This is a beautiful and comfortable villa in a great location with postcard-like views. Even the great pictures online don’t really capture how pretty it is when you are in it. We spent time every day just sitting, relaxing, and taking in the views of the water, the boats, and the nearby islands.
We considered villas in both Chocolate Hole and Peter’s Bay off North Shore Road, and are so glad we chose Arc du Soleil. The mountaintop location can’t be beat. It’s 10 minutes outside of Cruz Bay, with local restaurants and the largest grocery store on St John along the drive. We rented their jeep, and while the road up from the ferry has steep spots that becomes part of the fun, and gives you the feel of actually living on the island. Once there, the house is perfect. The open-air layout is relaxing and never got too hot, especially with the fans. The villa comes stocked with everything you need, and the pool, outdoor bar, and kitchen were used daily. We took all three bedrooms (two on the main floor, and one on the lower level) and each was comfortable with a private bath and A/C. The house felt private, completely safe, and easy to get out to explore the island. If you are feeling adventurous you can drive the trail out to Lameshure Beach, if you want less adventure go to Cinnamon Beach or Maho Bay, go to the Windmill Bar, and don't miss boating/eating at Lime Out.
But what really made this the perfect week was the effort by our host, Brandon. He met us at the ferry with the Jeep, drove us to the house, and gave us all the info and instructions we needed on the villa and the island. He checked in with us several times through the week and was quick to respond when we had questions. And he went above and beyond to fix the minor issues that came up with the house during the week. When we left, we were met at the ferry again to turn in the jeep, which let us get our luggage right to the dock. Five stars for the house, five stars for the host team, and five stars for the island.
