Luxury Tent/cottage On Nat'l Park Pond Walking Dist. To Snorkeling & Park Trails Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Is Luxury Tent/cottage On Nat'l Park Pond Walking Dist. To Snorkeling & Park Trails pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: Where is Luxury Tent/cottage On Nat'l Park Pond Walking Dist. To Snorkeling & Park Trails located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument and Virgin Islands National Park. Saltpond Bay and Lameshure Beach are also within 2 mi (3 km).

10/10 Excellent

Douglas H.

9 February 2023

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

Virgin Islands Cottage hosted by Bill and Meredith Small

Location was very close to various beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Also nice hikes. Small town Atmosphere. Only down side was the bugs. My wife and I are used to wilderness camping so this was just a medium inconvenience. Our hosts exceeded our expectations.

Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Denise D.

17 April 2019

Wonderful, peaceful stay

Estate Mandal was exactly as advertised - a very peaceful cabin in a terrific location. We could walk to the best snorkeling we found on the entire island, and we were usually the only ones there. Meredith was just over the top wonderful. She out of her way to make our stay comfortable, and was so helpful and accommodative. If you want an island vacation that’s off the beaten path - this is the place. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paul

10 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, communication

I wouldn’t want to experience St. John any other way. This is on a very quiet area of the island. Far from the tourists. I am a camper/ backpacker. I seek remote areas to be close to nature. This was perfect. This is not a hotel. It’s also not camping. You have some luxuries that are certainly appreciated. St. John is an expensive trip and this fit my budget. The owners are so sweet and helpful. They offered so much insight into the areas we wanted to explore. Without question, the most helpful hosts I’ve ever had in my travels. If I find my way back to St. John again, I will most definitely stay here again!

Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Henry

18 February 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

We were fortunate to have stayed here for 9 nights…can’t think of a better place for our trip! Meredith and Bill are consummate hosts…quick to fulfill a need, wealth of knowledge when asked…they obviously love this island and sharing what it has to offer! They provide reference materials about the island as well as maps for snorkeling. If you are looking for a resort feel…lounging by the pool deck, having to choose which restaurant to walk to - this is not the place. However, if you are looking to be a part of nature, sleeping with sounds of frogs and night herons, waking to birds enjoying fruit on cactuses outside your screened porch, looking down on the bird activity on a salt pond (we even had 6 flamingos arrive!) or walking a short distance to snorkel in choice of 2 bays…this is definitely for you. There is an awesome market 3 miles from here…they make their own hummus and desserts and will even season the fresh fish you purchase if asked. Would we stay again…most definitely!

Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Charlie H.

24 March 2017

If you miss Maho tents

Since Maho Bay camps closed in 2013, moderate budget places that put you in nature on St John have been harder to find. There are a growing number of places mostly around Coral Bay that can fill that gap. This one is unique in two ways; first, it is built in the tradition of Maho tent-cabins, but with a fridge, sink and bathroom. Second, it is right on a large salt pond, near Lamesur Bay on the south shore. Having been a regular at Maho Bay camps, it was a pleasure for me to spend a week in a cabin like this one. I'm not a salt pond aficionado, but this one felt to me like a lake retreat setting. If you consider bird-watching at the salt ponds a feature of your visits to St John, this place is likely the best on the island to consider. Though on the sunny and hot south side of St John, there is enough vegetative cover to keep it fairly cool with the fans blowing during the day. No-see-ums were a bit of a problem, and hopefully the owners will continue to work on reducing the ways they can get it; like the neighboring salt pond bay, this setting has a lot of them and even a fairly tightly designed tent-cabin did not keep them all out. What did seem to work was to keep the fans running especially around dusk and dawn, and to use a bit of mosquito repellent. I was on the island with an electric bike, and this place was a fine base for e-biking, making the visits to Concordia, Salt Pond Bay, Lamesur, and Coral Bay fun and easy rides with light traffic. Not to mention short walks to a couple of great, lightly trafficked snorkeling bays Kiddle and Groupon. Being just the third renter of this cabin, I think the owners, who were (like many on the island) former Maho staffers, will listen to visitor's feedback and make improvements to the cabin. Wish them well, and hope more people will build similar low-capital 2nd homes on their lots, for people that see the national park and its natural environs as all they need to make this island perfect. If only there were 100 of them, cluster-zoned with nearby amenities like the Maho Pavilion, Frett's taxi, and the Pepper, where you would not need a car more than a couple times during your stay , it would be paradise.

2/10 Terrible

Ann E.

25 March 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication

Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Luxury Tent - NOT!

