ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS THINGS TO KNOW QUICK FACTS CLIMATE St. John enjoys sunny skies and beautiful weather during all seasons, with year-round temperatures ranging from the low 70s to the mid-80s. Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the rainiest time being September through November. WATER Tap water is drinkable, but bottled water is preferred by some. GETTING THERE It s best to fly into Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and then secure transportation to over to St. John. This is a three-part process that starts with ground transportation from the St. Thomas airport to the east end of the island we recommend a private taxi for the 45-minute to hourlong ride, though there are public taxis as well. Next you will take a 15- to 20-minute boat ride from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, St. John. Again, we recommend a private boat option, as the captain will wait for your ground transportation to arrive before setting sail. The brief, final leg is your transportation from the dock in Cruz Bay to your residence. Inspirato has a dedicated safari taxi driver who will pick you up and take you to the villa or your rental car, if you have reserved one. Your Personal Vacation Advisor and Destination Concierge can walk you through your options and make all arrangements for you. GETTING AROUND We suggest a rental car for getting around the island. The most common rental vehicles on St. John are Jeeps. Please note that driving is on the left side of the road. DC s TIP: Reserve a rental car as far in advance as possible, as cars are limited. ADDRESS SIRENUSA 11 Enighed St. John VI 00830 CHECK IN 4 p.m. CHECK OUT 11 a.m. CURRENCY USD LANGUAGE English PASSPORT Not for U.S. citizens, but it is recommended to bring it with you. CONVERTER Outlets are 120V, with standard U.S. two-prong plugs. AIRPORT STT PARKING Your residence includes one complimentary parking spot.
THINGS TO KNOW CHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS A member of your Destination Concierge team will meet you at your villa, where you will receive a quick tour and orientation. For late arrivals (after 8 p.m.), you can head straight to your villa. The Destination Concierge team will have the home open and ready with a note detailing essential information. They will work with you in advance to arrange a time the following morning to give you a tour and orientation. GROCERIES For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Your concierge team will send you instructions during the planning process. Additional shopping trips are $65 plus the cost of groceries. IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS St. John Catering s fine chefs specialize in tasty, classic Caribbean cuisine. They will feel right at home in your fully equipped kitchen. Your Destination Concierge will be happy to arrange this for you. STAY FIT SIRENUSA s fully equipped fitness center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. There you ll find a range of cardio equipment and weights. HOUSEKEEPING Daily. TIPPING GUIDELINES While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for exceptional service, tipping is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If you would like to leave a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines: + Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced. + Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality. + Restaurants: The customary 15-20% of your total bill is appropriate. + Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using your discretion. AMENITIES + Clubhouse with pool table and grill + Common-area pool + Terrace sundeck + Fitness center + Gated community
THINGS TO DO SPA Your Destination Concierge can easily arrange for in-residence spa treatments through the Beauty Lounge, which offers a full range of massages, facials, mani-pedis and more. If you prefer to be pampered outside your residence, the Drift Away Spa is just minutes from SIRENUSA and also boasts a full menu of spa services. GOLF There are no golf courses on St. John, but on St. Thomas, you will find the gorgeous Mahogany Run Golf Course. The 18-hole, par-70 course is not only rife with eclectic flora and fauna, but jaw-dropping, panoramic views await at every hole. Mahogany Run is famed for The Devil s Triangle a series of three holes set on rocky cliffs with particularly stunning vistas. BEACHES + Trunk Bay (located 10 minutes away) among the most-visited and famous beaches on the island, with snorkeling at the two cays just off the beach and an underwater snorkeling trail PVA s TIP: This is the only beach on St. John with an entrance fee. + Hawksnest Bay (located 10 minutes away) - named for the hawksbill sea turtles that swim here, but the real benefit is a beautiful reef just a few yards from shore where you'll spot fish and sea fans + Maho Bay (located 20 minutes away) - home to green sea turtles, rays and, on occasion, nurse sharks and octopi; great for snorkeling, and you can wade out from shore then swim along the shoreline or out to the point + Francis Bay (located 20 minutes away) calmer, more secluded, and less windy, making it ideal for picnics, laying out and snorkeling + Cinnamon Bay (located 20 minutes away) boasts a campground and water sports shop with kayaks, paddleboards, toys and more for rent DC s TIP: Many of the above beaches have on-site facilities such as bathrooms, changing rooms and picnic tables. DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT St. John is bursting with excellent dining and you can experience it in the comfort and privacy of your own villa. Have the team from Mathayom Private Chefs craft a dinner menu suited to your tastes, whether you re looking for an elegant formal dinner or a casual lunch. Heading to the beach? Order a picnic and experience the best of St. John all at once. FAMILY St. John may very well be the premier snorkeling destination in the Caribbean. Its beaches are all protected by the Virgin Islands National Park Service, so the sands are pristine white and the bays almost always calm. Grab the family and some snorkeling gear and hit the water or simply relax on the beach to teach the little ones about the abundant wildlife. MUST-DO The crystalline waters of the Virgin Islands are perhaps the best sailing waters in the world. Charter a sailboat and have the captain ferry you to St. John s numerous beaches or off the island for the day. Our favorite day trips include Jost Van Dyke, a snorkeling area where you may spot sea turtles, and the Baths, where you'll wade in tidal pools. PVA s TIP: As part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you won't need a passport to travel to St. John. However, we highly recommend bringing passports along for boat charters that may take you to the British Virgin Islands, where you'll need them.
