Never been to St. John and need advice

[byado18]

Consider renting 1-2timeshare units at the Westin!

Gull cottage is water front , walk able to the Westin. There's a small one bedroom to the left of it... Not sure of the name!

[dreamshark]

Have you considered staying at the Cinnamon Bay Campground? That's what I'd do if I were traveling with 3 mid-size kids. It's one of the few places on the island where you can stay right on the beach, or at least within a short walk across flat terrain. It's a beautiful white-sand beach, much like the famous Trunk Bay, and the only fully "developed" beach (bathrooms, changing areas, rental equipment, snack shops).

Although it's a National Park Service campground, that doesn't mean you have to bring your own tent. You can rent either a bare tent site, a large tent already set up, or what the park service calls "cottages." The cottages are pretty spartan, but they do have beds (cots), a little furniture, and enough electricity to drive a big fan to circulate air through the front and rear screen walls. Since you're right on the beach, that's enough to cool you off at night.

On my first trip to STJ we stayed in one of those cottages for 3 days, then moved on to a villa. The luxury of the villa was appreciated after 3 days of shared bathroom facilities, but we loved being right on the beach those first few days. If I were a kid, I would have wanted to stay right there at Cinnamon Bay the entire time.

[nuendelcapecod]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the cottages at Cinnamon Bay. They certainly are in a different category than the villas but you can check out the Cinnamon Bay Campground website for photos, info.

[CBama]

We had always stayed in a condo directly beachfront so I was hesitant on our first stay on St John in a villa...it is a totally different vacation...but one that I loved.

The drive to the beaches is not that big of a deal to me since it involves one beautiful scenic look after another....it is like a new adventure every day...seeing what the next switchback in the road is going to bring to view...you can never visit the same beach twice the whole vacation if you don't want to. From the North Shore to Salt Pond and Lamashur to Vie's Beach each one is special in its own way.

I think this trip was the most quality family time we have had on vacation. I guess what I am trying to say is: Don't be afraid to try something different!

I would look at villa capable of housing your whole family...most have pods where you are separated when you want...You could choose different beaches for the day or travel together...just because you stay in the same villa doesn't mean you have to be together the whole trip...

We loved ST John......

[jpervall]

Wow....I am overwhelmed at all the wonderful responses and advice. Thank you so much. I will look into all these options. I think I just had this vision in my head about a Carribbean island....walking out of your house right onto a sandy beach....I obviously don't travel much. The island sounds absolutely beautiful and my children do love adventure so the idea of renting a jeep and driving to different beaches is appealing. Back to my research!!!!

[mindehankins]

Yes it's more of a "wake up to a beautiful view, enjoy it until you're ready to head out to the beach, and after the beach" kinda place.
Here's a whole thread where people have posted their favorite views : http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =1&t=10574
All of the beaches have their positives, whether it be how remote and off-the-beaten-path they are, or how easily accessible, how soft the sand, whether or not they have food available, etc. Everyone's looking for something different, and there's a beach for everyone
Happy researching!

[Dome526]

This is close to waht we are doing.... the difference being that we are going to stay at CBC for 6 nights, and then stay in a villa for 8 nights. I will rent a car after being there for 3 days. Why venture out anywhere else when I can enjoy the beach out my front cottage dooor, and do ranger programs all week?
Tom in CT

Have you considered staying at the Cinnamon Bay Campground? That's what I'd do if I were traveling with 3 mid-size kids. It's one of the few places on the island where you can stay right on the beach, or at least within a short walk across flat terrain. It's a beautiful white-sand beach, much like the famous Trunk Bay, and the only fully "developed" beach (bathrooms, changing areas, rental equipment, snack shops).

Although it's a National Park Service campground, that doesn't mean you have to bring your own tent. You can rent either a bare tent site, a large tent already set up, or what the park service calls "cottages." The cottages are pretty spartan, but they do have beds (cots), a little furniture, and enough electricity to drive a big fan to circulate air through the front and rear screen walls. Since you're right on the beach, that's enough to cool you off at night.

