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spectacular views over hills and sea, and virginal St Croix is visible on clear days. The
units have full kitchens, comfortable furnishings and friendly owners who live just across
the street. There's also a free washing machine, and complimentary air-con courtesy of the
breezy trade winds that spread their freshness across the private terrace.
Esperanza Inn
GUESTHOUSE $$
( 787-741-2225;
www.esperanzainn.com
;
CalleHucar;r$95-100,1-/2-bedroomapt
$135/200; )
You'd be hard-pressed to lack anything here at this longtime
guesthouse with friendly new owners and a coterie of sweet outdoor cats. Comfortable
rooms are spacious and impeccably clean, and there's the chance to chat with fellow trav-
elers as you whip up something in the guest kitchen, grab a Medalla from the honor bar, or
duck in for a morning caffeine fix. Apartments with balconies and full kitchens sleep six to
eight people, and an ample grassy backyard contains a small pool.
Villa Coral Guesthouse
GUESTHOUSE $$
( 787-741-1967;
www.villacoralguesthouse.com
;
485 Calle Gladiola; r $85,
2-bedroomapt$160-185; )
At this six-unit Spanish-style charmer, the tranquil roof
deck and pleasant bougainvillea-fringed front veranda dispel any lingering stress. Located
in a quiet residential area a few minutes' walk from the action, rooms sport colorful con-
temporary textiles and bathroom sinks tiled like dreamy waves.
Bananas
GUESTHOUSE $$
( 787-741-8700;
www.bananasguesthouse.com
; 142 Calle Flamboyán; r $70-100;
)
New management has updated Esperanza's original budget guesthouse-restaurant,
and its seven rooms - three with air-con - now sport fresh paint, Indian-print linens and
new bedding. The rear rooms back onto jungle, and a few of the rooms open onto private
porches. Light sleepers should note that the house bar closes at around 1am on weekends.
ELSEWHERE ON THE ISLAND
Hix Island House
APARTMENTS $$$
( 787-741-2302;
www.hixislandhouse.com
; Hwy 995; apt incl breakfast groceries
$175-310; )
Ecohip, new-age-minimalist, environmental-austere; to describe the
Hix house in a single sentence is nigh-on impossible, suffice to say that the place inspires