Luxury Tent? NOT! Don’t be fooled or enticed by the low price and remote location. This so-called “luxury tent” was a nightmare. It was heavily infested with no-see-ums that gave us multiple bites despite our frequent deet applications. There were ants and lizards that came in easily through cracks in the side screens and the flooring and the "sun heated" shower was a cold trickle. But the worst was the thunderously loud flapping of the double top of canvas and tarp in the nightly gusty winds, which awakened us multiple times each night. Fortunately, we found alternative housing once we realized that the challenges could not be overlooked or overcome.

Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

18 February 2022

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

LOVED IT SO MUCH

My fiancé and I had a wonderful time staying here! Meredith and Bill were incredible and welcoming hosts. They had lots of great recommendations for hikes and snorkeling. We loved starting our days drinking coffee on the the little patio and watching all the birds in the salt pond and then finishing our days with star gazing. The location is perfect and within walking distance to hikes, beaches and the bus stop. The beds were comfortable and there is even a ceiling fan! We would definitely recommend staying here and we hope to return again soon!

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

6/10 Okay

Vera L.

10 January 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Mandal Estate

It is a good place for camping if you are used to camp in the woods. You will have to use bug spray 3 times a day. Two rocky beaches nearby, you need a car to get to a sandy beach. It is like living in a tent. Some birds were loud at night. This place has the most beautiful stars in the night sky. Lots of deer, Mongoose, Hermit crabs and iguanas on the property. Owners are very friendly and hospitable. Lots of places to hike in the national park.

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

David W.

27 December 2021

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

One week in a tent on St. John USVI

This is a beautiful space away from the regular tourists attractions. We had wonderful trails for hiking and bays to ourselves much of the time.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jody N.

1 May 2021

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

Right by the national park! Best snorkeling

The hosts were so amazing and truly love to share their experience- the tent cabin was perfect for us to unplug and enjoy! Thanks for an amazing week! See you again!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

CHARLES N.

11 April 2021

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

Quiet, Peaceful Tent/Cottage with Beautiful Views

Ideal location and far away from the crowds of St Thomas and the hotels closer to Cruz Bay. A perfect setting, off the beaten path, at the end of a dirt road. Bill and Meredith are ideal hosts for this fully equipped tent/cottage. Wonderful views of the Salt pond from inside or outside on the deck. Lots of birds and near quiet beaches and snorkeling. Highly recommend this very private place Charlie and Janice

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie M.

28 March 2021

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

As unplugged as you wanna be!

We had a perfectly serene week at Mandahl Cottage. Meredith and Bill were the most accommodating and knowledgeable hosts, even picking us up at the ferry when we arrived since our rental car wasn’t yet available. You won’t meet two warmer people. We enjoyed the peace and relaxation of this tucked away location on the island. It was convenient to all the hiking and snorkeling we wanted to do. We could just pick a place, throw on our gear, and be there in the blink of an eye. We loved waking up to the hummingbirds and view of the salt pond in the morning and sitting on the porch to enjoy the stars at night. We didn’t use the Wi-fi much, but it was reliable whenever we needed it. We cooked breakfast and dinner most days and the kitchen worked well for us. When we visit St. John this will be our go to place for sure!

10/10 Excellent

RACHEL K., Seattle

23 February 2021

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

Perfectly Peaceful

We had an amazing week in our beautiful tent. There is no better place to soak up the splendor of the USVI, not to mention our fantastic hosts Bill and Meredith who made us feel like old friends from the start. We will be making a yearly trip to this location from here on out. Do yourself a favor and stay at this property, it was life giving. Much love! - Rachel and Daniel

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison M.

10 February 2021

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

Beautiful spot on St. John!

Beautiful tent/cabin overlooking a salt pond. So peaceful and quiet...this made the perfect base camp for my husband and I to explore this beautiful island. You can walk to Salt Pond Bay, Ram’s Head Trail, Grootpan and Kiddel Bay. We did rent a jeep for the week after much debate and I’m glad we did bc it let us explore the north shore beaches, as well as other trails (Brown Bay trail, Petrolyphs, etc). Meredith and Bill were the perfect hosts...great with communication before our trip and gave us info for places to explore and hike. They know St John well! We had such a good time and it was hard to leave!

Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Akshay B.

