Which villa and when to go? Help please! :-)

[chloe_jade416]

Hi everyone! Started lurking on here a few weeks ago and have found this forum to be very helpful as we start planning for our first trip to STJ. Now reaching out to hopefully get some help (being the indecisive person I am) with our villa choice and travel time (when to go).
Noticed some folks here also post on Trip Advisor, so I apologize if this is repetitive.....but am desperate to finally make some decisions. Basically we've narrowed down to a handful of villas and a few time frames we can travel. So looking for opinions and advice as to the 'best' combination for our family (2 adults, 2 kids, currently ages 8 and 2) for a villa and travel dates that would suit us.
Villa 'wish list':
* Would love the north shore views (or something similar) with not too distant views of water and views of islands (preferably with less rooftops, but like western views also for sunsets)
* Would like at least 2 bedrooms with interior access
* Full AC or at least AC in bedrooms (not sure if this is necessary in the north shore or Catherineberg area, in non-summer months?)
* Nicely appointed (modern/newer) villa (upgraded kitchen, comfy furniture, etc.)
* Large covered, outdoor space (with cushioned furniture preferably)
* Large pool with shallower area (e.g. seating ledge or wider steps, etc. for toddler)
* Nice view from pool area preferably
* Paved roads to/from villa preferably
* Budget approximately $5-$7k for 7-8 days (ideally less, and would consider higher if we travel in high season).
Having said this, we realize there are compromises. Based on the villas we've narrowed down to, seems like it's easier to compromise when the trade off means getting a north shore view.
Villa list (in no particular order):
* Rapture
* Island Sun
* Villa Tesori
* Hakuna Matata
* Mojo Rising
* Cinnamon Bay Estates
Would appreciate any comments on these villas in terms of location, views, privacy, roads, convenience factor, family-friendliness, etc. Also any other suggestions for other villas that may be suitable for us are welcome.

Also opinions on best time to visit for warmer, calmer water and less chances for too much wind or rain. At this point, travel dates are flexible. Can go mid-late July, late November, mid March or mid-late April. Would like to base our decision on the 'best' time to go and availability of the villa (we decide on).

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

[Knolmom]

If there is such a thing as "overkill" for your first trip to Paradise, then Tessori, Hakuna Matata and Mojo Rising are villas that fit the bill. Too large and pretty ostentatious for a small family with children, in my opinion. In addition, Hakuna Matata is down a long unpaved bumpy rocky road that gets old fast, and with Tessori, most of the year you will have neither sunrises nor sunsets. Cinnamon Bay Estate is even further down that long bumpy road, again, no sunrises or sunsets and no covered outdoor seating area safe for kids. We were married at Island Sun, and did put 9 of our guests, including children, in the house, but there is only 1 bedroom in the main house, 1 outside and upstairs and 2 across the pool. All of you would have to sleep in the master, which would be tight. Also no sunsets and no A/C. Not that I think you would need it, but that's me.
That leaves us with Rapture. We have stayed just above it and yes it s a beautiful house with great sunsets and multiple bedrooms under the same roof. I think it is on special now due to a cancellation. I also believe someone said that the hot tub is permanently out of order, if that matters.
We have rented over 25 villas on St John since we started traveling here in 1996. We are about to make a trip with our daughter and son in law and 2 grandchildren age 2 and 6 months. We are staying at Vista Caribe, through CateredTo. Full A/C, 3 interior bedrooms but separated by 5 steps each, great sunsets, nice pool. If you look at both Blue Papaya and Villa Panache, at Destination St John and Cateredto respectively, both have a separate bedroom sleeping area immediately adjoining the master that would be ideal for your family. Both upscale, Panache is very near Tessori and Blue Papaya is very near Rapture and has the same great view. Happy Hunting. Don't break the bank for your first trip, because you will want to return again soon.

[stjchica]

Of what you listed, I would go with Rapture, in late November.
The sooner you book the better as things book up, and also, you will make yourself crazy researching..
We went to STJ this past Thankgsgiving and the weather was great. I know others that go at that time each year and is their favorite time. March/April gets really busy and July gets hotter. Although, there really is no "bad" time, just your preference.
Have a great time!

[chloe_jade416]

Thank you both for your feedback. Very helpful. Also took a look at Vista Caribe and yes liked that villa too....but I think it was fairly booked up for most of our time frames when we originally were considering it. May have to see what its availability looks like for next year's dates.

Also will take a look at Blue Papaya and Panache. Thank you for those suggestions.

Otherwise, sounds like Rapture is the favorite thus far from those on our list. I think my only concern there was that the Virgin Grand Estates would feel too 'suburban' with too many neighbors around.....is that really the case? Hoped to find something that wasn't too remote yet still had some feeling of privacy. But with this being our first visit, can't tell if my impressions are accurate. Nonetheless, Rapture remains on our short list.

Also, any thoughts on Tre Vista? (Forgot to list it in the original post). Love its outdoor space, the view, pool, furnishings, etc.....but can't tell whether it has interior access doors for a second bedroom or not. Also thought I'd read/heard somewhere that there may be construction close by?

Anyway, thank you all again. Any more advice or suggestions are still very much appreciated and welcome!

[liamsaunt]

I rented Rapture two years ago. The way the house is siutated on the lot means that you cannot see other houses around you. It feels quite private though of course there are other houses nearby. It is a very kid-friendly house. Hope that helps.

[chloe_jade416]

Liamsaunt, thank you so much for the feedback. Yes, it is very helpful.....so much so that I think it's helped us to finally make the decision to go with Rapture....and feeling a great sense of relief!

Now just need to figure out actual dates, flights and car rental.

Thank you again for your help.

[Teresa_Rae]

We've been to STJ 10 times...9 were in the summer, 1 was in mid-November. The water was really rough in November. We've never had rough water in June/July/August.

[chloe_jade416]

Thank you Teresa! That's very helpful feedback. And yes, looks like we'll be there this Summer vs. end of November.....for a couple reasons. One being, as you mentioned, better chances for calmer (and warmer) water in the summer months. Secondly, better rates vs. the premium Thanksgiving rates (which would be the week we would be able to travel).

Have just started the booking process for the villa, Rapture (dates on hold....yay!). And will be finalizing that as well as flights and car rental reservation in the next day or two.

Will certainly have more questions in the next several weeks too. Really do appreciate all the help and info we've been able to get so far from this forum!