Tom, Lori and Alex -- We truly enjoyed our stay at Apito over Christmas 2011. The house was perfect for us and included all of the amenities we would have in a vacation home. The outdoor living space and pool area were great places to spend quality time soaking in the rays. The views were spectacular and watching the sunrise from the the lower level was a daily highlight. Thank you for making Apito a very comfortable and modern vacation spot for our time in paradise. The attention to detail throughout the property is spot on. We will definitely stay at Apito again. Happy Holiday!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us with this feedback. We're thrilled you enjoyed your stay. The VIVA Team!
I will come back again!
Hi Greg, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your recent experience at Apito. We were first alarmed when seeing your rating scale but now understand that you were not aware of the ranges. We're happy that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to your return to St. John and Apito. The VIVA Team!
We agree! Thank you for staying with VIVA!
Apito was absolutely perfect for our Mom-daughter-and-her-best-friend trip in early July and exceeded all expectations. The teens had the downstairs room to themselves and loved everything about the villa. The location was amazing - high up with cooling winds and gorgeous views of the island and Coral Bay. We loved the "Indiana Jones" ride from the main road to the villa in our snappy yellow jeep. It was great to come back to the villa after a day of snorkeling to relax and watch one of the many DVDs available. I enjoyed my early morning coffee out on the covered lower deck, followed by a dip in the pool where you can swim to the edge and watch a host of colorful butterflies flitting around in the trees below. Management was super-friendly and attentive. The villa is in great shape and has everything one could possible need for an idyllic vacation.
Thank you so much for your feedback. It was fantastic having you visit St. John and Apito and we look forward to your return trip! The VIVA Team
Thanks so much for your feedback! The VIVA! Team
Once you understand the island and getting around and the geography, you can really enjoy the house and area.
Thanks so much for your feedback. St. John does take some getting 'use' to. We drive on the left, some of the roads can be narrow and we have hills...basically the island is diverse. Fortunately, half the fun is learning and trying something new...there's plenty of fun in getting lost on St. John, the cows, deers, donkeys and birds are all scenic passerbys and if you get lost, you simply turn around and go back the way you came...:) we do hope you return soon, there's plenty more to explore! The VIVA! Team The VIVA Team
We had a fantastic stay at Apito! Our greeter (Gyasi) was awesome and explained all the various features of the villa. We appreciated the welcome basket very much and the person touch Viva Villas provides. We can't wait to use this service again!!!
Thanks so much for your feedback. We look forward to your return visit! The VIVA! Team
Absolutely gorgeous! Upscale and cozy. Very clean and well appointed. Will definitely try to stay here again in the future!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us feedback of your recent stay at Apito. We look forward to your return visit to St. John and to Apito Villa! The VIVA Team
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Apito and would recommend it to friends and would stay again during our next visit to St. John! The property was beautiful and the location was excellent. The only thing that we wanted to bring to the owners attention is that we couldn't open the windows. While you can try to open them it's almost impossible to close them - in some instances you have to take the screen out to close the windows. I think the cranks on the windows have probably been affected by the salt air, rain, etc. Unfortunately, we couldn't enjoy the breezes and had to keep the air conditioner running. This may be something that can be fixed for future guests - otherwise it's perfect!
Thanks so much for your feedback. We will definitely bring to the attention of the owners.
Apito is well located to Coral Bay, the "east end", north shore beaches as well as beaches and bays on the south shore. We loved the quiet. The trip to Cruz Bay was easy enough via Route 10 or Route 20... just for a change of scenery. When we return to St. John, Apito will be our first choice again.
Thanks so much for taking the time to prvide us with feedback of your stay at Apito...responding to your comment that "we felt spoiled by the end of the week"... we feel our mission was accomplished :) ...we look forward to the opportunity of being your island hosts in the future! The VIVA Team!
Apito had everything we needed and more. The outdoor table was the perfect spot for breakfast & the pool deck was great for morning sun. The location made beach going very easy & we went to a different one each day. All ameneties were new which made relaxing at the villa quite comfortable. Apito is also well-stocked with books, DVDs and games.
Thanks so much!
Apito's pictures do not do it justice. It is amazingly beautiful: the architecture, the furnishings, the accoutrements. I have never rented a place so beautiful or so completely comfortable. The beach chairs, coolers, spices, toiletries, paper products, detergents were all provided. The central location of the villa made getting around the island easy and do-able. And to top it all of, the customer service from both the owners and the staff at VIVA was the best I've ever received. I was astounded by the level of service I received. Above and beyond the call of duty. I will certainly tell everybody I know about my experience and continue to sing the praises of Apito. It is paradise on earth and I can't wait to visit again.
