Blog

St John Vacation Rentals Love City Market

Coral Bay Peeps Profiles | Love City Market | St John Villa Rentals Life Saver

This store is right on the way into Coral Bay and is a life-saver for locals as well as St John Vacation Rentals guests. Mustafa is the eloquent and articulate owner of Coral Bay’s venerable and extensively stocked grocery store since 2001 – Love City Market.  When storms hit in September, he donated perishable goods to the community. When his generator power was finally back, they were providing sustainable goods to the community at all hours.

Now, that the clouds have cleared and our St John Villa Rentals are up and running and better than ever, guest and locals alike love … Love City Market. Open “early to very late” – 6:30AM – 9:30PM.

Mustafa is a very nice man but a very serious businessman and cares about his establishment. His son also works at the store “dawn to very late” with other employees tirelessly. Tremendous people. When you come to Coral Bay on your St John villa vacation, please stop at Love City Market and say Hi … and buy stuff. He’s been local resident on St John with family and friends since 1992 and is here to stay. When all else fails, these guys are usually open and always friendly with fresh produce, an extensive wine and liquor collection and anything else you might want.

Love City Market Produce - St John Villa Rentals

Love City Market - St John Villa Rentals Store

Love City Market Coral Bay - Friend of Mooncottates St John Villa Rentals

Mooncottages St John Luxury Villa Rentals

Mooncottage Rum and Coke - Mooncottages St John Luxury Villa Rentals

Summer is amazing in St. John with LOWER rates, moderate temperatures and warm ocean waters to explore.

NO booking fees. NO security deposit charged. NO big business BS. Talk with real villa owners—not corporate websites. We’re local. We’re green. We’re romantic. We’re fun. And, the views aren’t so bad either. See our dramatic video of Mooncottages – film footage courtesy of Dept. of Tourism for their “Still Nice” campaign.

Coral Bay Music & St John Villa Rentals Rock

St John Villa Rentals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plW76AuCXckT

It’s always gorgeous here in St. John USVI. Taken on April 27th 2018. BUT click the photo. The Coral Bay live music scene in the US Virgin Islands is also so gorgeous and vibrant it will take your breath away. St John villa rentals, St. John restaurants, amazing beaches, great people, gorgeous weather, hiking, art and lots of fun. Come back to enjoy St. John everybody. Yes, we had a hurricane last year, it was big news then  …. hash tag# we’re over it now and better than ever! So, come and re-experience our island and enjoy music in Coral Bay that will blow your mind.

Yes, I know. My iPhone YouTube video is not the best I’ve ever shot, but I was enjoying myself too. 🙂 Yet the vocals, the band and the vibe was simply mesmerizing.  How much MORE fun could a human have? Last night, at Indigo restaurant in Coral Bay, St. John USVI –  Kerrin Buckley, Lauren Jones Magne and the famous Johnny B. and friends just tore the place to shreds.

Come vacation NOW in St John USVI. Lower seasonal rates. (sure) But, it’s never a bad season to bring friends, lovers or family.

St John Luxury Villa Rentals “Still Nice” in USVI

Mooncottages Luxury Villa Rentals

The USVI Department of Tourism features Mooncottages St John Luxury Villa Rentals in their “Still Nice” video campaign enticing new and repeat guests back to St. John NOW! All of our Coral Bay villas at www.mooncottage.com are BACK, better than ever and ready to charm and delight you once again. Come for a summer vacation and enjoy LOWER seasonal rates. Plus book now and get 15% Off “Welcome Back to Coral Bay Discount” on any 7 night+ St. John Luxury Villa Rentals bookings throughout all of 2018-2019*. Summers are fantastic in the Virgin Islands with comfortable days and nights, warm ocean temperatures and less tourist traffic.  (why resist?)

We’re green. We’re romantic. We’re fun. NO booking fees. NO security deposit charged. NO big business BS. Talk with REAL villa owners—not corporate websites. Local and laid back. The island is doing great with most restaurants and services up and running.

