Sapphire Breeze or Orchid Hill Villa?

Hawaii · Post by **Hawaii** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:35 am

Okay - After going over hundreds of villas for the past several days/weeks I keep coming back to Sapphire Breeze and also Orchid Hill. This will be for next summer probably July with our family of four. Our kids will be 12 and 9. What do you think of these two villas? Are they in a good location? Thanks for any input.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:14 pm

I stayed at Orchid Hill last spring. We loved it. It was just the two of us though. The only thing you may wish to consider is the bedroom setup. One of the bedrooms is attached to the main living pod. The second bedroom is located on the opposite side of the covered outdoor porch. So, you'd be in a different sleeping pod than your kids.

Seaview Homes states that the house has AC in the bedrooms. You might want to double check that, because there was no AC last April.

Here is a link to some photos I took of the house:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 239268013/

If you have any questions about the house, just let me know.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Mon May 18, 2009 12:59 pm

I haven't stayed in either of those houses but they both get good reviews. Orchid Hill, in particular, is in a terrific location. Both are convenient to Cruz Bay. I would want A/C in the summer but opinions vary on this. Villa Bijou is another very nice house, not too far from Orchid Hill, that you might consider (about $200-$300 more). Good luck in the villa search.

DaveS007 · Post by **DaveS007** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:17 pm

I have stayed at Sapphire Breeze twice. Very nice. The only down side was loosing the sun on the pool late afternoon. This was a small issue in the winter but don't think it will be an issue in the summer. May even be a blessing!

Hawaii · Post by **Hawaii** » Mon May 18, 2009 4:02 pm

Thanks everyone. I will have to check if Orchid Hill has A/C especially for July weather.

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:34 pm

We always do the VI's in June so I can't speak for July but when we were at OH last June, there was no A/C in the bedrooms. We found however that it was not needed. Opening the inside doors made it stay nice and breezy throughout the villa.

Chris V · Post by **Chris V** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:23 am

Have stayed at sapphire breeze a few times. My family loves it!!!! The view is even better then anything on the website. The owner is a true artist, from the floor plan to the amazing tile work.

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:17 am

We stayed at Orchid Hill and absolutlely LOVED it. We were there in June or July I think and there was absolutely no need for AC, the "breezes" were actually wind most of the time. Great location (quick into town, but quiet), great view, infinity pool, really nice outdoor living area (spent lots of time there).

You can see this house on the Serendipity webcam. http://www.serendipity.vi/ It's the big white roof, just down from the top of the hill. Pool/deck are at the left of the view, so you can see out toward STX from there.

Hawaii · Post by **Hawaii** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:49 am

Thank you! Chris V and Chicadee how was the drive up to your villa. I have heard that Sapphire Breeze is a little hard to get up too? Also, what agency did you go thru and were they good to work with. One more question - were you convenient to the north shore beaches? I have been reading and since we are newbies that is where everyone says to go. Thanks again!

cool breeze · Post by **cool breeze** » Tue May 19, 2009 1:42 pm

We are returning to Sapphire Breeze for our 2nd trip this coming October and absolutely love the place. Its in a convienient location to Cruz Bay and the Villa speaks for itself. It has a fabulous deck area with a unique pool design and the views in my opinion are fantastic. The drive to the villa is a piece of cake provided you come in via Pastory Gardens off of RT. 10 Jacobs ladder entrance can be challenging due to cars parked on the side. Anyways hope you have a fantastic stay where ever you choose.

ciao

CB

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:22 pm

I don't remember which villa company we used, but I've not really had a problem with any. The drive was easy, paved most of the way as I remember. Very convenient to town, less than 10 minutes.

EVERYTHING is convenient to the north shore beaches on St. John. It is a very small island so you are never all that far from where you want to go. The only fairly long treck from the Southwest part of the island is to the Southeast part since there is no "south shore road" and you have to go over Centerline, to Coral Bay, then south to get to Salt Pond and the Lamesures.

Don't limit yourself to the north shore beaches. For newbies like yourself, I'd tell you to plan at least a whole 1/2 day of just driving around (with stops here and there of course). Get a map, use it, but if you see something interesting, turn there and see what happens.

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:45 pm

Good advice from Cool Breeze to use the road off Centerline by Pastory Gardens instead of the other direction up Jacobs Ladder! Much easier!
Did you see all the pictures at www.sapphirebreeze.com?

Hawaii · Post by **Hawaii** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:34 pm

msgcolleen - Thanks for that site. I have seen many pictures on many different sites but did not see that one. It had alot of great information and the pictures were great. I have searched so many villas but just keep coming back to this one. It looks so nice and I think our kids would love the pool. Do you know or anyone else know if this is a villa that is pretty private. Anyone stay in the apartment? I am thinking we would invite my parents but not sure how the apartment is. My parents vacationed in STT years ago and I know would love to visit STJ but not sure they would like the heat in July. Even though they are in pretty good health and still active they do use their air alot in the summer. Thanks again!

cool breeze · Post by **cool breeze** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:52 am

Hawaii, you will not be dissapointed. The lower level apartment is perfect for another couple in the fact that it is very private from the main floor. The Villa is very private you can see another Villa that is up above the pool area. It was being constructed when we were there last year but other than that their are no other villas to invade your privacy. We use vivacations management and our experiences with them have been seamless. All in all you will absolutely love Sapphire Breeze if you decide on that villa. Either way enjoy your vacation. Our restaraunt of choice is ZoZo's and we love Trunk Bay. Have fun

ciao

CB

charlie · Post by **charlie** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:41 pm

Since you asked !!
Just came back from STJ -5/9-5-16. Stayed at Sapphire Breeze. This our 10th trip and first time that SB was avail for our dates since we stayed there in 2001.
In 2001 we -all 8 of us- loved SB and 2 of the couples were the most pickiest people on the face of the earth. Went with a different group this year all family and no one had anything to complain about except son-in-law when it seemed like my wife ran the washer and dryer all night. Weather was kind of sucky but we were still able to visit one or two beaches every day- no repeats.
StCar rental was SUPEr
Shipwreck Landin was Great.
Lime inn was as usual unbelieveable
Sapphire Breeze was fantastic- an adventure all by itself
Vivacations couldn't have been nicer or more professional.
I love St John and I like to explore I feel very comfotable with just going to Columbos for smoothies
Pink papya for gifts Lime Inn for Dinner and Drinks
Shipwreck for Lunch AND -eventhough I'm diabetic Shipwreck shakes
StCR for jeeps
And we've nver used the same realtors more than once. I'll probably never use anyone but Vivacations on future trips.

usvi-on-line

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Sapphire Breeze or Orchid Hill Villa?

Sapphire Breeze or Orchid Hill Villa?