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Villa help
Villa help
Hello Forum!
I have successfully booked our 5th trip to STJ in as many years. It has just been my wife and I but this time we are bringing the 3 kids - ages 10 thru 20!! I am a frequent lurker (seldom poster) but thought I could really use some advice from the experts on a villa choice. We will be on St. John the last week in July. I have narrowed the search down to 4! The first atop Bordeaux and the rest in Coral.
Sea Breeze
Waterlemon Villa
Villa Dos Palmas
Villa Adeste
Any advise or comments are greatly appreciated! Even other villa suggestions. These I know are available...
Thank you! - John
I have successfully booked our 5th trip to STJ in as many years. It has just been my wife and I but this time we are bringing the 3 kids - ages 10 thru 20!! I am a frequent lurker (seldom poster) but thought I could really use some advice from the experts on a villa choice. We will be on St. John the last week in July. I have narrowed the search down to 4! The first atop Bordeaux and the rest in Coral.
Sea Breeze
Waterlemon Villa
Villa Dos Palmas
Villa Adeste
Any advise or comments are greatly appreciated! Even other villa suggestions. These I know are available...
Thank you! - John
Hi Hawk64,
Congrats on booking you trip!
The only villa on your list I have personal experience with is Waterlemon. We were there for 2 weeks this past December - we had 2 couples one week and 3 couples the second week.
We really enjoyed it - the screened porch is wonderful! Fabulous views and great breezes.
The owner, Ellen, is great to work with. She loves her house and the island, her on-island manager was very nice and also attentive to our needs.
It is quick 2-minute drive into Coral Bay and probably 10-15 minutes to Maho Beach. I would not hesitate to recommend this villa.
If I can answer any other questions - feel free to pm me.
Congrats on booking you trip!
The only villa on your list I have personal experience with is Waterlemon. We were there for 2 weeks this past December - we had 2 couples one week and 3 couples the second week.
We really enjoyed it - the screened porch is wonderful! Fabulous views and great breezes.
The owner, Ellen, is great to work with. She loves her house and the island, her on-island manager was very nice and also attentive to our needs.
It is quick 2-minute drive into Coral Bay and probably 10-15 minutes to Maho Beach. I would not hesitate to recommend this villa.
If I can answer any other questions - feel free to pm me.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
Yes, I've talked to Ellen a couple times now and she is very passionate of her home and St. John. Are there any negatives that you found? I understand there's some construction next door?
Teresa - you're right, that's the only one I have not heard back from - sounds like my decision may already be made for me on Adeste.
Teresa - you're right, that's the only one I have not heard back from - sounds like my decision may already be made for me on Adeste.
- that along with very slow internet connections Hawk - yes, Ellen told me there is another house going up next door. I'm not sure what that would mean as for as the road getting in and out of the villa during the daytime - concrete trucks, workers' vehicles, etc. I am sure if you asked Ellen - she would be honest.
We were on the island a few weeks ago and stayed in Coral Bay and looking up the hill - all I could see looks like foundation and cistern. Not sure when walls will go up. But our experience with island construction is this - they only work during daytime hours and are usually gone by 3 or so in the afternoon. We have stayed at villas with nearby construction and have not really been bothered by it. After all - most of our daytime hours are spent at the beach.
The only negative I could say regarding the villa is that there is a small stretch of the road leading into the driveway that is a little steep, bumpy and unpaved - the first couple of times we were like - OMG -
- but as typical for us on St John - after a couple of days it was not a big deal. 
The driveway is paved and has ample parking.
When I get home I can post some pics for you if you would like.
We were on the island a few weeks ago and stayed in Coral Bay and looking up the hill - all I could see looks like foundation and cistern. Not sure when walls will go up. But our experience with island construction is this - they only work during daytime hours and are usually gone by 3 or so in the afternoon. We have stayed at villas with nearby construction and have not really been bothered by it. After all - most of our daytime hours are spent at the beach.
The only negative I could say regarding the villa is that there is a small stretch of the road leading into the driveway that is a little steep, bumpy and unpaved - the first couple of times we were like - OMG -
- but as typical for us on St John - after a couple of days it was not a big deal. The driveway is paved and has ample parking.
When I get home I can post some pics for you if you would like.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
We stayed at Seabreeze a few years ago. My daughter (then about 13) walked into the living room, looked out at the view, and said, "This is opening whole new worlds to me." The view is amazing. Stargazing staggering.
It's a wonderful family home. We have three children as well. The downstairs suite off the pool was perfect for our older son. Our daughter loved the loft, and our young son was right across the hall from us.
My husband and I enjoyed our coffee in the hot tub every morning. Most meals were on the deck -- all enjoying the breeze and the view. The kids loved the deep and large (relatively) pool with the view. And the lying on the lounge chairs at night made for perfect stargazing.
It also has nice landscaping. The house is not luxurious -- more comfortable and homey.
Good luck in your search.
It's a wonderful family home. We have three children as well. The downstairs suite off the pool was perfect for our older son. Our daughter loved the loft, and our young son was right across the hall from us.
My husband and I enjoyed our coffee in the hot tub every morning. Most meals were on the deck -- all enjoying the breeze and the view. The kids loved the deep and large (relatively) pool with the view. And the lying on the lounge chairs at night made for perfect stargazing.
