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Bougainvillea Loft Villa?
Bougainvillea Loft Villa?
Hi guys,
We are debating between Schnell's Bougainvillea Loft and Grande Bay (I know, I know, there are a lot of GB haters...). Any insight? Couldn't find any reviews...
Thanks!
We are debating between Schnell's Bougainvillea Loft and Grande Bay (I know, I know, there are a lot of GB haters...). Any insight? Couldn't find any reviews...
Thanks!
My husband and I just got back from STJ and while we were there we walked by Grande Bay and we both want to stay there on our next trip. I love that location, we have stayed at Gallows in the past and the place looks gorgeous. You can't go wrong with brand new in my opinion.
Onstjohn just featured the pool last week it looks fabulous!
Don't know much about Bougainvilla loft but stayed at Schnell's Ocean Garden Villa last year and it was just alright.
Onstjohn just featured the pool last week it looks fabulous!
Don't know much about Bougainvilla loft but stayed at Schnell's Ocean Garden Villa last year and it was just alright.
Julie
Live from St.John
Facebook Group
That is correct. Many many years ago, I had the occasion to encounter said spiral staircase. Not fun with a suitcase. And to top it off, the lower level had an infant that was still in the screaming and crying stage. Thank goodness I wasn't there much.Steve S wrote:I'm not certain, but I think the loft may only be accessible by spiral staircase. Both are close to town. Schell's place doesn't have a pool.
Besides the VB Loft's PITA spiral staircase, something I'd take into consideration is that the kitchen & living area are open air. No windows/screens, but curtains. So bring bug spray if you do rent there.
Winds out of the SE will keep things comfortable in the living area, but less so if out of the E or NE because the hillside will block the wind.
The bedrooms do have A/C.
Decent views of Pillsbury Sound.
Winds out of the SE will keep things comfortable in the living area, but less so if out of the E or NE because the hillside will block the wind.
The bedrooms do have A/C.
Decent views of Pillsbury Sound.
Hi,
We've stayed at both.
We rented Bougainvillea in 2006. These were my comments in my TR back then:
*********
We rented the Loft Suite at Villa Bougainvillea. It is located up the hill passed Gallows Point. We were quite pleased with this villa. There are 2 almost equal bedrooms (with AC), 2 bathrooms (one in the master BR), apartment sized kitchen (had a coffee grinder), and a great living/dining area. The front wall was open (had a rod iron railing with some awning material half way up) and looked out toward St. Thomas. Due to a large palm tree, not fully panoramic, but a very nice view - great for sunset watching. There were some signs of wear and tear, but overall it was very clean and in great shape. Debbie Schnell was great to deal with; very receptive to any questions or issues. The villa would be great for 2 couples (once you get through the "I want the bigger bedroom" debate); any more and the living room would feel crowded.
*********
It does have a spiral staircase which is tight with luggage, but no problem after that. We had no bug issues with the open wall; the bedrooms do have AC. It's a great sunset view. Not a lot of outdoor spaces. One deck was surrounded by vegetation so there was no breeze; the other was small - it was on the street side if I remember - it did have a gas grill out there. There is off-street parking, but it would be hard fitting 2 vehicles if someone was renting the garden suite and had a car. The walk to town is really easy and taxi's will pick you up if you don't want to catch one in town. There is a washer/dryer shared between both units.
We rented a 1BR at Grande Bay this past November. These are my comments from that TR:
**************
Grande Bay was grand. We had a 1 bedroom unit on the 3rd floor in the upper building (7th floor from the ground - yes there are elevators). Plenty of room in the bedroom and living area; kitchen had all of the necessities. Central A/C was a treat, ceiling fans in the living room and bedroom, 2 TV’s and a washer/dryer. The balcony was small, but had a grande view.
You can see some pics here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
(there may be additional pics in other installments - search Umbrella and Drink and Tour).
***************************
The obvious is that Grande Bay is new and the location is closer to town. The sunset views vary with the unit, as does the balcony space. Grande Bay also has a pool (it was not finished when we were there). There is a reserved parking spot at Grande Bay for each unit (at least it looked that way).
The living room/dining area is roomier at Bougainvillea; but air-conditiioned at Grande Bay.
Bedrooms in both are comparable; the master bath at Bougainvillea was a little bigger than the bath at Grande Bay.
We are returning to Grande Bay for a few nights in May.
For the same price or depending on the season, I would probably stay at Grande Bay.
If you have any other questions, I can try to answer them.
We've stayed at both.
