Would rent it again.

Everything was great. Beautiful villa, very clean and well maintained. If you want to get away from it all, this is your place.

Some pros and cons. Great place to relax and rest after a big day out. It suited our needs for a place to stay in order to experience the island (in a pinch) The view was great of the valley and small view of the ocean. We were the second to last house up the hill so it was secluded and quite most of the time. Very peaceful area. While construction noise from a property down the hill didn’t bother us it may be a problem for some. It never woke us up and was absent on Sunday. It was not overly loud either just present. Cooking pans and storage containers are sparse. Very stingy with basic amenities. Due to water source being rain water collection, (assume the entire island is this way? )they asked us not to wash their linens, towels etc. but only gave 2 towels/cloths each, for our 7 day stay, then it was a hassle to communicate for 2 days to get extras. Only 1 kitchen towel for the week and some very worn out sponges for doing dishes no dish rags. We had to ask them to bring us some extra. Was toilet paper in both bathrooms (almost out)& 1 extra roll per bathroom & 1 roll of paper towels in kitchen, when asked for more they said they only give us enough to get us started & we have to provide any extra that we need for the week which was irritating. In the end they did bring only 1 more roll of toilet paper with the linens. It states there are beach chairs available but there were only 2 & some camping chairs which in our mind did not qualify as beach chairs. There were 4 in our party and when we asked for 2 more they wouldn’t bring them because they said people leave them at the beach or don’t bring them back. While it is unfortunate that people behave this way, If you’re not going to offer enough for all 4 guests it should not be on the listing. A/c in bedrooms worked well but had to share a remote. 1 didn’t work. Floors were very dirty. Within 30 mins. of getting out of the shower our feet would be black on the bottom. Dingy A couple coolers medium to large size and study. We felt like we had to make do with a lot of things while we were there instead of things being provided and making it easier. The 5 gal. of drinking water provided was much appreciated! We ran out 1 day before we left but we had some bottled water to get us by. 2 blanket rolls with pillows that were great at the beach. The hot tub was very clean! As others mentioned there are cameras around property. Not sure how we felt about that.

Catherine and her husband Leonard really made our stay! They are both very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. You need a jeep to get there, but the views are marvelous once you do. The house is very nice and tastefully done. There is beach gear and everything else you need for a wonderful stay.

Upon arriving on St. Thomas, I texted Catherine asking for the address of the property so we could plug it into our gps. The address she gave didn’t show up. Then I asked her if she was going to meet us at the car ferry (as the listing says) and she gave us directions of turning right at the tennis courts to meet a man that would take us to the cabin; the only problem being that we didn’t pass any tennis courts with the way they unloaded us from the ferry. We got extremely lost!!! I was able to reach her and she sent this man to meet us at the Westin to take us there. It was very rustic… almost like what you would stay in in the Smokey Mountains. It was so remote and the roads were so steep, our rental car would bottom out on the way to the VRBO!!! You should probably rent an SUV to stay there. Also, the traction control would kick in because the tires were slipping. We had a couple people honk at us because our little 4 cylinder rental car just wouldn’t go fast up those hills!! We made sure to be back at the condo by sunset since there are no street lights in the area, so we never got to experience the live music at night or any of the island at night for that matter. The island is in a drought right now, so we had to be conscious of flushing the toilet so we would be able to have water to shower (it’s all rainwater - so you CAN’T drink it!!). The hot tub was cloudy, so we didn’t get in it. Also, where you are in the shower, the neighbors could look right down from their parking spot through the windows & see my lady lumps!!! A covering over the window might be nice. The unit was listed as a 2 bedroom, 2 bath…. So that’s why we booked it. We like to have 2 bathrooms so we can each have our own restroom. But the other bedroom was locked, so we only got 1 bathroom too. 👎🏻 The lampshades in the master had mold on them. There are cameras outside and we were unaware of this when booking…. And the back door didn’t have a curtain on the window, so we couldn’t walk around in the cabin “comfortably” bc of the cameras. We had ants in the sink each morning. The wifi is slooooow. The view was gorgeous!!! But there was construction below that was loud.

We rented pinecone Villa not knowing much about Saint John without much expectations of the property because of the fair price. We were beyond pleased when we arrived.

Welcomed personally by the villa owner who accompanied us to the villa snd showed us around. Beautiful deck to enjoy breakfast or other meals while looking out and watching the waves and boats out on the ocean. Little ways away from Cruz bay, but not to far when you wanted to dine out or needed groceries. Loved every minute of our stay.