Fantastic...thank you so much for your feedback. We look forward to your return visit to St. John and Apito. The VIVA Team!
Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks so much for your feedback. We're very happy to see that you gave all 5-stars for your Apito stay! Thank You.
Our only concern was that the windows would not open and close properly. We did report this immediately but it wasn't repaired during our stay. We would have enjoyed the cool mountain air rather than airconditioning all the time. Otherwise loved it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. A few of the livingroom windows are permanently closed. We apoligize if this was not relayed properly to you. We will discuss options with the owners to see if they are willing to redo the windows so they open.
When I first saw the pictures of this property, I didn't believe it... but I took a chance based on the owner's blog that described its constructio. It was obviously a labor of love. And I was not disappointed. Everything was as described. The view was amazing and the location was exactly what we were looking for - away from it all. We highly recommend it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us with your feedback...we love Apito too! The house has a unique charm that's so easy to fallin love with...
Thank You!
As St. John "frequent flyers" now introducing the USVI to our 5 year olds, Apito was perfect in size, location, cleanliness, accessibility, decor,& functionality. The owners and the Viva staff were phenomenal and the logistics were seamless. The lower level lights & sockets did not work for our stay and could not be fixed by the electrician which limited where our kids slept, but this minor glitch I'm sure will be worked out eventually. Highly recommend this house.
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your recent stay at Apito. We're very happy to hear that the villa's size, decor, accessibility, functionality and cleanliness met your needs. We also would like to apologize again for the malfunction with the lower sitting area's light socket. It has been repaired and there's ample lighting for that area. Thank You again for your feedback...and for your recommendation of our services and this villa. We're quite honored to receive your vote of confidence and look forward to the opportunity of your return stay with us. The VIVA Villas Team~
Our family just returned from our secound trip to Apito St John and had another perfect vacation in paradise. We went to the Apito in October 2009 and fell in love with both the island and our new treasure The Apito. We enjoyed our first stay so much I already had plane tickets and our Apito reservations made by Febuary 2010. Tom and Lori(the owners)and Viva have made us feel like royalty each time we went. The Apito is everything a vacation home should be. New, clean, swimming pool, view of Coral Bay, close to North Shore, secluded yet feel very safe, EVERY modern convenience, well stocked with kitchen/bathroom supplies, beach chairs, coolers etc. I could go on and on. Thanks again for allowing to enjoy our vacation at The Apito. We'll be back.
Stephanie, Thank you so much for providing us with feedback on your most recent stay at Apito. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the location of Apito, the villa's amenities and look forward to your return visit! The VIVA! Team
This was our second stay at Apito, and we felt as though we were "coming home". We just feel so comfortable here. We had more "Villa time" this visit because of some rain showers, and we felt like we didn't miss a beat. We like the proximity to the North Shore beaches (Maho Bay; Waterlemon), Coral Bay and Salt Pond. Cruz Bay is 20min. away, should we chose to go there. The people at Viva are just a delight to work with. Obviously, we would highly recommend Apito Villa and Viva! Vacations since we are repeat clients ourselves.
Thank You for your feedback. We're so happy you enjoyed your return visit! The VIVA Team
You need 4 wheel drive to get up the drive. It gets windy outside bc you are high up but that is better than be being hot. Just to be aware. Otherwise, perfect house.
We stayed at the Apito 7 nights with Hurricaine Earl arriving the day before we were scheduled to leave. The new construction held up well during the hurricaine force winds and we were never fearful of our personal safety during the storm. We loved the comfort and layout of the villa as well as the attention to detail to meet our needs. We couldn't imagine a better more central location-5 min. to the beach, 10 min to the wonderful Coral Bay resturants and 20 minutes from the activity of Cruz Bay. Dispite the hurricaine our staff at Viva went above and beyond expectations to be accomodating during the storm and aftermath. We will never forget their curteous and thoughtful service.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Yes, Tropical Storm Earl quickly grew into hurricane Earl...while we normally try to evacuate guests in the case of a storm, this particular storm was not projected to have a direct impact to us-yet it did. As part of our general preparedness, the villa is equipped with flashlights, land phones and plenty of protection. You were great guests and "weathered" your first storm wonderfully. We hope to have you stay with us in the near future. Today, the island is well on its way to recovery-with the exception of small pockets on-island where power and/or internet service is interrupted and minimal landscaping damages, our homes and the island faired really well. Sunny Skies are back on St. John...thank you to all guests, owners, friends and family that offered prayers of well being on our behalf and on the behalf of the island in general-it was much appreciated! The VIVA Team!
The home was just wonderful. We really felt "at home". The house is full of interesting books that you might not buy or read at home. St. John was amazing. We give everything 5 stars. It was just perfect.
