Tell me about August on STJ & need a 1 bedroom place...

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:32 pm

We will be down in August too! As I mentioned in previous posts, of all our 30 plus trips, the nicest weather/ocean and pool temps ect have been in August. Years ago, we even did it without A/C, but now we find we do need it in the BR's. Our dates are Aug 3 to Aug 12, so hopefully we could do something on the 7th at the Beach Bar.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:48 pm

Hi Knolman - we are getting closer and closer to booking. Found some good airfare...now have to decide where we want to stay. Hope to see you at the BB!!

54b · Post by **54b** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:52 pm

If Cruz Bay villas are back in your consideration set, my wife and I stayed at the Palm Vista - honeymoon suite last June (basically lower level of a bigger house, but the owner is not there when you're there and doesn't rent it out)...so it's like renting a bigger villa including a pool, you just only get the downstairs.

It's located high up in between Fish Bay and Klien Bay, maybe 15 minutes from Cruz. Anyway, it's really nice, built maybe two years ago and the owner, Michael, is easy to work with.

http://www.palm-vista.com/littlepalm.html

BTW, just as an aside, I always laugh a little when I hear people say, "I'll only stay in Cruz Bay" or "I'm a Coral Bay person only," especially when the island is only 8 miles long.

And I realize that when people say they're "Coral Bay people," what they're really saying is that they're maybe a little more laid back or low maintenance or adventurous than the rest, but let's face it, if you're vacationing on STJ, you're already more chill than 90% of vacationers out there, many of whom won't go anywhere that doesn't have room service and a 24-hour buffet.

Long way of saying, I'm glad you're open minded and I hope you and your husband find the villa that's perfect for you regardless of what side of the island it's one. End of the day, we're all STJ people, and that's real good thing.

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:25 pm

Knolmom wrote:We will be down in August too! As I mentioned in previous posts, of all our 30 plus trips, the nicest weather/ocean and pool temps ect have been in August. Years ago, we even did it without A/C, but now we find we do need it in the BR's. Our dates are Aug 3 to Aug 12, so hopefully we could do something on the 7th at the Beach Bar.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Hey Knolmom! More forumites in August! Yea! Sunday 8/7 at the Beach Bar sounds great for my first forum gathering! I'll have to pick your brain about your 30+ trips and what possesses us to want to come back year after year. Must be something in the rum ~~

See you this summer!

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:29 pm

For those of you who have not heard our story before...January 1995, boyfriend and I on our first cruise together..my sister said by the last day you will be so sick of beaches that when you get to STT, get the ferry to St John, go to the national park and do some bird watching.
We docked in STT, took the first ferry we could get to St John, with our binoculars, picnic lunch, bug spay and no towels. Thankfully we had our bathing suits under our clothes. Got into the safari taxi to go to "The Park". As soon as we came down the first hill, just before Hawksnest, WE GOT IT!!!
Put away the binoculars, got off at Trunk and dove in.

He proposed a few years later after waking up one
morning at Cinnamon Tarn up in Catherineberg... then a
few trips later, we brought 32 friends and relatives and were married 5/20/2000 at Peter Bay. Had our weddingmoon with our family and friends at 5 different villas for a week after.

Just after returning from our Nov 2007 trip, which was wonderful because it was the first time I did the Reef Bay hike and snorkeled Waterlemon from a boat, I had a very bad accident at work, injuring my leg
severely. After 2 surgeries, they told my DH that I might not walk again unassisted. Fooey on that... within a month after I got out of rehab, assisted by a cruise ship, DH, some friends, a wheelchair and a walker I was in the water at Trunk Bay. The following November, I became a real local when I ended up for 5 days in Schneider Hospital via Myra Keating and the Star of Life amulance boat, owing to some complications from my mediaction.
Think we have stayed in at least 20 differnt villas, as well as Caneel, Gallows and Estate Lindholm. Sadly, I have never been to Salt Pond or Lameshure or Drunk Bay, and I guess I never will. Hit Skinny's once to have a burger and ring Howie's Bell, but after hitting the "head" on the way out I don't think I will ever be back. Oh, and if I drive out to Sloop Jones' one more time and find the place closed, Ruth will hear my primal scream at the Greatful Shed or in
St John Spice.
Any questions,ask away!!

