Vacation for 13

jadkins08 · Post by **jadkins08** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:43 am

I am trying to plan a trip to St. John for my family next summer. My wife and I have visited St. John twice and stayed at Estate Lindholm both times. Traveling will be my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, aunt, uncle, their 4 kids (ages next summer 10, 8, 4, and 21 months), my wife, myself, and our son (2 years old next summer). In case you lost count that is 8 adults and 5 kids. I have looked at Great Expectations and Villa Paulette. We are looking for a place that is close to the beach, with a pool, and room for the kids to "stretch their legs" during the week. My wife and I are hoping to pay for house ourselves, so if we could keep it below $8k for the week that would be great. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also open to St. Croix, since we have been to St. John twice though I feel like I know more about it and would be able to show the "newbies" around a little. Thanks and God bless.

Jeremy

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:09 pm

Have you seen Ocean Palm Villa?
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/johns-folly/index.html

Sara-J · Post by **Sara-J** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:40 pm

Very nice of you to take your family! What about Monte Bay Villa and guesthouse
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/montebay/montebay.html

or Tennis Villa and cottage
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/tennis_villa/index.html
Caribbean Villas has several places that can be rented together for large groups....

Sara J

PS will you adopt me?! LOL

Sara-J · Post by **Sara-J** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:08 pm

Two more http://www.vacationvistas.com/Villas/oceana.html
and http://www.vacationvistas.com/Villas/ri ... _john.html

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:31 pm

Tennis Villa has a very convenient location, which might be nice for a large group of newbies - easy access, close to town.

jadkins08 · Post by **jadkins08** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:31 pm

Sara-J wrote:Very nice of you to take your family! What about Monte Bay Villa and guesthouse
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/montebay/montebay.html

or Tennis Villa and cottage
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/tennis_villa/index.html
Caribbean Villas has several places that can be rented together for large groups....

Sara J

PS will you adopt me?! LOL

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate. I did look at Oceana, but was told it was probably too far up the hill for us. My sister wants to be within a "short" walk to a beach. She says that she doesn't want to be on vacation and have to hike and sweat. And she is not the one with kids. I think Ristaba Villa looks really nice, but I wonder how far it is from the beach also. The Tennis Villa also looks nice, but some of the pictures make it look old. Really need to keep the price at $8k or below as that is about all we can afford. My sister just graduated from pharmacy school and has a contract with CVS so I am hoping she will buy the plane tickets for everyone. About adopting you, if I can find a villa with an extra bedroom for under $8k, you buy your plane ticket, and you don't mind 5 kids ranging in age from 21 months to 10 years old we would be glad to have you. Again thanks and God bless.

jadkins08 · Post by **jadkins08** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:33 pm

PA Girl wrote:Tennis Villa has a very convenient location, which might be nice for a large group of newbies - easy access, close to town.

Do you know if it actually looks as "old" as some of the pictures show?

Nancy_B · Post by **Nancy_B** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:28 pm

Ristaba is very nice with amazing views. It's just past the Westin so I'd say it's about a 15 minute drive to the closest beach (Hawksnest).

scubamom5 · Post by **scubamom5** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:24 pm

Hi, my family of 11 is staying in Ristaba from June 25 to July 3. I will be home on July 12 and would be able to answer any questions you have regarding this villa. I've stayed near the Westin before, Ristaba is just up Rock Ridge Road, just past the Westin. You probably won't be able to walk to the beach, but the north shore beaches are about a 12 minute ride and many of them are short or literally steps from your car. Additionally beaches like Cinnamon and Trunk have restrooms and outside showers for rinsing off after swimming - great for small kids. PM me after July 12 for any additional info. Good luck

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:55 pm

There are very few properties on STJ that are in walking distance to a beach, especially sand beaches...she's going to be disappointed if she wants a "short" walk to the beach. Even villas closest to beaches are not easy walks with the topography of the island. I would let her know that now. STJ might not be the best fit for her. I only warn you because there have been horror stories here on the forum in similar circumstances...some forumites have learned the hard way that STJ is not for everyone

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:11 pm

Re. Ristaba,

We stayed there about two years ago.

You can walk to the Westin and the Westin beach from there easily.

You cannot walk back easily. Uphill all the way.

You can do it, though; but I would rather go via jeep to a nicer beach, and spend the day instead of REALLY hiking home (to Ristaba). The Westin beach is subpar compared to the other St. John beaches.

The "hikes" to the beaches that she is referring to? There are several that are pretty much drive up....

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:11 pm

I bet Caribbean Villa Management Co. could find what you are looking for 8k.

b-as-u-r · Post by **b-as-u-r** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:51 pm

With so many great beaches, why would walking distance to just one make a difference? Besides, if it's the Westin beach you're factoring in, that's the one you'd probably not even have on your itinerary to hit for the week. I think your sister misunderstand that STJ is done the old-fashioned way...load and pack everyone and everything up and off to the beach you go. Happy planning. Ali~

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:49 am

jadkins08 wrote:
PA Girl wrote:Tennis Villa has a very convenient location, which might be nice for a large group of newbies - easy access, close to town.
Do you know if it actually looks as "old" as some of the pictures show?

I have no idea. We stayed in that neighborhood one trip and walked past it each day and it looked nice from the outside.

I don't want to sound preachy but your sister might need some STJ education. Even when we stayed at Peter Bay, it was still a hike (and oh what a return hike) to the beach.

We took newbies in February and even though I told them how the whole STJ beach deal worked, they didn't process it. To them, a beach vacation was the Outer Banks where they stayed on or just back from the beach. The STJ driving took them by surprise. They were ok because mom and dad did the driving but did say they didn't understand why we didn't "just stay on the beach"

jaq w · Post by **jaq w** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:42 pm

We had 13 at Tennis Villa/Cottage in 2006, it was terrific.

usvi-on-line

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Vacation for 13

Vacation for 13