Villa choices

[cjroyer]

Hi everybody.......I'm getting ready to book our 3rd trip to St John have a couple of questions for the forum folks. We have 5 couples again this year and are coming back in Nov. 09. We've narrowed it down to Villa Tesori and Edens Whim. Both seem to have great reviews. Does anyone have any advice or comments on either of these villa's? Is there any nearby construction at either of the villas? Also, has anyone used Island Getaways or Seaview Homes as their rental company?

I'm looking forward to the trip reports to soon come from all who just returned!

Thanks for your help

[Nancy_B]

CJ, we stayed at Villa Tesori in May of this year. We loved Kathy from Island Getaways and the villa is gorgeous with amazing views! One thing to consider with 5 couples is that the rooms are not all equal. Four of the rooms are located in the main house. One of these four is right off the kitchen and two others are across the hall from one another. We didn't have any issue with privacy but wanted you to be aware. We had a babysitter in the room next to the kitchen so it could be a different story with a couple in it. I'd make sure it's a couple that gets up earliest. The 5th bedroom is a small suite below the pool. We didn't have access to it but I'd just ask for clarification on whether or not they have good views or if there is any issue with dampness.

By the way, this is the villa that a small lizard hitch hiked home with us from. We still have Liz Ard so feel free to swing by Philly to pick her up and bring her 'home'

Please feel free to PM me with any questions at all. My trip report is on this site. We did have an issue with our cistern so ask Kathy if it's all fixed.

Nancy B

[piscesgirl0314]

We are taking our third trip to St John in June and have always dealt with Seaview Homes. Mark and his group have always been very accomodating. Edens Whim is BEAUTIFUL...

[Bill in Va]

Yo...I second the choice of Edins Whim and Mark of seaviewhomes.com. This Nov/Dec trip wil be number 15! We toured Edins Whim and all I can say is WOW. As stated above the bedrooms are not all equal. The master in the main house is sooo cool. You may want to have a premium dollar amount assigned to it if all are chipping in. Mark has been on island around 26 years. He will take care of you. I will be seeing him on the 29th as he hands us the keys for two weeks at Beija Flor. We were at Southern Cross back in June. So close I can feel my soul anticipate the view as we come into the car ferry dock..God bless..Bill

[Knolmom]

Although we have not stayed in either villa, we considered both of these properties for our trip last year.
Tessori is almost new and in a great spot, and Kathy is great to work with an on top of everything.
Eden;s Whim has been around awhile, but it is in great shape for its age. With construction at the Pond Bay Club, the spot might not be the greatest.
The bedrooms are definately not equal. The master is out of this world, but some of the others have lesser decor and space. At the time Edens Whim did not have wifi and Mark could not tell us whether the bathtub in the master was a jacuzzi tub, or a soaking tub. Mark seemed very nice but a little more laid back than most villa managers.
A difficult choice. Did you look at Skyway. I think that has 5 bedrooms too.

[cjroyer]

Thanks for all the reply's. Am I right in understanding that the bedrooms in both villa's are all different or is it just Edens Whim? Either way, I think we'll be okay as long as they're all nice. Our first year we stayed in a 3 bedroom and the one was downstairs with an outside entrance. It was much smaller and very damp. Good advice to ask Kathy about the bottom bedroom.

I did ask Kathy at Island Getaways about construction and she said there was none now but both lots on either side were for sale so by next year they're could be. Nobody knows.

Looks like we're leaning toward Villa Tesori but it's good to know either one would be great.

Thanks again!!!

[Nancy_B]

CJ, the bedrooms in Tesori all are all different but for the most part pretty equal. The master is bigger and has a nice balcony and it's bathroom is interior (no view from it) but the bedroom across from it as an amazing circular shower with a view. It is a new villa and truly gorgeous. I think you'll love it. The views are so amazing! I loved sitting in the portico in the a.m. drinking my Voodoo coffee from St. John Spice - aaahhh, memories! We would definitely consider Tesori again if we had a large group.

Take care,