wonderful floor plan and a downright glorious screened sitting area where you can sit and enjoy a good book or a nap. The two bedroom suites are private and tastefully appointed with all new furnishings and air conditioning for warm nights. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom with tiled showers and glass walls, which will make you feel right at home.

Great for two couples or a family of four!

An easy drive from town and top-notch beaches, Pura Vida is an excellent choice for experiencing St. John. Returning home after a long day in the sun, you can cool down in the brand new pool, or have a cocktail on the expanded deck, under the Pergola, or relax in the comfortable great room, prepare an island specialty dinner in the fully loaded kitchen, or enjoy a cool drink in the breeze while you watch the beautiful sunsets of St. John before rolling down the hill for a taste of Cruz Bay’s laid back night life.

Explore the 1.5 acres of history on this one-of-a-kind property. Imagine life in the 1700's as you explore the ruins and many fascinating aspects of this property. With a 270 degree view of water, this property is unlike any other.

Sit in the screened porch and watch hummingbirds explore the native vegetation, enjoy the community of iguanas that peacefully traverse the landscape and live in harmony at Pura Vida.

Additionally, the Chocolate Hole Community has a wonderful walking/hiking trail to Hart Bay. Just past our driveway (around the bend) there is a path on the left that will lead you through the canopy of trees to the beach. Take your coffee and stroll through the woods until you reach the beach with it's beautiful gentle breezes.

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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Please leave the house keys in the bowl on the island and leave the door unlocked.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Lost key fee - $50

Important information

You need to know

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
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

St. John

Located in St. John, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Virgin Islands National Park and Cruz Bay Beach. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in St. JohnOpens in a new window
Map
St. John, United States Virgin Islands

What's nearby

  • Rendezvous Bay - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Chocolate Hole - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Chocolate Hole Beach - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Sunset Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Great Cruz Bay - 11 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Woody's Seafood Saloon - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Upstairs Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Sun Dog Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Longboard - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Greengo’s - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Pool overlooking ocean, large deck on Estate Property. Great Privacy. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Chocolate Hole Beach and Chocolate Hole. Rendezvous Bay and Sunset Beach are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 109 out of 120 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 120 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 120 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 120 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 120 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

eric f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
very nice, good location, interesting site history, well stocked. would certainly consider staying their again.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

katheen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

Clean, spacious, beautifully furnished and fabulous views. We felt like we were in paradise the whole week! Jovanna was a pleasure to deal with and was there for any of our needs. We will be back!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pat L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Living in Paradise

This property is fantastic for 2, 3 or 4 people. Nicely and comfortably decorated. Unbeatable views. Great pool and deck. Well stocked and very nice kitchen. Very clean. Very comfortable beds and furniture. Great location on the island. Host and local property manager are superb. We spent 3 weeks and didn't want to leave. Would definitely come back.
Stayed 23 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Second Visit

It was again a lovely vacation for us. The home is beautiful, and the pool is perfect. We wanted a quiet, relaxing time, and that is what we got. Even with planning ahead, we were only able to rent a car for 5 of the 11 days we were there, but since we were content being at the house, that was fine with us. For those who have children and\or like more action, you would really need a car to get to the beaches and the downtown restaurants and shopping area. For us older folks, it met our needs perfectly.
Stayed 11 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

peter k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

House…..comfortable, spacious and peaceful.Location……secluded and close to everything.Exterior……pool and deck; serene, clean and amazing views. Ruins and garden…..Amazing!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Kim G.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in
The villa is beautiful and the property manager was helpful, but our stay was impacted by several serious issues. Check-in was difficult—we were locked out, delaying grocery refrigeration. The primary bed wasn’t made, and the kitchen bathroom wasn’t cleaned. The pool wasn’t usable until day two. The sliding door lacked a screen, making it impossible to get a breeze in the main room, which has no AC.Safety was a concern: my daughter stayed in a downstairs bedroom with a broken lock and direct outdoor access. Though someone came to assess it, it was never resolved. The property also lacks a generator, which became a problem during multiple extended power outages—no water, no electricity.Three days before departure, the refrigerator broke and we lost all our food. We were forced to eat out, which was especially difficult because my daughter was recovering from surgery and we chose this villa specifically for its kitchen. While the fridge was eventually repaired, the loss wasn’t addressed, and we were unfairly blamed for leaving the door open—something we did not do.Despite some lovely evenings, the poor first impression and frustrating final days left us disappointed.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Heather B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful vacation

Loved the pool, space, landscaping, and location. We watched football in the evenings and TV Dish goes in and out every 5 minutes. The second bedroom is isolated from the rest of the house so our 10year old daughter unpacked and showered in the second bedroom but slept with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

This is a beautiful property and comfortable house. We have stayed here several times and love the addition of the pool! It is very conveniently located near a grocery store and a short drive to Cruz Bay and the Shore beaches. Highly recommend.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property on a beautiful island