Great food, music, art and peeps. And, the views aren’t so bad either. You’ll love becoming part of our little piece of paradise. Look here > for all our villas’ details, photos, real-time availability and an automatic price quotation! #mooncottages

Pizza in Paradise Restaurant Coral Bay USVI  Art Sale Pickles Deli Coral Bay St. John USVI  Rainbow at Mooncottages Villa Rentals

(more…)

Why Vacations Are Important For Your Health

Romantic Getaways at Last

When we are children, we experience the joy of summer vacations. Remember the elation of feeling free from the responsibility of school and having fun during the summer months? We still crave that feeling as adults. That’s why we need vacations! A luxury Caribbean vacation is the adult way of feeling free. While you may be reluctant to take time off from work and maybe even your family, but there’s many benefits to finding time for a romantic getaway. Here’s some of the reasons that you need to take a vacation to better your relationships and your life:

Vacations Increase Productivity

People who take vacations are less likely to be absent from work. Time off from working actually helps employees to see their tasks in a different light when they return. It seems to take less effort to complete tasks for employees who take regular vacation time.

Vacations Increase Happiness

People who take vacations are more likely to be in a more positive mood and happier at work than those that do not take vacations. If you’re happy at work, that happiness can spill over into your home life as well.

It’s no secret that stress is no good for our health. People on vacation have fewer physical complaints. Taking vacations also seems to help people recover faster from illness when they do get sick.

It’s time to check out our romantic St. John villas. We promise that they’re good for your health!

ST John Romantic Getaways: “Here at Last”

“I liked that one the best of all,” he says of her swimsuit, slowly raising an eyebrow above the rim of his sun-glinted shades.

She smiles, and glides catlike onto the beach towel beside him. She’d bought the two-piece showstopper only a few days before they’d left for St John and the beach vacation of which they always had dreamed. “Glad you approve,” she says with playful understatement.

For a few silent moments their oiled fingers gently intertwine as they watch a Brown Pelican soar above and then suddenly plunge-dive for its supper.  It was the only living creature to notice them on their newly deserted beach, the sun descending ever more quickly against the azure blue horizon.

He slowly caresses her waist and inhales the rich Caribbean sea air. “We’re here,” he whispers. “Just us.”

She squeezes his hand. Tears form. The moment has made words unnecessary, if not impossible. “Romantic getaways” was merely search term all those months ago–now their own private reality.  A sensual locale to seal their love and reignite their passion.

“I think we’re the only ones left on the beach,” he said with a glint in his eye. “Shall we head for our romantic little villa?”

This time it was her turn to raise an eyebrow over her sunglasses as she slowly began to transform her showstopping two-piece swimsuit into a lesser sum total.

“Now this … is a vacation,” he murmurs.

Mooncottages.com - Best Honeymoon Desitnations and Romantic Villas

Blood Red Sun at Mooncottage

5 Warnings About Romantic Getaways in ST John
Mooncottages ST John Villas

A most glorious day at Mooncottage, St. John USVI

Before you consider coming to the Virgin Islands and staying at one of our romantic getaways villas, there are a few important things you should consider. Please read the following so that you can reduce surprises and more accurately manage your expectations:

  1. Your Sense of Time Will Change.The slow-moving clouds and laid-back atmosphere will make you oblivious to the time of day. In fact, you’ll find yourself not caring one way or the other what time it is. Because, here in at one of our romantic getaways in Paradise, the time is always the same – “now.” Rum and Coke also accelerates this process.
  2. Your Defenses Will Drop.Yes, Mom always said, “Don’t talk to strangers.” But no matter which island you visit, you’ll find yourself charmed by the most warm and friendly people on the planet.
  3. Things Will Happen.Blame it on the pounding steel drums, the seductive, private views at a one of our romantic getaways or the undulating waves, but there’s something about this place that will make you twice as irresistible to one another. Can you handle that?
  4. You’ll Feel Bad for People at the Office.Within seconds of lounging on the deck of one of our villas, you’ll feel guilty that your co-workers are at that very moment slaving away on some high-stress task. This guilt could last up to three seconds.
  5. “Jersey Shore” Will Lose Its Importance. Activities such as swimming, snorkeling, dining, dancing and other exciting island pleasures will make latest adventures on your favorite reality show seem trivial in comparison. Besides, the water here is much warmer than in Jersey.

