You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay!
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
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transportation
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Comfort
Air conditioning
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping (on request)
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In the city center
In the mountains
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near the bay
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Motor boating nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Housekeeping (on request)
Unit size: 500 square feet
Similar properties
Oceanfront - it is easy to fall asleep listening to the sounds of the waves
Oceanfront - it is easy to fall asleep listening to the sounds of the waves
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
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!?
Check-out 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.
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Romantic Cottage: Stunning Ocean Views. Hot tub. Cruz Bay! Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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 !!
Steve N.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Kathryn H.
14 January 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.
Kathryn H.
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.
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!
Paula B.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Chad R.
16 February 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!
Chad R.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
15 September 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.
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!
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
nicole z.
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.
Nathan Y.
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 .
Jorge V.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Melissa P.
16 February 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!
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.
Jay P.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
William H.
12 April 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.
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 .
The property just what we needed, and the view was gorgeous. The only issue we had was the driving. You might want to let visitors know that the drive to the property is quite steep. We would have probably skipped the car rental had we known the taxi service was great and parking space downtown was so limited. Being a couple of flatlanders from Iowa, it took us a couple of days to adjust. Other than that, it was perfect
Marilyn J.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Brandon
25 September 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication