The place is so unique and has the coolest vibe. There are 114 tent cottages and 12 eco-studios perched in the forest surrounded by national park. What makes the place special is endless. The unique boardwalks, the feeling that you are perched in a tree in a cabin tucked away with the birds and friendly forest creatures, cool people, cool vibes and cool cats. Some cabins with views, some not needing them because they are embedded in a far away spot with breezes and walls of greenery.
Overall, St. John is about 19 square miles and about two-thirds of it is national park. Thanks to Rockefeller who purchased and donated unspoiled forestland back in the 50's. I never fantasized about the Caribbean, but always heard that St. John is beyond typical Caribbean with the ancient rock carvings, hiking trails and sugar plantation ruins.
Maho Bay hangs out between Cinnamon Bay and Francis Bay on St. John’s North Shore. During the 35 or so years that it has been in business it has this big fat reputation as one of the first eco-resorts. Solar power and all. All of St. John is pretty expensive. I'm not a resort type, there is no place that is decent in St. John for under, say $400 a night. Maho isn't one of those $25 per night cabins. High season for a basic hut is $165 w/ tax and that doesn't include any meals. Off season it's $85. Everything adds up in St. John too -- transport and food. At least in camp land, one can bring their own chow if desired. It's all relative, as they say. We aren't vacationing 12 months out of the year. Now wouldn't that be sweet.
The saddest news is that this is very likely the last season for Maho Bay Camps. Built and founded by Stanley Selengut who has reported that the negotiations to extend their 37-year lease has been unsuccessful so far unless the owners of the land decide otherwise, Maho will close before July of 2013. They have stopped taking reservations past May of 2013. If you have an extra $23 million dollars in your pretty purse, put in an offer please. Mainly if you want to keep the same vibe so that the many travel peeps can continue to return year after year after year -which is the story of the majority of the folks I came across.
I’m so pleased that I got to experience it. It’s been around since the 1970’s and it has so much and has housed families and, now I’ve come to learn, has been the gathering place for the winter workshop seekers from Omega Institute for many a winter before they built Blue Spirit in Costa Rica.
Mary at the desk eager to help and share her story of living at Maho and getting paid just a little to help guests. This is how she and her husband have chosen to spend their retired years. No children and all the freedom in the world. She shared with me the things to do in the time I’m here, never pushing anything, but hinting at things that I might not enjoy just based on instincts. I think she knew that I didn’t want to get trapped in tourist land and I just wanted rest mainly. Everything she directed me toward so far was exactly what I needed.
I ended up falling in love with the boardwalk and steps. 162 to the beach. 63 from my little hut to the dining hall and bathroom. When considering this place, the idea of the step thing in the middle of the night made me pause, like a very long perplexed pause, but who knew that I'd end up loving every step I took with my flashlight at night with the sound of the tree frogs leading the way. It's hard to explain loving these board walks and steps... but it happens. It goes with the essence of the place and wouldn't be the same without them.
