Perched on a cliff just above the shimmering Caribbean sea, The Studio at Cliffside Retreat hugs the land but seems to float like a ship. Drift away from reality as you vacation in this stunning waterfront home!
Arriving at The Studio is like pulling into port, and this port is in the ideal location to enjoy the best of St. Thomas island life. Located on the beautiful Northside of St. Thomas, Cliffside Retreat is a central location to explore everything St. Thomas has to offer!
Cliffside Retreat was completely rebuilt in 2019 after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. When you stay in the Studio at Cliffside Retreat you are staying in a home that was built, with total love and care. From the pink Saltillo tiles and dark mahogany furniture to the conch shells and the local artwork, this space is homegrown from deep island roots.
The ocean views of the Studio include Hull Bay Beach, Inner & Outer Brass Cays, and the west end of St. Thomas. On clear days you can see Puerto Rico in the distance. At night it is one of the quietest places on the island, like being at anchor at the tip of the point. The stars are unreal.
As you arrive at the Studio, walk down the outdoor stairs and find yourself sitting mere feet above the ocean. Your arrival is met with the outdoor screened-in private porch. As you walk into the studio, find yourself in the cozy kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Walk upstairs to your spacious studio bedroom with the most incredible views and a comfortable queen-size bed.
Cliffside Retreat is a stunning waterfront house with shared rental space between two units. The upper Loft and the lower Studio. While both units offer plenty of privacy, please know that the outside of the house and parking area are shared spaces. This means you might cross paths with other guests staying in the upper unit.
The option to rent out Cliffside Retreat, in its entirety is also available, dates permitting, this option will accommodate up to four guests. Please inquire with us directly for more information.
This is a self-check-in property. Raymond and Joanne are always available by phone but are also happy to be available in person should the need arise.
Squarely in the middle of Northside St. Thomas, The Studio at Cliffside overlooks the old fishing hamlet of Hull Bay. This is the quiet part of St. Thomas, a place where locals live, a place to drop anchor and rest and recover.
The local beach, Hull Bay, is a three-minute drive or a twenty-minute adventurous walk from the Studio. Find snorkeling in the summer and surf in the winter. The famous Magen’s Bay is less than fifteen minutes by car.
There is a secret bay nearby with the ruins of an old sugar mill. Look hard and you might find it. There are two favorite restaurants located at Hull Bay Beach – both feature locally sourced seafood, but only one requires that you wear shoes.
The peninsula road to reach the loft is rough and narrow. Drive slow, live slow, and we recommend renting an all-wheel drive vehicle. Taxis will not drive to this location, and they are not permitted on this property at any time, so a rental vehicle is a must when you stay at this home. This is also the best way to explore St. Thomas!
Just like boats put little space between you and the elements, The Studio at Cliffside Retreat is built to bring you into the seaside Caribbean life. Here are a few truths about island life and about this home;
● Power outages are a fact of life. Solar energy charges batteries that help, but they sometimes run out. While it rarely happens, this means we can not guarantee power or wifi at any time during your stay.
● The peninsula road to reach the loft is rough and narrow. Drive slow, live slow, and we recommend renting an all-wheel drive vehicle. Taxis will not drive to this location, so a rental vehicle is a must when you stay at this home.
● Facing the sunset means that this location can get hot. We encourage spending afternoons at the beach. If you’re sensitive to heat, avoid booking the months of July through October.
● Tropical critters, like lizards and crabs, have a way of finding themselves indoors. They don’t bite or sting, so make friends and usher them back outside.
● Large ocean swells are common from November until March but can happen anytime. Many report they’ve never slept better than to the roar of the waves crashing on the rocks, but those who need silence, please beware.
● There is nothing standard about the layout of this house, it feels more like a ship. Please be aware that there are stairs inside and outside of this home that you will use daily when staying here.
● There is ongoing construction in this neighborhood and directly adjacent to Cliffside Retreat. You may hear construction noises and workers during business hours.
The Studio at Cliffside Retreat is for those who feel inspired by the elements. It is for the type of people who might charter a sailboat, go backpacking, or rent a treehouse for a vacation. If this sounds like you, pull into port and drop anchor!