usvi-on-line
Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
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PatrickMcc
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:43 pm
- Location: Boston
Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
First I want to thank all the posters who gave me advice about being on St John with my daughter who was pregnant with twins. I eventually talked to Kris, a nurse at the Myrah Keating clinic, who gave me excellent information and was reassuring. My daughter was fine although they had to take my grandson to the clinic to be checked for an ear infection and his parents were very impressed by the staff.
Our group was my wife and I, pregnant daughter, husband, 2year old grandson, second daughter and boyfriend. My wife and I and second daughter arrived in Friday the 15th and stayed at the St John Inn in their two room suite for one night. We had stayed there in the same suite last year and found that the inn has been renovated (except for one room). Our suite had been painted, a modern wall air conditioner and new windows installed. This suite has a large private outdoor area which is nice and is a better price than two individual rooms. There is a small pool in the common area and they serve a nice breakfast. Parking is right in front of the Inn. Our only problem was that the hot water was really luke warm. That night we ate at Island Iguana- a cold soggy shrimp taco although the shrimp itself was very good. We would only return for drinks and to watch the action on the street.
Next day we wandered around Cruz Bay ate lunch at the Sea Dog cafe- excellent food and service- and then went to Caribbean Villas office to get our keys and gift basket. They allowed us to check ourselves into the villa-Rara Avis on Hart Bay- because we had stayed there last year. We have been very pleased with this agency- on the phone and in person the staff is very helpful. Then to St John Car Rental. We rented two jeeps- I put both on my credit card- I could drive both jeeps- after showing their licenses the young men could each drive one of the jeeps- a nice arrangement at no extra charge. I bought their insurance and Met Life told me they would be covered by my car insurance. We dropped our bags off at Rara Avis- couldn't move in because the cleaning staff was working- went to Starfish for groceries and we got back after 2. The cleaning staff said move in- they were just finishing up. That afternoon second daughter and family arrived- we did pizza from Casa Roma- excellent as usual. I did write a review of Rara Avis last year for the villa review section of this forum- it would be about the same for this year
although a few improvements have been made. My daughter rented bars for the bed for my grandson-they were at the vila when we arrived-from Island Baby-they rent everything.
We spent the next week going to all the beautiful North Shore beaches. Our favorite beach was Little Maho because it is very calm and the best beach for my grandson. One day when the seas were very rough- almost no beach at several of the North Shore beaches we went to Vies's beach for the first time and liked it. The beach and bay were pretty calm and there is shade and some chaise lounges. Vie charges $2.50 a person but it is a nice option when the North Shore is rough and maybe rainy. Lunch was at Skinny Legs which was a hit because the kids play area kept my grandson occupied- he loved it. Food was excellent- pub food.
The group did breakfast and lunch at the villa every day but dinner was always out so here is the restaurant review section.
High Tide- we went twice last year because it is on the beach and my grandson could stay occupied on the beach while we waited for food which was good as was the service.This year we had very poor service. The waitress told us the fryalator was broken so the fried calamari would take a while. Understandable. We asked her to bring the dinners anyway but waited at least an hour for any food to show up. She seemed indifferent. My son-in-law finally had to go find her to pay the bill and she still seemed indifferent- he lowered the tip- he NEVER does that. Maybe we just got a poor waitress but we didn't want to return that week.
Beach Bar- excellent pub food, good service, lots of action on the beach- a fun place and good with kids.
Deli Grotto- great sandwiches- had their sandwiches on the beach one night for supper and my wife and I bought them to eat in the airport on the way home.
Joe's Barbecue- everyone thought he had the best ribs and chicken ever.
Candi's barbecue- excellent but almost everyone thought Joe's was better ribs and chicken although we all agreed Candi gives a lot more food for less money.
Rhumblines- I am not a fan of Asian fusion food but everyone else loved it. Kids can run around and dance to the live music-great atmosphere.
After my pregnant daughter and family left my wife and I and other daughter moved to the Cruz Bay Boutique hotel- we stayed three nights-my daughter one night. This is right in the heart of Cruz Bay and pretty much what the website says- clean, modern, small rooms although some are larger than others. They provide a nice breakfast on the common balcony. It is run by a young couple and the husband's mother. All are very nice and helpful. Our only problem was that on the first night there was a note on our bed explaining that Fred's next door was having an international music festival that night until 2 A. M. They explained this was a rare event and gave us earplugs. I managed to sleep through most of it but everyone didn't. The next two nights were very quiet. I do believe this was an unusual event. We do plan on staying there again although it is in Cruz Bay and if you want to sleep late (say 9) it might get noisy from the usual traffic. The hot water was hot.
Back to restaurants for the last three days.
Lime Inn- right across the street from the hotel. Superior dinner- indifferent service by the girl who gave the appetizers and specials- a surprise for us because we have been many times and always gotten good service. Waitress was fine.
We have been going to St John since 1983 and for the first time we decided to have lunch at Caneel. The $18 hamburger (salad included) was probably the best I ever had and even though they brought the wrong salad my wife loved it- great view from the top of the beach bar. Then we went to Homeymoon beach- there is an ecotour shack there now and you can rent chairs and watersports equipment. Some people don;t like it but we didn't mind although there were more people at this beach than we remembered from past visits. We decided to do this again on our next visit. Dinner at the Banana Deck- good food and service-reasonable.
Our last full day we drove to Skinny Legs to buy a gift for our grandson and had lunch at the Chateau Bordeaux- great lunch and service and fabulous view. At night we tried Joe's Rum hut for happy hour but it was mobbed so we went to the bar at the Waterfront Bistro-great view of Cruz Bay harbor while you drink. Menu looked good but expensive so we went to Morgan's Mango for appetizer and salad-excellent food and really nice atmosphere and excellent service.
Our last morning we spent in Cruz Bay- took the 11 0'clock ferry and got through the airport easily. It was busy but but as crazy as the weekend which is another good reason to extend your stay on St John.
Final comment- St John was busier than ever last week. We went many years on President's Week which brings Northeasterners on school vacation down in droves but now the 8 Tuff Mile Race has made it busier. That said- the only beach we felt was really crowded was Little Maho-parking seems to be full by 11 A. M. With Maho Bay Camps closing we all might have to make our reservations earlier for that week.
I hope this wasn't to long or to heavy on restaurants.
Our group was my wife and I, pregnant daughter, husband, 2year old grandson, second daughter and boyfriend. My wife and I and second daughter arrived in Friday the 15th and stayed at the St John Inn in their two room suite for one night. We had stayed there in the same suite last year and found that the inn has been renovated (except for one room). Our suite had been painted, a modern wall air conditioner and new windows installed. This suite has a large private outdoor area which is nice and is a better price than two individual rooms. There is a small pool in the common area and they serve a nice breakfast. Parking is right in front of the Inn. Our only problem was that the hot water was really luke warm. That night we ate at Island Iguana- a cold soggy shrimp taco although the shrimp itself was very good. We would only return for drinks and to watch the action on the street.
Next day we wandered around Cruz Bay ate lunch at the Sea Dog cafe- excellent food and service- and then went to Caribbean Villas office to get our keys and gift basket. They allowed us to check ourselves into the villa-Rara Avis on Hart Bay- because we had stayed there last year. We have been very pleased with this agency- on the phone and in person the staff is very helpful. Then to St John Car Rental. We rented two jeeps- I put both on my credit card- I could drive both jeeps- after showing their licenses the young men could each drive one of the jeeps- a nice arrangement at no extra charge. I bought their insurance and Met Life told me they would be covered by my car insurance. We dropped our bags off at Rara Avis- couldn't move in because the cleaning staff was working- went to Starfish for groceries and we got back after 2. The cleaning staff said move in- they were just finishing up. That afternoon second daughter and family arrived- we did pizza from Casa Roma- excellent as usual. I did write a review of Rara Avis last year for the villa review section of this forum- it would be about the same for this year
although a few improvements have been made. My daughter rented bars for the bed for my grandson-they were at the vila when we arrived-from Island Baby-they rent everything.
We spent the next week going to all the beautiful North Shore beaches. Our favorite beach was Little Maho because it is very calm and the best beach for my grandson. One day when the seas were very rough- almost no beach at several of the North Shore beaches we went to Vies's beach for the first time and liked it. The beach and bay were pretty calm and there is shade and some chaise lounges. Vie charges $2.50 a person but it is a nice option when the North Shore is rough and maybe rainy. Lunch was at Skinny Legs which was a hit because the kids play area kept my grandson occupied- he loved it. Food was excellent- pub food.
The group did breakfast and lunch at the villa every day but dinner was always out so here is the restaurant review section.