You have been warned — please book a romantic getaways vacation villa at your own risk!

Luxury Caribbean Villas & Learning to Swim

Should You Learn to Swim before Arriving?

Whether splashing in the pools at our Mooncottages Luxury Caribbean Villas or enjoying unlimited activities in the ocean, people come for the water. One of the major attraction for people visiting the Virgin Islands, is surely the water. But if you’re a person who doesn’t know how to swim, aquatic enticements sink fast.  There are endless amazing beaches both large and small, shallow and challenging to enjoy. I mean just look at this inviting shot below. It just draws you into it’s watery warmth. And, there is nothing more erotic than swimming alone on a deserted beach with the one you love.

Francis Bay : Coral Bay, St. John

Francis Bay : Coral Bay, St. John

Although there are endless things to do in the Virgin Islands that don’t require getting wet, being able to swim greatly expands your recreation options. Therefore, why not learn to swim … and learn it well enough so that, by the time you arrive you’re ready for the water? Swimming lessons are available in almost every town or city, at community pools and fitness centers. Plan your lessons as far in advance of your trip as possible, so you have plenty of time to learn and practice. If you have fears or phobias about swimming, consider hiring an experienced private instructor. A pre-screening will help determine if his or her teaching style suits your comfort level. For those fearful of the water, patience is a swimming instructor’s most important attribute.

Think of all of the great reasons to learn to swim:

Health. Swimming offers a very effective workout. It utilizes and tones the major muscle groups, burns calories, and can be beneficial for people of any age or weight.

Self Confidence. It feels good to develop any new skill, but swimming enhances your capacity for survival. Knowing you could take care of yourself enables you to feel safer in the water as well as aboard a boat of any size.

Safety. Knowing how to swim is a life skill that could one day save your life or the lives of others.

Fun. Once you learn to swim you can explore snorkeling, scuba diving, waterskiing, and swimming with dolphins, or take full advantage of your local water park.

Romance. You can slip outside to join your partner for a spontaneous, moonlit, midnight swim at your private romantic luxury caribbean villa. (We saved the best for last!)

Come swim with us at any of our incredible Mooncottages Luxury Caribbean Villas selected exclusively for couples.

ST John Villas and Spectacular Coral Reefs
Rum and Coke View - Mooncottages.com Romantic Caribbean Couples Getaways

Rum and Coke View

OK … yes, believe it or not this is really one of the spectacular ST John Villas views where you can sit back and and enjoy the spectacular Coral Reefs of the Virgin Islands. Right from your Plantation Chair here in front of you is Hurricane Hole – a Federally protected area and part of the Virgin Islands Coral Bay National Monument. Think about it, Mount Rushmore underwater right in front of you as National Parks go.

And, believe me, sitting still and sipping something cold is always an option worth considering. My advice to people coming to the Virgin Islands and to one of our romantic ST John villas the first time is not to “over plan.” Get here first. Relax, the first day. Look around. Smell the atmosphere up here in this pristine area of Coral Bay. Move slowly. Listen to the wind and sea. But, most of all, realize that the best place to visit might very well be the place you are sitting.

But now, after a little while at one of our ST John Villas, your natural instinct to explore will gradually take over the urge to be like a Caribbean couch potato enjoying the incredible ST John vistas from any of our villas. So, after you’ve had enough of the beauty up here in ST John 500 feet above the water, it’s time to go down below a few feet into the water. If you look to the right of this photo just to the right of the post, there is a low spot in the island chain. That is Haulover on the East End of ST John and one of the best snorkeling spots around. On the side closest to you (the right side of the road when you get there) is less challenging snorkeling. Follow the coast either way and enjoy! But, on the Tortola side of this low area where ships used to be actually “Hauled over” from one side to the other, is  Haulover North. This more challenging area is great for snorkeling in deeper water. Be sure you go out on a calm day to explore, earlier in the morning is usually better. Slip and swim and dive above and through the myriad of living coral animals below you and see large schools of fish everywhere. Be sure not to miss taking a deep breath and diving down to explore the quite cool below and feel like a fish.