Thanks for your feedback!!
Thanks so much for your feedback...
The house, furniture, and view were beautiful. The mattresses in the house were impossible to sleep on because they were very saggy and uncomfortable. We would not rent this house again unless the mattresses were replaced. The distance to snorkeling spots was short, but the drive to Cruz Bay for restaurants and shopping was about 20 minutes. In addition, the road to get to the house was steep and bumpy.
The owners of Apito are currently addressing the mattresses at the villa and will be replacing them with firmer ones. While the current mattresses are new mattresses, the brand is of the "softer" variety. We hope to have this resolved soon! The VIVA Team
We had such a great time staying at Apito on St. John. The house was really well appointed. We had a lot of rain but there was a great selection of DVD's, satellite TV, books, games, etc to keep us busy. The house was very clean and is state of the art. The pool is beautiful. We would definitely rent Apito again!
Wonderful. Thanks so much for providing us with feedback about your vacation experience. We look forward to your return visit!
We loved all of the decorating accents around the home & all of the great appliances (blender made great coladas) - felt like we were at home :) Didn't get much use out of the pool/ bottom level (me and my new hubby were there for our honeymoon) due to 1) pool wasn't heated & was colder than the ocean / too cold (we were there first week of June) and 2) breezy/buggy conditions (and the fact that we spent most mornings/afternoons snorkeling elsewhere / by the time we got home the bugs were too intense). Bugs inside the house weren't a problem - just outside!! Was a little annoying buying some things (pam spray.. now there are 3 pams in the cabinet...) and missing other stuff ( new lighter for the grill since the old one was empty upon arrival, tissues, cans of beer instead of bottles (for the beach days..), etc.) but at least we left the house stocked with lots of stuff for the next people! Bed was WAY too soft - we sank into the middle and had to climb our way out every morning; not sure what was going on but it was definitely not comfortable / had no support whatsoever (and I like sleeping on a pillow top! but this was just too much). Great book & dvd and game selection too - very easy to get comfy here :)
Thanks so much for your feedback... and generosity in stocking the villa with misc. items for future guests to enjoy. Most guests love the bed at Apito but we will let the owners know of your opinion on it as well-that's super important and we thank you for it! We also will get another grill lighter out to the villa ASAP!!
I stayed at Apito for a week and absolutely loved it. We were in St John for our wedding and honeymoon. It was four of us who stayed in the villa and we had plenty of room, every amenity you could think of. We had pots, pans to cook. We even made a cake, I was surprised to find a cake pan. Overall our stay was great and we would definately love to stay at Apito again.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR FEEDBACK-WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RETURN VISIT!!
Just returned from a week in St. John with where we stayed at Villa Apito. I was really impressed with the photos online of the villa and was even more impressed with it in person. The decor is gorgeous…all natural surfaces – dark woods, stone, granite, vaulted ceilings, quality linens. The house has a modern, yet rustic feel and gives off a very relaxing vibe. The kitchen was modern had everything we needed and much more and the bathrooms were spacious, clean and well designed. The house has a TV, DVD, tons of movies and books, wifi, an ipod dock and a nice speaker system by the pool area. Outdoor areas include a grill/small dining area in the back of the house , an upper deck with a dining area (beautiful view) and the lower deck with the pool, lounge chairs and sitting area (also beautiful ocean view). The pool was warm, well kept and the sitting area by the pool was beautifully furnished. The owners also supply beach chairs and various coolers for the beach. The house is located on Mamey Peak…very close to the North shore Beaches (about 5 minutes from Maho, which we went to every day with our little guys). It’s closer to Cruz Bay than I had imagined, although we did not go over there too often as there are plenty of restaurants and things to do on the Coral Bay side of the island. I prefer it to the Cruz Bay side as I find it more relaxing and less “touristy.” The views from the house are gorgeous – the living room has a wall of windows which look over Coral Bay. We were spoiled eating breakfast there each morning! There is one bedroom upstairs and another downstairs which is only accessed through an exterior staircase. We ended up all sleeping upstairs as we did not want to have to go outside if one of our kids woke up in the middle of the night. That being said, I would have felt safe leaving them downstairs with doors locked and a baby monitor. Viva was great to work with…very responsive and attentive while booking and they also
Thanks for your feedback! We're so happy that you enjoyed your visit to St. John and your stay at Apito! The VIVA Villas Team
Overall, the villa was great. Top notch furnishings, great view, plenty of space. The only complaint I had were the beds. They were very soft. I need support for my back, and was unable to get a good nights sleep the entire week. Slept on the couch one night. I know this is personal preference, but I just wanted to voice this. Other than that, what an awesome place. I would definitely stay again and recommend this villa to others!
