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Statia-Apart / Little Paradise

A quiet Caribbean-view hideaway on Statia's Princess Garden slope

hotel
couples divers quiet getaways long stays self-catering travellers sunset lovers off-the-beaten-path

Why Go

Jackelien and Alain's tiny apartment complex is exactly the kind of low-key, family-run stay Statia does best: a handful of sea-view units perched above Oranjestad, a shared terrace made for sundowners, and hosts who treat you more like visiting friends than guests. On an island where most travellers are here for the volcano and the reefs, having a home base that feels this personal is half the trip.

The Experience

Little Paradise sits in the Princess Garden neighbourhood, a peaceful residential pocket about ten minutes' walk downhill into Oranjestad's Upper Town. Each apartment is a self-contained studio: air-conditioned bedroom, kitchenette with oven, microwave, fridge and coffee/tea setup, a small seating and dining area, and — the reason to book — a private balcony framing the Caribbean Sea. The garden is tidy and quiet, private parking is free, WiFi covers the units, and the vibe is more homestay than hotel. Jackelien and Alain live on-site and are famously hands-on with orientation: which grocery is open which day, where to fill your dive tanks, whose lionfish is freshest tonight. Statia is a small island (roughly 3,500 residents), so a good local intro is worth more than any concierge desk.

What to Try

Time your evenings around the balcony — the west-facing view catches Statia's uninterrupted Caribbean sunsets, and the terrace is the property's social heart. Ask the hosts to help arrange dives at the Aquarium site just offshore, or a guided hike up The Quill, the dormant volcano whose crater rainforest is Statia's signature walk. Cook in at least once using produce from the small shops in town; then walk down to Fort Oranje at dusk for the history and the view over the anchorage where Statia first saluted the American flag in 1776.

Insider Tip

Book a sea-view unit specifically — not every apartment has the full Caribbean panorama, and on Statia the sunset view is the amenity. Also mention your arrival flight when you reserve: the hosts can usually help sort a rental car or an airport pickup, which is genuinely useful on an island with no taxi rank and limited rental inventory.

The Practical Stuff

Located in Princess Garden, Oranjestad, about a 10-minute walk into town and roughly a 15–20 minute drive from F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX). Free parking and free WiFi; kitchenettes in every apartment; daily housekeeping. Rates typically start around USD 90/night. A rental car is strongly recommended for exploring The Quill trailhead, Zeelandia Bay and dive shops on the leeward coast. Bring US dollars (the island's currency), reef-safe sunscreen, and your PADI card if you dive — Statia is a certified-divers destination.

Pair It With

  • Aquarium Dive Site — One of Statia's signature reef dives, easily arranged from the property and a natural pairing with a stay focused on the island's underwater side.
  • Fort Oranje Guide — A 10–15 minute walk downhill for a sunset stroll through Statia's most important historic site, overlooking the same sea you watched from the balcony.
  • Baby Beach Guide — A calm, low-key swimming spot that fits the mellow, unhurried rhythm of a Little Paradise stay.
  • Ariel's Art Guide — A local creative stop in Oranjestad — the kind of small, personal shop the hosts will happily point you toward.