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The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials

Holiday home with kitchen, near Sapphire Beach

Photo gallery for The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials

Sunny Cottage by the sea
Property grounds
Our beautiful driveway
Flowers from the trees
Welcome

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 348.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Red Hook, St Thomas
  • Place, Secret Harbour Beach
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Sapphire Beach
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Lindquist Beach
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, St. Thomas (STT-Cyril E. King)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials


My husband Chris and I have lived on St. Thomas for over 20 years. He came to dive, I came to sail. We met by chance and discovered we both have a love of the water and the Caribbean life style. Chris is very talented and knew he wanted to live here permanently, so he built a house on the top of the hill. We got married in 1995, and often talked about making the home we love accessible to guests.
In 2012 we built are prefect Caribbean Cottage. It is a Caribbean dream cottage with spectacular views. We face into the trade winds so there is always a breeze over the porch. Facing East we have stunning sunrises over Pillsbury Sound with St. John in the background.

I'm sure up will love it too. The spacious porch is a perfect way to enjoy your first cup of coffee or to sit back in the evening and watch the colors change over the islands with a cool beverage in your hand. The trade winds will keep you cool as you sit outside from breakfast to diner, and of course if needed there is air conditioning.

My husband, Chris, and I live on the property. We will help you enjoy your vacation in any way we can. Just ask for local tips on restaurants and activities.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 3:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 10
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Red Hook

St. Thomas is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sapphire Beach and Coki Point Beach. Jet skiing, scuba diving and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours nearby.
View more Holiday homes in Red HookOpens in a new window
Map
Red Hook, St Thomas

What's nearby

  • Secret Harbour Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Sapphire Beach - 2 min drive - 1.3 km
  • Lindquist Beach - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Cowpet Bay - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Coki Point Beach - 9 min drive - 4.7 km

Getting around

  • St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kween Vee Smoothies - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Agave - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Tarpon’s Table - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Sunset Grille @ Secret Harbour Beach Resort - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Sapphire Beach Bar   - ‬20 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The 'Cottage' at Lion's Gate - Check for our Spring & Summer Specials located?

Situated in St. Thomas, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of American Yacht Harbor and Sapphire Beach. Vessup Bay and Cabes Point are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 91 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 91 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 91 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 91 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 91 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Doris W.

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

First time to St Thomas

The views are beautiful! The cottage is perfect for two. Maxine is a great host and easy to communicate with. The location is easy access to the entire island.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jim G., Creston, OH

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

Wonderful stay overlooking Red Hook.

We truly enjoyed our stay at the cottage, the views are incredible, the sun rise over St John is beautiful. Fun restuarants nearby. The drive up to the cottage adds to its charm. Maxine and Chris are wonderful hosts. thank you for a wonderful week.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Celenia L.

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

Paradise

My partner and I took a vacation to the Virgin Islands for the first time in August. We chose to stay in Redhook because it was near many beaches, restaurants and shops. The cottage was a cozy and comfortable place and our view was astonishing! We couldn’t get enough of it, and the place was well kept and it offered many amenities that it made our stay extremely convenient. Thank you Maxine, Chris and louie for your hospitality. We really enjoyed our stay and hope to one day return to this amazing place 💗
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Nicole B.

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

Stunning Views

The property has stunning views and excellent location to red hook. You may want to rent a car if u are not in good shape. It was an issue until u tried to bring luggage down. Otherwise great property.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Donna V.

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

Lovely hilltop cottage with magnificent views

Lions Gate Cottage is a beautiful spot for adults tucked very high up overlooking Red Hook Harbor and marina. Enjoyed watching the sunrise over St John Island. Kept doors and windows open to enjoy the breeze. Cottage very nicely appointed and owners kind and accomodating. Location close to restaurants, bars, Beautiful Magen's Bay, Lindquist Beach and Sapphire Beach. plus the supermarket, ferry to St John, and marina to arrange for day boating/snorkeling trips. About half hour ride from airport. Super cellphone coverage. Would rent again !
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dawn B.

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

Absolutely perfect!

The house is lovely and well appointed. Everything we needed in the kitchen to have coffee and make breakfast right there. The view is amazing! Wrap around covered porch allowed us to enjoy the outside even when we had a bit of rain. Very comfortable. Maxine and Chris are gracious hosts and Louie visited regularly lol. You can close the gate if you’d prefer to not have visits from Louie. The walk up and down the hill was very doable for us. We are fairly active but not young. If you’d prefer not to walk it, a taxi will gladly take you up for $5 pp (feb 2022). We will definitely book with them again when we return to St Thomas and recommend to all of our family and friends!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

renee c.

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

Couldn't have asked for a better place to stay!!