THINGS TO DO ROMANTIC You already know that sailing is among St. John s most quintessential activities. It gets even better when you cast away under a dreamy sunset, painting the sky orange, pink, purple and blue. Bring that special someone and a bottle of bubbly for an unforgettable evening. ADVENTURE You ll be spending plenty of time underwater, but it s not often that you ll get a bird s-eye view of the Virgin Islands. Head over to St. Thomas to visit Tree Limin Extreme, where you will zoom down six zip lines that connect two sky bridges and eight platforms all surrounded by the rainforest canopy. NATURE Stunning scenery is one of St. John s biggest draws, and with 60 percent of the island protected as national park, you will be surrounded by nature at every turn. For a closer look, we recommend hiking Reef Bay Trail. In addition to lush tropical backdrops, its steep path takes you past petroglyphs, sugar mill ruins and, if it rained recently, a waterfall. LOCAL A more casual hike option is Rams Head Trail, which branches off from the beach at Salt Pond Bay. The trail meanders to more off-the-beaten-path terrain, eventually leading to a peninsula with refreshing sea breezes, unobstructed views (on clear days you can see St. Croix), plus desertlike vegetation such as cacti, a more uncommon feature on St. John. PVA s TIP: Arrive early in the morning to beat the afternoon heat as this trail receives a lot of direct sunlight. OTHER THINGS TO DO + Beach hopping + Sport fishing + Helicopter tours + Windsurfing + Kayaking + Parasailing + Stand-up paddleboarding + Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay + Hike Reef Bay Trail + Scuba + Shopping + Ecotours RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS FAMILY Rhumb Lines (located five minutes away) The menu of traditional Caribbean dishes, like grilled fish, is kicked up a notch by Pacific and Asian influences such as curries and pad thai. The little ones will be sure to find something to enjoy on the kids menu. DC s TIP: Check out the Blood Mary bar at Sunday brunch. ROMANTIC La Tapa (located five minutes away) This is a great spot to sip some wine amid dark wooden décor and arched doors and windows. The menu loaded with classic Mediterranean tapas and entrees changes daily, so you won t have the same meal twice. Live jazz on Tuesdays is the perfect soundtrack for date night.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS FINE DINING Zozo s at the Sugar Mill (located 10 minutes away at Caneel Bay Resort) Dine on northern Italian fare prepared with fresh, local ingredients. This isn t your typical white tablecloth ristorante, however: Set inside the remains of an 18th-century sugar mill, the open-air restaurant offers almost 360-degree views of St. Thomas, the water and beautiful sunsets. LOCAL Sweet Plantains (located 20 minutes away) All things Caribbean are celebrated here, both in the cuisine and the ambiance. Sit inside or out and listen to retro Calypso music play as you pick from the menu, which is divided into sections based on the Caribbean s eclectic cultural heritage. DC s TIP: Be sure to bring bug spray. FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES + Love City Live (reggae concert) January + 8 Tuff Miles Road Race February + Guy H. Benjamin Benefit Flotilla March + St. John Blues Blowout March + St. Thomas International Rolex Regatta March + Earth Day Environmental Fair April + St. Thomas Festival April + Wagapalooza Island Dog Show May + Beach to Beach Swim May + St. John Festival June through July 4 + Paddle the Park (stand-up paddleboard race) November Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of March 11, 2015. While it is believed to be accurate, Inspirato LLC (and its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively Inspirato ) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the content presented herein. The contents of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This destination guide is presented for informational purposes only for Inspirato members and guests. Inclusion in this destination guide is not to be considered an endorsement or recommendation by Inspirato for any of the mentioned third-party products, services, activities or vendors. Participation in any of the mentioned third-party products, services or activities may require a separate agreement with a third party and members and guests are encouraged to review any such agreements carefully. Inspirato assumes no liability or responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that members and guests may incur with any third parties, and members and guests utilizing any information in this destination guide waive any claims against Inspirato. Inspirato is a registered trademark of Inspirato LLC.