Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay!

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Entire home

Open floor plan of the cottage makes it very spacious.

King size bed with soft pillow top mattress and A/C to keep you comfortable at n

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 246.5 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Hot tub
Barbecue grill
Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Cruz Bay, St John

Great Cruz Bay
‪16 min walk‬
Cruz Bay Beach
‪7 min drive‬
Trunk Bay
‪19 min drive‬
West End (TOV-West End Seaplane Base)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

About this property

Featured on HGTV’s ‘Caribbean Life’, Meritage Cottage has everything you need to experience paradise.
Meritage Cottage is situated on a scenic hillside of the very desirable location of Chocolate Hole, Cruz Bay.
Just a short four-minute drive from the ferry dock and downtown Cruz Bay where you can find the best restaurants and shopping on the island.
The Cottage overlooks the Caribbean Ocean. Enjoy your private sundeck with jacuzzi. It is perfect for sunbathing (clothing optional) by day to stargazing by night. You can relax and soak up the Caribbean sun. It is the ideal place for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.
Listen to the surf roll in from Hart Bay Beach which is just a short five-minute car ride down from the cottage.
From the decks, you can see in the distance the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas which make the perfect spot for morning coffee,

We look forward to hearing from you.
Linda & Randall 🌴🍹🍸

If you need additional space, we also rent out Meritage Great House/4 bed/4 bath . listing#204713
Please check our complete details at meritagestjohn. com

Meritage’ is a term created to describe high quality wines made from noble grapes using traditional blending techniques and methods. Meritage wines are red or white wines crafted solely from specific "noble" Bordeaux grape varieties and are considered to be the very best wines of the vintage.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Keywords: Villa Home

Property manager

Linda Cathell

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Parking available

Ocean view

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Ocean view
Pool
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking and vaping is strictly forbidden.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

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

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

St. John

Located in St. John, this cottage is in the city centre and 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.

Cruz Bay, St John

What's nearby

Chocolate Hole - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Great Cruz Bay - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
Cruz Bay Beach - 7 min drive - 3.2 km
Virgin Islands National Park - 7 min drive - 3.3 km
Trunk Bay - 19 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

‪High Tide Bar & Seafood Grill - ‬7 min drive
‪Cruz Bay Landing - ‬7 min drive
‪Beach Bar - ‬7 min drive
‪Lovango Rum Bar - ‬7 min drive
‪The Windmill Bar - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay! located?

Located in the heart of St. John, this cottage is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Hart Bay and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Virgin Islands National Park. Chocolate Hole Beach and Chocolate Hole are also within 15 minutes.

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Dave G.

27 Jan 2025

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

Very relaxing place

It was a great getaway for me and my girlfriend. We stayed in the cottage but were able to use the pool during our visit as the house was not booked. Abbey was great!!

Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

15 Feb 2025

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

Our idea of Paradise!

If you are looking for a serene private space with ocean views and a great tropical breeze, this is the place for you! Charming cottage has everything you need…well equipped kitchen, beach towels and chairs, fans and air conditioning, and best of all, a large porch with private hot tub. Very clean. When at the cottage, we spent all of our tIme out on the porch… what a treat! Abby the caretaker made sure we had everything we needed and was very helpful with island tips. You will definitely want to rent a Jeep as the property, while not far from the bustle of Cruz Bay if you want It, is a steep and winding drive up the hills above Chocolate Hole. 20-40 minute scenic drives bring you to the best National Park beaches. When we come back to St. John, we will not hesitate to stay here again!

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew S.

26 Feb 2024

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

Amazing

This place was fantastic, it had everything we needed, felt secluded/remote, but still was very conveniently located to get to all the places we wanted to go. Fantastic view, including sunsets, and Abby was very helpful with everything. Would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Jon Y.

23 July 2024

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

Delightful

We had a wonderful romantic getaway at meritage . Linda is top notch ! We had an unforgettable experience. One minor thing that would improve the experience would be to cut / trim the small trees that are partially blocking the gorgeous views . Overall we had an incredible time and we’d love to come back to meritage .