After reading so many wonderful reviews, we knew that we wanted to stay here! Maxine and her husband Chris are THE nicest people and helpful with any questions we had about places to go on the island. The cottage was as beautiful as the pictures show and the view was the best part!! The driveway is steep but we had a compact car that was perfect to get us up and down the hill and to cruise around the island. Maghan's Bay and Sapphire Beach were our favorites beaches in St. Thomas. Per Maxine's recommendation, we LOVED the patio at Sunset Grill and the bars in Red Hook (just down the hill from the cottage). We took the car ferry one day to St. John and loved that we could drive wherever we wanted. We also spent another day at St. John without the car and everything was within walking distance or a quick shuttle ride. We just got home and already miss the cottage and Louie the sweet dog that would stop by to say hi. Anyway, you should stay here and you will not regret it! We hope to go back someday!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Flash W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage, location, price, and a interaction with owner has been amazing. More than I ever expected. Beautiful view and very comfortable. Will certainly book again.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matt G.

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

Had a great time

Charming cottage with magnificent views of Red Hook harbor. Wonderfully helpful hosts.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Loved the views. It was right on the harbor so was noisy early mornings. The driveyway was steep but we were warned about this. Parking was limited but also warned. Hostess had everything we needed for the beach which was a great surprise!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin S.

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

Lion’s Gate Cottage Review

It’s a nice little cottage with wonderful balcony and spectacular view. Maxine was delightful, helpful & responsive. We really enjoyed our stay and the proximity to dining and shopping establishments, and the ferry terminal.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin C.

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

Beautiful Vacation

Wonderful time at this property. The sea breezes kept us comfortable. We spent so much time on the patio just relaxing. Maxine and Chris were very accessible and helpful. I would recommend to everyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carolee D.

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

Lionsgate Paradise

Perfection. Charming Caribbean cottage. High on a hill with unmatched views of the harbor and surrounding islands. Tradewinds that cool the warm temperatures. Cottage has many unique features including handcrafted furniture and mahogany woodwork. Hosts that are warm, welcoming and helpful. Treat it well. We will be back next year. Tom and Carolee, 2024
Stayed 29 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Lori B.

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

Beautiful view!

The view was spectacular as advertised. The cottage was clean and Maxine was a very responsive host. If you decide to stay here keep in mind that, as described in the posting, you have to drive up a steep road which can be a bit unnerving. I walk a lot and I love to do steps and hills, but the walk up from Red Hook is not something most people will want to do. My husband got to the top and said "no way am I walking up". I wouldn't consider this a walkable location. There were parts of the unit we really enjoyed: the view, the huge shower, the use of the coolers and beach chairs. The things we were less excited about included: kitchen wasn't very well equipped compared to places I would rate 5 stars, the furniture wasn't very comfortable and the unit could use some updates, for example, most rentals have upgraded to kurig coffee makers. Also, keep in mind that this is directly above Red Hook and the noise from the road and the bars carries up the hill.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele S.

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

Simply lovely

This was my first to the USVI, and I’m so glad I found this place. It was perfect for a solo traveler like me and would be great for a couple (and a child could sleep on the futon in the living area.) I felt safe with Max & Chris there and the fact that it is gated is a plus. Of course Louis (the sweet dog) was an added bonus (and there a gate on the porch if you’re not up for his visits.) Speaking of the porch, the view is superb. When I was at the apartment, I spent nearly all of my time on the porch unless I was sleeping. Max & Chris are great. They were always available to answer a question or provide assistance. And they’re nice! I could not have asked for better hosts. I ate at several good restaurants in Red Hook (Urban XO, Agave), which is walkable but recommend getting a (small) car so you can more easily explore the nearby bays/beaches and other restaurants. In short, definitely recommend and hope to make it back for another amazing holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dakota B.

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

Beautiful St. Thomas Cottage with a Wonderful View

The place is centrally located in red hook with an amazing view. My wife and I had a wonderful time. Maxine was a gracious host.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Brooke H.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Great view but have a rental car!

Beautiful view to wake up to everyday, having a morning coffee on the balcony and seeing the sunrise every morning was awesome. Listen to their recommendation they give in the listing when they say to have a car. Absolutely have a rental car to stay here. We were two in shape young adults and it was brutal walking up the hill 2-3 times a day in the heat. The location is great though for red hook restaurants and bars. Catamaran dock ports and scuba diving right there. You need a cab to get to any beach but they aren’t far at all! Fav one was secret harbor beach. Definitely check out duffys love shack down the hill- super fun place.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda F.

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

12 year anniversary

Our stay was more than we could have imagined. The view was absolutely beautiful...We woke up every morning at 6am just to see the sunrise! Butterflys, hummingbirds, flowers...they were everywhere! Maxine and Chris are wonderful people! Thanks for sharing your part of the world with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly B.

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

Lovely guest house with incredible views!

