Caribbean Cottage with Breathtaking Views and Your Own Private Pool!

DESCRIPTION: Rara Avis 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 will 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. Courtyards, gardens, and walkways connect the three buildings and the pool.

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 Avis is one of the last villas on a private drive, so there is no vehicle traffic or noise; you will only hear the music of small waves breaking on the beach below you. It is blessedly peaceful and quiet, yet only a few minutes drive away from the restaurants, shopping, and nightlife of Cruz Bay. Rara Avis is genuinely 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 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.

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 32" cable, flat-screen TV, stereo, and wireless internet are provided. Dine inside at the stately mahogany table, seating 6 - 8, or outside on the sheltered garden patio.

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

BEDROOMS: The two-bedroom cabanas (1 king & 1 queen) are spacious (370 sq/ft), offering 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 great house's lower level and 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.