Need some Villa input please

[cass]

I am planning a trip for myself and 4 other members of my family. My requirements are...4 bedrooms (preferably air conditioning in at least two, but I've strayed from this a little), good sunset views, $3400/week off season before tax, and a pool.

I sent everyone a list of about 9 villas to choose their 2 or 3 faves from, and so far 3 of them like:

Anole and Beach Music.

I was a little mystified over Beach Music beating some of the others out....

Can any of you share your experience with either of these? Mainly I'm concerned about the views. I don't think that Anole has a/c in the bedrooms, but they can do without Thanks for any input!

[piscesgirl0314]

Hi there!
You mentioned off season...which month. Its VERY hot on St John May/June/July etc...I would not want to sleep without AC in the bedrooms. Thats just my opinion, though. We will be staying at Villa Sea Cay for a second time in June. Four king suites with NICE bathrooms. ALL with AC...In your price range too...you may want to check it out. The view is AMAZING!!!!

[wonderlost]

I disagree that it is VERY hot in May June and July. It never goes above 90. I actually think the weather is ideal at that time of year. Tradewinds are still here, we get a little bit more rain at night then we do in March and April which cools things down, and the water temperature is perfect. In-fact, we have had guests that come down year after year at that time to "cool off" from Atlanta, Washington DC, Houston and other US hotspots

People have visited St John for years without complaining about AC, Caneel did not have it until recently and most of us live here comfortably year round without it. Check your needs at the ferry.

[Itsstraightparadise]

Wow....

[flip-flop]

August in STJ is a lot nicer than August in DC. That said, it really does depend on the house and I typically shoot for a/c in the bedrooms just to be safe.

I have stayed at Beach Music (when it was Cygnus) and it didn't have nor need a/c in the upper bedrooms (they may have added it and I do think they had it in the downstairs bedrooms). It was a very comfy house even when it was very warm outside.

I have stayed in other houses where the breezes just didn't move as nicely through the house.

I know not super helpful, but just goes to show its hard to make a generalization. It also depends on your prespective a lot. In my family we refer to a/c as life support, but I find I am rarely uncomfortable on STJ. Well except for that walk up the hill from Salt Pond.

[flip-flop]

Oh and just because I know about these two houses specifically.

Anole is off a very challenging road and much further from town. My friends who stayed there (who are not at all wimps when it comes to STJ driving) found themselves taking as few trips back and forth as possible.

Beach Music is more easily accessible to Cruz Bay. Not sure if that matters but I thought I'd throw it in there.

If you have questions about these houses you should really PM Gromit - she's stayed at anole 1x and at beach music (when cygnus) 2 or 3 times.

[Itsstraightparadise]

I am with flip flop....living in DC my whole life anything is better and STJ is my favorite!

[Bill W]

Doesn't Beach Music face east, i.e. sunrise views rather than sunset views?

[byado18]

When I was doing my research for December, there was lots of feedback on Beach Music (you can do a search)........ both here and on TripAdvisor

The 2 deciding against factors for me were - AC only in 2 bedrooms -- we are wimps in our family AND the proximity to Pond Bay!

Good luck....

[flip-flop]

Doesn't Beach Music face east, i.e. sunrise views rather than sunset views?

Yes, another good point!

[Teresa_Rae]

STJ is definitely cooler than central Illinois in July and August, so I do appreciate the respite. But it’s still hot enough that I like to have a/c on while I’m sleeping, and I know there are STJ locals who post on this board who will highly recommend at least bedroom a/c in the summer for sleeping.

You’ll pay less for a villa that doesn’t have a/c, so if you can live without it that’s great.

[Berlingirl]

We're from the frozen tundra of Northern New England. We cannot exist through the night without A/C at any time during the year on Stj. We are just not aclimated to the heat and/or humidity. Recommend the A/C unless your already from an area where heat/humidity is prevalent year around and your body is used to it. We've been in the Spring,Summer and Fall. All hot to us.

[cypressgirl]

I can use that same logic to explain why we need ac. Living in a very hot and humid part of the country, we live in ac almost year around. I would never take a chance on the tradewinds not blowing, or the mosquitoes slipping through a tiny hole in a screen and buzzing around my ear all night. I'd be miserable. I want to hear the hum of that ac, and crank it down cold, to soothe my sun soaked skin.

As far as "leaving my needs at the ferry"??....I don't think I'd hang that sign at the ferry dock.

[RickG]

I am with flip flop....living in DC my whole life anything is better and STJ is my favorite!

Yep, and the mosquitoes are worse in DC than STJ!!! One of my favorite villas for value is Dolphin Run - $2800/8 with killer breezes as well as sunset and sunrise views. No a/c.

The a/c thing is really a personal choice. We don't need and prefer not to run it. We have friends that are closer to cypressgirl that drive our villa selection. But, when we have it we may use it when its warmer - like west facing houses in the summer!!

Cheers, RickG

[Robin in NC]

I'm not checking my needs at the ferry. I'll be on vacation, maybe you've heard of it. What an insulting thing to say.