First not enough can be said about Allison, we had a hard time finding a jeep(you want the jeep) and had a few challenges do to it her prompt response save us more than once. This was my second time to the Islands and my daughters first, in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic this was pure paradise very easy for social distancing. The views were outstanding, and the people of the VI were so responsive to the concerns we both felt as safe if not more so than home. The mornings were filled with the birds eating sugar on the deck, we had many adventures planned and the location is a great for easy travel to most of the sites we were to visit. Evenings on the deck we both felt were the best as the trade winds cooled the area. We hope to return as covid had closed so many things on St Thomas while we were there. Again Allison thank you for everything you and the place were wonderful.

We were looking for the perfect getaway to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, and we definitely found it here, even amongst all the Covid-19 pandemic chaos. This house was so perfect for our personalities, and we felt like we just belonged here. Allison, the homeowner, was super responsive, and she vetted us carefully because I told her why we were coming down so she naturally thought we must be geezers, and we are, but we’re youngish geezers, and we made the steep trek up to the house from the parking area many times while here. It was good exercise. The outdoor feel is wonderful, and the tropical breezes that constantly caress this houses outdoor living spaces are simply perfect. Imagine an outdoor bedroom where you can hear the crickets and tree frogs as you drift off to sleep. That’s what this place is all about. Absolutely perfect. Thanks Allison.

The view was breathtaking and we loved our feathered visitors. The property manager and her assistant were friendly & helpful. We appreciated the fact that we were not hurting the fragile island environment-it was an adventure that we'd love to repeat. If you're into being pampered, need AC and want to be drinking frozen coladas 24/7, this isn't the place for you. However, if you like camping, the outdoors & are environmentally conscious, you'll appreciate what the eco retreat has to offer.

We got married on the beach at Trunk Bay then stayed here for 8 fabulous days for our honeymoon. We are both very into hiking, camping, and backpacking so being off the grid was the perfect honeymoon for us. The house has everything you need and Allison has thought of everything. Just bring food and clothes and you are all set. The view each morning from bed is spectacular. I can't say enough about this place. The only way it could have been better is if we could have stayed longer. We had a last minute conflict with the jeep rental place not wanting us to take the jeep up to the house, but Allison went out of her way to help us and was able to get it straightened out. I can't say enough about how helpful she was. She was genuinely interested in making our stay perfect and went above and beyond to make it so. Our stay was perfect so she succeeded. We are already looking forward to staying here again.

My husband and I honeymooned at the eco- retreat for ten days right after our wedding. We were in need of some deep relaxation in a place that was in the middle of nature, but also wanted a place with a comfy bed. This was the perfect place! We loved the simplicity and beauty. Allison was extremely accommodating from the moment we booked the house with her. She escorted us to the cottage and pointed out beaches, restaurants, and hikes for us along the way. If you like your vacations to be a little rugged in order to be relaxing, this is definitely the place to be. We hope to return to the Coral Bay Eco Retreat someday!!

First, let's get this out of the way right up front: The view will simply blow your mind. It is beautiful...simply stunning. Now, moving on...I have never felt so close to nature than I did the week we spent in St. John. Using the Coral Bay Eco Retreat as our base camp, we were able to have a week of awesome adventure, with everything we needed moments away. The house has a small TV & DVD (I recommend never turning it on, as the view is much more fulfilling to watch) and Wifi. The solar power connects to a converter that provides enough juice to fill up all your gadgets. I think my favorite part is the Bananaquits. Every morning, a spectacular sunrise and the sound of birds beckon you to awaken. The Bananaquits are used to guests, and politely remind you each morning that they like to eat sugar for breakfast. They fly out of the brush and land on your palm. Such a joy to wake up to every single morning. The house is well kept, and VERY eco friendly. One should understand and expect to do their part by rationing water and power, and disposing of waste properly. There is a refrigerator, but it will not keep ice frozen more than a couple of days, so keep that in mind. We planned to stock up at the outset, and then again midweek. One super cool highlight of the property is the kitchen-garden. All sorts of herbs and greens right there in the outdoor kitchen, ready to be clipped and added to whatever you're cooking! Very nice touch. Also, on amenities...2 words: OUTDOOR. SHOWER. Do it...it's magical. As far as activities, The house is located right off the Johnny Horn hiking trail. For the adventurous, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the (provided) "trail bandit" hiking map, and seeking out the Brown Bay plantation ruins to the east. There is a ton of great hiking available right from the house. Waterlemon Bay has great snorkeling, and is pretty off the beaten path. All in all, I would return here in a heartbeat.

