first timers trip 4/9 - 4/14

[bigyellowtuna]

Got back from a 5 night stay at the Westin on St John last night. The room seemed as if it had been upgraded somewhat recently, though showed some minor age and or neglect that did not bother us; we were happy with the room after having read more than a few reviews from what seem like overly picky reviewers. Also have heard about front desk staff not caring about service, but found the opposite to be true during our stay - they seemed to go above and beyond to make sure we were happy.

As planned we did not spend much time during our vacation at the hotel as we had a jeep rented for 4 days. On arrival day (actually late afternoon) prior to our jeep rental, we did walk most of the hotel grounds, spent some time in the pool and walking the beach. We also lounged on the hotel beach that night to star gaze after dinner. The pool was nice and the beach was relatively nice as well, but not relative to the rest of St John beaches. We were there for the snorkeling and beautiful beaches and we had a jeep rental for the next 4 days on island.

Over the next 4 days, we managed to visit and snorkel in Leinster Bay, Maho to little Maho, Haulover North and South, Hansen Bay, Salt Pond, Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest, and Trunk Bay. Our favorite snorkel was Haulover North and our least favorite was Hansen Bay -- the adjacent Vie's beach was probably better, but it was close to her closing time when we were there. We had memorable meals from Beach Bar, Baked in the Sun, Deli Grotto, Vie's, Pink Corner, Rhumblines, Sam & Jacks, and Sundog Cafe x2. It was a fabulous vacation for a couple that love snorkeling and hiking and we did it without much out of pocket considering we used credit card points for the hotel, and the airfare checked bag included came to $160 per person. $83.50 per day for the jeep rental was a lot, but considering how much use we got out of it, it was well worth it.

The highlights / favorites of mine on the trip were the snorkeling at Haulover North, seeing large tarpon at Maho, seeing turtles and cero mackerel at several beaches, the monseratt wings at beach bar, walking back to the Westin from town and having to walk up jacob's ladder, desserts from deli grotto, Vie's snack shack, Pink Corner, parallel parking on the downside of a steep driveway, backing out of said parallel parking space when the jeep decides to shift by itself from reverse to neutral with no warning (thank god for bumpers), and getting use to driving on the left by the last day.

The forum was very helpful in putting together a loose plan of do's, don'ts, and places to visit and I'm glad I found it. I also found having a guide book (we used the one written by Pam) was essential in making the most of the brief time we had on the island. Hope to be back some day!

[dreamshark]

Sounds like you had a great trip! How on earth did you find airfare for $160?

[bigyellowtuna]

I don't think its that uncommon when flying out of Ft Lauderdale.

[mnfun2bme]

Sounds like all your planning paid off. You hit a lot of spots in a short amount of time.
Congrats - and welcome to the addiction.

$160 airfare...... that might be dangerous for me!!!

[SandyPants]

Thanks for the report...you truly fit a lot into 5 days, and at a bargain!

I wondered about this:
" Our favorite snorkel was Haulover North and our least favorite was Hansen Bay -- the adjacent Vie's beach was probably better, but it was close to her closing time when we were there"...
do you get the boot from Vie's when they close?

[bigyellowtuna]

I'm not sure if you get the boot, but the sign said (and she mentioned) her gate leading to the beach locks at 4 or 4:30 (can't recall exactly). We assumed we would either get the boot or were not wanted there after hours and drove 100 yards up the road to the adjacent spot.

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Welcome to our addiction ... We can't go any where else!