Hillary Bonner

Hi! I’m Hillary Bonner. I’ve been on St. John for 8 years and have worn A LOT of hats in my time on island. Most of us do tho…A lot of times island life calls for ingenuity, flexibility and resiliency. And those things are what I kind of LOVE about the people in our Love City Community. Between boat days and day hikes and happy hours with so many happy faces, you may have seen me behind the bar at Asolare, Zozo’s, The Terrace or Drink (once upon a time, Motu) over the years. But after Hurricane Irma, I jumped from behind the bar into non-profit work. That desk job made me remember that, way back when, I DID go to college and I might have been letting some of those skill sets get a BIT rusty. My degree is in Journalism and Public Relations. When asked if I ever used it, my programmed response was, “Bar tending IS relating to the public.” But, back to the desk job…I was doing everything. Which is, again, what you do in a small office on an island. Events, marketing, handling in-kind donations, unloading containers, attempting to figure out logistics I didn’t even know how to spell, community meetings, board meetings, FEMA meetings. All of the meetings. One day, I decided that there were aspects I loved. And aspects…Well, not so much. So I started my own thing, supporting local small businesses and non-profits in the realm of design, marketing and events (specifically music related events…you’ll hear a lot about music from me). I have a bleeding heart for the small yet ambitious non-profits on St. John. And an overwhelming amount of respect for the small business owners who made their ideas take flight in a place where it’s very difficult to do so! I love life here on St. John. The highs are the highest and the lows are not so low as they can be in other places. The accessibility to Mother Nature on this little slice of perfection is unparalleled. She’s all around us all of the time. You can watch the phases of the moon, the rotation of the planets, the shifting of the sunset and the tides. Every damn day. Mother Nature’s restless spirit reflects the transient nature of the people here as well. That was hard for me at first. The coming and the going. But now, I like the fact that I will rarely visit a place that I don’t have a place to stay and a friend to catch up with from St. John. So, now, here I am (using my degree, Ma!). Contributing to a long standing super positive blog. Here I feel like I’m in a position to use my voice to entertain and inform you about the community and island that I love so much. I’m grateful for this opportunity and am ALWAYS open to story ideas! Let me know what, where or who you want to hear about!

Business Spotlight: A Day on the Beach at Bikini’s

July 23, 2020July 21, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Are you currently dreaming about lying in a hammock in the shade with a Painkiller in your hand, Caribbean blues lining your landscape and sand between your toes? Maybe the faint sound of music and laughter in the background and the smells of barbeque on the grill? Then, the next time you are on St. John, take a drive or a hike to Bikini’s Bar & Grill at Honeymoon Beach and live out your daydreams!

Business Spotlight: Explore St. John with VI Ecotours

July 17, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Looking for a unique and informative way to spend a day outside while you’re on St. John? Whether your outdoor vibes run high with snorkeling, hiking, paddling or a combination of these things, Virgin Islands Ecotours is sure to find a tour that is perfect for you!

Real Estate Spotlight: Condo Complex in Cruz Bay with Great Income History!

July 13, 2020July 15, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Has the thought of moving to paradise ever crossed your mind only for you to dismiss it? What would you do for a living? Where would you live? How could you possibly afford to live here? Well, for those of you shopping the market right now, this newly listed, income producing property might be the answer to all of these questions!

COVID Update: Restaurant Closures, States Added to Mandatory Testing List

July 14, 2020July 13, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Last night the territory reported an additional 11 positive COVID tests. One of which was on St. John. Bringing the Love City total cases during the pandemic to seven. Three of these seven are currently active.

Breakdown for the territory:

Tested: 4,395

Positive: 217

Negative: 4,084

Pending: 94

Active: 105

Recovered: 106

Deaths: 6

Three active cases on St. John doesn’t seem like a lot, right? BUT, it is enough to close down a few of our favorite local businesses temporarily. Both Skinny Legs and High Tide announced on Monday that they would be responsibly closing their doors temporarily “for the safety of our staff, our community and our guests.”

***Note: No staff members for any of the listed businesses have tested positive for COVID. The businesses are responsibly exercising caution based on POSSIBLE contact.

Sam and Jack’s Deli posted a similar message this morning and will be closed temporarily for a second time due to possible COVID-19 contact. All three restaurants reported that employees may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are closed until test results are in.

Additionally, the local veterinarian office and pet supply store, Canines, Cats and Critters, is closed for a short time today for the same reasons and will be open for regular hours tomorrow. Emergency visits are available at any time.

I know there have been a ton of questions and concerns in regards to the new travel policy. I’ve recapped all that I can find on it below as well as the toll free number for the Dept of Tourism.

In light of the recent surge in positive test results in the territory, the Governor has implemented travel restrictions for those traveling from the following states and territories:

Arizona
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Puerto Rico
Utah
Kansas
Mississippi
Nevada
South Carolina
Texas

The above states are those with a positive testing rate greater than 10% of the population based on John Hopkins University data (updated July 13). Travelers arriving in the territory from the above states as their ORIGIN – Not layover, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test that was administered within FIVE DAYS OF ARRIVAL in the territory.

Travelers under the age of 15 will not be required to provide a test result. If travelers do not have a test result upon arrival, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days. The above regulations apply to visitors and residents alike and they go into effect tomorrow – WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020.

If you have questions, please call the Department of Tourism at 800-372-8784.

Villa Spotlight: The Other World is a Unique Escape in Great Cruz Bay

October 15, 2020July 12, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Today, I’d like to share with you a stunning short-term rental tucked away amidst a tropical oasis in Great Cruz Bay. The Other World Guest Villa offers a beautiful retreat for a couples getaway OR a great family vacation!

The Resilient Flamboyant Tree

July 10, 2020July 11, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

If you have never traveled to the Caribbean during the summer months, you likely have never witnessed one of my favorite flora of the region outside of a photograph. If you have visited St. John between June and August, you may have spotted these beautiful, bright orange, red or yellow flowered trees dotting the hillside and wondered what they are.

Business Spotlight: Shop On-Line at the Honeymoon Beach Boutique

July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

One of my favorite things about visiting the BVI are the little beach boutiques! Soggy Dollar Bar, Foxy’s and Sydney’s Peace and Love all have really eclectic shirts, cups, stickers and other merch that I have accumulated over the years and always remind me of a great day on the water! I’m happy to say that several little boutiques like this have popped up in the USVI. So you can get your souvenir shopping fix during a great day on the water right here on St. John.

Caneel Bay and ZoZo’s Announce Partnership!

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

I have some VERY exciting news to share with you this evening!

I received the following official message this afternoon and immediately got goosebumps and started crying happy tears! You may not know this about me, but I was privileged enough to work behind the bar at ZoZo’s and have missed it immensely as I’m sure many of you have as well.

Along with this official release from Caneel Bay, I’ve included a couple of pics that I snapped at the old location at the Sugar mill while working during the summer of 2017.

This reunion is TRULY something to look forward to:

Governor Bryan’s COVID-19 Updates – July 6, 2020

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

Good Afternoon everyone- Happy Monday to you! I hope all of you had a lovely holiday weekend!

Here is the latest COVID-19 information for both St. John and the territory as a whole.

Emancipation Day – July 3, 1848

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

As the majority of the country gets ready for a holiday weekend in celebration of the United States’ independence from England, the USVI begins their celebration a day early.