The Eco Retreat is a special place. We wanted privacy, nature, charm, creature comforts and a (tiny) bit of adventure. The Retreat provided all of that and more. The views are spectacular. Allison, our very accommodating hostess, must live in an equally incredible place because I don’t see how anyone who owned this house would choose not to live there! Allison did everything possible to make our stay pleasant. She even keeps a cell phone at the house in case your service doesn’t work. Both beds are extremely comfortable with nice linens, and the open-air bedroom is like no other place you will rest your head. You wake up to birdsong and a Caribbean sunrise. The kitchen has everything you need to cook. That said, it is not the type of home where you will want to prepare complex meals that involve many pans and serving dishes. Use the time you save washing dishes to sit on the deck! We cooked big breakfasts and packed lunches and ate out the other evenings. Coral Bay has great restaurants, including Indigo Grill, Skinny Legs, Pickles and Aqua Bistro. Some considerations. You need a four-wheel drive jeep to get up to the house and then you climb 45 steps. Your water is heated by the sun. We always had electricity from the solar panels, but we were careful to only use what we needed. The power went out a few times on St. John but not for us! You should be the kind of person who laughs and grabs the camera when a gecko invades your space, and love having banana quits eat sugar from your hand and hummingbirds zoom by your head. All of this added to the appeal of the house for us. I loved being off the grid. I have Verizon so my phone never worked anywhere on St. John. The internet wasn’t always reliable (a function of the island). I adjusted immediately and left the real world behind. I highly recommend you do the same, and start by renting Allison’s retreat.

The place, the view, the solitude is absolutely spectacular. We spent a week there and could not have been more pleased. You give up some things, like hot water, and you're not right in town for the night life. You have to drive up a pretty gnarly road in 4WD low, and the hike up from your parking spot might be a problem for some people. BUT, what you get in return is incredible! The house is basically two decks with quite a bit of roof over your head. There is a central room with a sofa and some amenities that can be opened to the breeze making it essentially a screened house. Above that is a loft bedroom. On the same level as the screen room is a covered outdoor bathroom (with a privacy wall), covered outdoor kitchen, covered wraparound porch and large open deck. Off to the side, tucked into the trees is an outdoor shower. Below the deck is another level with a covered outdoor bed (AWESOME!), a massage table, and an indoor toilet and shower. There are world class views from literally any place you stand. The WiFi is great. We used it to watch Netflix before we went to bed to the sounds of frogs and birds. Birds are everywhere, especially the Hummingbirds and Bananaquits. The short but challenging drive down the trail puts you right in Coral Bay and a short drive to any of the beaches. Coral Bay has a real market and lots of places with great food. That won't be a problem. For us, the best part was being able to start and end our day in total seclusion with those incredible views. You have total privacy to live and dress (or not) as you like. It may not be for everyone. You have to make it up the stairs, and the drive might be too hairy for some but I'd advise you not to worry about that. The showers are cool, not icy cold, but certainly not warm, either. But none of that matters because it fits the place. That shower would make me mad in a hotel, but here it makes total sense, standing in the trees, taking a shower in the open air with birds all around you. And the privacy,the view, the sunrise every morning from your bed, you can't get that any place else.

My wife and I honeymooned here and it was couldn't have been much better. Allison, as other reviewers have said, is wonderful and very helpful. She has a gift for creating welcoming and comfortable spaces. Seriously though, every aspect of the house was well thought through and intentional. We stayed without a jeep and stayed mostly at the house. It's a good hike to the beach which is the only downside to doing this, but for the active and vigorous, it's an adventure. The views were breathtaking, the birds ever-present, and joys of living in the open air unending.

Idyllic is the first word that comes to mind when waking up and experiencing the sunrise perched high on the Johnny Horn overlooking Coral Bay, the neighboring islands, and the expansive sea beyond. Allison is a wonderful person and peaceful in nature. She unobtrusively checked in with me before, during, and after my stay. The accommodations were very comfortable and had a nice balance of being open to the outdoors and still private, while leaving a minimal, if any, footprint on the environment. Wildlife surrounds you. I had bananaquits eating out of my hand, hummingbirds whizz past me, and anole lizards keeping the place in check! My intentions for my stay were to live simply and experience St. John's natural surroundings, and Allison's Retreat exceeded my expectations.