East End Vacation Rental villa: St. John

Presidio del Mar sits on its own promontory on St. John's leeward coast, completed in late 2008, this impressive estate is beautifully rendered with every attention to detail. Privileged guests can relax, completely at ease within the grandeur of this superb 6 bedroom villa, in its own realm within one and a half lushly-landscaped acres, secluded behind electronic gates.

The main pavilion has a grand entry foyer, a vaulted rotunda which frames a classic postcard view of blue ocean fringed by palms. This grand, fully air-conditioned pavilion is the heart of the property, featuring several exterior terraces, a pool and hot tub, and two wet bars on covered patios with sink-into seating. Inside, this elegant home showcases creative design always oriented to the sea outside; rooms are connected by hallways which look out to blue ocean and sky.

The Great Room is a plush haven. It shares space with the impressive gourmet kitchen and a dining nook in its own rounded turret of arched windows overlooking shimmering Peter Bay. Just outside the kitchen area is a covered terrace with the main level's wet bar and an alfresco living area, and on the other side, a pergola'ed alfresco dining area with a gas grill. Back inside is the formal dining room, an elegant onyx powder room, a completely equipped private office, and a Club Room with french doors which open to an outdoor covered patio outside, with a pool table and twin hammocks beyond.

The main pavilion also houses the Maho Suite, the expansive king master suite encompassing a large bath with custom mahogany cabinetry, double vanities, a dressing room, a claw-foot bathtub, a tiled shower and an alfresco shower with a serene view as well. The hushed, private world of the Maho Suite provides roomy seclusion surrounded by subtle opulence. Adjoining the Maho Suite is a small patio for private moments; a short walkway leads to the pool and hot tub. On the main pavilion's lower level is the pool and hot tub, flanked by a second wet bar on a terrace set with tables and chairs and perched almost over the water. This bar has a kitchenette behind the scenes, and is the perfect spot for lunch between shopping in Cruz Bay and snorkeling, or evening libations.

Beyond is the Jumbie Suite, a king bedroom/bath suite, and the Workout Room, flanked by a powder room and an outside shower. Stone stairs descend to a sanded pathway threading through flowering gardens to the gated and paved stone staircase down to the white sands of Peter Bay Beach, just 200 feet beyond.

Alongside the main house are two separate air-conditioned bedroom/bath pavilions, Cinnamon Suite and Waterlemon Suite, offering two equal-sized king master suites done with restrained elegance. Both suites boast inspiring sea views from either their indoor sitting areas or from their private verandahs, a choice of an artfully-tiled indoor shower or an alfresco shower enclosed in a bower of tropical plantings, and a mini-fridge and coffee service.

Across the central cobblestone courtyard are the estate's two other Suites, elevated on a rise to provide amazing views. Stone stairs ascend to the pavilion housing Hawksnest Suite. Hawksnest Suite features an indoor and an outdoor shower overlooking the ocean and St. Thomas in the distance. Another staircase curves up to the top of Hawknest's pavilion and to the parapet, a rooftop aerie surveying sweeping panoramas. Across a courtyard is the Mongoose Suite, a complete air-conditioned apartment suite in its own pavilion, with a full kitchen, living area and a plush king bedroom.

Presidio del Mar is sumptuous in every detail, steeped in quality throughout. Craftsman-quality custom tilework and classic St. John shell-and stonework anchor this substantial property.

PLEASE NOTE: there is a 7-night minimum all year round (except Christmas/New Year's 10 nights). Security Deposit $2,500 (refunded 45 days after trip completion).

Photos compliments of Don Hebert.