Concordia Eco-Studios

Corcordia Eco-Studios has an interesting history that holds a special place in the hearts of many travelers and even more locals. In 1976, Stanley Selengut, a civil engineer and long-time St. John resident, founded Maho Bay Camps -- an environmentally friendly resort on St. John’s famed Maho Bay. For nearly 40 years, Maho welcomed like-minded travelers who sought simplicity and seclusion on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. In 2013, Selengut’s lease expired, and the land was sold to a private investor. Many described the closing of Maho as “The End of Eden,” but Selengut and his employees chose to focus their efforts elsewhere. This is how Concordia was born. 

Today, many of Maho’s former guests continue to visit Concordia -- though it’s hard to walk about the property without hearing laments of the loss of the legendary original. But, for those who have never seen Maho, it’s difficult to imagine that Concordia is any less stunning. A cliffside property dotted with platform tents and eco-friendly buildings, Concordia offers majestic views of Drunk Bay and Salt Pond below. Its location on St. John’s quiet eastern coast means guests are treated to complete seclusion, with little light or noise pollution. The majority of guests at Concordia are environmentally conscious, and range from families with young children, to couples, to solo travelers looking for an atypical resort experience. 

The “lobby” at Concordia doubles as the on-site sundries shop, as well as one of the Wi-Fi hot spots. It’s a simple room that’s mostly overtaken by the store’s goods, but there is a small front desk where guests come to check in.  

The property is less rustic than sister property Concordia Eco-Tents. Those who want a true camping experience could also consider Cinnamon Bay Campground, which is closer to Cruz Bay and offers cheaper nightly rates.  

Wedged in between Drunk Bay and Salt Pond, Concordia’s eastern shore location offers breathtaking views of the area’s rugged coastline. Though it isn’t near the lively atmosphere of Cruz Bay, Concordia’s quiet seclusion is part of its appeal. Because there’s little else in the area, Concordia is free of light pollution, making it the perfect spot for nightly stargazing. You won’t hear the hum of air conditioners, honking cars, or rowdy bar-hoppers -- instead Concordia is filled with the sounds of lapping waves and chirping birds. Though the property itself isn’t located within the national park, it abuts national park hiking trails and beaches. The few shops, bars, and restaurants in Coral Bay -- Cruz Bay’s quieter, more run-down counterpart -- aren’t within walking distance from Concordia. Anyone looking to get into town, or even explore the rest of the island, will want to rent a car, as most taxis are unwilling to make the trek to and from Concordia. The property is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Coral Bay, and about a 35-minute drive from the Cruz Bay ferry port.  

There are several categories of Eco-Studios at Concordia, all of which have been constructed with eco-friendly materials such as locally recycled glass and sustainable wood. Room decor is pretty plain, with simple wood furniture, rustic tile floors, wood beam ceilings, and light colorful quilts. All studios have full kitchens or kitchenettes which include mini or full-size refrigerators, gas burners, simple flatware, utensils, and pots and pans, as well as microwaves, coffeemakers, and biodegradable dish detergent. All have indoor bathrooms, and some have solar hot water heaters and photovoltaic power systems. Eco-Studios can accommodate two to six people, so guests should specify group size while booking. It should be noted that none of the Eco-Studios are air-conditioned.  

Overlooking Salt Pond Bay, Concordia’s freshwater pool is a popular daytime hangout spot amongst guests. The mid-size rectangular pool isn’t exactly a wow factor, but it is surrounded by a large deck, a few lounge chairs, and plastic table and chair sets. Above the pool there are a few gas grills for guests to use. The on-site restaurant, Cafe Concordia, serves lunch and dinner in a casual, open-air setting. The restaurant is a local hot spot, and events like open mic night draw large local crowds as well as Concordia guests. The small menu features a lot of fresh seafood and local produce, and menu items tend to have a Caribbean flair. Potential guests should be made aware that Cafe Concordia seriously reduces its hours during the summer months -- an inconvenience when there are so few dining options in the area. The on-site sundries store, though it sells snacks and a few breakfast items, isn’t substantial enough to do a full grocery shopping, so guests looking to do their own cooking shouldn’t rely on it for all of their food needs. 

Though there’s no fitness center, Concordia has an outdoor meditation pavilion, where free yoga classes are held each morning. Guests can rent beach chairs and snorkel gear for a nominal fee, there is free and plentiful parking, and although Wi-Fi is free, it’s only available around the lobby and pool areas, and the service is spotty at best. Guest laundry is available for an additional fee. 

It should be noted that Corcordia is a hilly property, with tons of stairs. Navigating the stairs does require a certain level of physical fitness, but accessible rooms are available. The nearest beach, Salt Pond Bay, requires a fairly strenuous 20-minute hike from Concordia grounds, which isn’t ideal for guests with mobility issues or those traveling with small children.