We had a great stay at this beautiful and historical property. The location is great, just a few minutes to town, the sea in sight, but far enough to feel very secluded. Pool was awesome, the grill worked well, lots of space, and the ruins of the 18th century buildings was very cool. It was a great space and the only lowlight was having to leave! Hope to go back someday.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

March 2021 stay

Owners were responsive to any questions. Relaxing vacation with everything needed to have a great vacation right onsite. Enjoyed the pool, deck, snorkeling equipment and beach chairs. Easy access to Cruz Bay. Get a Jeep to explore the island.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Todd R., New Albany

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful private villa

We loved this villa. It was even better than the photos and listing. The accommodations were comfortable, clean, and had everything we needed and then some for our family of 4. The grounds were fantastic and we loved seeing the Dutch ruins right on site. The pool and outdoor furniture were perfect for us. We never drove more than 20min to a beach. The check in and out processes were simple and someone met us at our car rental company and led us to the property. We would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

Janet M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Pur Villa St John

The home was beautiful but lacked air conditioning in the central living area. Only had air in the two bedrooms. With temperatures 88-90 degress with high humitidity, this made it impossible to enjoy the indoors at any time. Grounds wer beautiful but the bugs were unbearable. There should be bug zappers or spray for the bugs. Other than that, we love our stay but these two items made it unbearable at times.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Mary Ellen A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome pool

Even though I couldn’t be met at the house, due to Covid, it was super easy to find. I must admit I asked where things were before I had explored. Stevie was wonderfully helpful. I would have preferred a/c in the house as it gets crazy hot during the day with the sun streaming in the windows, but the bedroom had a/c so sleeping was comfortable. Love the bed! The pool was probably my favorite part!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kate S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous Property

Beautiful and unique property. Excellent location - close to Cruz Bay but still far enough away to feel private and away from the busyness of town. Wonderful views, wildlife and grounds surrounding the house. House itself is very nice as well. If staying with children though, it should be pointed out the 2nd bedroom has an entrance from the outside only, so this may not work for families with younger kids. We decided to each pick a room and then one of our children stayed downstairs with a parent and the other upstairs with the other of us so a parent was with each child. Not an issue for us, really but something to know before booking. I would recommend this property, enjoyed our time there and feel lucky to have had the opportunity to wake up and wind down after the day to the stunning views.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Didn't want to leave.....

What can I say? I booked this trip as a surprise for my husband's 50th birthday. His only wish was to have a stress free day. THIS. WAS. IT. We had never been to the USVI and had no idea what to expect! John (the owner of PURA VIDA) was beyond communicative. His ABCs guide to St John couldn't have been more helpful. The property was gorgeous- a perfect layout for our family of four. My kids LOVED the pool. I loved the views! Easy to get to and close to all the great restaurants, ferry and most attractions. Everything you would need for a vacation was already at the house. I definitely overpacked. The property manager, Katja, is INCREDIBLE. She was so helpful while we were there I was ready to move to the island. I felt like I had an immediate friend. She will go far with her business! PURA VIDA was the perfect getaway and we will 1000% be back. Thank you John and Maura for sharing your home and for this most memorable birthday for my husband!! Can't wait for next time!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beyond All Our Expectations

We’ve been coming to beautiful St. John 1 week for over 20 yrs, always staying at our Westin timeshare, which we’re aiming to sell. This year we wanted to tack on some extra time so rented 5 days at Pura Vita. We were looking mainly for an uncomplicated, quiet, clean spot at a place with a private pool. It was perfect! The home was immaculate but not pretentious, with a great kitchen and everything we needed to cook nice meals here or barbecue on the patio. We felt totally relaxed. I read books and floated in the pool. The property has an interesting history; we learned about previous owners and enjoyed imagining what life might have been like for those buried in the old graves there with that spectacular view. Being older folks, we definitely did need a vehicle to get back & forth from town. But we were so pleased and enchanted with the home that we stayed put most of the time. If, however, you want to go out often, there is plenty to see and do on St. John. Thanks to the Rockefeller family, 70% of the island is a National Park, so it’s natural beauty has been well preserved. There was very good communication with Lauren and then Tori from the management group. Tori had us follow her from the car rental place to Pura Vita and got us settled in. After that, everything went so well that we had no further reason to contact her, but she would have been right there if we’d needed her. We’ve already lined up Pura Vita for 11 nights in 2025. Can’t wait!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessie W., Bay City

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Pura Vida Christmas

This villa was perfect for our family of four, Mom & Dad, and two adult children (college kids). The location is ideal for a quick trip into Cruz Bay. The villa was impeccably clean, and it was so nice that the cleaning service (or owners) leave items for you to use (ketchup, mustard, oils, spices, sunscreen, etc.). I imagine these were items left by former guests, and instead of disposing of or taking them, they left these items for the next guest. Very nice and appreciated, considering the HIGH cost of groceries in the USVI. The beds are super comfortable, and the towels and linens are high quality. The common space is very ample, and we played games each evening in the main area of the home. The kitchen has great pots, pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, etc. I cooked more on this trip than I have in two years. We rented a jeep, so we went to a new beach almost every day. If you decide to snorkel/swim in Heart Bay (right below the villa on pleasant trail) please be mindful of the sea urchins. Ouch! The property owners, John and Maura, were always quick to respond, and their property managers were great. Beware, lots of bugs that you cannot see, that bite the hell out of you. Such is the price of this tropical location. However, there is no "itch potion" on the island, so bring your cortisone, or whatever potions you may use to treat insect bites. The best part of Pura Vida is your morning view at the pool. All of the colors of the sky and water before you. The pool was so pleasant and cool. The washer and dryer were amazing, and allow you to travel to this paradise without over-packing. It is also so much fun to walk around the grounds, and look at the history of Pura Vida. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kelby P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and historic property