We rented Bougainvillea in 2006. These were my comments in my TR back then:
*********
We rented the Loft Suite at Villa Bougainvillea. It is located up the hill passed Gallows Point. We were quite pleased with this villa. There are 2 almost equal bedrooms (with AC), 2 bathrooms (one in the master BR), apartment sized kitchen (had a coffee grinder), and a great living/dining area. The front wall was open (had a rod iron railing with some awning material half way up) and looked out toward St. Thomas. Due to a large palm tree, not fully panoramic, but a very nice view - great for sunset watching. There were some signs of wear and tear, but overall it was very clean and in great shape. Debbie Schnell was great to deal with; very receptive to any questions or issues. The villa would be great for 2 couples (once you get through the "I want the bigger bedroom" debate); any more and the living room would feel crowded.
*********
It does have a spiral staircase which is tight with luggage, but no problem after that. We had no bug issues with the open wall; the bedrooms do have AC. It's a great sunset view. Not a lot of outdoor spaces. One deck was surrounded by vegetation so there was no breeze; the other was small - it was on the street side if I remember - it did have a gas grill out there. There is off-street parking, but it would be hard fitting 2 vehicles if someone was renting the garden suite and had a car. The walk to town is really easy and taxi's will pick you up if you don't want to catch one in town. There is a washer/dryer shared between both units.
We rented a 1BR at Grande Bay this past November. These are my comments from that TR:
**************
Grande Bay was grand. We had a 1 bedroom unit on the 3rd floor in the upper building (7th floor from the ground - yes there are elevators). Plenty of room in the bedroom and living area; kitchen had all of the necessities. Central A/C was a treat, ceiling fans in the living room and bedroom, 2 TV’s and a washer/dryer. The balcony was small, but had a grande view.
You can see some pics here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... drink+tour
(there may be additional pics in other installments - search Umbrella and Drink and Tour).
***************************
The obvious is that Grande Bay is new and the location is closer to town. The sunset views vary with the unit, as does the balcony space. Grande Bay also has a pool (it was not finished when we were there). There is a reserved parking spot at Grande Bay for each unit (at least it looked that way).
The living room/dining area is roomier at Bougainvillea; but air-conditiioned at Grande Bay.
Bedrooms in both are comparable; the master bath at Bougainvillea was a little bigger than the bath at Grande Bay.
We are returning to Grande Bay for a few nights in May.
For the same price or depending on the season, I would probably stay at Grande Bay.
If you have any other questions, I can try to answer them.
janet
-
theshopper3
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:27 pm
- Location: Canada
Hi Krislbi,
As Jayseadee mentioned we stayed int he lower unit in 2006 when she stayed upstairs. It was our first time to STJ so we knew nothing of the Island or accomadation.
It was Ok, but it is not a villa I would rent again. Sorry Don, I feel it is very tired & the bathroom is very, very small & my husband & I are not big people.
The view is nice from the enclosed patio are, but it is really hot, as it gets the full sun in the afternoon, which made it hard to sit upit there & enjoy the view.
While I love the area, I do not feel the villa is worth what they ask.
Given the choice, I would stay at Grande Bay, we have also rented a really cute place right across the road from Bouganvilla,it is small, but has much more character. The Owner Anna was awesome, it is called Far Horizon. They also have a 2 bedroom that they were just redoing when we stayed there, that looks really nice & has a small lap pool.
The Shopper
As Jayseadee mentioned we stayed int he lower unit in 2006 when she stayed upstairs. It was our first time to STJ so we knew nothing of the Island or accomadation.
It was Ok, but it is not a villa I would rent again. Sorry Don, I feel it is very tired & the bathroom is very, very small & my husband & I are not big people.
The view is nice from the enclosed patio are, but it is really hot, as it gets the full sun in the afternoon, which made it hard to sit upit there & enjoy the view.
While I love the area, I do not feel the villa is worth what they ask.
Given the choice, I would stay at Grande Bay, we have also rented a really cute place right across the road from Bouganvilla,it is small, but has much more character. The Owner Anna was awesome, it is called Far Horizon. They also have a 2 bedroom that they were just redoing when we stayed there, that looks really nice & has a small lap pool.
The Shopper
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HI,
I wouldn't mind staying in the Loft again. Yes, it was a little tired, but not anymore tired than some spots in my own home
When Grande Bay is done and settled and the prices go up, I'll go back there again. We actually had looked to go back this past November, but it was booked.
The location is great and we enjoyed the living area and the view from up there. We're not villa gravity people (even when at a villa that could lean toward gravity), so the lack of really nice outdoor space didn't bother us.
I really don't think it will ruin your vacation.
I wouldn't mind staying in the Loft again. Yes, it was a little tired, but not anymore tired than some spots in my own home
When Grande Bay is done and settled and the prices go up, I'll go back there again. We actually had looked to go back this past November, but it was booked.The location is great and we enjoyed the living area and the view from up there. We're not villa gravity people (even when at a villa that could lean toward gravity), so the lack of really nice outdoor space didn't bother us.
I really don't think it will ruin your vacation.
janet