Treetops

Driving up the winding hills that lead to Treetops, it’s easy to see how the bed-and-breakfast got its name. Perched on a valley ledge in between St. John’s famous hills, Treetops literally feels as though it’s built on top of trees. A long sloping driveway leads to a humble red-roofed house, where a brick patio and a screened front door with a “Treetop” wood carving marks the entrance. Inside, the screened patio serves as a reception desk, breakfast room, and communal living space. There are wicker rocking chairs, fresh flowers, and a Keurig machine that guests are welcome to use any time of day. The atmosphere is quiet, and utterly relaxing. The majority of guests are couples who have come to explore St. John. Because most rooms are double occupancy, and some of the walkways and decks lack guardrails, it’s not the best place for young children, though families are certainly welcome.   

Although Treetops is technically located within Cruz Bay, it’s not within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants, nor is it within walking distance of any of the national park beaches. Guests of Treetops will definitely need to rent a car in order to get around, as taxis in the area are scarce. Downtown Cruz Bay is about a 12-minute drive, while national park beaches are within a 15- to 40-minute drive. The nearest beach, Fish Bay, is about a 10-minute walk from Treetops, but isn’t ideal for swimming. However, Treetops’ relative isolation means the property is one of the most secluded in St. John, and offers a certain privacy and peacefulness that can’t be found downtown.

As there are a total of three rooms, there are never more than seven guests on the Treetops property at once. Rooms are located below the main level, and are reached via a set of stone stairs. The decor in all rooms is cheery and tropical, with coral or green patterned bedding, fresh flowers, and wicker accents; guests can also expect tile floors and wood-paneled walls and ceilings (some whitewashed). All rooms have mini-fridges.To the left of the entrance are the Bunkhouse and the Captain’s Quarters. The Bunkhouse is the smallest room on the property. A screened door, the room’s only source of natural light, leads to a tiny wood-paneled space with a queen-size bed. Open to the bedroom, the bathroom is a tight space, with low ceilings, a toilet, sink, and long shelf. The shower isn’t within the bathroom itself; instead the small stand-up unit is located in the bedroom, to the right of the entrance. The tiny Bunkhouse isn’t the best for those seeking in-room privacy, or anyone who needs space to spread out.  Next to the Bunkhouse is the Captain’s Quarters. The largest room at Treetops, the Captain’s Quarters is a two-room suite with a queen-size bed in one room, and a single daybed and kitchenette in the other. The kitchenette is equipped with a small sink, mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. This room has a private outdoor shower that overlooks the tree-covered property. Coral, shell-patterned quilts cover the beds, mismatched wicker furniture fills the space, and wooden shelves and cabinets are painted bright sea blue. There is a tiny indoor powder room, but no indoor shower or tub.  On the other side of the building, the First Mate’s Headquarters feels the most secluded. This room has its own private deck, but unlike the other two units, lacks air-conditioning. There are large windows on three sides of the room, allowing for cross-ventilation and lots of sunlight, but without AC, the space can get quite warm during the summer months. The bathroom is fully indoors, and has a fairly large walk-in shower, but no tub.        

Along with reasonable nightly rates, Treetops offers loads of freebies for its guests. Each morning, Karen serves a simple continental breakfast in the communal living space. The morning meal typically includes hard-boiled eggs, freshly made breads or pastries, and fresh fruit. Guests can enjoy endless cups of coffee thanks to the prominently displayed Keurig on the dining table. Along with free breakfast, the hotel offers free parking, Wi-Fi, and beach chairs, towels, coolers, and snorkel gear for guests to use during their stay. Guests are also welcome to use the gas barbecue that sits outside the front door. There is a minimum stay requirement and there are no in-room TVs, which might not appeal to some travelers. Hank, a U.S.C.G licensed captain, offers boat charters on his small lobster boat, “Pot Luck.” Charters range from half-day snorkeling excursions to full-day cruises around Jost Van Dyke and other BVIs (make sure to bring your passport!). Though prices of these charters are not included in the room rate, Hank offers reasonable prices and knows a great deal about the islands’ history and where to find the best snorkel spots.