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Author: Jenn Manes

St. John Real Estate: Private & Tranquil Home with Views

Jenn Manes 0 Comments
The large & private pool area at Kamabesu.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love real estate, especially St. John real estate. Yesterday I had the opportunity to check out Kamabesu villa, a private and tranquil home that has beautiful views. I loved it so much that I thought I would share it with all of you.

Let’s start with the location. Kamabesu is located in Fish Bay, which happens to be my neighborhood. Fish Bay is such a great neighborhood because it feels like just that – a neighborhood. It’s great for walking, and it’s close to town. It has great breezes up in the hills and beautiful views too.

Kamabesu is a seven-bedroom property that features two separate dwellings. The main house has two primary en suites, which are located on each side of the great room. The great room is quite spacious and well-appointed. It’s modern and clean with great furnishings.

You can access the two lower bedrooms from two separate outdoor walkways. These bedrooms have king beds, as well as bunks for the kids. It’s the perfect spot for parents with young children, or for several siblings to share. The lower level even has its own laundry, as does the main level.

The pool area is complete with a screened-in pool house and a large Trex deck. This is located close to the lower bedrooms, but far enough to make it feel private.

Just beyond the pool area is a smaller, two-bedroom cottage This building has more of a rustic feel. It also has its own laundry and a small kitchenette. The cottage is a great spot for an owner to live while renting out the main house. For those who prefer the main house, you can easily rent out the cottage, which has easy access to the pool. The possibilities here are endless.

Check out this quick video I made for all of you…

Now let’s chat about the behind-the-scenes stuff. Kamabesu has a full-house generator that has the ability to operate absolutely everything in the event of an island-wide power outage. It has three cisterns and two separate septic systems. The water throughout the property is potable, so less trips to fill up those water jugs.

Kamabesu is a spectacular property. It’s private, tranquil and has endless possibilities.

Kamabesu is listed for $2.345 million. If you would like to know more about Kamabesu, please contact Tammy Donnelly, owner of 340 Real Estate Co. at 340realestateco@gmail.com. You can see more of Tammy’s listing by visiting www.340RealEstateCo.com.

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Take a Walk with Me Along Cruz Bay Beach

Jenn Manes 2 Comments

Who needs a little warm-up? Take a walk with me along the beach in Cruz Bay. You’ll hear the waves slowly roll in and tunes coming out of The Beach Bar too! Enjoy!

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Warm Up with These Inexpensive Flights!

Jenn Manes 1 Comment
Trunk Bay

I feel for you all. I really do. It is frigid and snowy in a large part of the country, and there is nothing fun about that. I am sure that many of you are dreaming of warmer weather, so perhaps a visit to St. John is in order?

I spent a good part of last night and this morning hunting for inexpensive flights from several airports throughout the country, and I am happy to report that I found SO MANY GREAT DEALS. Pretty much every airport was less than normal and for trips during the colder, winter months. It’s about time that the airlines calmed down and reduced their rates!

To find these fares, I used Google Flight’s Explore option. This allows you to choose either a weekend, one-week, or two-week trip over the next six months. For the purpose of this post, I chose a one-week trip over the next six months. This is a pretty easy and useful tool in my opinion. Simply visit google.com/flights and click Explore. Then put in your home airport in the first box and STT for the St. Thomas airport in the second box. In the box below, click Flexible Dates and choose “1-week in the next 6 months.” You can even search for nonstop only, one-stop, etc. Here is what I found:

Atlanta – Atlanta is notoriously expensive, so $561 roundtrip for a direct flight on Delta isn’t that bad.

Baltimore – I’m not a fan of Spirit, so I’d rather spend a bit more and take American. You can’t beat $400 roundtrip for a winter vacation! Now go ahead and find a last-minute discounted vacation rental!

Boston – You all will have to wait a bit warmer to get a good deal, but under $600 roundtrip isn’t bad these days!

Charlotte – Looks like your best deals are during the springtime too!

Chicago – Wow! Just wow! How can you not visit us at this price! Escape that frigid weather Chicago friends! Book that flight!

Cleveland – Only $228 roundtrip??! And on a decent airline?! Book it!

Dallas – This is one of our pricier ones, but it’s still not a terrible price for direct flights from Texas.

Grand Rapids – You can visit soon and for only about $400 roundtrip!

Houston – This is such a good price Houston!

Indianapolis – This is one of the best prices that I have seen from this part of the country in awhile. Escape the cold, folks!

Kansas City – Under $300 from KC? Yes, please!

Miami/Ft. Lauderdale – I may need a little vacay up in Florida with prices like this!

New York City  – Looks like American is the winner right here!

Orlando – I’m not a fan of Spirit, but it’s the only airline that offers direct flights out of Orlando.

Philadelphia – Yes, this is low compared to normal, but this is a bit too pricey out of Philly in my opinion.

Raleigh/Durham – More great prices out of North Carolina!

San Diego – Isn’t it crazy that it’s cheaper to fly from California than it is from Pennsylvania??! Come visit us West Coast friends!

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

This is What Caneel Bay Looks Like Today.

