LOCATION. Oleander is located in beautiful Klein Bay, which is a small neighborhood of luxury homes on St. John's Caribbean coast. As of the spring of 2006 only a third of the lots in Klein Bay had been developed, so this area retains much of the tranquility, privacy and natural beauty that are the hallmarks of St. John.
Ditliff Point is the peninsula that curves south into the Caribbean to form the idyllic Klein Bay, where softened trade winds and crystal clear waters provide great swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. As of 2006, all of Ditliff Point remains natural and undeveloped and your view of the Point is as beautiful and unspoiled as it was 30 years ago. A 5-15 minute swim or snorkel takes you to the usually deserted white sand beach on Ditliff Point, or a path allows easy access for swimming and snorkeling at the tranquil pebble beach below you. Although Cruz Bay is only a 10 minute drive on paved roads, very few tourists come to this lovely, peaceful side of paradise.

DESIGN. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath villa was built in 1991 and has been maintained in very good condition. Oleander is a two level design with most of the living space located on the lower level. You park on the upper level and walk down tiled stairs to the tiled pool and sundeck, located in the middle of the villa (see, floor plans). On the right is the great house with the great room (living, dining and the kitchen) on the lower level, and a loft bedroom and bath accessed by interior stairs on the upper level. To the left of the pool is another 2-story building containing the upper and lower master bedrooms, each with a tiled bath and garden shower. There are covered decks off the dining room and both master bedrooms, and a sundeck around the pool. Oleander faces south and the pool and sundeck are blessed with sun all day

BEDROOMS. Oleander has two air conditioned master bedrooms (king beds), with terra cotta tiled floors, Henry Link wicker beds, nightstands, a chest of drawers, a desk, chairs and cable TV. Each also has Chinese lamps, sheer white curtains, a walk-in closet and a private fully tiled bath and a delightful garden shower. Screened French doors open to a private deck and a view of shimmering turquoise waters. The carpeted loft bedroom has white wicker twin beds that convert to a king, a cheval mirror, nightstand, lamp, chest of drawers with mirror, a standing curio and a large closet. Arched screened windows provide a good view of the Caribbean and a ceramic tiled bath with shower, vanity and mirror adjoins the loft bedroom.

LIVING ROOM. The living room is casual and island elegant, with its beamed cathedral ceiling, arched windows, ceiling fans and terra cotta tiled floors, it is the essence of tropical relaxation. The Henry Link rattan furniture includes two couches, three upholstered chairs, end tables, art by Janet Rutnik and other accessories. For your entertainment there is a cable TV/VCR, a stereo with CD player and cassette and a glass fronted breakfront containing books, movies and CDs.

DINING AREAS and KITCHEN. The formal dining area off the kitchen contains a glass topped rattan table and chair set seating 6-8 and a wicker bar for storing and preparing those fabled tropical drinks. The interior dining area opens through French doors to a covered dining deck with a magnificent view, a gas BBQ grill, and Tropitone deck furniture. On the pool deck a third dining area with an umbrella table seats 4-6.
Equipped for preparing everything from snacks to seven course meals, the kitchen contains tiled countertops, a slide-in gas stove and oven, a built-in microwave, refrigerator/freezer, double sinks with garbage disposal, dishwasher, toaster, blender, coffeemaker, toaster oven and a fax/phone. A washer/dryer is located in a separate utility closet off the pool deck. Also included are a complete assortment of cooking utensils, kitchen implements, linens and pretty china and glassware for a party of eight. Bon appetite!

COMMENTS. Oleander and its neighbor, Orchid Villa, were built in 1991 by the original developer of Klein Bay. As developers often do, this developer kept two of the choicest lots for himself (for Oleander and Orchid Villas), then sold off the remaining land and built Oleander. Jump ahead to 2006 and it’s obvious that the location and design chosen for Oleander was an excellent, well considered choice.
Oleander combines a gorgeous, semi-private location and a well designed and maintained residence set in an intimate cove of exclusive (2-4 million dollar) vacation homes. The beautiful landscaping is lush and full and includes ever-blooming varieties of many tropical flowers and palms. Other outstanding natural features include easy access to delightful swimming, snorkeling and kayaking in sparkling clear 82 degree waters, the calming sounds of lazy surf, spectacular morning sunrises, the endless view across the Caribbean to St. Croix and beyond, and the stars that seem impossibly bright and close in the clear night sky. This combination of a beautiful setting with a very comfortable and competitively priced villa has made Oleander a very popular home that is consistently rated highly by our guests. If Oleander is not available (availability for Oleander) for the dates you desire, check the availability for Orchid Villa. Orchid is Oleander's neighbor and sister home and its design and furnishings are very similar. For groups wishing to rent neighboring homes with a total of six bedrooms, Oleander and Orchid are a perfect pair. Or, if you're looking for something a little smaller, check out the beachfront villa Carnival Beach House. For 1-2 families, honeymooners, lovers and all who desire just one lovely home in a beautiful waterfront setting, Oleander is a sure winner.