We had a wonderful stay at the Cottage! The #1 reason we picked this place was the views and they did not disappoint! The host was friendly and easy to communicate with via text or through the app. They live next door. Pros: The views and the sunrise are incredible! Walking distance to Duffy's Love Shack, a great little Tiki bar with $5 happy hour cocktails Short drive to Secret Harbor beach resort where there is a beach with great snorkeling The host provided beach towels, beach chairs, coolers, and snorkeling equipment The host provided plenty of drinking water The host is easy to get in contact with Cons: There is only Air conditioning in the bedroom and if you leave it on when you're not home it's a $25 charge. It will be hot and humid until you run the AC for a bit The tap water in St Thomas tastes weird so the shower water also smells a little weird. Maybe it's like that everywhere? The bath towels also smelled a little weird but not enough that we asked for a replacement. Hiking back up the hill from the tiki bar to the cottage is a workout. It's ok at night but when the sun is out it's pretty brutal. There is a designated place to park but getting in and out is a little tight. We rented a Toyota Camry and it fit but it definitely struged on some of the steep hills
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful view and very nice owners!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carly V.

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

Wonderful!

We booked this property when we had to make last minute travel plans and it was everything it advertised! Beautiful view and perfect for a couple. We loved having a full kitchen and the beautiful deck. We did rent a car and unless you’re looking for some serious cardio up that hill I’d recommend it. We loved our stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John K.

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

Lovely.

We had a lovely time! Great location and view. And loved sweet Louie visits each day.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda S.

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

Beautiful views and great location

Wonderful stand alone cottage with great front porch to take in the views of Red Hook harbor and St John. Location is great for taking advantage of local beaches. It was 20 minutes to Magens bay which was our favorite, Cottage is close to the town of Red Hook which has the best selection of stores, restaurants and Happy Hours!! Hosts are on site and very responsive when we needed anything. Yet you have absolute privacy. They also gave us great tips for things to do. The road up to the cottage is steep and windy ( like many of the roads on St Thomas) so make sure you rent a car that can handle it. We had a Jeep.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jon

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Best Vacation Ever, I told Lisa (my girlfriend) this vacation experience will be hard to top! We stayed for almost 2 weeks and the cottage was perfect for us, and we will be staying again. It felt like home, or at least the home we want :) . We ate most of our breakfasts and dinners at the cottage since no restaurant could provide us a better atmosphere or view than the one from our cottage. The kitchen had everything we needed. This felt more like local living and less like being a tourist. We rented a car, but used it rarely since it is so convenient to walk to Red Hook or to the ferry to St John. The driveway is steep and you can’t get up it when it’s wet, unless you have a 4 wheel drive, which we didn’t. It only impacted us on the first day. Maxine kindly drove us up with our luggage and groceries. There are parking spots at the end of the driveway if it is slippery. There was plenty of room to park 3 SUVs at the top of the driveway, and easy to do a 2-4 pt turn to face forward going down hill. Walking up/down the hill to Red Hook may be a challenge for some, so consider getting a rental/taxi. However for those in average or better shape, it’s doable (I did some sprint intervals on it…humble brag :) We enjoyed the visits from Louie their dog, Oscar the gecko, a frog, a humming bird, and a couple iguanas even ran across the driveway. Some reviews mentioned the noise from the town, but we enjoyed seeing and hearing the sounds of activity and life going on. It’s

10/10 Excellent

Katrina S.

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

Wickedly steep hill = amazing views

We loved our stay in this beautiful cottage on a hill overlooking Red Hook. The view was absolutely breathtaking and so peaceful. As we did not rent a vehicle, it was nice being able to walk down the hill to Red Hook where there's a grocery store, several restaurants, some shopping, and the ferry to St. Johns. Walking up the hill can be brutal though (not the distance, just the incline) and we only ended up walking up once. But, again, Red Hook is a popular place, so snagging taxies outside Bernie's to take us up was pretty easy. You could hear the town from time to time, but we didn't find it excessive. In fact, except for at night, we pretty much left all the doors and windows open. The weather was perfect. The owners Maxine & Chris were very accommodating and helpful. Would definitely return to the Cottage if visiting St. Thomas again. Thank you for offering this lovely place.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

About the host

Hosted by Maxine Lavitt

Host profile image
Chris and I came from different parts of the country, He from California and me from New York City. He came to dive and I came to sail. We both had businesses doing just that.
We have both retired and enjoy traveling and sharing our wonderful property with guests.

Why they chose this property

The view and the breeze are something I never get tired of. Not even after all these years. It would be hard for us to ever move from here. The parrots and hummingbirds are personal friends.

What makes this property unique

We are close to everything but feel a million miles away when we reach the top of the hill.

The breeze keeps us cool year round. You can sit out on the porch with views of the active harbor and see St John just across Pillsbury Sound.

Easy to go down the hill for dinner or to the market.
You can easily catch the ferry to St.John or Tortola in the BVI at the bottom of the hill.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests