Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Villa Marbella open in the summer and fall during hurricane season?
A: Absolutely!  Your hostess, Leah Latour, resides full time in the house.  Besides, Villa Marbella is constructed of solid poured concrete and a rock solid place from which to see the summer storms come and go as you sip your mango martini.  If a hurricane warning or watch is in effect before you travel to St. Thomas, you will get a 100% refund on your prepaid stay and we hope you reschedule.  If a hurricane warning or watch occurs during your stay and you elect to leave the island, you will get a full refund for the days you pre-paid but did not remain.

Q: Do we need to rent a car if we are staying at Villa Marbella?
A: Although it isn't essential, we strongly recommend you do.  You can get your beach fix by heading down the road (10 minute walk) to enjoy our local beach, nestled behind Bluebeard's Beach Club but with dozens of spectacular beaches and so many places to explore, you'll probably have more fun using Villa Marbella as your "base camp" and exploring the island at your leisure...maybe even taking the car ferry over to St. John, where you can discover as many beaches as you have time for.

Q: Is there a minimum stay at Villa Marbella?
A: Yes, three nights.

Q: How many people can stay in a room?
A: The Mountainside loft sleeps 4 comfortably and has a day bed in the sitting area making it a total of 5 that can sleep in the room. Although each of our other rooms are designed for two we can have a twin bed bought in, to bring it a total of 3 in each of the rooms. Our Mountain side and Frenchman's Bay Lofts can also be used as adjoining rooms for larger families or groups and can accommodate up to 8 people.

Q: How do we get to Villa Marbella?
A: We will email you written directions to the suites and it's about a 20 minute drive from the airport.   Your taxi driver will find the house easily and you can then rent a car right at Bluebeard's Beach Club.  Alternatively, you can opt to rent a car upon arrival at the airport (we have ample free parking for guests' cars, btw!)  Whatever you do, we can certainly help arrange transportation to Villa Marbella, so just ask!

Q: Will we be able to cook at the Villa Marbella?
A: The rooms are equipped with basic kitchen equipment including a small refrigerator and microwave.  The Cruzan View Apartment and the Mountainside Loft each have more complete kitchens but Villa Marbella rooms are not intended to be self-contained apartments so please do not expect to prepare complex meals while you visit.

Q: May guests bring pets to Villa Marbella?
A: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate pets at Villa Marbella.

Jaeger the Weimaraner, Spike the Chihuahua, Casey the old Spaniel, and Jenny the Hutt (our enormously overweight cat) all reside with Leah in Villa Marbella's owner's quarters and you can have as much or as little interaction with our menagerie as you see fit.  Please note: if you have a history of allergy to cats or dogs, we will be happy to suggest another location which doesn't have pets.

Q: Are the rooms all air-conditioned?
A: Yes, although at times the tradewinds might be more inviting.  The two loft units have state-of-the-art Mitsubishi split system air-conditioning with individual controls in each room; the Cruzan View Apartment has a unit air conditioner.

Q:Do you have Internet access?
A: Of course!  We have a secure home network and you'll be provided with access information so you can enjoy free wireless access from throughout the property.

Q: Can we drink the water at Villa Marbella...
A: Our house water system is provided in the "greenest" way possible: cool Caribbean rainwater is collected via cistern.  We only use the house water for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, etc., but we provide purified drinking water to our guests as part of our hospitality service. 

Q: What other amenities are offered?
A: All guests are provided with beach chairs and coolers for their beach adventures and hiking trips.

Q: Can you arrange other activities for us?
A: Leah is an IATA full service travel agent and can arrange all your vacation needs including restaurant reservations, sightseeing tours, boat tours, snorkeling adventures, scuba dive trips (for certified divers only), submarine underwater tours, fishing charters...you name it!  Leah will  help you select from the most reliable and established activity providers.  You may want to book your activities in advance of your arrival in order to get the trips you want. Sometimes they fill up fast.