Teri and Bernie, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home. It was the perfect place for our family, which included our children and grandchildren, to celebrate my husband's 60th Birthday. Each family had their own wing to escape to after a long day at the beach or play time in the beautiful pool. They especially enjoyed the optional outdoor shower. The gathering place each morning was the outdoor kitchen, where we enjoyed breakfast at the large table while looking at the ocean. One evening we hired a personal chef who cooked us a birthday celebration dinner and served it in the outdoor kitchen as well. We also hired a steel drum player. The indoor kitchen has everything you need, including two dishwashers an oversize refrigerator and a beautiful sink that had a window which again overlooked the ocean. There was also an outdoor TV room which was next to the pool. It had two oversized chairs and a beverage cooler which made it very convenient for keeping our drinks of "choice" cold. Our grandchildren especially enjoyed watching Mickey Mouse Club while standing in the pool. (What a life!). The bathroom was also part of this great area so there was no need to walk into the house. We also enjoyed gathering here in the evening where we would pull chairs around and watch movies outside. This was probably our favorite room. If you needed a space to escape for some quiet time there was the beautiful indoor living room which included a large balcony. Here we could enjoy our coffee in the morning or a quiet glass of wine in the evening away from the activity in the pool area. Of course during any vacation doing laundry is a must. I must admit doing laundry was a joy especially when doing it in a well stocked laundry room and again with a beautiful view of the ocean. This was the perfect place for our family (who did not want to leave), thank you again for allowing us to celebrate in such a wonderful place!! Read More...

We're still a little shocked at just how amazing Mare Blu is. From design, to service, to location, this place has it all. The layout is perfect for small or large groups: There are comfortable and functional commons areas like the kitchen and outdoor eating area, but there is also sanctuary for any guest in each of the wings and bedrooms. This means that if you want to retire early, you won't be disturbed by the night-owls - it also means that the kids won't wake everyone up when they want to go swimming at 7am. The kitchen and BBQ were amazing - we put them to great use! The infinity pool was also incredible - the kids went swimming in the pool no less than 3x/day - and what a view! Also, the media room that overlooked the pool was well-stocked with DVD's and access to hundreds of channels. Finally, it was the small design details that made Mare Blu such a pleasure - from the colors, to skylights, to placement of certain rooms and amenities - it was obvious that quite a bit of thought went into design. Our hosts were amazing - from the owner to the concierge. They were highly responsive, friendly and accommodating. Justin is great - he tried his best to find us some fresh fish! Some of us have been to St. John before so we knew our way around - but if it's your first time, you'll be in great hands. Additionally, everything was well-stocked and prepared for a first-class visit. Finally, the location was perfect, we were just close enough to town or the market for a quick trip - but far enough away to enjoy the views and tranquility that the island is known for. The bottom line is that we loved everything about Mare Blu, and we'd recommend it to anyone - as long as we don't have to compete with you to book our next trip. Read More...

Mare Blu provided a beautiful, serene setting for our recent 50th anniversary celebration with family. The manager met us promptly upon arrival and made us immediately feel at home. The villa was luxurious and so well-appointed that it would be difficult to want anything more. The large outdoor dining and indoor living areas created an atmosphere in which our family was able to enjoy memorable conversations and meals together without interruptions. And, the opportunity to enjoy a cup of early-morning coffee on the patio or to swim under the stars in a pool overlooking the ocean was priceless. The downside of this trip was that it was far too short. A week just wasn't long enough to fully experience the beautiful scenery and uncrowded beaches that St. John has to offer. Teri was wonderful to work with prior to, and during, our stay. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with our family, and for providing many helpful shopping and restaurant suggestions. We are already looking forward to our next stay. Glen and Lynn (August, 2015) Read More...

Just got back from a week at Mare Blu! Wow, were we impressed! We had five couples for a 50th birthday. The layout of the home is fantastic. Very spacious, quiet and comfortable. All the bedrooms are private with a private bath. The house is clean and updated. Far enough out of town for the privacy, but close enough for the convenience. Our favorite place to hang out was the outdoor kitchen/living area as well as the pool. We would highly recommend Mare Blu to anyone considering a stay on St John. Teri and Bernie were wonderful hosts and great to work with. Hoping to return sooner than later. Read More...