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

9 Nov 2023

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

Just what we needed

Cute, very clean in a great location. Onsite manager ( Abbey ) was fantastic. I would book this home again.

Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve J.

24 Jan 2024

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

A lovely spot

Ideal property for a couple staying on St John. Spectacular views and sunsets. We stayed at Meritage cottage for two weeks in January and had a lovely time exploring all of the beaches in St John, plus trips to the British Virgin Islands and Lovango. Abby did a great job of looking after us!

Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris L., Sunapee, New Hampshire

23 Mar 2019

Amazing little cottage perfect for two.

The house was amazing, the views were breathtaking. We plan to visit every year.

Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B.

6 June 2021

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

Great Cottage Near Cruz Bay!

My girlfriend and I stayed for 6 nights. The property manager and owner were very helpful and responsive. Hope to come back soon!

Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris M., Lambertville, NJ, USA

5 Apr 2022

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

Perfect for couples

Great little cottage with a lovely patio. Easy drive into Cruz Bay. The cottage was stocked with all the essentials (coolers, beach chairs, snorkel). Loved it!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

4/10 Poor

Don M.

6 May 2024

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

roaches

overall they property was nice. they cottage was sprayed for roaches, but it didnt help.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

7 Mar 2023

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

Tranquility

We really enjoyed the property. It was away Fri from the hustle and bustle and nice and quiet. It had everything we needed and communication was friendly and prompt. We definitely recommend this property and hope to get back someday in the near future. Thank you.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve N., Rosemount

1 Mar 2023

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

Tranquillity awaits

We had the most restful time of our lives !! Truly a wonderful cottage to spend our vacation on the Island !! It had Everything we needed to relax and Enjoy our time there .. Beautiful views of St. John and St. Thomas . We Enjoyed nights in the Hot Tub drinking daiquiris looking at the night sky , and mornings having coffee watching the iguanas in the trees below getting sun ! We cannot wait to come back !!

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn H.

14 Jan 2015

Just perfect

Great location with stunning views. Sinbad the manager is fantastic. It takes just a few minutes to go into town but far enough away where all you hear is the sounds of nature. The porch, and hot tub is perfect. The Cottage is exactly as pictured and a perfect size for 1-3 people.

10/10 Excellent

Kelli

3 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication

We absolutely loved staying at this cottage. It was the most perfect romantic getaway for my husband and I. It was very clean the hospitality was great and you can’t beat the views. We had the most perfect sunset views. And having breakfast on the deck counting the iguanas in the tree was our favorite morning activity. We left a piece of our hearts at this cottage in St. John and we plan to book here every year. We have finally found our forever home away from home.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paula B.

4 Feb 2023

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

Great place to stay!

My new husband and I had a wonderful time at the Meritage Cottage! Very private and a beautiful view! The bigger house is pretty close but we didn’t find it overly disturbing. Our favorite thing was to wake up around 4 and sit outside looking at the stars and listening to the waves crash on the beach below. We are already planning our next visit! Abby was also great and super helpful! We loved her!

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chad R.

16 Feb 2014

Excellent stay, very professional, nice place - Highly recommend!

Loved our stay at the cottage. Sinbad - the property manager - was absolutely the best. St John was a great stay, and the cottage was clean and pleasant, in a nice area (not junky island surroundings . . . very clean). The hot tub wasn't working while we were there, but they busted hard to fix it, and did a super job communicating with us along the way. Would consider going back again next time!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

15 Sept 2008

We just love this hideaway cottage!

This cottage is so cozy and tastefully put together that we felt we had found a perfect getaway for years to come. The location allowed us to pop into town in a matter of minutes to go out for dinner or shopping. The national park beaches are only 15 minutes away on the beautiful drive along the ocean. One of the nice things about this cottage was that we spent some nights barbequing on the deck while listening to the ocean waves lapping against the sea shore of the Hart bay, it was so peaceful. It was just the tranquility my husband needed on this vacation to just relax from his stressful job. We love this cottage and of course St. John. We are definitely coming back.

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine M., Boston, MA

13 Mar 2020

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

A perfect place for a couple to relax and enjoy each other & the island.

