Trying to plan trip

Rhonda · Post by **Rhonda** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:59 am

We are trying to plan a trip for the summer using miles on AA. I put flights on hold for me & then went in to do the same for my husband & neither flight was there. Has anyone been to St. John during July 4th? I would love to see the parade but don't want to fight crowds in resturants, etc. Also, has anyone been during August? Looks like it would be easier to get flights then. We have always gone in June or July. August is getting close to hurricane season so that makes me nervous. Does anyone know the name of the hotel by the airport? It also looks like we are going to have to spend the night in St. Thomas - maybe on arrival & departure. I thought it was Island Beachcomber but can't find a web site. Thanks for any info! I will just be glad to get this done-it is stressing me out!

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:13 am

I think it's the Best Western Emerald Beach. Have never stayed there, but have heard good things about it.

We've been several times in July, but not during Carnival. Can you get a flight in mid-July after Carnival?

Joshie · Post by **Joshie** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:47 am

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:11 pm

We have stayed at the BW Carib and Emerald Beach. I think Motel 4.5 is a little generous. Although it has been 12 years or so since we have been there, I would call it a Motel 3.7.

Emerald Beach is our hotel on STT. Call them directly to (probably) get the best rate.

JIM

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:16 pm

Joshie wrote:Rhonda,

. Whatever you do, don't try to come into St. John (or leave) on the day or night of the 4th (the final day of Carnival). Made that mistake once. What a nightmare trying to roll my luggage through a zillion drunken, puking revelers, packed tighter than sardines.

-j

While I agree that arriving and/or departing on the 4th is not a good idea, when I was living on-island for 5 Carnivals I never saw people throwing up on the streets.
It is crowded and hard to get around during the parade, but it is a great time to be on island.

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:45 pm

The Island Beachcomber is also at the airport. The website is:

http://islandbeachcomber.net/

It is nothing fancy, but is very decent, cheap, sits on a lovely beach, and has a fairly ok beachfront bar and restaurant. Makes a very decent place for a night.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:13 pm

We did the 4th parade, as well as other activities during the week, in 2002.

Town was crazy hot and crowded during the day and the parade started hours late, which is the norm from what I understand.

I am glad we experienced it but it was a very long, hot day.

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:12 am

Viki wrote
The Island Beachcomber is also at the airport. The website is:

http://islandbeachcomber.net/

It is nothing fancy, but is very decent, cheap, sits on a lovely beach, and has a fairly ok beachfront bar and restaurant. Makes a very decent place for a night.

This place works great for a night and they have a computer with printer so you can do boarding passes ahead of time. We just walked to the airport from there.

stjdeb · Post by **stjdeb** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:25 am

We have stayed at Emerald Beach and Island Beachcomber. I actually prefer the Beachcomber. It's clean and I love the bar on the beach! All of the servers and managers have always been sooo nice! The last time we stayed at Emerald Beach, we ended up walking down the beach to drink at the Beachcomber - such a pleasant atmosphere! Nothing fancy - but clean and cheaper than Emerald. They have a taxi on their grounds to arrange your trip to the airport and yes you can print out your boarding passes in the lobby.

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:25 am

Glad to hear that you are attempting to go this year.Once you have the "bug" it never leaves you!

Parafins

Rhonda · Post by **Rhonda** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:40 pm

Thanks to everyone who replied. We have flights on hold for the first two weeks of August. We have to purchase some miles before finalizing the flights. I am getting excited about going already!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:13 pm

Rhonda-- I'm finding that the flight prices are actually very low right now. Just a thought.

Also if travelling in August I would highly recommend trip insurance as this is during peak hurricane season.

bchbum82 · Post by **bchbum82** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:56 pm

Ive stayed at Emerald Beach and it was a pleasant experience. There is some good snorkeling on the left side of the beach. The little beach bar is pretty cool. One negative was, we had the buffet that was pretty pricey and not very good.

stjhome · Post by **stjhome** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:56 pm

Gromit-

Do you have a day job? If not, I'm going to nominate you for head of the Tourism Bureau for the VI.

You seem to know everything!!!

usvi-on-line