On my first trip to STJ we stayed in one of those cottages for 3 days, then moved on to a villa. The luxury of the villa was appreciated after 3 days of shared bathroom facilities, but we loved being right on the beach those first few days. If I were a kid, I would have wanted to stay right there at Cinnamon Bay the entire time.

[jpervall]

I have been researching and have taken everyone's advice and have decided to try "something new". The family member who is taking us next year loves Coral Bay area, North Shore beaches, Cinnamon Bay and those close by so we are moving from Great cruz bay and moving to a different area. We now are looking for 2 villas that are relatively close to each other. Ideally, we need one that has 5 bedrooms, ac in the bedrooms and a pool and the other one can be a smaller home with 2-3 bedrooms, ac in the bedrooms and a pool. Does anyone know of any villas that are close to each other in those areas? Or if not close, what are everyones's favorites it the above areas? Again, thanks for all the advice.

[lprof]

Casa Bueno has four bedrooms and just below it is Summer Wind which also has four bedrooms. Both have pools and are fully AC, but rarely needed.
I have stayed at Casa Bueno and loved the villa and the location. The restaurant, Chateau Bordeaux (and Centerine Road or Rt 10) is in the upper left of this pic... easy travel to Coral Bay and Maho! The road is all paved.




http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/property/summerwind/
http://www.vrbo.com/251116 (Casa Bueno)

My trip report from 2009 with links to pics of Casa Bueno...
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... no#p170169


Edited to add: Also the villas of Peter Bay (among the more expensive St John villa rentals) would be in the North Shore Beaches area and at least two are on the beach... 2 Peter Bay and Peter Bay Beach House. I can not share personal experience there.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/ca ... /peter-bay
http://www.vrbo.com/286719
http://www.mclaughlinanderson.com/villa ... unitid=380

[byado18]

An option not mentioned would be to get timeshare rentals at the Westin... you get all the advantages of being at the resort (an OK beach, children's program. etc.) and you can rent a car and explore the rest of the island. there are several web sites that do resales of the the timeshares which range from studio to 3 BR's.

WE have stayed at Gull Cottage and even thought those are on the water, it is not a swimming beach - but are in walking to the Westin! There is a 1 BR cottage to the left of Gull and several others right around there. We rented through Caribbean Vilas and they can tell you which other villas are close there.

Another thought would be something that is waterfront on another beach... we stayed at http://www.vidademar.com/stj_info.html which is 5 BRs and waterfront to a rocky beach and loved it! There are other villas on either side of it!

Good luck and enjoy you time on STJ!

[jpervall]

More and more research has been done and I still need everyone's expertise. This is what I am looking for:
5+ bedroom villa/ pool/hot tub/great views/beautiful lanai combining inside and outside together. We have a total of 3 separate families...ideally, we would love a villa that has a beautiful great room,kitchen, lanai for everyone to be together but also to have the bedrooms completely separate. It would be great to have different wings or even separate guest cottages from the main house. Having our own place to go per family is very important. Would like each bedroom to have their own bath or at least most of them and outside/inside showers would be a plus. Open to different locations on the island. Price range might be between $6000- $8000 for the week. Any suggestions would be great. Someone had mentioned Great Expectation may fit the bill. Not sure about that location...is it nice? Going to be there next year during Carnival.

[Jumbiegirl]

Chateau Margot is a good place for multiple families. Bedrooms aren't equal but you can share. 6 bedrooms. Two of them share a bath.

http://www.islandgetawaysinc.com/chateaumargot.html

[jan]

Check out Ocean Palm Villa at www.caribbeanvilla.com This one looks like it would suit all of your needs. I have not stayed there myself but it looks like a beautiful villa at a great price.

[Randy in MD]

We stayed in Eden's Whim with 4 other couples a few years ago and loved it. Lots of room to spread out, and plenty of spaces to come together... 5 bedrooms in 3 different buildings, pool & hot tub, within your budget...

http://www.seaviewhomes.com/edens_whim.htm

[Pulley]

I rented Ocean Palm in 2010 and it was very nice. The next year I rented Sernata de la Playa and it was even better. This past summer we rented Reefside Villa and if they fixed the minor problems it too is a great villa.
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/property/ ... -la-playa/
I would also consider this under construction villa: http://www.cateredto.com/casa-coram-deo/