Possibly one of the best-kept secrets on spectacular St. John, Banana Wind Cottage is a delightful hillside home overlooking beautiful Coral Bay and the Caribbean Sea. Like many homes on St. John, Banana Wind was built with a main level ("the Upstairs") and a separate guest apartment ("the Downstairs"). Because of this, we can offer two comfortable and carefully appointed one-bedroom units which can be rented individually or together. Handcrafted details throughout set Banana Wind apart from the typical vacation rental villa, yet Banana Wind is more affordable than a villa and more private than a condo. Situated 200 yards above the water's edge in a lovely tropical garden, this wonderful home offers beautiful ocean views, cool breezes, natural slate floors, stonework, mahogany doors, and collectible furnishings -- all creating an atmosphere of gracious island living. Banana Wind's upstairs terrace is, in a word, inviting. You may never want to leave. Enjoy dining on the terrace on a moonlit evening, or sipping a tropical drink in the late afternoon while watching the boats sail in. The upstairs kitchen is a wonderful place to cook. It's fully equipped, and features stainless steel sinks and counter-tops, and a large slate island. The Enclume pot rack, gourmet cookware, handmade pottery, and gas barbecue grill will be appreciated by serious cooks. The unforgettable view stretches from Coral Bay's 18th century Moravian church at the north end of the harbor to St. John's East End -- and out to the British Virgin Islands. An early breakfast on the terrace might be rewarded by a spectacular sunrise. Native stone walls in the bedroom and bathroom recall historic building styles in the West Indies. The bedroom is furnished with teak furniture, a queen-size bed, and mahogany doors. The classic Caribbean, fully-enclosed `garden shower' blends traditional stonework with the tropical environment. (See rate details for the upstairs unit.) For a couple looking for that elusive combination of affordability, comfort, and good taste, Banana Wind's downstairs unit is a perfect alternate choice. The front deck also commands panoramic views of Coral Bay and neighboring islands, and is a great spot to relax and enjoy a cool drink after a day exploring the island. The shaded deck off the bedroom comes complete with hammock and gorgeous ocean view. Chaise lounges in the lower garden terrace invite you to unwind with a good book or watch the sailboats in the bay. The lofty ten-foot ceilings and natural slate floors create a tasteful, spacious environment. And the furnishings are decidedly Caribbean in flavor. You enjoy tropical art, and colors and fabrics harmonizing with wicker and rattan furniture. A sliding glass door and louver windows frame ocean views from every room. A breakfast bar complements the living room and full-size kitchen, which is fully equipped for those who enjoy cooking. The downstairs bedroom features a high ceiling, a four-poster, queen-size bed, a ceiling fan, and a mahogany door opening onto a shaded private deck. The antique dresser dates from Danish colonial days on St. John. The downstairs unit accommodates two guests; and the rates are $1050/week in high season or $775/week in low season. For two couples or singles vacationing together, both the upstairs and downstairs can be rented together at a special 'whole house rate' for $2,100/week in high season and $1,500/week in low season.