casa bueno review

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papabou
Posts: 531
Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:34 pm

casa bueno review

Post by papabou »

i was going to do a "villa review" since i've enjoyed that section of the board through the years. i opened that section like i normally do but no posting instructions so here on the regular posts is my review of VILLA CASA BUENO.

our party of 4 had the pleasure of being 1st rental guests at casa bueno on bordeaux mt from 7/26 to 8/2. what a treat! short distance from centerline rd at overlook via concrete rds and drive though driveway a little steep. level parking pad with room for 2 jeeps and turnaround. parking is on terrace level where there's a hose for washing off beach sand before going inside. there is also a bedroom and huge garden shower bath plus a great storage room with coolers and beach chairs on that level. the grounds are nicely landscaped which pleased the bride who will sometimes mention she is a "master gardener" though she has yet to set for her exam. propably like a GED equivalent.

the villa towers 3 stories over the parking deck and extensive stone and tile work exudes (learned from bride) luxury. for the physically challenged beware entry is via an open stair to the main level so cb is not the one level stj dreamhouse we have been looking for but if you can handle a set of stairs to and fro parking, she's in second place. the landing at the top of the stairs becomes a continous covered veranda acroos the front of the house (probably 60+ feet long) and onto the pool deck (thus seating near pool is either open or covered). from the veranda facing the house, on the right is a master bedroom with it's own railed balcony that the stairs from parking wraps around and above is another bedroom with larger balcony that provides a cover for the lower right bedroom balcony. in the center is the great room with an entrance door to the right and then about 16 feet of "double sliders" with full screens that all fold away into walls so great room and kitchen behind have open views across the veranda to the "view". to the left in the house is another master bedroom and to left of house is the aforementioned pool deck. turn around to face out and your jaw drops, but for the curvature of the earth you could see africa with good binocs! this is from a guy who's a frequent flier to gifft hill and upper rockridge rd villas. you see mamey and ajax peaks and all their villas to the left, over the ridges you see sir fran drake sound and tortolla, straight out front you seethe coral bay cross rd, the ball field, seagrape, east end and all the islands to the east including virgin gorda. you see the n end of coral bay and hurrricane hole but unfortunately a lovely virgin mountainside blocks the view to the south. no sunset balls but there are the lightings of coral bay, adjoinig mts and nearby islands. wow!

great room has plenty of comfortable seating tv.cd/dvd etc, vaulted ceiling with 3 paddle fans that turned from the breezes. kitch has all needed cookery, flatware, plates, glasses etc including a nice seat of large mouth unbreakable adult beverage glasses for pool deck and the thristy drinkers. nice supersized refig no ice maker but probably a dozen ice trays. as you enter front door there is a large circular stone stair case that leads to another level and the 4th bedroom and bath with vaulted ceiling and i believe a queen bed (we used 2 masters on main level).

the 2 bedrooms on main level were of equal size and had big slider to their patios and baths to rear with large showers and 2 windows. both had king beds with supper bedding and linings and 2 separate windows in addition to the sliders. the left br had a vaulted ceiling and a massive walk in closet while the right br had flat ceiling (another room above), about 8 feet of closet and a private balcony.

there were ceiling fans everywhere and we where careful not to turn all on at one due due to possible liftoff. great room and all bedrooms had split remote controlled ac (required in bedroom by bride and sandi) but we never turned on. the breezes were heavenly and at times almost too much. concrete pool sized like most stj villas, about 5ft deep and those not height challenged could stand in pool and see africa. sun patterns for our trip gave deck and pool plenty of sun till late afternoon, water was pleasant and there's anothe lux item, a solar panel on roof top with a cir pump switch inside that i believe would allow pool water to be heated too but we never used. sorry all you young folks, there is no hot tub.

in summary if you removed the lowest level so that parking was on the same level as the great room, she'd be ideal for us soc sec receps but then when you see the mt she was cut out of you understand that your building lot is vertical and not horizontal so some steps required for access. only real neg for our trip was being 1st to rent meant cb was short a very few things we had always had at prior villas and that will soon accumulate at cb: spices, plastic pitchers, foils & wraps. however with the savings ($250 pernite intro including vi tax, yes 1500 total for 4 for 6 nights) we could supply most of the mt bord villas for the rest of the year! would have preferred a dining table on the veranda but the view from inside dining table is better than most villas have from outside decks.

closing personal notes. we meet the owners, beva and james sullivan, just good folks i'd like to have as neighbors. i believe they also own cololoboa center (where aqua bistro is located). also meet marc miller the agent handling rentals. marc's a super nice guy who supplied us with fresh mint from his garden for the adult beverages and was most helpful. if you have rental type questions, give him a call and tell him jerry b said hello!

i think pia has covered a couple of questions raised on my original post, but if there are q's still out there, i'll leave a light on for you so just drop by.

papabou
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cypressgirl
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Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
Location: houston

Post by cypressgirl »

YEAH!!!! It sounds perfect for our romantic get away. Hopefully the kids won't want to go. :wink:

I've had several nice e-mail conversations with Marc. He does sound like a great guy.
Hawaii
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Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:31 pm
Location: Doylestown, Pa

Post by Hawaii »

Papabou - Thanks for the great trip report. Sounds like a great villa that will go on our list for next summer.
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Pia
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Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:38 pm
Location: St John

Post by Pia »

You were right Papabou - went under contract yesterday - unfortunately I was not the selling agent :(

Pia
Realtor - St John Properties
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seagrape
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:59 pm
Location: Big Lake, Alaska

Casa Bueno

Post by seagrape »

Our friends own that house and we were lucky enough to visit it. It's really beautiful and you can see for miles and miles. Marc is our new go-to guy and he is awesome. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

Seagrape
hockeymom
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:01 am
Location: detroit

Post by hockeymom »

We just returned from our 1 week stay at Casa Bueno. It was perfect. The pictures on the website don't do it justice. I hope to be back soon.... I have lots of pictures so I'll try to post a review w/pictures.
hockeymom
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:01 am
Location: detroit

Post by hockeymom »

I posted some pictures here: http://stjohncasabuenovilla.shutterfly.com/
papabou
Posts: 531
Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:34 pm

Post by papabou »

hm,

i hereby certify the pics you have posted were in fact taken at casa bueno, a lovely villa. all shots are great but just like vrbo site pics, the view shot is not near as good as real thing. i believe it has to be shot in cinemascope!

mike and sandi (who were there with us) had same problem with their camera. oh well, the real thing is engraved in my mine and i bet yours too!

thanks for sharing

papabou
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