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BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:47 am
by BillVT
We left Estate Zootenvaal yesterday to a pleasant homecoming here at Sunset Ridge. We shared our unit with last week’s owners yesterday and today so they don’t have to suffer the mayhem of a Saturday departure. They cooked us a delicious dinner in return.

As for Zootenvaal, and as you would suspect, there is certain quiet dignity to the place. It is clean and well appointed. The bed in our single bedroom unit Mangrove was very comfortable. There is A/C in the bedroom though we did not use it. We are not accustomed to A/C neither our home nor at SRV. Though there is now A/C in the master suite at SRV and we are preparing to install it in the main units. At this time of year we never felt it was necessary. I am sure we would have a change of mind if we came in September.

We had always thought, that though it was well kept, the units looked very exposed and were probably very hot. Not. There is a constant breeze that comes in off of Hurricane Hole along with the sounds of the waves lapping the shore. As Robin, the manager put it; it is the first direct view of the ocean on the Centerline Road (Rt. 10).

One of the nicest features of Zootenvaal is their beach. It was a great private spot to relax after a day at … the beach. It is a sand beach with a rocky entry and then a grass bottom. There is enough shade so that with some careful maneuvering of the comfortable lounge chairs you can get out of the sun if you’d already had your share.

While family has told me that Brown’s Bay is like Fight Club, we don’t talk about Brown’s Bay, on our first full day at Zootenvaal we just walked up the road to the trailhead. Apparently, that is all I can say about that. But of course Zootenvaal’s location is it one of its’ strong points. If you are willing to rise just a little early, you can get to the east end beaches before anyone else. Think of getting that great shade spot at Salt Pond or one of the picnic tables. Come to think of it I don’t recall seeing them.

Last week was a very busy week on island, with what appeared to be spring break. In most cases we stayed in front of it except on one occasion. We had gone out to Great Lamshur, which is one of our favorite snorkeling spots, and is for the most part ignored because it does not have a sandy beach. We snorkeled out to Donkey Bite (Bight?) and back. We were sitting in the shade under a large tree when two taxis deposited 30 young students wearing North Carolina t-shirts. They just enveloped us. The effect of course was that we had to move and as we left I turned to what appeared to be the group leader and just said, “Really?” I then recalled the previous day at Haulover when I crossed over to the north side to check how steep the waves were and whether it would be a good day to snorkel there. The wind was brisk from the northeast and as we looked around we saw this group hiding up in the sea grapes. They did not look happy. I don’t think these were the beaches they had signed up for. Other than that it was a great week.

Would I recommend Estate Zootenvaal? Yea, sure. Would I have reservations recommending it to anyone? Yea, sure. If you are expecting Grand Bay or the Weston, you might be a little disappointed. Otherwise, it is clean, comfortable and has its’ own beach and all within a short distance from the great east end beaches and a growing bar and restaurant scene in Coral Bay.

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 6:59 pm
by liamsaunt
Thanks for the review of Zootenvaal. I don't think I have ever seen a review here for that before. Every time we drive by it catches my eye--especially the ocean side cottage. We hit the spring break crowds this time too, which I thought was kind of crazy. We went to town one night to go to dinner, got to the Beach Bar and surveyed the situation. and turned right back up the hill to Gallows! :lol:

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 7:08 pm
by hoosierdaddy
Thanks for the report. We are presently on the every other year St. John vacation plan. That would make our next trip 2019 which is when my wife and I turn 50. I would love to come and run 8 Tuff Miles and stay at Estate Zootenvaal. It seems like it would be a great place to stay after the finish in Coral Bay and it would be a good place to get lost from the rest of the world.

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 7:47 am
by BillVT
liamsaunt:
According to Robin, the manager, the seaside cottage was subdivided from the rest of the property and is separately owned but also for rent. I can’t give anymore details than that. Just in case you are contemplating purchasing it. It is up for sale.

I should mention that while talking about remoteness and quiet, the Zoot is on the Centerline road and there is a morning and evening commute time. Of course it is nothing like the city, but people are going to work from the East End, coming to work on construction jobs and people coming to Haulover, Hansen and that other un-named place and then leaving.

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:12 pm
by RickG
Thanks for the review. I always thought the landscaping at Zootenval gave the place a great look.

Cheers, RickG

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 6:04 am
by Bigcheeze
Thanks Bill....see you in a few days!

Dave/Bigcheeze

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:54 pm
by Pickle
I also appreciate your info about Estate Zootenvaal. I had always wondered about them. Did you try snorkeling the area in front of Zootenvaal while you stayed there? I don't know if it offers nice snorkeling or not.

Thank you for your report. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:49 pm
by shoemak38
:D :D :D :D

Re: BillVT’s Trip Report: The Zoot

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:40 am
by BillVT
We did try snorkeling. We went out from the beach and snorkeled toward the backside of Mardenboro Point. It was very grassy beginning from the beach and then it got silty making visibility very poor. We sort of gave up as we worked our way to the point. We could have of gone into Borck Creek but I am not a big fan of mangrove snorkeling (shiver), even though my wife is.

We did this on the day we checked out. Since we were moving into Sunset Ridge Villas that afternoon, we wanted to give the cleaning crew some time to get our unit ready, so we asked Robin the manager if we could hang out at the beach for awhile. She very graciously agreed. There are worse things than being homeless for a few hours on St. John.