Villa Santana

The views of the harbor and the cruise ships coming and going were incredible, and the rooms were clean, comfortable, and meticulously kept. We had a really relaxing week, thanks to the lovely grounds, pool area, and accommodations. Jeff and Shannon were friendly, welcoming hosts. They quickly took care of a small maintenance issue and had plenty of helpful tips about the area, restaurants, and things to do. The walk down to town and back up the hill is strenuous, but we enjoyed the exercise. A memorable VI getaway.

We stayed in La Cocina, the villa’s former kitchen, and found it spacious, quiet, and clean, with its own character and charm. There are six separate units on the property, and Villa Santana feels like a lovely hidden gem on St. Thomas. It’s easy to walk down to Charlotte Amalie for food, shopping, and ocean views, so we didn’t have to worry about parking. The gated entrance and access codes made the property feel safe. We also enjoyed the peaceful pool and outdoor spots to sit with coffee or wine. Jeff and Shannon were terrific hosts. They made sure we had what we needed and gave us useful advice on dining, activities, exploring the islands, and travel logistics. The villa has a fascinating family history too, which Jeff can tell you about. My wife and I had an amazing stay and are already looking forward to coming back.

Villa Santana felt more like a private estate than a hotel, and the quiet atmosphere made our stay feel intimate. Jeff and Shannon live on the property and were easy to reach by text. The bay view was stunning, and while the roosters nearby were a bit of a nature alarm clock in the morning, we liked being far enough up the mountain to get away from the town bustle. Our room was more like a condo, with a full kitchen area and a nice bathroom and shower. The bed was the most comfortable we’ve had on vacation, and the AC kept the room cold. It was a little narrow and didn’t have a dresser, but that wasn’t a problem for us. We used packing cubes, the kitchen counter, and the bedroom bench to spread our things out. The pool looked lovely, though we didn’t get to swim. Having a rental car made getting around easy. We’d absolutely stay here again.

We were stranded on St. Thomas after air travel across the Caribbean shut down while we were heading to the airport from St. John. There was no clear timeline for flights, nowhere to stay, and tourists all over the island were scrambling for the few available rooms. We were so lucky to find a room at Villa Santana. We arrived about two hours before check-in, but Shannon showed us around, helped us settle by the pool, got our room ready early, and even did our laundry so we’d have clean clothes for the days ahead. From the moment we booked, she and Jeff took care of us and treated us like family. The property has great views, history, and walkable access to shops, restaurants, and the waterfront. Jeff and Shannon live there, know the island well, and are full of advice about what to see and do. We’ll recommend Villa Santana to friends and family, and hope this review encourages others to book too.