Very interesting driving on St. John! Our time at Pine Cone was very nice. Owner if very helpful with all our questions. She had her husband pick us up at the dock and drive us to our Jeep rental which they arranged for us. We stopped along the way to Star Market for groceries and led us to our rental. Took us a few days to get use to where it is because of driving on the island. Everything looks exactly like it does on the pictures. It was nice to have the kitchen all equipped. The linens and towels were nice. We had beach towels, chairs and blow up tubes for swimming. It was also nice to have a washer and dryer. The beaches were great for snorkeling, where we saw many assortments of fish and turtles! We did the hike to Waterlemon beach which is not that easy since you are walking on stones etc. The other hike was on the Lind trail which took us to Solomon Beach. That was more difficult because it is through roots of trees, rocks and a steeper incline. But all worth it. We hit every beach we could and they were all amazing. Our favorite place to have a drink and sandwich was the Beach Bar. Had to have a Pain Killer! We liked the food at Sun Dog cafe and we also ate at Greengos .I would highly recommend Pine Cone. We had a great time on St. John and had a great host!

Very comfortable house very clean has snorkel equipment chairs umbrellas

Very nice bedrooms, common spaces, and deck on this home. Very responsive handling of water flow issue. Only island negatives were challenging driving and biting bugs.

My girlfriend and I stayed here for 11 nights in March. We loved every minute of our stay the house was spotless when we arrived and was very accommodating with everything you would need to cook or stuff for the beach. The bed was comfortable location was great and the owner was very helpful. We also rented a jeep from Catherine and that went just as smoothly. One of the greatest things of this location is if you walk from the house up the hill there's an entrance to a trail that brings you to the Sieban ruins with the beautiful baobab tree all walking distance from the house!! Can't wait to return

We had a blast but do know that only the bedrooms have a/c...not in den or kitchen...very hot and humid without a/c. Hot tub was awesome!

My wife and I stayed here the last full week of May. While a winding drive from downtown (most of St John is hilly), it's a great place to come back to after snorkeling (enough beaches to go to a different 1 each day). Master bedroom: solid A/C unit + nice sized TV. Plenty of storage for clothes + nice size bathroom attached (albeit with no door). A washer/dryer room allowed us to take 1/2 the clothes we normally would. A deck wraps around back side of house, offering a view of Fish Bay from the 4-person patio dining table. The long stretch of deck faced the mountains (normally lush, but not now due to an extended rain drought). On the back side of deck is a wonderful 6+ person hot tub + lounge chairs. The kitchen/living room/dining area was nice sized and open, with plenty of seating. Kitchen was furnished with all the utensils needed to dine. We used the grill once. It's not the fastest to heat up but did fine for cooking steaks we got at 1 of 2 grocery stores. While kitchen/living room/dining area is not air conditioned, the fan in the living room area + all the windows did a nice job of keeping up good air flow. We did not see the extra bedroom as it was locked, so we can't comment on how it compares to the master. All you need for the beach in way of coolers (plus a small ice pack), chairs, towels, umbrellas and even inflatables is in the house. For TV/internet/cell: wireless was decent (not sure for streaming), AT&T cell phone service worked and there is cable w/high def channels. As to noise: it was pretty quiet. Yes, as it is high up, sounds did carry from neighbors and even those in the valley below, but everyone seemed respectful. Advice: rent a vehicle (a jeep suggested)! There are plenty of options. We suggest parking at the top of the driveway, like most residents do. And take it slow on the dips in the road once you reach road at bottom of Sky Top Drive. Wow! On your way in to town, there are 2 gas stations. Stay in good shape on gas, especially if you go to the other side of the island (Coral Bay), where there is NO gas station. Food: we stopped a lot at Star Fish Market on our way to a beach. They have great wraps, big enough for 2, plus nice bakery and many other items for dining. There is a second market closer to the Westin, but we prefer Star Fish. For dining, we're not fancy: great beers/happy hour at Tap Room, enjoyed Gringos for Mexican & High Tide for conch fritters + sunset watching. We'll be back!

The home was lovely and very comfortable. We ate our breakfasts and most of our dinners at the house on the deck. The view of Fish Bay from the deck is unbelievable. If there wasn't so much else that we wanted to do on St John, I could've sat on the deck all day. In the evenings we enjoyed watching the stars and listening to the night sounds. We also used the hot tub a few times which was very nice. Catherine is a great host. We picked up a rental car in Cruz Bay and she met us down the block from the rental store (a few steps away) and led us to the house. Catherine is very responsive to any questions we had.

We had a lovely stay at PCD. We loved having coffee and breakfast on the deck with beautiful views of the ocean and mountains. Thank you for sharing your peice of paradise with us, we will definitely be back.

The view was wonderful along with the sunsets every evening

This is a nice little place for a break. Not much in the way of kitchen stuff, so don't plan on eating in.

