Lodging advice for 8 Tuff

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:26 pm

Hi everyone,
The Mr and I are toying with the idea of signing up for 8 Tuff miles in 2013. One visit a year just doesn't seem to cut it

Since it seems several forum members have either ran the race, or been in STJ during it, I was hoping for some perspectives on staying in Coral Bay vs. Cruz Bay. Given the start and end of the race, they both seem like they would have their advantages. I know that there is no transportation provided to and from the start/finish so I'd like to be as strategic as possible with our villa/condo selection.
If we end up going solo, with no other couples, I'd love to spend not much more than around $200/night on a 1-bed or studio since we would still like to make another trip down in late summer. I know that might be tough during that time...guess the off-season prices have spoiled me.
Any suggestions or insights would be much appreciated!

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:07 am

Pretty please

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:15 pm

Hi Kim!
I've been toying around with that idea too!

I know some people who do the 8 Tuff each year but they always had cars to get them around. If your planning to rent a car in that time frame you better do it now! Check St. Thomas rentals too. I'm not sure about this but I thought there would be plenty of taxi's and a bus that could take you back to Cruz Bay after the race. (pros chime in on this!)
As for lodging at $200/night during high season would be a hard nut to crack but I did see these available if you had a car:
http://www.vrbo.com/344895
www.sailviewstjohn.com

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:46 pm

Thank you! Blue Wrasse looks super cute and the price is definitely right. We have stayed at Sailview before and absolutely loved it, however I was thinking it would be nice to have a full kitchen so we could watch the food budget a bit more. Glad there is still availability there though, I thought both units would have been scooped up by now!

We would definitely rent a car....and thanks for the reminder, I should really get on that as soon as we register for the race. My worry is that if we drive from Coral Bay to Cruz on the morning of the race, how tough will the parking situation be? And then, at the end how difficult will it be to get back to our car in Cruz? I might be completely over-thinking this. I know people manage it every year! Logistics aside, I am getting excited about the possibility of being back in less than 5 months....and running that crazy as$ course!! Will keep ya posted on the plans

jan · Post by **jan** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:57 pm

We did 8 tuff miles several years ago. My husband and I stayed in the heart of Cruz Bay and my brother and sister in law ended up staying at Coconut Coast Villas. Running or walking from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay gives you such a different perspective of the island. We decided to go from Thursday to Thursday so we could have 2 days to get settled in and then 5 days to relax after the race. After the race we were offered rides back to Cruz Bay by almost every car that passed. Have been to St John many times but doing the 8 Tuff really was so much fun and something I will never forget.

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:59 pm

Yay - 8 Tuff!

I did it for the first time this year and was also wondering about transportation. I'm a Coral Bay fan, went with a friend, and was also looking for something on the budget side. (Note: some places charge holiday rates because it's Presidents Week.)

We stayed at Simply St. John in Coral Bay, which I found on VRBO. (I picked a place with a hot tub because I figured we'd be sore, but we ended up not using it.) It has great views. I posted a trip report here with pictures but it was on the old forum and the pictures don't show up any more. (There is a trip report with pictures on my blog if you're interested; http://www.kickass50.com/2012_03_01_archive.html sorry you'll have to scroll to the bottom of the page.) FYI you can walk from the end of the race up Sea Grape Hill and get to the house. I'm not saying you'll want to after running the race, but we walked back up to use the restroom because we didn't want to use the outhouse at the finish line! Then we walked back down to Skinny's.

We had a rental jeep from Courtesy and drove to Cruz Bay in the a.m. and parked in their lot. (Many rental companies let you park in their lots, or you can park at Slimmans or similar.) We picked up hitchhikers en route, so you could stay in Coral Bay and hitchhike to Cruz Bay. Then after hanging at Skinny's after the race we caught a ride back to Cruz Bay to get the car (hitch hiking.) I'm still cracking up that this sweet couple picked up 4 of us loud, chatty, kinda drunk and sweaty racers, but they did! So hitch hiking in either direction is quite do-able.

If you want, I can send you a list of all the houses I looked into for our trip, with links. I have no idea what will be available, but it would be a starting point. If you'd like it, just pm me with your email address.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:27 am

Thanks so much guys! Sounds like I am worrying about transportation for no reason at all! chicagoans, your blog is awesome, thanks for sharing. I'd love to see a list of the place you had looked into, that would help so much. I'll send ya a PM with my email.
We like to rent from Courtesy too- last time they gave us a 10% repeast customer discount (I asked) and we were always able to park in their lot...but of course that was off season, so I wasn't sure if it is always like that.
Well now I am super excited to start planning, and I guess training too (how high will my treadmill incline go??)! If only airfare would drop a bit...

And...I wouldn't be dissapointed if they gave bottle opener medals again. Just sayin- those are by far the coolest, and functional, race medals I've ever seen!

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:58 pm

Here's our crazy situation- we are probably registering for the race as Augie has wanted to do it forever and I hopefully can walk it. However we have to wait for accommodations etc as He got laid off in June and if he gets a new job, we just can't ask the time off in February.... So we may have race registration and no where to stay( may be sleeping on the beach - who knows! Just another adventure- if it's meant to be a donation, it will be! If it's meant to be that we are there, we will be in Paradise!

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:07 am

Oh wow, EagleRayLover, I really hope everything will work out for you guys so that you can make it! Can you wait until closer to register, or does it fill up too quickly? Like you said, surely things will work out just as they are meant to be.

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:27 am

Registration tends to fill up pretty quickly and it has sold out in the past. I'd go ahead and register and then if you can't use the registrations, there will always be someone who wants them. (But I hope you can go, EagleRay!)

Registration is open as of today! I'm all signed up as are my travel companions. Woo hoo!

Kim, I tried PMing you with the list of houses I contacted last year for this year's race. For some reason PM isn't working for me but I'll try again.

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