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Gull Cottage/Splash Villa/Other Villas Near Westin
Gull Cottage/Splash Villa/Other Villas Near Westin
I'm thinking WAAY ahead now, about Spring Break 2008. It will be my daughter's senior year in high school. We will want to go to a warm destination with 3 or 4 or 5 other families with their kids. I had originally been thinking about Mexico, but I just can't get that pumped up about it (in fact, I'm going to Cabo in a few weeks and I'm still thinking about ST. JOHN). At least one of the other families has been to St. John with us several times and would be interested in going there for a Sr. Spring Break. Cancun its not, but thats a good thing. The kids might not agree, so we'll see, but they are all good friends and would probably just enjoy all hanging out together somewhere warm.
Our thought was to have people stay either at the Westin or several villas in that area (some families are close friends and might share). I had thought about Gull Cottage and Splash Villa. Haven't been inside either of these villas. Any thoughts on these villas or other villas within walking distance to Westin?
Thanks.
Our thought was to have people stay either at the Westin or several villas in that area (some families are close friends and might share). I had thought about Gull Cottage and Splash Villa. Haven't been inside either of these villas. Any thoughts on these villas or other villas within walking distance to Westin?
Thanks.
---Jim
Jim
Check out these villas, they are walking distance to the Westin and are larger.
http://www.vrbo.com/52933
http://www.vrbo.com/66230
http://cateredto.info/VillaPage.php?id=ADG
I would also make sure at least one family stays at the Westin, maybe in a villa, so everyone in your group can come over as a guest. The pool at the Westin and the beach toys are a huge draw for kids. During holiday weeks they do not offer day passes.
VRBO is a good place to find a timeshare rental at the Westin!
We stayed at a villa in Chocolate Hole and it took us 8 minutes to walk to the Westin on back roads.
My husband and I use the Starwood Amex for everything, I have 2 nights earned already since December. It is the only way I would stay at the Westin St John in-season, their prices are crazy!
Just curious, not trying to be nosy
, but how did you split the costs of the villa with your last group and uneven bedrooms?
Check out these villas, they are walking distance to the Westin and are larger.
http://www.vrbo.com/52933
http://www.vrbo.com/66230
http://cateredto.info/VillaPage.php?id=ADG
I would also make sure at least one family stays at the Westin, maybe in a villa, so everyone in your group can come over as a guest. The pool at the Westin and the beach toys are a huge draw for kids. During holiday weeks they do not offer day passes.
VRBO is a good place to find a timeshare rental at the Westin!
We stayed at a villa in Chocolate Hole and it took us 8 minutes to walk to the Westin on back roads.
My husband and I use the Starwood Amex for everything, I have 2 nights earned already since December. It is the only way I would stay at the Westin St John in-season, their prices are crazy!
Just curious, not trying to be nosy
, but how did you split the costs of the villa with your last group and uneven bedrooms?We have stayed at Gull Cottage a few years ago and plan staying there again this summer. It is walking distance from the Westin and they are great about letting you use their pools and water toys (and bars too!) The house was very nicely laid out and from recent pictures looks like some remodeling has been going on and they now have air-conditioning in all the bedrooms. The two main bedrooms are on the main floor and an outside staircase takes you to the 3rd bedroom and bath which would probably be great for the teens. Its also very close to Cruz Bay for eating, drinking and shopping. The pool is a nice size too, with great outside dining only feet from the water. Never stayed at Splash but it looks fun. Hope this helps
By all means book Spring Break 2008 now! It's a busy week.
We had friends that stayed at Splash a half dozen times. They liked it. The pool is not standard, so take a look at that.
We had 6 families and 24 people on island for Thanksgiving. We ended up in three houses that were not walking distance. Since we did not have a group of teenagers, were fine driving between the houses to get together.
Another house convenient to Great Cruz Bay is Tennis Villa. 7 bedrooms in two building. I've seen good reviews and would rent it with a big group. Over on Chocolate Hole we seriously considered Cygnus and Ciellodonna. We ended up going with Le Lapin II and Dolphin for small child containment reasons and Cocotier for accessibility reasons.
