Villa Life - Island Adventures!

Grenada Grenadines Yachting scene!

Meet a plethora of happy participants in the Grenada Grenadines yachting scene - from transplants to residents to visitors, their collective love of the islands is clear! Check out this promotional video about the yachting community there...

Style for Style: Miss World USVI Esonica Veira at St. Thomas villa Banana

2011-2012 Miss World USVI Esonica Veira is difficult to outshine. After all, this vibrant young U.S. Virgin Islander has been in the spotlight since long before she was dubbed the most talented teen in the world in the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen competition in 2005. 

Ms. Veira continues to share as a model coach and makeup artist, providing support to young ladies who aspire to intelligence, finesse and beauty.  Every step she takes (including being among the top 15 in the 2011-2012 Miss World Pageant in London), serves to reiterate her bold sense of purpose! 

Recently, Esonica decided to share the beauty of her home with the world, by holding a photo shoot at villa Banana, on the island of St. Thomas. Beauty for beauty, style for style - enjoy these latest additions to Esonica's portfolio;  all photos by Norman Allen Photography ... (click any image to view larger size)

    

    

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Tree Limin' WAAAY Extreme - Luanda and Trenette take to the trees!

The new zip line on St. Thomas is experienced and reviewed by our Office Administrator Luanda Kelly - who brings along our newest employee, Trenette Donovan (Reservations). Follow their adventure on the latest attraction, Tree Limin' Extreme!

• View the photo album and share the adventure!

 

Still friends!

Zip-lining with Tree Limin' Extreme was, for me, EXTREME!  I am not the most comfortable person at high elevations, so this was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  When Trenette and I arrived for our 1pm appointment, everything was prepped and ready for us.  Our guides, Shawn and Brandon, greeted us with smiles and laughter.  The theme of the day was SAFETY.  We were briefed on how to get in to our harnesses and adjust our helmets so that we would be secure and protected while on the lines and they also explained the purpose of everything that was attached to our waist.  Shawn and Brandon were already fitted with their safety gear and assisted each person in putting on their own.  When everyone was ready, we headed up to the 6-wheel drive ATV where our driver, Amy, was waiting.

Tree Limin' Extreme Zipline now on St. Thomas

Travel industry source Travel Weekly has caught on the buzz that's rocking Rock City: the zipline is finally here!  TW reporter Gay Nagle Myers posted on the new venture, known as Tree Limin' Extreme on St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

The "Limin'" refers to the island expression of actively relaxing and doing fun things, or "to lime" (pronounced like the citrus fruit).  May we add, limin' in the trees is quite extreme as the landscape zips past you while you sail into the vista!

Magic Ice Extraordinary!

Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission Judith Wheatley was one of many who took part in the opening of Magic Ice USVI in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. 

Magic Ice is extraordinary! Many of the sculptures are of local persons and things such as Queen Charlotte Amalia, King Frederick, iguanas, a Cruzan Rum bottle, seahorse, dolphin, polar bear, reindeer, the Virgin Islands Market Woman, etc. Quite a variety and quite interesting. Also there is a bar made from ice that serves drinks.

Incidentally, there is a sculptured ice chapel for those wishing to conduct their wedding ceremony. Then there is the retail store closer to the Main Street.

Sail Off to Romance on a New Horizons Sunset Cruise

What a lovely evening we had on our Sunset Dinner Cruise with New Horizons arranged by our Concierge, Angela St. Hilaire. It started out with a greeting from our captain, Steve, who informed us about what we were to expect once we set sail and also asked that we sign the liability waiver and fitness forms. He instructed us that we would be boarding a “bare-foot” boat and had us remove our shoes and place them in the provided basket before stepping on board the vessel.

Once aboard, Steve introduced the other two members of the crew, Bill and John, and provided us with safety instructions and the location of the life vests and fire extinguishers. The crew made sure everyone was settled with their champagne or choice of beverage and we set sail.

Mahogany Run Scenic Tour

Angela and Anita were treated to a 30-minute scenic tour of the Mahogany Run Golf Course on St. Thomas.  This is a *complimentary guided tour for patrons of The Grille at Mahogany Run or the on-course outlet Coconuts.  Presentation of your dining receipt alongside a special invitation (included in arrival packages) will entitle you to a scheduled tour of the award-winning course including signature oceanside holes and The Devil's Triangle.

Mahogany Run is maintained in an ecological fashion;  a variety of trees and flowering plants abound, providing a haven and source of nourishment to the many animals that live comfortably within its environs.  View the photo gallery of our tour!

*By appointment only, call to schedule on arrival - children over 5 only.

Learn and Play at Caneel Bay

by Luanda Kelly

Angela, our concierge and I went to Caneel Bay Hotel on St. John for our 2pm Kayak/Hike/Snorkel tour by the VI EcoTours.  Our guide met us promptly and got us set up right away with Kayaks, snorkel gear, water, and a few mini candy bars for energy after snorkeling. 

We loaded our 2-man kayaks and paddled around to the other side of Caneel Bay.  Because the trail was closed the Sunday we did our tour, we took a lovely stroll around the grounds of the hotel.  Our guide was very knowledgeable of the history and benefits or dangers of the plants, trees, and animals that were on the property. 

View the photo gallery!

S-U-P is F-U-N!

by Luanda Kelly

View the photo gallery of our Paddleboard Adventure!

What an amazingly fun-filled day our concierge, Angela (right), and I had! The day started off at 9am with paddle boarding or Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP-ing) at Bluewater SUP Safaris in Hull Bay. We met with Collin and Adrianne who took the time to educate us on the history of this rapidly growing sport and provided us with on-the-water safety tips on keeping our balance, falling off the board, and getting back on the board.

Exotic Indochine!

Lush and exotic villa Indochine is a Zen dream come true! From the moment you enter its gates, this tranquil estate will delight and restore you. Chloe, Indochine's manager and dedicated cook, had members of our team over for sunset bites and great conversation...  Enjoy our visit to Indochine...