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:39 pm

August is looking better and better. Last year there was no one else from the forum during the August time that I was there. Aug. 7th sounds good at the BB.

Knolmom-I think we met many years ago in NYC at the Cuban restaurant.

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Fri May 13, 2011 4:42 pm

WOW Knolmom! What amazingly wonderful and not so wonderful STJ memories over the last 16 years!! Have you fully recuperated or is hiking out of the question?

And I know what you mean about making the drive out to the East End so many times only to find Vie's Snack Shack closed on the days she said she would be open! Never made it to Sloop's but hope to get there this time. Maybe I'll call first!

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:36 pm

I have never been in August, so can't help there, but here are some 1BRs in Coral Bay to checkout:

Anchorage Aweigh - we stayed here in 2009; great views, a/c in BR and pool. I know the owners (seagrape on the forum) are there part of August
http://www.vrbo.com/208460

We're staying here in November; gets good reviews and heavily booked, which to me is a good sign. Walking distance to Cocolobo:
http://www.greatcaribbeangetaways.com/stoneharbor.htm

And this place has also gotten good reviews; also walking distance to Cocolobo:
http://www.vrbo.com/264053

This place has always intrigued me, but it is always booked when I'm looking:
http://www.tradewindscottage.com/index.html

Happy Planning and Happy Anniversary

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:58 pm

Knolmom - what a beautiful story, and I thank you for sharing it with us. Have you checked out Little Lameshur? It is pretty flat there. Not knowing the full extent of your mobility, of course, but at the very least, it is a nice drive.

Hey, Jayseadee...I love Tradewinds, their site is awesome and I hope to stay there some day...but this is what it says on their website:
August 1-October 31, 2011 Closed for hurricane season

Bummer!! And thanks for the Happy Anniversary (((HUGS)))

Hey 54b - you got that right, doesn't matter...we are all STJ PEOPLE!! WOO-HOO!!!

Ok Gang - I think we have our place picked, and hopefully will get our airfare booked here in a bit as well. We'll be on island Aug 3 - 17...Yippee!!!

As some of you know, my DH as had a rough 2 1/2 years...he is doing great right now and we are starting to feel extra giddy that we are going to get to come back to STJ...and, and, and...meet some of the awesome Forumites that I luv!!

loria · Post by **loria** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:59 pm

Haveyou tried coral bay outlook--i is located across and up from 'into the mystic'--very reasnable, nice and clean --there are two units in teh hosue--the loer unit is a 1 bedroom the upper is 2 bedroom--

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:36 pm

Thanks Loria, that is a beautiful place. We'll look into it another time, for this trip we've decided on another Coral Bay place. I appreciate you posting the info though.

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:54 pm

Yes Silverheels, that was us. Seems so long ago now. Guess we'll be meeting up with a few more old friends from the STT crowd.Havent seen anyone there in a long long time either.

jdjcmaso · Post by **jdjcmaso** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:47 pm

We went once in August about 12 years ago and there was a threat of a hurricane. The storm missed us but our flight got cancelled and it kinda ruined the last few days of our trip. I'm pretty sure you should have good weather, though.

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Sat May 14, 2011 10:35 pm

Last year I was there for Earl. It didn't "dampen" my vacation at all, in fact we got to stay an extra few days. Few years back we were hit with Bertha. I wouldn't trade my time there for anything.
Hi! Joe-Remember Knolmom from our NYC adventure with the old AOL gang? By the way, Gerie is getting married on STT on the 10th of Aug.

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Sun May 15, 2011 8:22 am

I'm not worried about a hurricane, it will come or not. I can't control it. I am prepared with travel insurance.

Plus, if we get socked in somewhere I have my: Kindle, cribbage board, suduko, ny times crosswords, and my DH...life is good.

I've packed my snorkel gear...I'm ready.

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