Villa Hunting on St. John

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:44 pm

We are needing a 3 or 4 bedroom villa on St John for next June. Would like to be close to Cruz Bay for sunsets, ocean views from at least 3 bedrooms, nice pool and possibly hot tub. Would like villa to be somewhat large with plenty of space to move around. Looking at Belvedere, Eagles Nest, Leeward just to mention a few. ANy opinions or ideas??

BuffaloGal · Post by **BuffaloGal** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:42 pm

We love Villa Belvedere and are headed back in several weeks. The view is spectacular, and you won't find many other villas in that location for the price. Online photos are pretty true to what you'll find. There is one king bedroom in the main house pod. The other two are in a separate pod, and the pool is in the middle. Views from the pool at sunset are spectacular. And there's comfy wicker furniture on the deck for reading in the morning or gazing at the lights of St. Thomas after dark. We loved the location. 5 minutes from Cruz Bay and easy access to the beaches. I'll be sure to post another review when we get back in Nov. PM me if you want pictures, etc. Destination St. John has been very good to deal with, too.

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:06 am

Check out Calypso Del Sol. Looks to have a great, large outdoor living space with a big pool and hot tub. Also has covered porches and a screened in porch. There are views from each of the 3 bedrooms. Only thing is I believe the views are more of Chocolate Hole with some Pillsbury Sound rather than expansive ocean views.

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:44 pm

Thank you BUffalogal and Kristen. I have officially narrowed down our villa choices to these villas:
1) Palm Hill
2) Leeward
3) Colibri (Are the views from the bedrooms good?)
4) Villa Maria (Is the pool large?)
5) Belvedere
6) Allesandra

Any information or opinions on these villas would be greatly appreciated. This is my final list and need to make a decision soon. Thanks so much everyone.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:58 pm

John and I stayed at Belvedere in 2005. I think it's been renovated since then, but we thought it was great when we stayed there. Some features that have not been mentioned (both positive and negative).

The house has central air. That's a big boon in that location in the summer. It gets HOT in the afternoons!

The pool is down a flight of steps from the living area. The steps, when wet, were pretty slippery. The views from the pool, as well as from the main porch and living room, are terrific. The pool lounging area is pretty small.

The king bed in the main pod has no views. The other two rooms have terrific views. Note that those rooms are accessed via a covered breezeway, and they are not connecting.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:09 pm

I just noticed that you asked about Colibri. John and I just stayed there in July. It's in a different price range than Belvedere, but it's also one of my favorite houses I've ever rented! I literally have nothing bad to say about it. Positives include:
central air, HUGE pool (supposedly clothing optional), outstanding views, soundproof sliders, brand new kitchen, new floors, new decks on all levels--including a brand new covered eating deck, new interior paint and a floorplan redesign (the photos on Catered To's site are not at all accurate). It also has wifi, a big-screen tv, ipod hookup, comfy furniture, and easy road access and parking.

We only used the top floor of the house so I cannot comment on the views from the lower bedrooms. I did go in to them and look around but I just cannot remember anything about the views other than one bathroom had a partially open (screened) shower with water views. There are ocean views out of the upper master, as well as a bedroom deck. I loved this house.

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:35 pm

liamsaunt,
I am so thankful for your comments. I was pretty sure about Belvedere but since the one bedroom has no views, it may be out of the running. Trying to be fair to all 3 couples and all would like a nice view. Maybe someone else will chime in about Colibri. Thanks again.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:08 pm

Of the villas you mention, I have stayed at Leeward. It was a very nice house with pretty views of Klein Bay---no sunsets. Attractive traditional plantation furnishings. House is very well maintained. Small but pretty pool. Cliffside setting. I can send pictures if you like.

I will say that as much as we enjoyed Leeward, I would probably choose either Colibri or Palm Hill over Leeward, primarily because I prefer the western sunset view. If I hadn't already booked a house for next winter, I probably would have booked Colibri based on Liamsaunt's recent pictures and review. I tried to book Palm Hill (which I also like and has 3 fairly equal bedrooms)but it was booked. Happy hunting!

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:12 pm

Jim, thanks for the post about Leeward. Sunsets are important on our list so I can eliminate another one!! Thank goodness.

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:15 pm

I think I amy have responded on your TA post and if this is a duplicate, I apologize! Not on your list, but have you looked at Villa Bijou through Vacaton Vistas? I love the looks of it and it seems to meet your requirements.

Dawg Lover · Post by **Dawg Lover** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:03 pm

Liamsaunt,
Regarding Belvedere, do all the bedrooms have king beds? It looks like it in the pictures, but the floor plan shows queens.
Thanks!

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:12 pm

Yes, Kristen, I believe you did mention it earlier and in looking at it, it's very beautiful but the views seem to be more garden-like than ocean. Very private but we are looking more for open ocean views from pool and bedrooms.

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:35 pm

Only other one I can think of then that may not have been mentioned already (I think Andante by the Sea has been) is Splendore. I think Belvedere is your best bet though.

shellee · Post by **shellee** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:30 pm

Yep, looked at Splendore too and loved it. We were actually going with that one when it was just 2 couples. I understand the 3rd bedroom is actually more of a den/study with a sofa bed. This wouldn't be acceptable. If they have updated to a regular bed, I would probably go for it.

BuffaloGal · Post by **BuffaloGal** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:48 pm

We stayed at Palm Hill last year, and it was a disappointment. There is no air in the main pod, and it can get quite hot during the day. Bedrooms are air conditioned. The view is not as nice as Belvedere, and there was a good bit of noisy construction going on below us. We also had some leaking after a rain storm in one of the main bedrooms. There's only one great room in the living area, so I suspect that would feel a little crowded with three couples. I saw Calypso del Sol mentioned. We stayed there three years ago. It's very cute. The main living area is small, but there's a really nice screened porch off the side. And the pool is quite large. The main bedroom is off the living room, but the other two are only accessible by going outside and down the stairs. We haven't stayed there, but Serenity looks quite nice in the Maria Bluff area.

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