Jenn Manes 11 Comments
Honeymoon Beach

I spent the day at the Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon Beach yesterday, and it was lovely. The staff was great, as were the services which included chair rentals, restrooms, and a full bar. (Cheers to that on my day off!) There are two ways to get to Honeymoon Beach these days. You can either hike in via the Lind Point Trail or take a taxi through Caneel. The taxi costs $6 per person, per way for guests ages 13 and up. We opted to take the taxi, and while doing so, I recorded what the ride looked like for all of you. This is currently the only way that you can check out the now-defunct Caneel Bay Resort from the inside.

As you will see in the video below, Caneel Bay Resort has remained relatively untouched since 2017. Its future is in limbo due to a pending federal court case. The next hearing for that case is Wednesday. I will let you know if anything new develops.

Want to learn more about what’s happening at Caneel Bay? Click one of the following links to learn more:

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Animal Care Center Auction Goes Live Today!

Jenn Manes 1 Comment
The view from Wharfside Hotel – You can bid on a stay here!

Nearly all of my island tour guests comment that we do not have roaming stray dogs like many other Caribbean islands. Well, that is thanks to the Animal Care Center (ACC), a no-kill shelter that’s located in Cruz Bay. If a dog is roaming, the ACC does its best to reunite it with its owner. If an owner can’t be found, the dog is put up for adoption. They also accept owner surrenders, and they have a large spay and neuter program for both dogs and cats. The ACC is an integral part of the community.

All of this takes money, as you can imagine. Today, you can help raise funds for the ACC by participating in its annual online auction. There are 19 packages to choose from, and all of the proceeds will directly support the shelter. Here is a list of items:

  1. Black Sheep Charters: 3-Hour Sunset
  2. Sunshine Daydream Boat Charters: Full-Day USVI trip
  3. Wharfside Watersports: Zodiac for the Day – Go Anywhere including Pizza Pi & Lime Out
  4. Calypso/Bad Kitty Charters: Best of the BVI Trip
  5. Voodoo Charters: Laid-Back Lime Out Excursion
  6. Big Blue Excursions: Sunset Sail
  7. Lovango Resort + Beach Club: Poolside Cabana for the Day
  8. Estate Lindholm: 4-Night Stay
  9. Just Fish Charters: Six-Hour Fishing Trip
  10. Love City Excursions: Sunset Cruise on Luxury Boat
  11. Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel: Three-Night Stay
  12. Wharfside Village Hotel: Five-Night Stay
  13. Gallows Point Resort: Two-Night Stay
  14. El Gato Charters: Full-Day USVI Trip
  15. Palm Tree Charters: Sunset Cruise
  16. Constellation Charters: Sunset Sail
  17. String of Pearl Villa: Two-Night Stay
  18. Vibin’ VI Charters: Sunset Cruise
  19. Grande Bay Resort: 7-night stay

Click here to get additional information on the prizes and to bid. 

The raffle goes live on January 12th at 9:30 a.m. It closes on Friday, February 2nd.

The ACC is holding its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, January 27th at The Last Resort villa in Chocolate Hole. This is a great event that will feature food catered by Vincent Alterio, music by Broheem with Love, and DJ Adonis, and an additional raffle. The gala costs $175 in advance and $200 at the door. You can call ACC office at 340-774-1625 to purchase tickets. You can also buy them on island at the ACC office, Connections, and St. John Hardware. I’ll be there, and you should be too!

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Broadway is Coming to St. John!

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Something incredible is happening on St. John, and you can be a part of it!

Each year, two Broadway professionals partner with St. John School of the Arts to teach our 4th grade students acting, singing, dancing, and stagecraft. The students then showcase their newly learned skills for the community. It’s all part of “Broadway Comes to St. John,” an intensive two-week program sponsored by the St. John School of the Arts which culminates in the school’s major fundraising event.

This year’s show, “The Missing Map: A Journey Around the World,” is an original production created by Andrew J. Hanley and Suzanna Dupree, the directors of last year’s show. It’s being held on Saturday, January 27th at St. John School of the Arts, which is located in Cruz Bay. Tickets are $250 and include admission to the exclusive performance, a wine tasting prior to the show, a cocktail hour, an auction, and a hand-selected dinner at one of St. John’s many contributing restaurants, including 18º64º, Extra Virgin, Hinds@Meada’s Plaza, La Tapa, Morgan’s Mango, Rum Hut and others.

You can purchase tickets on the school’s website at https://www.stjohnschoolofthearts.org/events-broadway-comes-to-st-john

Students performing in last year’s event.

Andrew J. Hanley is a composer, music director, teaching artist, and music therapist based in New York City who brings more than 13 years of experience making theater with kids of all ages.

Suzanna Dupree, who began her career touring nationally and internationally with A Chorus Line, has served as a judge for multiple dance competition circuits and taught masterclasses at schools and studios around the world.

The two directors arrive on St. John with a script, props, and everything they need to direct 35 4th-graders attending the Julius E. Sprauve School, the Gifft Hill School, the St. John Christian Academy, and our home-schooled children.

“Broadway is a truly transformative program for students,” said Jeune´ Provost, executive director of the SJSA. “We’re excited to see how the students blossom throughout their experience and share this splendor with the community.”

Parents are invited to attend a performance of the show on Friday, January 26. A limited number of tickets to this show will be available to the public at the door for $25.

Now in its 43rd year, SJSA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “empower the island’s youth and their families through our passion for music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts.” Tickets to “Broadway Comes to St. John” are fully tax-deductible.

For further information, please contact the St. John School of the Arts at 340-779-4322.

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj