Walk from Cruz Bay

[VacationMom]

It's a big year for us. One son graduates from college - with a job already accepted to start in June and another graduates from high school. The family plus girl friends is 8, of which all but the 11 year old are bar legal. We are thinking we want to stay in Cruz Bay so the kids can walk to bars and we don't have to worry about driving. We have stayed in Chocolate Hole, Devers and Coral and have had great experiences. I'm trying to find something reasonable close to town. We are looking at Grande Bay and Palm Villa. One question is can you really walk from the bars to Palm Villa? Any other suggestions? We do not need luxury, just a comfortable place to enjoy family time. We are more beach in the day, dinner at home and deck at night kind of people. Although being legal for the kids will be a big deal and we want safety. We are looking at going the last two weeks of May or the beginning of June. Thanks for the help.

[stjchica]

We stayed at Grande Bay and loved the location. Easily walkable to the bars/restaurants in Cruz Bay. One thing I didn't like about Cruz Bay...and that I don't really see mentioned here is....(and I might ruffle some feathers here, but just being honest:....
I didn't like when we walked back to GB after dinner and there would be locals hanging out, maybe one, maybe 3 or 4...and at times they would approach out of darkness and ask "you doing alright?"....
(Just being polite?? or was that code for did we want to buy something?? These were kind of seedy looking guys..)
Another night we had a guy walk closely behind my husband and I at 2 different points. I mean, in my personal space close..It made me so nervous, I immediately stopped and changed my direction pretending I wanted to go look at something to get away from him.
I really did not like the feeling it gave me and we tried to be in before dark after that...
Just telling you from my perspective. If your kids will be out, have them stay in groups, and not drink so much that they aren't aware of what is going on around them. Not trying to worry you, just want you to be aware to be smart and be safe.
**I am also curious if anyone else has had this experience because I never see anything posted about it. I might not have felt that way had it not been just hubby and I with out son, and if we were with a bigger group of people, etc..

[PatrickMcc]

Does Grande Bay have a condo big enough or will you rent two condos? If you will rent more than one condo you could also check out Lavender Hill, Battery Hill and Star Villa- they have several properties. Last year we looked at a house called Frank Bay house which is right in Cruz Bay around the corner from Gallows Point. I don't remember why we rejected it but I know that it did look nice and might be big enough for all of you. There were 7 of us and we picked a villa at Hart Bay instead.

[Xislandgirl]

STJchica:
Alright is a greeting commonly used on island. In fact, it is one I use when on island.
Peopl do hang around at night. There is not much to do if you are not into bars, so very often you will see groups of people hanging around town. They do it during the day and at night.
That is not to say that there are not people that may be up to things that are less than honorable but as a single woman living on island, I would walk alone at night in Cruz Bay at least 5 nights a weej and never once did I feel unsafe.
I am not saying that there is never crime but I am saying that being smart after dark is usually all that one needs to be safe.

[toni]

Arrgh, typed a long response and it disappeared when I hit submit!!

Anyway, we've been coming since '96, are on island now at lavender hill, this is maybe our 9th time to stj. LH has great balcony views

LH, gallows, grande bay are all very convenient to Cruz bay as are several other properties. I don't know palm villa.

We were approached to buy drugs once on our first trip when we stayed at gallows and it was more of a you want weed kind of thing. Since then never and we've stayed 3 times in the area. We did have a very nice man ask if we needed a lift when we walked to starfish once late at night.

It's like at home, be aware. We chose to stay in Cruz bay this time for the reasons you mention ease of walking, but that also means we are probably drinking more than we would normally so you just have to not over do it.

Have a great time planning. Pm me if you have any questions.

[jayseadee]

You could check Aqua Bay - there are 4 units, if you want multiple. Palm Terrace has some larger condos. Both of these are in Frank Bay (up Seagrape Lane).

I've stayed at Grande Bay several times (once solo) and always felt safe, but definitely stayed aware of my surroundings. Hubby and I walked down to Frank Bay every night and had no encounters of any kind.

I love staying in/around Cruz Bay - don't mind sacrificing great views or privacy for the convenience.

Sounds like a great family trip in the making.