usvi-on-line
Help me plan my honeymoon!
Help me plan my honeymoon!
We'll be making our first trip down there in about 4 months and wanted to get started on some of the ideas in regards to our day to day activities. I'm a pretty savvy "googler" but I know ya'll are better with the in's and out's of the island and such. So I'm reaching out!
We'll be in a villa and do a mix of eating in and dining out across the island. For one meal, we'd like to do something "nice". Doesn't need to be coat and tie (which I assume doesn't even exist...
) but something where I can't stroll up in my swimsuit to. You get the idea.
We're also looking as possibly doing a day charter boat trip, some excursions (snorkeling? anything else?), and hitting up a spa or getting a massage at the villa.
Any suggestions or recs on who to work with would be MUCH appreciated! Can't wait to be on the STJ!
We'll be in a villa and do a mix of eating in and dining out across the island. For one meal, we'd like to do something "nice". Doesn't need to be coat and tie (which I assume doesn't even exist...
) but something where I can't stroll up in my swimsuit to. You get the idea. We're also looking as possibly doing a day charter boat trip, some excursions (snorkeling? anything else?), and hitting up a spa or getting a massage at the villa.
Any suggestions or recs on who to work with would be MUCH appreciated! Can't wait to be on the STJ!
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
When we do a snorkelling charter, it will be with Capt Phil. It sounds like he is so knowledgable about the sea and it's creatures, and loves to teach. If we were going fishing, it'd be with Cleve from Local Flavor. Lots of great recommendations for him.
We've never eaten at any of the fine dining options on St. John, so can't help you there.
We've never eaten at any of the fine dining options on St. John, so can't help you there.
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
For your "fancy" dinner I recommend Zozos. Make a reservation to sit at the bar, which has beautiful unobstructed views out over Pillsbury Sound and to St. Thomas. The restaurant is a level below the bar--you will still have a view, but it will be somewhat blocked by the top of the Gallows Point buildings. Zozos has excellent service, good food, and a very nice wine list. Here is a link to their menu:
http://www.zozos.net/menu.shtml
They also offer complimentary valet parking, which is a plus.
I second the recommendation for a daysail with Captain Phil. He is terrific--very knowledgeable about the sealife. You'll learn a lot. It's not a party type boat though, so if that's what you are looking for choose somebody else.
For your "fancy" dinner I recommend Zozos. Make a reservation to sit at the bar, which has beautiful unobstructed views out over Pillsbury Sound and to St. Thomas. The restaurant is a level below the bar--you will still have a view, but it will be somewhat blocked by the top of the Gallows Point buildings. Zozos has excellent service, good food, and a very nice wine list. Here is a link to their menu:
http://www.zozos.net/menu.shtml
They also offer complimentary valet parking, which is a plus.
I second the recommendation for a daysail with Captain Phil. He is terrific--very knowledgeable about the sealife. You'll learn a lot. It's not a party type boat though, so if that's what you are looking for choose somebody else.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
For a charter day trip for snorkeling, I would recommend Rick and Robin on Long Distance - see link below. Many people on the forum recommended them and we were so happy with the trip. If you go on the full day trip, they take you to the mangroves for snorkeling, which was (unexpectedly) awesome. They go out of Coral Bay area. Robin snorkels with you and takes time to point out things. Rick is very safety oriented and will accompany you in a dighy. We didnt need the dinghy but its nice if you have someone who is not a confident snorkeler.
http://stjohnlinks.com/Charters/Long_Distance/Index.htm
We have also been out with Capt Phil and we loved that he taught us how to spot octopus activity. His love of the sea and sea creatures is evident and he imparts that to you. His boat is a little small for my tastes (when there are 6 guests), but he does a nice 2 snorkel all day trip. He goes out of Cruz Bay area.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and happy planning! You will find the forum immensely helpful to you.
http://stjohnlinks.com/Charters/Long_Distance/Index.htm
We have also been out with Capt Phil and we loved that he taught us how to spot octopus activity. His love of the sea and sea creatures is evident and he imparts that to you. His boat is a little small for my tastes (when there are 6 guests), but he does a nice 2 snorkel all day trip. He goes out of Cruz Bay area.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and happy planning! You will find the forum immensely helpful to you.