It also has nice landscaping. The house is not luxurious -- more comfortable and homey.
Good luck in your search.
Thanks all!!
I've narrowed it down to Seabreeze and Waterlemon.
Leaning towards Seabreeze as it is more centrally located to Cruz and Coral. (Also ShellyZ's great remarks!) As far as the road to Waterlemon, no problem - we stayed up the hill even further last year at Chudali - very treacherous!!
John
I've narrowed it down to Seabreeze and Waterlemon.
Leaning towards Seabreeze as it is more centrally located to Cruz and Coral. (Also ShellyZ's great remarks!) As far as the road to Waterlemon, no problem - we stayed up the hill even further last year at Chudali - very treacherous!!
John
I can also attest to Waterlemon being a great villa. We stayed there this past Thanksgiving and thought it was great! (See my villa review)
You already know that Ellen is great to work with. The house is wonderful. The kitchen is better stocked than my home kitchen (I'm not kidding!) with beautiful pots and pans and everything you could possibly need. That screened in porch off the kitchen and living area is great. We ate out there all but once because it was too windy. Otherwise, that's where we were. The bedrooms were nice and very comfortable beds and linens. The pool and deck are also nice.
The location is great. So convenient for that almost daily stop at Lily's for whatever we needed/wanted. The last bit of road is really not that big a deal, in my opinion. You get used to it!
Any specific questions? I'd be happy to answer them!
Lisa
You already know that Ellen is great to work with. The house is wonderful. The kitchen is better stocked than my home kitchen (I'm not kidding!) with beautiful pots and pans and everything you could possibly need. That screened in porch off the kitchen and living area is great. We ate out there all but once because it was too windy. Otherwise, that's where we were. The bedrooms were nice and very comfortable beds and linens. The pool and deck are also nice.
The location is great. So convenient for that almost daily stop at Lily's for whatever we needed/wanted. The last bit of road is really not that big a deal, in my opinion. You get used to it!
Any specific questions? I'd be happy to answer them!
Lisa
The bedroom with the twins is not real big, but it's definitely sufficient. There is a wardrobe, but no closets. We were able to unpack, and just put the suitcases outside the room, against the railing to the downstairs. We had 2 adults in that room and had no problems. How much time do you really spend in the bedroom? If that's the only concern, I would not let it be a dealbreaker.
we just stayed at island horizons which is next to waterlemon. I would stay at waterlemon in a heart beat. The view from there will take your breathe away. Here is a picture of waterlemon that we took. And also a few more of the view.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517682433/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517380318/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3516550329/
waterlemon is the blue villa on the left.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517680799/
Good luck
Nancy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517682433/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517380318/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3516550329/
waterlemon is the blue villa on the left.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/3517680799/
Good luck
Nancy
Yes, Waterlemon and Island Horizons are next to each other (well almost) both have spectacular views. There is a new villa being built in between the two so do ask about construction noise, but the builder, Sylvester, is a great guy and I believe does not start before 8am and is finished by 4:00 to 4:30pm - and I am sure you will be gone when he is there, also you never know what stage of building they will be at and even if they will be working that week.
Pia
Pia
John,
Yes, Seabreeze has a loft with twin beds in it. The ladder goes straight up, and as I recall the ceiling is a bit low, but it was really cozy. My daughter loved it. The Windspree website does mention it, but there are no pictures of the loft. You might ask them about it, since we were there a couple of years ago.
I think it would be a wonderful set up for kids your age. They would each have their own space, if they want. Also the pool is fun, because it's deep and relatively long, so good for playing. The pool deck is amazing for stargazing. Our daughter loved to wrap herself up in a big towel and lie on a lounge chair, looking for shooting stars.
We also liked the privacy of the villa, and the fact that, although it's perched on the mountain, there is a back yard that is flat. You can throw a ball or play there. I also seem to remember a key lime tree and other fruit trees.
Like I mentioned before, it's not fancy, but it seems to be a home that has been well loved. I like renting homes that feel like homes, not like hotels.
Hope this helps! I'm sure wherever you end up, it will be a magical time with your family. Best wishes.
Shelley
Yes, Seabreeze has a loft with twin beds in it. The ladder goes straight up, and as I recall the ceiling is a bit low, but it was really cozy. My daughter loved it. The Windspree website does mention it, but there are no pictures of the loft. You might ask them about it, since we were there a couple of years ago.
I think it would be a wonderful set up for kids your age. They would each have their own space, if they want. Also the pool is fun, because it's deep and relatively long, so good for playing. The pool deck is amazing for stargazing. Our daughter loved to wrap herself up in a big towel and lie on a lounge chair, looking for shooting stars.
We also liked the privacy of the villa, and the fact that, although it's perched on the mountain, there is a back yard that is flat. You can throw a ball or play there. I also seem to remember a key lime tree and other fruit trees.
Like I mentioned before, it's not fancy, but it seems to be a home that has been well loved. I like renting homes that feel like homes, not like hotels.
Hope this helps! I'm sure wherever you end up, it will be a magical time with your family. Best wishes.
Shelley