The Heavenly Hammock
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The Heavenly Hammock
Your lightswept corner unit with a wraparound deck 20' feet from the surf
A nice tradition for starting a Sapphire Beach vacation.
Tropical color everywhere you look
Hamoock's eye view of sailboats bound for St. John and downisland to the BVI.
A Beach of Incomparable Beauty
Kayaks on the Main Beach just waiting for you.
Or perhaps relax with a drink floating in the Beachside Pool
The glow of a new day
Perfume ladies? Ilene with Valaria, the perfume queen, at A.H. Riise
A nice, neat his-and-hers bath with Moen fixtures
The romance of sunset and moonrise over St. John
Our kitchen, well equipped for your every need
Our cozy newly furnished living room
Please water Audrey, the tropical rose, and her friend on the terrace
Your host and the incomparable Sam Charles (Every Guest Comment extols Sam.)
Peter & Ilene with Caribbean lobsters at Off the Hook. There ain't no better.
Uncle Joe's Barbecue in Cruz Bay. Awesome! After a St John trip, bring it home.
End of day walk along Sapphire Beach
An awesome Spotted Eagle Ray snorkeled up off the Sapphire main beach.
There are lots of these big guys in the grass of Sapphire main beach.
What this vacation is all about.
- BedroomsStudio
- Sleeps4
- 1 Bathroom
Minimum Stay
4 nights
87 Reviews of Property 96451 on East End, Virgin Islands
Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Absolutely Awesome Vacation
Before I review "Hammock inn Heaven", I just want to say how wonderful it was to work with the owner, Peter, during the planning of the trip and during our stay. I cannot think of a more attentive and responsive host to colloborate with for a vacation. Peter gave us many suggestions in his Island Guide and also many other suggestions to my questions. So to Peter, we want to give a big thanks! The condo was a wonderful place to call home for 10 days. Peter provides everything that anyone could need to make for a great vacation. We took advantage of Peter's deals with the dive shop and snorkeled on a number of occasions and it was alot of fun. The beach at Sapphire is a wonderful place to either just relax or take in the many water activities that are offered. We found ourselves doing both nearly everyday, but the relaxation under the sea greape trees in the afternoon was a particular treat. The proximity of Sapphire Beach to Red Hook made day trips to St John a breeze. We went over several times and fell in love with Cinammon Bay. We went to several others such as Trunk Bay and Honeymoon Beach, but found Cinammon beautiful (but all of them really are!). Peter's suggestion of a cruise on the Daydreamer catamaran to Jost Van Dyke was also a great one. We had a blast on the all day cruise and were mesmerized by the waters of White Bay. Finally, what will be hard to describe in words, is the spectacular view from the balcony at the condo. We found ourselves every evening just relaxing overlooking Pillsbury Sound just amazed at the views and it was also alot of fun to watch all the boats sailing by. We are still telling our friends and family about what you get to just marvel at while sitting in a comfy chair or laying in the hammock while enjoying a nice drink and the cool tradewinds which are so refreshing after a day in the sun. So two big thumbs up first to Peter and if you decide to stay at the Hammock in Heaven, you will not go wrong. We have vacationed at many other places around the globe and traveled many places in our 20 years in the military and I can assure you this was one of the most relaxing places we have been. Thanks Peter!
Helpful votes: 5/7
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Hammock in Heaven
We loved the location of this condo and the view from the balcony is breath-taking. One important item to us was the comfort of the bed, since we both have back issues. The bed was very comfortable and we appreciated the lights above the bed, since we both read. However, the couch & loveseat need new cushions. The cushions look good, but after sitting on them for 30 minutes, you start to feel the lack of support and you have to change positions.
We mainly cooked breakfast in and ate out for most of our meals. The kitchen was OK. The oven took some getting use to, but worked OK.
One suggestion I would make is to provide a larger cooler, maybe a 12 packer for renters. Whether we were staying on the beach or sight-seeing on the island, we always like to take water or drinks with us. The small collapseable cooler was only big enough for 2 bottles of water and a small amount of ice. Just a suggestion.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the condo and will probably rent again in the future.