To start, we loved, loved, loved everything about this house and our stay. We scheduled our vacation for our 27th wedding anniversary and everything about the vacation was fantastic. Catherine met us at the house and gave us the grand tour so we were familiar with everything and then we were left to our "Skytop" getaway. Being that the house is on the side of the hill and in the jungle, expect all that goes with that. You get all of the sounds and life of the jungle, we totally thought it added to the experience! The first night, after traveling from our home in Maine, we unpacked, grilled some steaks on the bbq out front, and then relaxed in the jacuzzi on the back deck. It was private, except for the company of all of the jungle life that surrounds the house, which we loved. The house is close to Cruz Bay, the main "hub" of the island, and everything you need is within a few minutes drive. We explored every part of the island! We snorkeled and relaxed on the beaches, we did trivia night and ate at Lucky Chops, soaked up all the island vibes at Skinny Legs, and all the while wished time would slow down so we could enjoy more! The house is comfortable and a perfect layout for a couple, two couples or more. Everything we needed was there and ready for us and Catherine could not have been more helpful! My wife kept saying this was a dream vacation! We absolutely loved it! If you are looking to enjoy St John, rent this house!

We had a wonderful stay at Pine Cone Dr., this home was comfortable, very clean, but most of all very welcoming. We enjoyed the deck and hot tub immensely. The weather and ocean breezes felt great, we never even used the air conditioners. Sleeping with the windows open and the sea breezes was so relaxing. Beds were super comfy too! We enjoyed dining out for lunch and prepared the evening meal at home, everything we needed was close at hand. We loved the beautiful beaches and it was our first time snorkeling - what a great experience! St.John is incredibly beautiful and the people were friendly and kind! Appreciated the jeep rental as well! We will most definitely be back, I would love to bring my daughters and their families. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us! Kind regards,  Vicki and James Tumulty

This house is so comfortable and quiet! The common space is large enough that you aren't tripping over your housemates. The air conditioning in the bedrooms ensured that we were able to sleep well (and the beds were super comfortable). The deck was amazing for eating and nature viewing. There is internet and cable (which worked really well). Our hostess got us set up in the house, and the water cooler was a really nice (and really appreciated) touch! We didn't use the hot tub or the laundry but we appreciated that they were there. The kitchen was well-equipped. We would stay again!

Great location close to everything, but not in town, loved the location, was perfect plan on staying there in the future.

Our gracious host Catherine Stephen had a driver meet us at the ferry on St John to take us to the office, where we signed in and got our rental jeep. After we bought groceries, she led us to the cottage, where we settled into the charming, picturesque little house high on a hill overlooking Fish Bay. This was the first of six wonderful days on St John, where we were free to explore the island, snorkel, scuba, and swim at the many beautiful beaches: It was just what we needed as a respite from our normal frosty existence in northern Michigan. Each day began with a leisurely breakfast and coffee on the covered deck overlooking the bay, before heading out and down the winding roads to our beach du jour. Perfect!

Better than advertised. This is about a 15 minute drive from downtown. Perfect for two couples. Everything you need is provided. You can trust Catherine and Leo. Rent a vehicle from them as well. Take a tour with Leo the first day to figure out all the beaches you want to visit. His recommended beach was our favorite spot.

We had a very nice time staying at PCD. Specifically, the view from the deck was wonderful and we saw several beautiful double rainbows. The hot tub was also terrific. Catherine was very responsive when we had a problem with the hot water and it was fixed quickly. There are a few things visitors should be aware of, however. The water at PCD is not potable so you have go into town and buy water to drink and brush teeth. Also, be careful not to break anything. I broke a wine glass - a simple, inexpensive glass - and was charged an amount that could pay for 4 sets of glasses. I was told that things are really expensive on the island, which is true, but still. Finally, the road to PCD has several very deep dips. Although we have rented a car in St John before and it was just fine, you will need to rent a jeep (which is much more expensive).

We thoroughly enjoyed our 13 days at Pine Cone Drive. The location was perfect for daily visits to the different beaches. We even made the longer drive twice to Vie’s Beach. It was easy to drop by for groceries and water on our return each evening. We enjoyed meals with a view on the beautiful deck each day. As mentioned by others, the villa was spotless upon arrival. Having drinking water available when we arrived was a thoughtful treat. The beach chairs and 2 coolers came in handy for lunches on the beach. The air conditioning in bedrooms was appreciated. Catherine called to check on us after a few days and was quick to return our calls. PCD offers good value. We look forward to future trips to St. John and would enjoy staying at PCD again.

Other reviews have touched on all the great aspects already so I'll be brief. If you want to stay on St. John for a few days and have a rental vehicle, I can't envision a place better than Pine Cone Drive. The combination of price + view + amenities + customer service is a knockout. Side note: the beach chairs and cooler provided at the house were such a convenience. You can tell Catherine thinks about how her guests could have a great stay and goes the extra mile to provide it ahead of time.