Mexico vs. St. John? This forum is rather self-selecting on that question. Cabo is certainly a party party area where the teens can get in as much trouble as they can stand. St. John has plenty of that too. My oldest daugter has had at least one Rum error on her virgin daicquiri orders on both trips since she turned 13. If you are 18, or so, getting served on STJ is going to happen. I would keep the youngsters away from the vehicles any ways.
We may end up on island Spring Break 2008. I'm taking my kids somwhere and STJ is second place right now. First place is an Amsterdam/Antwerp/Brussles/Brugge trip. Lots of culture and lots of Belgian beer. My girls speak French so it's a chance to get them some exposure outside of immersion school. They loved Paris and Munich during Spring Break 2006. It's all a careful plan to grow small people into big people that love to do great vacations!
Cheers, Rick
We had friends that stayed at Splash a half dozen times. They liked it. The pool is not standard, so take a look at that.
We had 6 families and 24 people on island for Thanksgiving. We ended up in three houses that were not walking distance. Since we did not have a group of teenagers, were fine driving between the houses to get together.
Another house convenient to Great Cruz Bay is Tennis Villa. 7 bedrooms in two building. I've seen good reviews and would rent it with a big group. Over on Chocolate Hole we seriously considered Cygnus and Ciellodonna. We ended up going with Le Lapin II and Dolphin for small child containment reasons and Cocotier for accessibility reasons.
Mexico vs. St. John? This forum is rather self-selecting on that question. Cabo is certainly a party party area where the teens can get in as much trouble as they can stand. St. John has plenty of that too. My oldest daugter has had at least one Rum error on her virgin daicquiri orders on both trips since she turned 13. If you are 18, or so, getting served on STJ is going to happen. I would keep the youngsters away from the vehicles any ways.
We may end up on island Spring Break 2008. I'm taking my kids somwhere and STJ is second place right now. First place is an Amsterdam/Antwerp/Brussles/Brugge trip. Lots of culture and lots of Belgian beer. My girls speak French so it's a chance to get them some exposure outside of immersion school. They loved Paris and Munich during Spring Break 2006. It's all a careful plan to grow small people into big people that love to do great vacations!
Cheers, Rick
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
We liked Ristaba alot when we went there with our large group. We rented the house and the cottage.
Some other forumites said their kids walked to the Westin from there but it is at the top that steep hill just past the Westin.
We were really happy with it and it's location for ease of getting places.
nothintolose
Some other forumites said their kids walked to the Westin from there but it is at the top that steep hill just past the Westin.
We were really happy with it and it's location for ease of getting places.
nothintolose
check out this house, too. www.artisticvillas.com Click on Beach Villa.It would be " party central" if you stayed here! with all those people coming, you don't need a Cancun or Cabo. the teens can make their own fun! From here you can swim over to the Westin or kayak around the bay. the kids never wanted to leave.
Thanks. Lots of good ideas. Villa Villekula is a great idea, Paula, because its a less expensive way to house some extra kids, which was one of my biggest concerns about St. John. Wow---the prices at the Westin in high season are obscene ($650-750/nt.) Suspect they would eventually post slightly better discounted rates---its just too early for that. If anyone has any good ideas on getting better prices at the Westin let me know. Betty, I like the idea of the Starwood AmEx card. Right now I get lots of AA miles, but it might be good to get some Starwood points too.
---Jim
I have stayed at Villa Villakula and it is very comfortable - not a luxury villa but there are several in my group that would go back every year - but since I do the planning and I like to try out different villas ... It was be excellent as a house for the "kids". Feel free to ask any questions.
Paula
Thanks again Paula---looks very much like something that would work well for us. Wanted to clarify that since 2 families would be splitting that house, and we wouldn't need all 5 bedrooms with our own children, we might have extra room if one or two of them brought friends, which would be perfect. And I agree that the kayaks are a big bonus. I'm also looking at Viridian Garden through Destination St. John which sleeps 9 and is similarly priced (a few dollars less).
---Jim