We mainly cooked breakfast in and ate out for most of our meals. The kitchen was OK. The oven took some getting use to, but worked OK.
One suggestion I would make is to provide a larger cooler, maybe a 12 packer for renters. Whether we were staying on the beach or sight-seeing on the island, we always like to take water or drinks with us. The small collapseable cooler was only big enough for 2 bottles of water and a small amount of ice. Just a suggestion.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the condo and will probably rent again in the future.
Recommended for:
Sightseeing,
Romantic Getaway
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Fantastic stay at Sapphire Beach
We came to the Hammock in Heaven for a week of rest and relaxation, and it was wonderful. Reading about Sapphire Beach Resort in general on the web, there is a quite a mixed bag about the grounds and resort. It's true that the general facilities have clearly seen better days (overgrown tennis court, closed restaurant and bar). But, we found it charming and exactly what we were looking for, in terms of a comfortable, affordable place right on the water. I would also say without a doubt that I can't imagine a unit within the resort that would be better-kept or a more gracious owner than Peter Rosenbaum. Prior to our departure, Peter sent us a map, a PDF of a full listing of tips about day trips, groceries, boat tours, etc., and checked in with us prior to departure and upon arrival. The room was clean, well-maintained, with WiFi and comfortable furnishings. The listing is very accurate about what you will find.
The view from the balcony was unparalleled. Soft sea breezes, palm trees, and a view of St. John and surrounding smaller islands.
Our favorites of our trip:
-having a kitchenette and stocking up on our own food and drinks from the Food Center
-Boat trip on Breakaway Charters to BVI from the Marina right next door
-taking the car ferry to St. John for beaches, lunch at the Lime Inn, and a drive over Centerline Road
-Dinners on St. Thomas at Thirteen, Big Bamboo, and Northside Bistro
Cons:
*note* please be advised these are not things that were mis-represented by Peter or under his control!
-construction ongoing on the D building, right next door. Jackhammers and drills from 9 PM to 5 PM, Mon-Sat. Peter emailed us after finding out about this and offered to reimburse us for unlimited trips to a nearby, more-secluded beach. However, the noise was barely audible on the beach, and was only an issue if you were in the unit . I would ask Peter about the schedule, though, as this did impact our stay.
-really loud, pounding bass music our last evening (Fri night) until the wee hours. Not sure where it was coming from, but had to wear headphones to sleep.
General Tips
-Peter will give you info on pro's and con's on renting a car. We were glad we had it, for the freedom and access to restaurants and the car ferry
-take the day excursions that Peter has deals with! The BVI trip was a highlight.
Overall, we loved our trip and would go back.
The view from the balcony was unparalleled. Soft sea breezes, palm trees, and a view of St. John and surrounding smaller islands.
Our favorites of our trip:
-having a kitchenette and stocking up on our own food and drinks from the Food Center
-Boat trip on Breakaway Charters to BVI from the Marina right next door
-taking the car ferry to St. John for beaches, lunch at the Lime Inn, and a drive over Centerline Road
-Dinners on St. Thomas at Thirteen, Big Bamboo, and Northside Bistro
Cons:
*note* please be advised these are not things that were mis-represented by Peter or under his control!
-construction ongoing on the D building, right next door. Jackhammers and drills from 9 PM to 5 PM, Mon-Sat. Peter emailed us after finding out about this and offered to reimburse us for unlimited trips to a nearby, more-secluded beach. However, the noise was barely audible on the beach, and was only an issue if you were in the unit . I would ask Peter about the schedule, though, as this did impact our stay.
-really loud, pounding bass music our last evening (Fri night) until the wee hours. Not sure where it was coming from, but had to wear headphones to sleep.
General Tips
-Peter will give you info on pro's and con's on renting a car. We were glad we had it, for the freedom and access to restaurants and the car ferry
-take the day excursions that Peter has deals with! The BVI trip was a highlight.
