~~Trip Report 2/24 - 3/4~~ Short & Sweet

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:28 pm

Villa: Cielo Vista
Perfect for two couples, relatively new, located on the top half of Gifft Hill

Day Sail to Jost: Bread on the Water
Most enjoyable sail to Diamond Cay- Foxxy's Taboo and bubbly pool. A refreshing change since we've been to White Bay about 4 times. Check out the boat on their website www.sailbreadonthewater. com. holds max 6 couples. Gary and Joan are perfects hosts!!!

Restaurants:
Joe's BBQ - Fabulous ribs to take back to villa
Balcony - Service slow, food not as good as past years
Pastory Gardens - cheap, casual, and good value.
La Tapa - Fabulous!!
Fish Trap Market - fresh, delicious tuna and mahi
Donkey Diner - very good omelets

Car Rental: Penn's
We've been using them since 1994; price has gone up considerably but their 24/7 parking makes it worth the $$$$.

Booze - Mixology
Delivered and waiting for us when we arrived. The guys were happy

Good things: Meeting Ruth, "Into the Blue" shop, Tasting Painkillers all over the island,
Not so Good things: luggage delays at airport,
Reckless Truck/Vitran drivers,

augie · Post by **augie** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:52 pm

Thanks for the report Pat!

My wife and I will be staying at Cielo Vista - if I may:

Do you know if the sound system has inputs for a MP3 player?

Is the cistern water in the villa filtered so it's drinkable, or do you recommend buying it?

Did you cook much at the villa? If so, was there anything you wish you'd had that isn't there?

Did Mixology deliver your order to the villa or was it just ready and waiting for you to pick up?

Thanks again!

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:58 pm

Thanks for the report.
Short and sweet is good sometimes. I like how you organized the report.
It sounds like you had a good time.

mia · Post by **mia** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:02 pm

Pat,
Short, sweet and very informative.

I agree with you regarding The Balcony, we will not return...been there 3 times...third time definitely not a charm. St. John has way to many dining choices with better food and excellent service. Who needs their apathetic attitude?
Penn's is our favorite too....we will certainly use them for future trips. Can't say enough good things about them.....new vehicles, parking lot convenience, great customer service.
Thanks for your report....mia

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:46 pm

No foreplay just get right to it. Way to go

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:13 pm

Cielo Vista is very nice. The owners were there when we stayed...not a problem, they will give you help and advice if you need it. They gave us our space and privacy. The stereo is a "boom box" type, nothing fancy. We bought bottled water and used it for making coffee, ice and filling water jugs. We cooked in 4 nights. There's a nice gas grill, micro, gas stove, dishwasher. Hmmm...things to bring from home: a shot glass, cd's, a hair dryer (I had to buy one!!) We called Mixology a week before and if your order is over $100.00, delivery is free. Our order was waiting for us, beer chilling in fridge. That's what I call service.

Any other info I can give you let me know. Have a great time...the views of St. Thomas at night are fantastic. Turn on the rope lighting in the bedroom ceiling at night....nice touch.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:22 pm

Thanks Pat---appreciate the report. We also used Mixology Warehouse to deliver our liquor order so it was waiting at the house when we got there---what a nice service.

augie · Post by **augie** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:33 am

Thanks a lot Pat!

Did it feel like you were there by yourselves, or did having the owners on-site make it seem less private? I have read that they are often there - I've never read anyone reporting that it bothered them, someone's review said that they even went out to dinner with them, just curious how it was for you. You know, things like if you decided to go for a late moonlight dip in the pool, would you worry about them being able to see you?

Anyone know where there is a list of available items from Mixology, along with prices?

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:24 pm

When they are there, the owner's apartment is under the main house so they cannot see the patio and pool area. They will take their cue from you and respect your privacy. They did make a point to say hello and goodbye to us when we were leaving. They kept to themselves and I never felt I was being watched.
They were out and about alot, and must have a busy social life. Don't worry.

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