High Tide- we went twice last year because it is on the beach and my grandson could stay occupied on the beach while we waited for food which was good as was the service.This year we had very poor service. The waitress told us the fryalator was broken so the fried calamari would take a while. Understandable. We asked her to bring the dinners anyway but waited at least an hour for any food to show up. She seemed indifferent. My son-in-law finally had to go find her to pay the bill and she still seemed indifferent- he lowered the tip- he NEVER does that. Maybe we just got a poor waitress but we didn't want to return that week.
Beach Bar- excellent pub food, good service, lots of action on the beach- a fun place and good with kids.
Deli Grotto- great sandwiches- had their sandwiches on the beach one night for supper and my wife and I bought them to eat in the airport on the way home.
Joe's Barbecue- everyone thought he had the best ribs and chicken ever.
Candi's barbecue- excellent but almost everyone thought Joe's was better ribs and chicken although we all agreed Candi gives a lot more food for less money.
Rhumblines- I am not a fan of Asian fusion food but everyone else loved it. Kids can run around and dance to the live music-great atmosphere.
After my pregnant daughter and family left my wife and I and other daughter moved to the Cruz Bay Boutique hotel- we stayed three nights-my daughter one night. This is right in the heart of Cruz Bay and pretty much what the website says- clean, modern, small rooms although some are larger than others. They provide a nice breakfast on the common balcony. It is run by a young couple and the husband's mother. All are very nice and helpful. Our only problem was that on the first night there was a note on our bed explaining that Fred's next door was having an international music festival that night until 2 A. M. They explained this was a rare event and gave us earplugs. I managed to sleep through most of it but everyone didn't. The next two nights were very quiet. I do believe this was an unusual event. We do plan on staying there again although it is in Cruz Bay and if you want to sleep late (say 9) it might get noisy from the usual traffic. The hot water was hot.
Back to restaurants for the last three days.
Lime Inn- right across the street from the hotel. Superior dinner- indifferent service by the girl who gave the appetizers and specials- a surprise for us because we have been many times and always gotten good service. Waitress was fine.
We have been going to St John since 1983 and for the first time we decided to have lunch at Caneel. The $18 hamburger (salad included) was probably the best I ever had and even though they brought the wrong salad my wife loved it- great view from the top of the beach bar. Then we went to Homeymoon beach- there is an ecotour shack there now and you can rent chairs and watersports equipment. Some people don;t like it but we didn't mind although there were more people at this beach than we remembered from past visits. We decided to do this again on our next visit. Dinner at the Banana Deck- good food and service-reasonable.
Our last full day we drove to Skinny Legs to buy a gift for our grandson and had lunch at the Chateau Bordeaux- great lunch and service and fabulous view. At night we tried Joe's Rum hut for happy hour but it was mobbed so we went to the bar at the Waterfront Bistro-great view of Cruz Bay harbor while you drink. Menu looked good but expensive so we went to Morgan's Mango for appetizer and salad-excellent food and really nice atmosphere and excellent service.
Our last morning we spent in Cruz Bay- took the 11 0'clock ferry and got through the airport easily. It was busy but but as crazy as the weekend which is another good reason to extend your stay on St John.
Final comment- St John was busier than ever last week. We went many years on President's Week which brings Northeasterners on school vacation down in droves but now the 8 Tuff Mile Race has made it busier. That said- the only beach we felt was really crowded was Little Maho-parking seems to be full by 11 A. M. With Maho Bay Camps closing we all might have to make our reservations earlier for that week.
I hope this wasn't to long or to heavy on restaurants.
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
Great info, thanks for sharing!
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
enjoyed...thanks for posting...
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
What fun you must of had with all of your family members there! Thanks for sharing your trip report.... 
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ColumbiaSCTraveler
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Columbia, SC
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
Thanks for sharing! We haven't tried High Tide, Lime Inn, Candi's or Joe's yet....might have to try those this year. We will probably stay at the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel a few nights at the beginning of this year's trip.
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
Thanks so much for sharing your report. Big Joe's fans here also. Joe's take out is a first night tradition for us after a long travel day.
Trip report 2009
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Re: Trip Report2/15-2/26 and Thanks.
Sounds like a great time! So glad it came off without a hitch - especially after your concerns about your daughter's travel during pregnancy. It's nice to hear about St. John Inn. I don't think I've ever read a report that includes them. And I always love food reviews 
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!