Overall, we loved our trip and would go back.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Five blissful days
I can't thank Peter enough for letting me and my husband stay at his Hammock in Heaven. It was, without a doubt, everything we hoped it would be and more. The view from the balcony is spectacular-- waking up to that every morning was such a privilege. We also loved the location on Sapphire Beach, which was both beautiful in its own right, and perfectly located near the marina and Red Hook. We spent two full days on Sapphire and enjoyed the complimentary chairs and snorkel equipment that Peter's deal with the beach shack got us. The water was lovely, and the snorkeling was great- my husband saw a variety of fish and several sea turtles; one was apparently bigger than me. We used the coupon that Peter provided to take a trip to the British Virgin Islands (departing from the marina located right next to the condos) and had a fantastic time. We also took the ferry in Red Hook over to St John and hung out at Hawksnest Beach and Trunk Bay--just gorgeous. We got back to the ferry dock in Cruz Bay in time for happy hour and live music overlooking the water; I couldn't ask for anything better. Peter steered us in all of the right directions with his advice, which is no small feat, as this was our first trip to the island, and I had a lot of questions.We found that we didn't need a car for the short time that we were there- we rode the $2 bus into Red Hook and never had to wait long for one to show up (cab rides on the way back to Sapphire were easy as well).
All in all, it was a perfect, rejuvenating five days away.The condo is in great condition. We had everything we needed to be comfortable and would definitely return again. Peter's enthusiasm, kindness, and terrific advice made our time on the island all the better. I have never had a more pleasant experience planning a trip.
All in all, it was a perfect, rejuvenating five days away.The condo is in great condition. We had everything we needed to be comfortable and would definitely return again. Peter's enthusiasm, kindness, and terrific advice made our time on the island all the better. I have never had a more pleasant experience planning a trip.
Recommended for:
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Paradise on the beach
This is one of the best units at Sapphire. The view is magnificent and the deck is very spacious. Peter's guide to relaxation is very thorough and gives you so much information. Also, there is lots of closet and drawer space for all your clothes. Peter was so helpful and accommodating - I would definitely recommend anyone going to St. Thomas to look into this place. Our beach was never crowded and the pool was not far away and really nice. And we really liked that the door was electronic so we did not have to take a key to the beach. Sapphire Beach is the closest condo village to the Red Hook area that has several restaurants and the St. John ferry. We had a rental car, but there are taxis that could take you into town - it is just a few minutes away. Plus there is a restaurant at Sapphire Beach and a food truck at the entrance just off the main road.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 2/2
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
LIVING THE DREAM!!!
We just got back today from a stay at Peter's Hammock in Heaven. I can honestly say it was just the most awesome experience. When you walk into the condo and look outside you feel like you are in a picture. The view is like no other. You will see St. John from your room and at night it is like St John releases the moon and you will stare in amazement. The condo has all you need and the bed is very comfortable. But far the most best is the balcony with that view!!!! The pool is always quiet and trust me the breeze is very welcoming as it is hot and humid!!! The beaches are breathtaking and you can snorkel and do all the fun amenities with parasailing, jet skis ect. Up the Hill is a fun poolside bar that make the best rum drinks!!! And the bartenders are very friendly. You can take the safari into Red Hook for only $2.00 a person its much safer than walking. I would recommend the Fish Tails for the blackened Mahi Mahi. And for a fun bar go to Duffys love shack, its in a parking lot, but its loads of fun!!!! And a great happy hour. Peter by far is the most gracious host I have ever come upon. He is there to make your stay a memorable one. You will not be disappointed.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Adventure Seekers,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 3/3
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Beautiful location
Overall, we had a great experience staying at the Hammock in Heaven. Here are our positives and negatives:
Positives:
1. Peter's guide to relaxation was extremely helpful when visiting a new location.
2. There was quite good snorkeling right in front of our condo building.
3. Although I am not one to lay on a beach, the main Sapphire Beach has beautiful white sand with plenty of shade if wanted (although you do not want to use the beach when there are a lot of cruise ships in town).
4. We went on 3 different boating excursions from the sapphire beach marina which was literally across the parking lot from our unit. (Breakaway/New Horizons were great!..thanks for the suggestion, Peter).
5. The deck area of the unit was large and had an amazing views over the water. We enjoyed getting up and having coffee in the morning looking at St John and the BVI in the distance.
