Virgin Gorda then St. John

UF Prof · Post by **UF Prof** » Tue May 21, 2013 10:59 am

We are seriously considering two weeks in the islands this November (our favorite time) and are thinking of the first week on Virgin Gorda and the second on St. John. We are very familiar with St. John but not at all with Virgin Gorda. Does anyone have experiences with the villas on VG? We are interested in a 1-2 bdrm with some luxury and privacy. Any suggestions regarding the various areas of VG and the villas will be appreciated. We will likely rent a Jeep, so being away from town is not a concern. Looking at $2000-$2500/week.
In regard to VG, we are strangers in a strange land again.

Thanks all!

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue May 21, 2013 11:25 am

We rented a villa in the Mahoe Bay community in 2009 (or maybe it was 2008) for 10 nights. I will look for my trip report after this post.

In general, you get more bang for your buck on VG. There are more walk-to-the beach lodging options and the prices are generally less expensive that STJ.

We really liked staying at Mahoe Bay, it was a good central location to explore the island. We rented from the management company that handles Mahoe Bay and Leverick Bay -

http://www.virgingordabvi.com/index.php

We considered another trip this year but the travel days/connections were just too much trouble so we booked STJ again.

There wasn't anything that we didn't like about VG, STJ just keeps pulling us back for the things STJ has that VG doesn't. A two week trip to split the islands would be wonderful.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:08 pm

Keep in mind, this trip report is from 2009, things could have changed since then -

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... rgin+gorda

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:25 pm

Guavaberry spring bay manages a number of private villas, if you don't want to stay in one of their more basic cottages. Google Guavaberry Spring Bay vacation homes.

There are also villas in Mahoe Bay and in Leverick Bay in north sound. I have not stayed in any of the villas (except a small studio cottage) as we always stay in Guavaberry's cottages.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue May 21, 2013 1:28 pm

We are????

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Tue May 21, 2013 6:24 pm

I like that surprise for lprof!!!

philbetm · Post by **philbetm** » Tue May 21, 2013 6:38 pm

.......

Sounds like you ARE !!!

gobucs · Post by **gobucs** » Tue May 21, 2013 7:10 pm

Sounds like my husband and myself

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue May 21, 2013 8:57 pm

Spending a couple of months apart permits time for thought... and dreaming.
This was a special Tuesday surprise! I am happy to accept your plan UF Prof!

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Tue May 21, 2013 9:16 pm

I gotta do some reserch but we stayed at a place in Nail Bay a few years ago that we loved. One of our favorite villas to date get back to ya once I find it.

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Tue May 21, 2013 9:57 pm

Although we havent stayed here..its definetly on our to go to list...

http://www.nailbay.com/index.php

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Tue May 21, 2013 10:27 pm

lprof wrote:We are????

HaHa - where's the LIKE button when you need it.

Definitely check-out the Guavaberry villas. Spring Bay is a great beach and the Guavaberry team is tops in customer service.

UF Prof · Post by **UF Prof** » Wed May 22, 2013 8:16 am

Thanks to all. Any info is appreciated. The web sites for VG just are not nearly as good as those for STJ.

And yes, Iprof, we are, since I seriously doubt that I am going to be able to get 2 weeks free in 2014.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed May 22, 2013 10:06 am

Maggy knows of which she speaks.

The folks at Guavaberry couldn't be nicer and “their” beach is spectacular. Maybe even consider staying in one of their cottages like she did a few weeks ago and we will doing in 6 days for the third time, shifting over to STJ after 5 days, so yes "splitting" time between both islands makes lotsa sense to us

As for the villas they also manage, one of the Guavaberry choices in your price range to consider would be Las Brisa or its sister cottage Casita. Nice views and cool location very near to Top of the Baths and Mad Dogs, short walk to the beach at Devils Bay, plus you are able to take advantage of the commissary (all sorts of food, drink and other necessities at prices mostly cheaper than market in town) and the services of the kind folks at the main Guavaberry property who will help you with all sorts of advice and reservations, including a discounted car.
http://www.lasbrisasbvi.com/pix_tour_2012.htm

Another GB choice to look at would be The Beach House, literally spitting distance to the “Guavaberry” Beach and next to their main property so you could walk up to the commissary located next to their office. Kinda basic but killer location. http://www.gsbvillas.com/beachhouse/

Mid-island I would look at Open Deck villa Mahoe Bay (on the high end of your price range) http://www.villaopendeck.com/..index.phtml

If you want that literal staying-on-the-beach-toes-in-the-sand experience, look at Mango Bay too, also located mid-island.
I wouldn't call these luxurious, and in fact if you watch the video in the link below they are pretty basic so if you prefer your villa with granite kitchens and the like, you will be disappointed in the quality of “amenities” like that, but they are well maintained, and you can’t beat the view and location at their price point.
This would appeal greatly to me, but then again we are "beach people", not "villa people".
http://www.mangobayresort.com/
Perhaps scroll thru the “traveler photos” and reviews at TA to get a better sense of Mango Bay
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... lands.html

Traveling as just a couple, I would also be intrigued by this one. Looks like some nice views and amenities at a good price point.
Lan-Y-Mor villa
http://www.virgingordarentalvillas.com/ ... 07204.html

VG has a different vibe, plus, if staying somewhere where you can walk over to a spectacular beach at any time of the day (and less time spent in the jeep) appeals to you more than a fancy villa, you have some choices to stay that gives you that opportunity without breaking the bank.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed May 22, 2013 10:37 am

Haha just realized this gives me an excuse to post some photos for you of the Guavaberry area and make myself even more excited about our pending trip LOL. Also wanted to mention that staying at the GB properties gives you the option of going over to The Baths multiple and/or off peak times when you can avoid crowds and appreciate them a bit more.

Spring Bay, with the "Guavaberry" section of beach over on the left side. If you snorkel around those rocks on the right, you will wind up at on the north side The Baths where there was a funky little beach bar right near where you go into The Baths.

usvi-on-line