Thanks for your feedback. Sorry to hear you had restless nights. The mattresses are regular mattresses --not too soft, not too hard. We understand, however, that it is a personal preference.
Tiny house, but beautifully appointed. As you know, we only stayed one night, but your greeter, Sheralyn, could not have been nicer. She was wonderful, gracious and helpful, including picking up groceries for us because we arrived so late. The house is very tiney but charming. We think it is OK for a couple, and maybe with kids to use the downsstairs bedrooms, but not for 2 couples due to the tiny living/dining area.
Thank you for your feedback! Due to the snow storms in the States your stay was cut short at Apito but we were happy that you were able to make it in on the last ferry and that you got the opportunity to experience the island for a few more days at Luminaria-the upper living room area at Apito is small but when added to the lower casual sitting area and the huge lower bedroom w/ insuite bath, the property can accommodate 6 guests quite comfortably. We were happy to accommodate you at both properties and are ecstatic that you enjoyed your stay with us! Next time, please do come down again for a longer stay! The VIVA Team!
As we have discussed with Lori and Tom...we had a wonderful time with the exception of an insect problem that was significant during our stay. However, Viva and the owners responded appropriately and otherwise the villa was amazing. Wonderful view and it felt like you own little paradise in the middle of nowhere...We loved it!!!
Thank you for your comments.
This was our first stay on St. John and we were very happy with all the people who helped arrange our vacation at Viva Villas. They met us at the ferry dock and took care of setting up our car rental so L & L Jeep rental met us there with our car. This made getting out to Apito, our villa, a breeze. We definitely needed the 4 wheel drive jeep to get up to our home as the driveway was very steep and not all paved. We went to a different beach every day and they were all beautiful, especially Cinnamon Bay! We look forward to going back again soon. Thanks again to a great staff at Viva Villas!!
It was our pleasure to have you as our guest! See you soon! The VIVA Villas Team
The location is perfectly centered on the island to enjoy it all. The view is gorgeous with no view of any neighbors, the furnishings are stylish and comfortable, the split level makes it perfectly private for 2 couples. The little extras like spices, beach bags, paper goods, laundry soap, and a welcome basket of snacks makes it feel very homey. The only negatives for us were the lack of curtains on the bedroom windows, as the sun rises about 5am, the exterminator needs to be scheduled more often, and the stairs that connect the two floors are outside. The pool was too cold for us to use, but that might have been due to the bad weather during our stay. Unfortunately it rained for 6 out of 8 of our days there, but even rainy days at Apito were nice. We will be back!
Thank you for your comments. Yes, that was a smuggy week here in St. John. We're very fortunate for the water but that was a lot of rain-the weather cleared right up afterwards. The bedrooms at Apito have outside access to take advantage of the wonderful views up on Mamey Peak. We already are measuring the doors to add blinds to the windows in the bedrooms. Every comment helps us to improve the amenities at the villa and we're very thankful for your suggestions. See you again soon! The VIVA! Team!
Our stay at Apito exceeded our expectations. The location was absolutely beautiful. We loved waking to the sunrise over Coral Bay. The home is beautifully appointed and we had everything we could possibly need. The home was perfectly clean. The pool deck was no-tan-lines private. It is a very romantic setting, perfect for Honeymoons or Anniversaries. I would absolutely return without hesitation. For the sake of full disclosure, nothing in this world is "perfect". Mamey Peak Road is a minor challenge, but we eventually got use to it and actually enjoyed the adventure. Viva Vacations listed a safe among the villas amenities, but there was no safe. The bedroom and bath on the lower level had a "damp" odor. I think this might be caused by the proximity of the pool filter and other utilities. These issues did not have a significant impact on our enjoyment of Apito. We loved it. It was an essential part of our Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration.
Hi Frank, Thank you for your response and congratulations again on your 30th anniversary!! We're happy that you chose Apito for your accommodation needs for this very special trip and everything was to your satisfaction. Thank you also for that follow up email to let us know that you did eventually find the villa's safe! The VIVA Team!
Wonderful property, lovely location, highly recommend.
We're so happy that you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for your feedback! The VIVA! Team
Our stay at Apito was beyond our expectations. We have already decided to return next Fall. There was not one detail over looked at our Villa. Everything we needed was at our finger tips. Viva staff was exceptionally helpful and kind. Our only complaint is that 7 days is not nearly long enough. Next time we'll try to stay atleast 10 days. Breathtaking views. Beautiful decor and swimming pool. Gorgeous & convenient location. Felt at home right down to the Rachel Ray cookware. We felt like royalty. Thank you, we'll never forget it. Stephani