My suggestions on a day charter is if you want to go to the BVI's for the day you would need to look at the power boat charters instead of the sail boats.
The sail boats are nice but you kinda run out of time since it takes longer to sail and clear customs and that cuts down on your time on the islands.We have used Capt John Brandt of Palm Tree Charters. You charter the entire boat which will hold 6 and then he goes wherever you want. The boat is comfy and he is great and knows the waters and the islands. If you are wanting something fancier look at Bad Kitty
Congratuations on your wedding and STJ is an absolutely beautiful place to Honeymoon
The sail boats are nice but you kinda run out of time since it takes longer to sail and clear customs and that cuts down on your time on the islands.We have used Capt John Brandt of Palm Tree Charters. You charter the entire boat which will hold 6 and then he goes wherever you want. The boat is comfy and he is great and knows the waters and the islands. If you are wanting something fancier look at Bad Kitty
Congratuations on your wedding and STJ is an absolutely beautiful place to Honeymoon
Congrats on a lifetime of memories together...you better plan right now to make Love City an annual pilgrimage.
Because we travel with our kids for the past 7 years, a fine dinnning experience is not something on the menu. But there are so many great and fun choices we still havent been able to sample them all.
We do like Shipwreck, Morgan mangos, and of course all the fun and funky bars/rest...Beach Bar, High Tide, Island Blues, Skinnys.
As we are boaters back in Michigan we like to rent a boat for a day and be our own captain. A dingy rental is also a great way to explore. We have taken a boat to Jost and then Norman for some fun with snorkle stops at Waterlemon, Sandy Spit and the Caves.
Of course, our favorite thing to do is to visit the beach of the day(or 2) and do some limin.
Good Luck on your planning
Dave
Because we travel with our kids for the past 7 years, a fine dinnning experience is not something on the menu. But there are so many great and fun choices we still havent been able to sample them all.
We do like Shipwreck, Morgan mangos, and of course all the fun and funky bars/rest...Beach Bar, High Tide, Island Blues, Skinnys.
As we are boaters back in Michigan we like to rent a boat for a day and be our own captain. A dingy rental is also a great way to explore. We have taken a boat to Jost and then Norman for some fun with snorkle stops at Waterlemon, Sandy Spit and the Caves.
Of course, our favorite thing to do is to visit the beach of the day(or 2) and do some limin.
Good Luck on your planning
Dave
Congratulations!
You're right - jacket and tie are not required anywhere on St. John; I think even Caneel has removed it's jacket required policies for evening hours on the resort. That said, you really don't want to stroll into any restaurant in town in just your bathing suit - some kind of cover should be worn.
ZoZo's and LaTapa are both great for a "nice" dinner. LaTapa doesn't have views, but they have the SambaCombo on Monday nights. The food at both is great.
For views, the bar is the place at ZoZo's. We ate in the dining room and the view is a tad obscured; certainly not shabby though.
I have some food porn pics from both in the following trip reports!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
There is a new restaurant in the Chateaux Bordeaux location (same name); views are awesome from there as well.
You're right - jacket and tie are not required anywhere on St. John; I think even Caneel has removed it's jacket required policies for evening hours on the resort. That said, you really don't want to stroll into any restaurant in town in just your bathing suit - some kind of cover should be worn.
ZoZo's and LaTapa are both great for a "nice" dinner. LaTapa doesn't have views, but they have the SambaCombo on Monday nights. The food at both is great.
For views, the bar is the place at ZoZo's. We ate in the dining room and the view is a tad obscured; certainly not shabby though.
I have some food porn pics from both in the following trip reports!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
There is a new restaurant in the Chateaux Bordeaux location (same name); views are awesome from there as well.
janet
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chicagoans
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