Everyone is Welcome at VILLA REGINA BELLA! This villa w/ spectacular sunsets and sea view is 2 blocks from one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Regina Bella is a meticulously restored historic home from 1802 - luxury on the west end where English, the US dollar and no need of a passport simplify your stay. It is full of amenities, air-conditioned and includes WiFi/Cable TV. In the heart of Frederiksted Town, restaurants are easily enjoyed. Divers & LGBTQ folks especially welcome.
FIRST, A LITTLE HISTORY:
Formerly known as Davidson House, Villa Regina Bella was built circa 1802 by Mr. Davidson as a one room home (front half of 1st floor) inside an 18th century coral block wall. It was later expanded twice by the Episcopal Church (initially by extending the 1st floor and later by adding the 2nd floor); it served as its rectory for about 100 years. In 1978 it began a near 20 year run as McConnell's Restaurant where Barbara McConnell both lived and had a wine & dine establishment. She was well known for personally serving up local cuisine and providing musical entertainment for her guests! Today, her piano harp and bathtub can be seen integrated into the landscaping. Following her death, the property fell into terrible dis-repair. After nearly a decade, a multi-year restoration project was begun which additionally included restoring an antique cistern as well as a small stone shed. A large kitchen with deck was also added to the back as an addition. Attention was paid to many historic details that can be scene throughout the villa including skeleton key locks, mahogany doors and historic window shutter hardware. Enjoy the many photographs that explain the property better than words can ever do. Take special note of the most recent addition - an outdoor coral block wall bathroom with semiprivate shower, sink and footbath, and indoor private toilet.
THE PROPERTY
Though newly arriving on the market as a vacation rental in 2016, know that we, the owners, have a great deal of knowledge on managing a vacation rental as we have had a very successful condo on St. Croix available for weekly rentals for 12 years and have always enjoyed the smiles of our many guests after they have enjoyed our hospitality and the island of St. Croix! This property is located in Frederiksted Town on the west end of the island where sunsets are always in glorious evidence. One of the first homes in town to be restored following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, we are happy to say that, now, 10 years after we began our award winning restoration, most of the other homes on the block have been restored as well...a few await your touch! The home is in town and while generally very quiet, you will hear some roosters, dogs and music during your signs of vibrant Caribbean life!
THE VILLA
With plenty of easy parking in front, you will enter the gated villa to find a lovely historic patio and garden behind which is a large open backyard. Entrance to the home from the patio is via skeleton key through a set of double mahogany shutter doors (one of 7 in the home). The living room is large with high ceilings, stone floor and wet bar with copper sink. The Brazilian cherry woodwork and granite sills stand out among the many beautiful features. There is a large comfortable futon for larger expanding the accommodations to seven or eight people. These guests can share one of the two full baths upstairs or make use of the uniquely beautiful outdoor coral stone full bathroom (in addition to utilizing the half bath off the living room - with original triangular sink and toilet). The large dining room has three sets of double doors leading out to the patio. Dine inside on the large round Indonesian mahogany table that seats eight, or, outside on the patio. There is a large working desk in the dining room with double bookcases and a collection of Caribbean Island artwork. The kitchen, in mission style, is massive and has everything you will need for entertaining. There is also a large, outdoor, Weber grill for your enjoyment.
When you ascend the gorgeous mahogany staircase, you will find two large bedrooms each with en suite bathrooms. One bedroom has a four poster king bed and access to a 20ft x 20ft stone deck looking westward out to the sea. The deck is partially covered with a triangular wind sail and includes an outdoor shower. Inside, the double vanity bath and Whirlpool tub are bedecked with lovely Mexican stone tile. The second bedroom is large and has a queen bed and a trundle single bed that can be opened up by the maid and made into a king - allowing for four guests. It's bath has a copper sink and double shower.
Regina Bella has ceiling fans and is fully air-conditioned with each room individually controlled. There is cable TV, WiFi and ADT security.
DIVERS
Divers can walk to the local Dive Shops and Pier where dive boats are easily obtained. St. Croix diving was recently highlighted by Sport Diver Magazine as a top 20 site in the world to live and dive - dive the wall, the pier, wrecks and Buck Island! Get Open-Water Certified in just two exciting days (which includes 4 dives!).
THE ISLAND & THINGS TO DO:
Much calmer than St. Thomas, St. Croix lacks the daily grind of thousands of cruise ship passengers. It is laid back but still filled with much more than anyone could do in a week of activities and sightseeing. We provide a book of recommendations. To start, you should know that St. Croix has plenty of fine dining to satisfy true foodies and pretty much any water activity you can think of. In fact, diving/snorkeling is ubiquitous on St. Croix. You can walk to the pier and jump right from there anytime day or night, or catch one of the many dive boats that leave from there. Built by the Danes, both Frederiksted and Christiansted have interesting historic architecture and each has an interesting fort to explore. Two minutes south of town, Sandcastles on the Beach Resort has a great restaurant for sunset and a perfect beach to make sandcastles! Sunset beach, two minutes north of town, has a restaurant, live music, paddle boards and jet skis. You can walk to the pier and take a sunset catamaran sail - complete with appetizers, live music and bottomless rum. Snorkeling is everywhere on St. Croix and world class diving can be easily accessed through many of the fine dive shops on island. Dive ship wrecks, Cane Bay's wall and do a night dive at the Frederiksted Pier. Our personal favorite is a day sail to Buck Island, a National Underwater Preserve, where you can dive, snorkel or play on its perfect beach. Had enough water? Drive through the rain forest where you can horseback ride or visit the beer drinking pigs! Visit Columbus' Landing at Salt River Bay where you can kayak by day or night in the Bioluminescent Bay - a truly magnificent experience fresh out of Avatar. Visit St. George's Botanical Garden, Estate Whim Plantation or the rum factories of Captain Morgan and Cruzan. Golf courses can be found at two large resorts on island. For the adventurous, hike up to the old northeast lighthouse or, out east, hike down to Isaac's bay for a massive, isolated, pristine beach protected by a nature conservancy. While there, enjoy the monument marking the easternmost point of the USA at Point Udall. Finally, a trip to St. Croix would be incomplete without attending one of the three weekly Cultural Dinner Festivals with local cuisine, music, moko jumbies and fire dancers! Many of specifics for these suggestions can be found in e-book of recommended places/things to do.