I can say enough about our stay here. It's just so beautiful and the new pool was amazing. Once we got off the ferry we picked up our auto rental. (Virgin Island Auto Rental delivered directly to us. It was super handy since we didn't know our way around and we wanted to concentrate on finding the house.) Just read the directions to the house. It's so much easier than it may seem. We were blown away once we went in the house. It's really big and there are so many different places to sit. The kitchen is great too. It's fully stocked. Really fully stocked! I suggest going to the house BEFORE going to the grocery store. There is lots of spices, etc that others have left. I would suggest to leave some things for the next guests too. (We left rum and bourbon!) The house is on a huge property with beautiful trees and old ruins. There's lots of history here. You just need to look for clues. (There is a book in the screened room written by some previous owners, etc) The house is really in a good location. There is even a grocery store we could've walked to. You still really have to rent that Jeep so you can explore this beautiful island. We stayed in the bedroom upstairs. It's beautiful with windows all around. The bed was crazy comfortable. I'm not sure what kind of mattress or topper it was but we slept in everyday😀. I loved exploring the house. I won't give away all the secrets. But just a heads up. We found 5 sets of snorkel equipment. Don't waste luggage space or rent your own. We just can't wait to come back here. I cried when we had to leave. Best vacation ever.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rob G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what we needed!

This is our second visit to Pura Vida. Beautiful, peaceful, and comfortable. Property managers were very pleasant and responsive. As usual St John did not disappoint. Looking forward to returning next year.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Excellent
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brent H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

January Getaway

The property was very close to Cruz bay. With anything on the islands a vehicle that doesn’t sit so low to the ground is a must. Lots of speed bumps and low spots to go over. The driveway takes a little momentum to get up but other than that after one or two times you get the hang of it. The house was clean and spacious, had lots of sitting areas. Nice deck with pool. Chairs and floaties to use at the beach. The only hiccup we had with the house was the basement door to the bedroom broke and we were locked out for awhile. The property manager was very helpful when we had questions.and needed assistance.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vicki P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Villa was wonderful!

We really enjoyed our stay! It worked well for 4 adults. The 2nd bedroom is very small, but it is very private and worked for us. A few more hooks in the bathroom and/or bedroom (2nd bedroom) would have been nice. The pool and deck area are beautiful and we used the area a lot to relax after a fun day. The villa is very modern yet has an island feel. It was extremely clean, and the kitchen had everything we wanted. We loved our trip and recommend staying at John and Maura's!
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing vacation

My husband and I recently stayed at Pura Vida. We had a wonderful stay. The property is as described. We found the location convenient. The home was well equipped.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lukas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet comfortable place to stay

One of the best vacation rentals I've ever had - very clean and well equipped for a perfect week on St John.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phil P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

St John’s vacation

Wonderful week in St John. Our accommodation was prefect. Highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by John & Maura Kelly

Host profile image
After finding St. John several years ago on an anniversary trip - and falling in love immediately - we were thrilled to purchase this wonderful and historic home in Chocolate Hole. Our villa is set on an extremely unique piece of property, with tremendous privacy, yet fantastic ocean views as well.

We live in Myrtle Beach, SC and have 8 children together - all 8 are now in college or beyond. We travel to St. John as frequently as we can as this is our favorite place in the world!

We love our Island home and we know you will love it also. We are particularly excited to have built a pool on our property - a dream we've had since purchasing it in 2013.

John & Maura Kelly

Why they chose this property

We chose this property because it is extremely unique for St. John. While all properties are beautiful on this island, this house caught our attention immediately as we drove up the long driveway, past the historic ruins to the expansive yard and surroundings. It is truly a private sanctuary in which to enjoy the island and all it has to offer. Additionally, the location is absolutely ideal for getting to Cruz Bay and the North Shore beaches.

What makes this property unique

The open floor plan is ideal for a gathering or simply relaxing and viewing the ocean. Enjoy the walking trail to Hart Bay. The screened sitting area is ideal for a late afternoon cocktail, for sitting and enjoying a book, or for taking a nice nap while enjoying glorious breezes and viewing the lovely landscaping. It's a very quick trip to Cruz Bay - great for an evening of dinner or activity. The house is equipped with everything you will need for a wonderful vacation - beach chairs, coolers, snorkel equipment, and a fully stocked kitchen in which you can prepare any meal of your choosing.

Languages:

English

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