This was far and away the best location, with an amazing view, gentle breezes, morning rainbows, and a hot tub to ease the stress from the day's activities. We are restored! In desperate need of a pair of kitchen scissors, we purchased a pair to leave as a "house warming" gift...The cottage is very nicely appointed with comfortable seating and beautiful interior lighting, and a covered deck for sitting outside in the rain. Oh, and Abby was a most helpful ally when we got lost in the dark! Love this property!

Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

nicole z.

27 May 2019

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

Best vacation ever !!!

My husband and I just returned from the best vacation we have ever been on and it had everything to do with our rental home !! Well ok the beaches are pretty fantastic too !! The owner Chris was exceptional in every way !! Flexible and generous are the two words that come to mind. This home is far beyond what the pictures show and we will most definitely be coming back. Every little detail is covered for you as a guest you don’t have to think about beach chairs or coolers or even snorkel equipment!! We could not have been happier with our experience in St.John !! Thank you Chris !! It was such a pleasure to have met you and are looking forward to seeing you again soon !! Kind Regards Dan and Nicole Zimmerman

Stayed 8 nights in May 2019

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nathan Y.

25 May 2016

the cottage was cozy, clean, and had an incredible view. It was perfect for our honeymoon

When we arrived Sinbad met us at the ferry dock, showed us around town, and told us everything we needed to know about the property and the island. He did a fantastic job and was helpful all week. The cottage itself was slightly smaller than expected, but a perfect size for us as a young, newly married couple The view was simply breathtaking. We marveled at it every morning as we ate breakfast on the deck. Meritage cottage is in a perfect location in relation to the view and the town. We were secluded enough to make it feel like a get-away with stunning sunset, mountain, and ocean views, but still close enough to town to run in whenever we wanted or needed. The hot tub was a nice perk to have there, but it was often simply too hot for us to use. We looked through the movies and only recognized about two or three. I would suggest updating that selection.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2016

4/10 Poor

Jorge V.

11 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Disliked: Listing accuracy

Be warned, not so great as it looks and promises

First 2 days were constant blackouts no electricity owners should invest in a generator if they plan to continue to rent out their cottage , problems with the hot tub wouldn’t change temperature at all only when it wanted to and when it did change it would stay that way for example same day it was 96 degrees not warm enough and last day it was 105 which was too hot , Owners make you takeout your own trash even though it should be their responsibility to take out the trash cause a lot of visitors and tourist shouldn’t have to stress about finding a dumpster in a place they’ve never been to. Water goes out with the electricity so if the power goes out make sure to buy a pack of water bottles. We had no water for 2 mornings straight, would’ve loved the heads up that electricity blackout = no water Only good things were the view , the cleanliness, and the house manger Abby, the maintenance team and the cleaning team. All 3 were amazing in making the best of our experience on St John. The owners need to put effort into providing a comfortable great experience for those who rent their cottage .

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa P.

16 Feb 2016

Melissa and Scott

We had a fantastic stay at the Meritage! This was the second part of our honeymoon. Sinbad was awesome, he met us at the ferry terminal, followed us to our rental car, and then took us on a tour of Cruz Bay, telling us the ins and outs. Once at the house, he again gave us the ins and outs of the area. The house was perfect for us. Just enough space, indoor and out, with all the basic things we needed. The deck was great for breakfast and grilling out. We enjoyed the hot tub as well. We also were able to use the main house pool because no one was currently renting there! That was a great bonus! The cottage is in a great location. Very close to all the restaurants, bars, activities of Cruz Bay, but far enough that evenings were quiet and peaceful. St. John was by far our favorite island of our honeymoon. Thank you Chris, your place is great, and Sinbad went above and beyond to make sure we knew everything we needed to know! He was available for any questions we had! Thanks! We hope to be back!

10/10 Excellent

Jay P.