My wife and I recently stayed at Pine Cone Drive Villa for our honeymoon. Catherine was a great host and the villa was exactly as described in the listing. Catherine waited while we got a few groceries and led us to the villa, which was helpful after a long day of travel to get to St. Johns. Also, a fresh water cooler was provided just for our stay! The villa is a good mixture of nice & secluded but only a 10 minute drive in the Jeep to Cruz Bay. We recommend Morgan's Mango for lobster dinner, Scoops homemade ice cream stand, and we liked Trunk Bay with its awesome beach & snorkeling trail! Thanks again Catherine!

My fiancé and I had an amazing time staying in Pine Cone Drive. It was quiet, relaxing and extremely clean. Catherine, the owner, was pleasant and very accommodating. She was also quick to respond in all email correspondence. We highly recommend staying at Pine Cone Drive and hope to go back soon! Thanks for everything Catherine, you helped make our vacation on St. John's the best vacation we have ever had!

We absolutely loved our week @ Catherine & Leo's Pine Cone Drive. It was very clean, comfortable & affordable & as a dad I instinctively observe how things are built: this place is very well maintained! Love the beam ceilings, stonework, how the deck & rails are perfectly built & painted. Love that after a hot summer day of fun, can sleep in air conditioned bedrooms! The DRIVE to this villa is so FUN! Thank you Catherine, we look forward to returning!

We had a very nice time at PCD. Everything was perfect - absolutely no complaints whatsoever. The house is very quiet, clean, and well-maintained. Perched high in the hills, the views from the large deck are amazing, and we loved the privacy. The location is still convenient to town and beaches (10 minutes to Cruz Bay). Catherine, the owner, was very friendly, extremely responsive to e-mail and phone queries, and even patiently waited while we made a quick supermarket run on our arrival day. We enjoyed star gazing in the evening, the hot tub, and our 5-year old son loved the beach toys. St. John is all about the beaches, especially on the North Shore - we loved Hawksnest (only 15-20 minutes drive. arrive in the morning before the crowds, and enjoy the beautiful reef snorkeling), Trunk Bay (arrive in the evening, after the crowds leave) and Maho (turtles!). Also highly recommend renting a dinghy for a half day from Cruz Bay to sample all the smaller quieter North Shore beaches or to visit the small cays for more snorkeling. Highly recommended. Thank you, Catherine!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our ten day stay at PCD The cottage had everything we needed for my wife, I and brother. The description provided for the rental is right on and the pics are current and accurate. What you see is exactly what we got and we were pleased with that. The drive up the steep hill to PCD and the driveway takes some getting used to but after once or twice it was no problem. The beaches of STJ are wonderful and very beautiful. The main purpose for our visit to STJ were the beaches, snorkeling and the magnificant views and we were not disappointed. We found our best snorkel at Salomon Bay and it was worth the hike from the National Park grounds just across from Mongoose Junction and the ferry landing. The coral on the west side was nice and we saw a variety of fish including a 5 ft nurse shark. The Lower Lind Trail is easier than the Upper Lind but there is a fairly steep and rocky slope going down to the beach. Haulover South was our second best snorkel followed by Waterlemon Cay which had wonderful coral around the cay. Be cautious of the currents as they can be strong. The hike to the cay is an easy walk and worth the trip. We enjoyed watching the land crabs along the trail and also the Annaberg Ruins. Our other snorkels were at Maho, Honeymoon, Francis and Salt Pond and they were good but not what we expected. The thing we enjoyed most with our snorkel was the coral which is the best we have seen. Plus a few new fish such as flounder, squirrelfish, porcuppine and the sharks. But the number of turtles and rays does not compare with Akumal Bay in Mexico. We found the food prices higher than we expected thus we did just one dinner in Cruz Bay, rather went to beach bars such as Skinny Legs and The Tourist Trap at Coral Bay. Their grouper sandwiches were very good and also at FishTrap and Driftwood Daves in Cruz Bay. We had dinner at Caneel Bay which was OK and a bit pricey. The deli at Star Fish Market is good. We made the mistake of stopping for groceries at The Food Center in STT upon the advice of Amy at Almalie Car Rental. The food and beer prices are crazy high there. We did most of our shopping at Star Fish Market. The driving was a pain on the sharp, hilly and narrow roads but is a part of the STJ experience. Cruz Bay takes some getting used to and parking is hard to find at first.

On our 5th trip to St John my wife and I found a very special place at the Pine Cone Drive Villa. Everything was exactly like the description and the pictures of the villa. Evening sunsets and early morning sunrises on the the valley will always remain special to us. Our week in St John was exceptional as usual. Weather was perfect and the north shore beaches were amazing.