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The 16ft by 16ft tents look like canvas cottages with airy, screened walls. Each tent has a
private deck, table and chairs, two twin beds, a futon mattress, propane stove, cooler, water
container, cooking and eating utensils, towels and bedding. They're electrically equipped,
with lights and fans. Barbecue grills are built along the boardwalks for communal use.
Maho's green philosophy includes water conservation: community toilets are low-flush,
and solar-heated (frequently cold) showers have pull-chains for brief dousing. The resort
also recycles glass and other trash into crafts sold in its Arts Center; guests can take part in
classes or watch free nightly glass-blowing demonstrations. The beach offers water-sports
rentals for snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.
While all of this sounds great, keep in mind the tents and bathroom facilities are very
basic.
Now for the sad news: Maho sits on leased land, and the lease runs out in 2012. Everyone
is bracing for the landowners to sell out to big developers, and Maho will cease to be after
30-plus years. At time of research, it was taking reservations only through May 2012. But
the Trust for Public Land ( www.tpl.org ) is fighting hard to acquire the property; check
the website for updates.
Mr Frett runs the official safari taxi ($9 per person) to Maho every other hour in sync
with ferry arrivals. Look for him at the back of Cruz Bay's taxi stand, and hold on tight for
Maho's insanely bumpy access road.
Harmony Studios APARTMENTS $$
( 340-776-6226, 800-392-9004; www.maho.org ; apt $225-250; ) For those
who want to stay at Maho but prefer higher-grade amenities, these 12 multistory units pep-
per the hillside above the tent camps. Here, you get a private bath, kitchen and deck in
an eco- sensitive building with solar-generated electricity, rainwater-collection and wind
scoops on the roof for cooling. A lot of the construction materials come from recycled
trash.
As with the Maho tents, be prepared for climbing lots of stairs up the hillside. And be
prepared for the location's remoteness: other than the restaurant and commissary on site,
there are no food and drink options nearby, cell phone service is patchy, and internet ac-
cess at Maho's cyber-hut can be slow. Checkout procedures are similar to Maho: guests are
required to strip their beds, take out their trash and clean their dishes to get their security
deposit back.
Cinnamon Bay Campground CAMPGROUND $
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