6. The bed was very firm (which we love), but if you prefer a softer bed, you may want to keep that in mind.
Negatives:
1. The overall property condition is relatively poor: the previous restaurant area, pool bar and lobby are partially boarded up and are frankly an eye sore. Also, pretty funny when the concierge desk has a note that they wont be back for 3 days.
2. The unit had some issues: The cold water valve in the shower would continue to running if turned to the off position (you had to turn it slightly on to turn off the water), the shower head pipe moved in the wall, and the hot water heater is very small, so 2 people taking showers back to back have to go very quickly. There were crumbs and some jam in the utensil drawer. The sofa had minimal support in the center causing you to tip if you sat on the ends and sink if you were in the middle. The fan over the bed was not balanced and would rattle loudly if running faster than low.
I want to be honest and share our observations. With that being said, I feel the location right on the water, a beautiful view, a marina right across the parking lot, a very close small town with lots of restaurants, and good snorkeling make this a property worth considering.
Positives:
1. Peter's guide to relaxation was extremely helpful when visiting a new location.
2. There was quite good snorkeling right in front of our condo building.
3. Although I am not one to lay on a beach, the main Sapphire Beach has beautiful white sand with plenty of shade if wanted (although you do not want to use the beach when there are a lot of cruise ships in town).
4. We went on 3 different boating excursions from the sapphire beach marina which was literally across the parking lot from our unit. (Breakaway/New Horizons were great!..thanks for the suggestion, Peter).
5. The deck area of the unit was large and had an amazing views over the water. We enjoyed getting up and having coffee in the morning looking at St John and the BVI in the distance.
6. The bed was very firm (which we love), but if you prefer a softer bed, you may want to keep that in mind.
Negatives:
1. The overall property condition is relatively poor: the previous restaurant area, pool bar and lobby are partially boarded up and are frankly an eye sore. Also, pretty funny when the concierge desk has a note that they wont be back for 3 days.
2. The unit had some issues: The cold water valve in the shower would continue to running if turned to the off position (you had to turn it slightly on to turn off the water), the shower head pipe moved in the wall, and the hot water heater is very small, so 2 people taking showers back to back have to go very quickly. There were crumbs and some jam in the utensil drawer. The sofa had minimal support in the center causing you to tip if you sat on the ends and sink if you were in the middle. The fan over the bed was not balanced and would rattle loudly if running faster than low.
I want to be honest and share our observations. With that being said, I feel the location right on the water, a beautiful view, a marina right across the parking lot, a very close small town with lots of restaurants, and good snorkeling make this a property worth considering.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 4/7
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
"Best vacation ever!"
"Best vacation ever!"
My husband and I spent 10 wonderful nights on Sapphire Beach. The owner made sure we had everything we needed, arranged for a shopping trip to the market on the way to our condo, and the staff was very friendly and very accommodating with whatever we needed. Peter's Guide to Relaxation was an incredibly valuable tool that gave us so much information on everything we needed to know about the area and about the island, from shopping to dining to activities.
The king size bed was very comfortable. The unit had nice casual beach decor, and a great outdoor dining area for morning coffee, casual meals, or even a glass of wine. The bathroom needs updating, but that's being done soon.
Security staff were very nice and they ensured that only owners and guests had access to certain amenities. Very nice dive shop staff and beach wait staff who would come by to see if we needed anything.
The location was excellent - close to Red Hook for a quick ferry trip to St. John's, a nearby marina for sailing and powerboat trips to nearby islands, and a nice sandy beach with shade trees and great snorkling! Amazing sunrises and sunsets right from our balcony, relaxing sounds of the ocean and cool tradewinds at night, and even a few shooting stars - what could be better than that?
We even saw at least six weddings on 12/12/12 right from the point - what a lovely location to tie the knot! Pool is beautiful. One couple got married by the pool and we were happy to share in their joyous moment.
We've already told Peter that we are seriously considering back next year - just need to decide what month we will get there and if we will stay longer next time!
The king size bed was very comfortable. The unit had nice casual beach decor, and a great outdoor dining area for morning coffee, casual meals, or even a glass of wine. The bathroom needs updating, but that's being done soon.