Mare Blu was amazing! Expectations were exceeded! You often wonder if it can be as great as the pictures. Mare Blu is amazing. The views would make any postcard jealous. The bedrooms were specious with their own luxurious bathrooms. The outdoor entertainment areas and the infinity pool made it hard to leave to go explore the spectacular island of St. John. Our week at Mare Blu with dear friends will top the list of vacations of a lifetime. We say that with all sincerity as frequent global travelers. The owners checked with us prior to and during our stay. our satisfaction was a priority for them. The concierge service/property management company was excellent. The quality construction of the home itself was impressive. Every need is provided in terms if kitchen ware, towels, etc. Mare Blu is World Class! Read More...

FANTASTIC FAMILY RENTAL!!! This gorgeous house was very spacious and extremely well equipped-perfect for our extended family vacation. The outdoor living spaces were wonderful for enjoying the incredible views and island breezes-we ate every meal outside. The design, decor and furnishings were top notch-it was clear that much thought went into every design decision. The kitchen was amazing, perfectly planned and equipped with everything we needed to create delicious meals. We loved spending time in the pool and lounge area. The villa is perfectly situated close to town and beaches. This was our ninth family trip to St. John-we have stayed in nine different villas on St. John and this one was our favorite!!! Read More...

PERFECT FAMILY VACATION AT MARE BLU ON ST. JOHN Our family of ten, age six months to sixtyish, enjoyed a perfect week on S. John at beautiful Mare Blu! This our first visit with the whole family since the hurricanes. It was gratifying to see that nature prevails as does the spirit of the people of St. John.We spent perfect days at Hawksnest, Francis, Trunk and our favorite Maho Bay with its turtles! We also added a new beach to our list, Hanson. Dinners at Morgan's Mango and lunches at The Tap Room and Skinny Legs were fun and delicious. Everyone LOVED Mare Blu! The villa is beautifully designed: elegant with attention to every detail yet comfortable and accommodating. There are specious living areas, indoors and out, lovely bedrooms, some with screened verandas and outdoor showers, all with splendid views looking out toward St. Croix. The well equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area were great for our breakfasts and some dinners. The swimming pool was wonderful for the children in the late afternoons and illuminated our evenings sometimes inviting late night swims. The location of the villa was private and quiet yet a convenient drive to Cruz Bay and the beaches. Mare Blu would definitely be our first choice for a return stay on St. John with our family or some friends. Read More...

Teri Ackerman, the owner of Mare Blu, is the best. She is extremely competent and easy to work with. Her understanding of families and how memories are made are reflected in the design of her villa. The kitchen, grilling area, dining area and gathering space all followed together as one beautiful family area which then seamlessly flowed to the deck and pool (what a great pool). I would be grilling and having a conversation with my wife Debby in the kitchen, turn and talk to my daughter at the dining room table as she showed me photos from the days dive, turn just a little more and watch my grandson in the pool. It does not get any better than that. Yet Teri created a place of sanctuary in each bedroom. They are spacious and almost mini suites as there is setting areas in each bedroom. Teri left no stone unturned in equipping the villa with top of the line appliances. Her ice maker keep ahead of 12 people. Enough dishes, glasses etc. to meet the needs of a group of 20 or more. From layout to accoutrements, to VIEWS, Mare Blu is AWESOME! Read More...

We had a fantastic time staying at Mare Blu Villa last fall. The house is beautiful and completely furnished with everything we needed. The kitchen was an especially nice surprise. Most vacation homes are only stocked with the bare minimum of supplies or have old and worn out items. This place was REALLY well stocked with everything we needed for cooking and serving a nice meal on those rare occasions we stayed in. Teri and Bernie called just after we arrived to make sure were taken care of. Their recommendations for food and activities helped guide us for the week. Justin helped us out with everything from how to find a hidden beach to providing babysitter contacts. 6 adults and 6 kids had plenty of space to relax and play without feeling the slightest bit cramped. We really appreciate the lengths that the Ackermans went to to make our stay comfortable, fun and relaxing. The best hosts you could find on the island!!! Thank you again for letting us stay at your lovely home. Read More...

I'm just looking over the photo album of my daughter's wedding, last August, and Mare Blu was the absolute highlight of our week. We hosted 25 people every evening for a party where everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We were able to do our own cooking, the views are breathtaking, and most of the guests just wanted to hang around the pool. The Westin Hotel took care of the wedding ceremony and reception but everything else was at Mare Blu. It would be my first choice for vacation or any kind of celebration at any time of the year. We remain so grateful to the owners of the house for their generosity. It was even more spectacular than we imagined and one of the highlights of our entire lives! Since 6 couples chipped in, the cost was much less than the local hotels and we did not have to eat out every night. My family will definitely go back to St. John, specifically for Mare Blu. Read More...