3 January 2021

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

Amazing hosts and incredible location

I can't say enough about the hosts (Meredith and Bill), they are the most friendliest and caring people we have met. Apart from making our stay comfortable, they gave us so many useful tips for places to explore. We went with their recommendation to walk down to kiddel bay for snorkeling (2 minute walk from their place) and saw more fishes than in trunk bay or maho! we also took the cabritte horn point trail on their suggestion and had a great time. Meredith and Bill invited us to watch sunset from an very pretty location which we otherwise wouldn't have been privy to. They took care of our every needs including drinking water. They were really great company to have and had a good balance of providing us our privacy while making us part of the local experience. Will surely be staying at this place again in the future, by far the best hosts we have met :)

10/10 Excellent

Julie Z., Lititz, PA USA

5 March 2020

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

Cottage stay in St John

Island paradise...snorkeling, hiking, relaxing at the beach. We rented a Jeep for the week which made it nice to go to the market and explore different areas on the island. It’s a short walk from the cottage to 2 very nice beach areas that are fairly private. The cottage was perfectly described. We had complete privacy but if needed Bill & Meredith were available. The ceiling fan was great at night. A fun adventure that we hope to continue sometime soon. Thank you Bill & Meredith for your hospitality.

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Kate H.

23 February 2020

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

Mandal

Lovely remote location. Quiet, dark and peaceful.

10/10 Excellent

Viviana C., Germany/Argentina

30 January 2020

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

Nice place in contact with nature

Very comfortable tent/cottage in real contact with the superb surrounding nature. Spectacular view of the pond. Meredith and Bill very helpful. Their love is reflected in every detail. We hope to be back soon again! Thanks a lot!!!

10/10 Excellent

chris b.

8 January 2020

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

Do not pass up on this place.

My wife and I stayed here for three nights after spending eight days sailing BVI and it was exactly what we were looking for. Meredith and Bill are one of a kind and bent over backwards to make sure our stay was perfect (Meredith and Bill even gave us spring suits and fins to go snorkeling). Pictures do not do this place justice. The beds were comfortable and waking up every morning looking out over the salt lake was so refreshing. A great snorkel spot is within walking distance and a sandy beach is right up the road (3 minute drive). I will absolutely be coming back with my wife for as long as Bill and Meredith will have us.

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D., Hiram

19 March 2019

Economical and convenient for snorkeling and hiking

Lodging is half cabin, half tent with beds, bath and basic kitchen. Very scenic location on a salt pond just 5 minute walk to ocean and pebble beach. No ac and can get warm midday. Best to be out and about during heat of day. Coral Bay is about 10 minutes away with restaurants, equipment rental and tours. The hosts were very attentive and helpful.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

10 March 2019

Wonderful escape to enjoy nature and quiet but convenient for all St John adventures

Meredith and Bill were warm and generous hosts. They have created a thoughtfully designed and equipped tent cottage that is perfect for two. I traveled with my teenaged daughter, our first return to St John after long ago Maho Bay stays. We fell in love with this part of the island, especially Kiddel Bay (it served as our private and most amazing snorkeling destination), Salt Pond/Ram's Head and the low-key activity of Coral Bay. The beds were comfortable and the outfitted kitchen made it easy to prepare simple meals. We did rent a jeep, which at first felt disappointing because I craved a low impact getaway, but it allowed us to hike and snorkel many places during a short 5-day stay. Bill and Meredith offered great suggestions for places to go, the tent was equipped with books and maps, and we also used the Hiking Project app, which details 29 hikes on St John. We are grateful for all that Bill and Meredith did to make our trip wonderful and will definitely return to their special cottage.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Douglas L.

5 February 2019

Very well kept and exactly as advertised.

Meredith and bill were great! They gave us our privacy but we’re there to help when we needed it. The property was nice and secluded which made for great star gazing! Hope to come back again soon.

Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

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

10/10 Excellent

Ridge P.

30 March 2017

Quiet, simple private cottage with great view of national park

After traveling to St. John for almost 20 years we've stayed all over the island. Our preference has always been camping at Cinnamon Bay Campground. In case you haven't heard there have been some changes there and we were not able to get a reservation. Frustrated and in a panic I started searching other places and found this gem! We stayed 5 days and can't wait to come back. It is the perfect setting to unplug, recharge, and reboot. Cell service is spotty but text works great (at least on Sprint ;-) Imagine waking each morning to a view of no civilization and only the sound of crashing waves and birds singing! It is an easy walk to a rocky beach which is calm, quiet, with beautiful snorkeling. If you want to sit on the sand the walk to that beach isn't much farther. Walking to the bus stop is also a breeze and the bus will take you to Coral and Cruz Bay. We also enjoyed the hike to Concordia. We did not rent a car and felt that we were able to manage without but if you are interested in the North Shore beaches a car would be helpful unless you are comfortable winging it and hitching (which many people do). Bottom line: beds are comfortable, bathroom is suitable, kitchen is perfect, deck is amazing, no-see-ums are manageable with a fan and bug spray. The owners were available and accommodating but very respectful of privacy.

Luxury Tent/cottage On Nat'l Park Pond Walking Dist. To Snorkeling & Park Trails

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