All in all, there, the Virgin Islands has more than 372 miles of coral reefs.  And, some of the best you’ll find right here on ST John. Most all of our villas have all the snorkel equipment you need to enjoy the coral reefs below. Yet the reefs are greatly in need of our protection. You can play a key role in preserving these fragile natural treasures, by following these essential guidelines:

Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling. Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. If you go boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available. Contact with the coral will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill it, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings if available.

Don’t touch! Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the coral, as this contact can hurt you and will damage the delicate coral animals. Stay off the bottom because stirred-up sediment can settle on coral and smother it.

Dispose of your trash properly. Don’t leave fishing any kind of litter that pollutes the water and can harm the reef and the fish. If you see trash left by other people, pick it up.

Report dumping or other illegal activities. Environmental enforcement cannot be everywhere, and your involvement can make a big difference.

Don’t start a live rock aquarium.  Although this living rock is still harvested legally in some places, its collection is devastating to the reef organisms’ habitat here.

Never feed marine life. Fish feeding has been shown to alter the natural community structure of the reef. Allow the fishes to eat their natural food.

Support conservation organizations. Many of them have coral reef programs, and your much-needed monetary support will make a big difference. A good starting point is The Nature Conservancy.

Thank you for your mindful support of the Virgin Islands’ coral reefs.

How NOT to look cool in ST John USVI

Don’t vacation in ST John USVI unless you know some important stuff that will keep you looking cool and feeling like a local–and always wear PLENTY of sun screen when at the beach.

Trunk Bay Beach ST John

Enjoying Trunk Bay Beach ST John

So you’re planning your long awaited ST John romantic villas vacation, wedding, or a secret rendezvous here. Fantastic. Because by the way, there’s no place in the world better to vacation than the Virgin Islands and ST John in particular. Why ST John? Well, for those of you have traveled a bit, you know that although the Caribbean Islands are exotic, sexy and wonderfully natural, they can sometimes have a little “edge.” That’s why guests love the Virgin Islands because its so smooth and relaxing by comparison.

For example, I love Jamaica very much–the people the scenery and ambiance. But, after a while I stopped going there because of this “edge.” For those of you who have been you know what I’m talking about. Here on ST John and in the Virgin Islands in general you won’t find that edge. Just a whole lot of beauty and fun.

Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle

ST John is 2/3 National Park which protects it from most nasty expansion and development by law. Even the water is protected! Wonderful little creatures can be found swimming around the reefs for your enjoyment–ask them to pose for you.  Mooncottage, our flagship ST John villa is incidentally is located directly on the National Park border. I mean directly ON the border … when I first saw the Google Earth photo I really couldn’t believe it, but its true. So, you’ll have no finer natural experience at an luxury Caribbean villas vacation, than here nestling right up to the edge of mother nature.

Francis Bay Pelicans: US Virgin Islands

Gray Pelican taking off in Francis Bay, USVI

Now, here’s your opportunity to learn a little more about the Virgin Islands and learn a little local ST John island facts that will make you look and sound like you’ve been here a thousand times. See if you can identify the correct answers:

1. Hawksbill, Leatherback and Green are the names of:

a. Sea turtles

b. Parrots

c. The oldest Law Firm in ST John

2. Fire, Staghorn and Brain are types of:

a. Sea grasses

b. Rock

c. Coral

3. If you go to a bar in Coral Bay ST John, do I dress in:

a. Cowboy boots

b. leather pants

c. Flip Flops and a beer

4. The Virgin Islands’ time zone is Atlantic Standard time, which is________ hours ahead of New York.

5. When visiting Coral Bay ST John on your way to Mooncottages, what is the “Triangle.”

a. The place where all locals congregate and get blasted

b. The turn into Coral Bay right by the Moravian Church

c. A store that sells small bikinis

6. True of False? You must drive on the right in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on the left in the British Virgin Islands.

7. The best way to experience a fantastic Mooncottages ST John villas vacation would be to:

a. Call Brian our General Moonager at 917-678-5315

b. Call your friends and ask them to be jealous

c. Call your mother and say you won’t be home for 2 weeks

Answers:(1) b (2) c (3) c (4) 1 hour except in summer, when the Virgin Islands and east coast of the U.S. are on the same time. (5) b (6) False; driving on the left is required in both territories (7) ALL