Security staff were very nice and they ensured that only owners and guests had access to certain amenities. Very nice dive shop staff and beach wait staff who would come by to see if we needed anything.
The location was excellent - close to Red Hook for a quick ferry trip to St. John's, a nearby marina for sailing and powerboat trips to nearby islands, and a nice sandy beach with shade trees and great snorkling! Amazing sunrises and sunsets right from our balcony, relaxing sounds of the ocean and cool tradewinds at night, and even a few shooting stars - what could be better than that?
We even saw at least six weddings on 12/12/12 right from the point - what a lovely location to tie the knot! Pool is beautiful. One couple got married by the pool and we were happy to share in their joyous moment.
We've already told Peter that we are seriously considering back next year - just need to decide what month we will get there and if we will stay longer next time!
Helpful votes: 3/4
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Beauty is an Understatment
My wife and I would like to thank Peter for letting us stay at his Condo, allowing us to be able to visit such a beautiful island. Sorry it has taken us so long to write a review. Being on our honeymoon, it was the first time we'd traveled like this and rented a car to get around places but once we landed and got our car (a fun little car), it was pretty easy to get to the Condo. Once we arrived after trying to take in all the surroundings but also trying to stay focused on the road (Lots of curves, a lot of fun), we opened the door and the scene what amazing. Window shades open to the view of the ocean and St. Johns was a moment we will not forget.
It was an amazing week and we found it easy to find things to do. The snorkeling (which we did pretty much everyday) was amazing. We saw lots of fish, turtles, and even a baracuda! Everything was easy to get to and cheap. Taxi's have a set rate for certain areas and it was very affordable. Lots of different beaches to go to and Red Hook was a fun place to go and get some great fresh sea food from that days catch. We also took a trip to St. Johns for the day and went to Honeymoon beach (Ironic huh?) and it was the most beautiful beach we'd ever seen.
We also made a trip to Long Bay and just walked around enjoying the area. We even went to the ferriswheel on the hill with the great view of the bay.
For the rest of the time, the hammock was in use the whole week and relaxing was had.
The only issue that we had was the power going out on us but Peter and Sam quickly fixed it and we were good to go.
All around, it was a great experience and we definitely plan on returning someday to see this beautiful island and its clear waters again.
It was an amazing week and we found it easy to find things to do. The snorkeling (which we did pretty much everyday) was amazing. We saw lots of fish, turtles, and even a baracuda! Everything was easy to get to and cheap. Taxi's have a set rate for certain areas and it was very affordable. Lots of different beaches to go to and Red Hook was a fun place to go and get some great fresh sea food from that days catch. We also took a trip to St. Johns for the day and went to Honeymoon beach (Ironic huh?) and it was the most beautiful beach we'd ever seen.
We also made a trip to Long Bay and just walked around enjoying the area. We even went to the ferriswheel on the hill with the great view of the bay.
For the rest of the time, the hammock was in use the whole week and relaxing was had.
The only issue that we had was the power going out on us but Peter and Sam quickly fixed it and we were good to go.
All around, it was a great experience and we definitely plan on returning someday to see this beautiful island and its clear waters again.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
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Hammock in Heaven (Most Positive Guest Comments)
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p96451vb
(516) 445-7733 (New York, USA)
Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina
Sapphire Beach
Relaxing and enjoyable
We returned to St. Thomas for our 40th anniversary. We had been 7 years ago and enjoyed it so much, we wanted to have our anniversary there. A Hammock in Heaven was the icing on the cake. Sitting on the balcony or laying in the hammock, listening to the waves come in was a piece of heaven. The condo was exactly as described and in a great location. We did some sight seeing, but mostly stayed at Sapphire Beach and Red Hook. You have everything you need right there. There are shops, restaurants, marinas, and the ferry all right there in Red Hook. The staff at the condo was very accommodating, There if you need them, but not intrusive at all. We would definitely recommend A Hammock in Heaven to anyone. If you want relaxing, you've got it. If you want partying and sight seeing, you've got it. If we get to go again, we will definitely go at a time when Hammock in Heaven is available.
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