19 May 2023

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

Perfect cottage for two

My wife and I decided to celebrate our 25th anniversary on St. John, and picked Linda & Randall’s Meritage Cottage to stay. After visiting there for a week, we both agree this is a wonderful little cottage, perfect for two, with great views over the hills and shore outside Cruz Bay. Our favorite spot was the porch, relaxing and taking in the views and breeze from the water. Cruz Bay was just a few minutes drive, and access to the rest of the island was just as easy (assuming you have a Jeep.) Abby (the local manager and caretaker) ensured everything was in perfect shape for our visit, and after meeting us in Cruz Bay, escorted us to the cottage and made sure we were comfortable with everything there. The cottage has a very fast and powerful air conditioner, which we only had to turn on in the late afternoons when we returned. Otherwise, ocean breezes were very effective at keeping the cottage comfortable during the night and into the morning. The cottage has a small but efficient gas stove, gas grill, and regular refrigerator if you want to prepare meals there. WiFi and internet access was spotless, and while the cottage had a nice television, we can’t make any comment on the cable quality as we didn’t watch TV while we were there. Likewise, the hot tub looked clean and inviting, but we’re just not hot tub people. If you’re a couple planning a visiting St. John, Meritage Cottage should be first on your list to stay.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William H.

12 Apr 2016

I just got home & I want to go back :)

When I go on vacation, I want a hassle-free experience & this is what I found with the Chris, Sinbad, & the Meritage Cottage. When I spoke to Chris, I was put at ease that there was an experienced owner that would deal with any issues. Sinbad met us on St. John & gave us a quick tour of the surrounding area. When the water heater broke in the cottage, he quickly dealt with the situation & ensured that our stay was pleasant. As far as the cottage, it was exactly what we wanted. You had plenty of privacy, but were only 5 minutes from town. We never chanced street parking as I was happy to pay $4 per hour at a few of the lots for the peace of mind knowing that my car would not be booted. The view from the cottage was amazing & you are provided with many essentials (towels, soap, paper towels) that many other vacation rentals don't offer. The bedroom is air-conditioned & there are plenty of fans. As far as the island, it was even better than I had hoped. I'm an avid snorkeler & St. John's was a good & mostly better than anything I've seen in the Caribbean. I highly recommend the guides from http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/. They just give great in-depth reviews of the best spots. I saw plenty of healthy coral & a lot of interesting topography. Even on a Maho Beach, which is only rated 2 stars in the guide, I saw 5 rays, 5 turtles, a baby lemon shark & a big barracuda on my first swim out. If you like snorkeling, this is the island for you. In sum, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience & I hope we can return next year.

10/10 Excellent

Coty T.

19 Dec 2022

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

Awesome view and great sunsets 🌅

What an amazing cottage with awesome sunsets! Communication was great! We will definitely be staying at this place again in the future!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Linda Cathell

Hello, our names are Linda & Randall and we are the new owners of Meritage Great House and Meritage Cottage.
St. John captivated us during our very first visit. It truly is a beautiful island. We currently live in Florida, with the hopes of one day living full time on the island of St. John.
My husband Randall is originally from Maryland, but since leaving there in 1990, he has lived in many places, including Europe and the Caribbean. I am originally from England, although I have lived in Florida for the past 20 years now. We both enjoy everything the island has to offer, Scuba diving, snorkeling, the picture perfect beaches, delicious restaurants, and the overall relaxed island lifestyle.
We hope you enjoy your stay at our home. We take the time to add small details in hope that when you stay you truly feel like it's your own home.
warmest of wishes,
Linda & Randall
Feel free to email us with any questions at:MeritageOnStJohn@gmail.com

Linda & Randall
P.O Box 226. Terra Ceia, FL 34250

Why they chose this property

Meritage is where we have taken time to add the warmth and charm that sets us apart from other rental homes. This home has a true Caribbean feeling in every aspect of the design and lay out of the property from the lush tropical gardens to the views overlooking Hart Bay and neighboring Islands. Looking west you are sure to watch the most magnificent sunsets each evening which will leave you breathless.

What makes this property unique

Meritage is located in the Chocolate Hole area of St.John only a few minutes drive to the village of Cruz Bay where where you can find restaurants, bars, shopping and night life all within a few blocks. This is a quiet, peaceful and safe neighborhood to relax in.

Languages:

English

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Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay!

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property