Bellavista Bed & Breakfast

Prior to opening Bellavista in 2001, the owners had extensive hotel service experience before embarking on their own venture. This experience shows throughout the property -- guests’ needs are well tended to and the amenities, breakfast, and room offerings are both thoughtful and functional. The owners have also lived on the island a long time and are very knowledgeable about the area. 

There is a good amount of public space in the bed-and-breakfast. The first room off the entry way is a large living room with a flat-screen TV, entertainment system, and two couches. The kitchen is large as well, with a glass table that can accommodate eight. Breakfast is served communal style at the table, although guests can request to dine privately at a two-person table on the balcony. The shelves of the dining area are lined with colorful ceramic dishes and knickknacks, as well as a great selection of books. Both spaces are bright, airy, and homey.

Bellavista has a pool, sundeck, and garden all in the same area that offer breathtaking views of the harbor. Due to the small nature of the bed-and-breakfast, the atmosphere is quiet, secluded, relaxing. 

The bed-and-breakfast is located down a quiet, hilly mountain road. The property sits below street level and the entrance is a simple coral wall with a Bellavista sign. The property is gated (ring the bell when you arrive) and is safe and secure.

It is a five- to 10-minute walk into Charlotte-Amalie, down a hill on a quiet road. Most folks walk to town but opt to take a cab back unless they want to break a sweat. The bed-and-breakfast is not located on the beach, but Magens Bay is a 15-minute drive away. It is a 10-minute drive to the airport.

Coquille Collage, the first room on the right, has blue beachy decor including starfish and seashell bedding, light blue and green wood furniture, and seashell knickknacks. This room has a queen bed and a door that leads out to the main balcony (shared with the living room). There is a two-seater bench outside the door.

Bambooshay is the largest room and was updated in 2013 with a new bathroom and bed. With hard wood floors, red bedding, and a wood headboard overhang, it has the feel of a ski lodge, although the colorful pillows and Caribbean art bring you back to the tropics. This is the only room with a king bed. The bathroom is large and modern, with attractive tile work. Bambooshay has its own private balcony with two Adirondack chairs and a cactus garden.

J'ouvert Gardens is a smaller, interior room on the left side of the hallway. The decor is garden-inspired with light green walls and bedding. The bathroom is decent sized and has lots of nooks for toiletries. The room has its own private outdoor patio with two white chairs and a table. The patio is stone and has lovely greenery all around – it feels like a secluded outdoor Paris cafe.

Palm Tree Melee is at the end of the hallway and is the lowest priced room. It’s very small with only room for a queen bed, desk, and a little walkway space. However, the price for the room is very affordable, considering the breakfast, environment, and amenities the bed-and-breakfast provides.

All rooms have their own private bathroom as well as mini-fridges, bouquets of fresh flowers, air-conditioning, spa robes, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, and iron and ironing boards. Although the room rates are reasonable for what you get, those looking for a lower price point can look into Villa Marbella Suites. The rooms there are contemporary and updated and the villas also offer a private atmosphere.

Like the other areas of the property, the pool offers beautiful harbor views. The area is nicely landscaped with palm trees and potted plants and flowers. The pool is rectangular and on the small side, however, the hotel’s max capacity is eight, so it’s never that crowded. The sundeck has loungers for guests to relax. The garden is lush and woodsy and has a stone path that winds up two levels. There is a hammock on the top level and a meditation bench on the lower level.

One of the most important features of a bed-and-breakfast is, of course, the breakfast. Breakfast is served each day around 9 a.m. and is cooked by the owner. The first course usually consists of fruit and homemade muffins (the piña colada muffins, in particular, are fabulous) and is accompanied by a fruit smoothie. The main course recipes are eclectic and decadent, but still healthy (for example, the crust of the quiche on the day of our visit was made with olive oil). Examples of the main course include banana waffles, ginger pancakes with mango sauce, ham and swiss omelet roll, and mini parmesan artichoke casseroles. The owners have even published a cookbook.