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HELP! First night on STT or STJ
HELP! First night on STT or STJ
You guys probably know me too well, but I need some help. We were originally slated to arrive on STT and go over to STJ on the 15th, house/car etc all set up to start on the 15th. However, Delta decided it would be a good idea to have NO, I mean ZERO, flights landing from any connecting airport in STT that day. Helpful,no?
Anyway, so instead of moving to the 16th like they wanted to I made them put us on flights out on the 14th. So we now arrive a day early. I know this has been debated over and over but what is a girl to do? Do I spend a night on STT (I am thinking Ritz or Sugarbay) or do I go on over to STJ and spend a night there (Westin most likely)?
My real question is which is less of a hassle? Remember I am traveling w/ my husband, my almost 58 year old mother, my 5 year old and a 9 month old! I am doing everything in my power to make this as easy as possible on me! Well on all of us
On one hand I think it would be easy to arrive, hop a cab to the Ritz and gel for the afternoon/evening. Get up have a relaxing breakfast and catch the water taxi over from Redhook. Destination St. John says we should be able to at least drop our stuff around 11am. The other option is suck it up and do the brutal travel day and just go on over to STJ and be ready to wake up and roll. I am starting to convince myself that staying on STT a night might be the best option.
We have friends coming in on the 15th (day after us) and they are heading straight to STJ. Any expert advice?
Anyway, so instead of moving to the 16th like they wanted to I made them put us on flights out on the 14th. So we now arrive a day early. I know this has been debated over and over but what is a girl to do? Do I spend a night on STT (I am thinking Ritz or Sugarbay) or do I go on over to STJ and spend a night there (Westin most likely)?
My real question is which is less of a hassle? Remember I am traveling w/ my husband, my almost 58 year old mother, my 5 year old and a 9 month old! I am doing everything in my power to make this as easy as possible on me! Well on all of us
On one hand I think it would be easy to arrive, hop a cab to the Ritz and gel for the afternoon/evening. Get up have a relaxing breakfast and catch the water taxi over from Redhook. Destination St. John says we should be able to at least drop our stuff around 11am. The other option is suck it up and do the brutal travel day and just go on over to STJ and be ready to wake up and roll. I am starting to convince myself that staying on STT a night might be the best option.
We have friends coming in on the 15th (day after us) and they are heading straight to STJ. Any expert advice?
There’s always a mystique about staying at the Ritz. Enjoy a different island for a day and enjoy all that the Ritz has to offer. It’s like 2 vacations – a mini (real mini) on STT and off to your wonderful STJ.
Heck – I’d do it just to stay at the Ritz.
Heck – I’d do it just to stay at the Ritz.
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
You know how spoiled I am!FlaGeorge wrote:There’s always a mystique about staying at the Ritz. Enjoy a different island for a day and enjoy all that the Ritz has to offer. It’s like 2 vacations – a mini (real mini) on STT and off to your wonderful STJ.
Heck – I’d do it just to stay at the Ritz.
And you know how much I trust your opinion!I think it depends on the type of rate you book. If you are booking just the room rate I'm sure it's extra. Don't know about Westin's ferry. But if you were planning private water taxi service anyway it could be less, not sure.flip-flop wrote:Is there an extra charge for the ferry from Caneel or is it included?mbw1024 wrote:we took the Caneel ferry last time and even though we were departing from a villa we were able to use Caneel's ferry for the return trip. Worked out nicely I must say.
Last edited by mbw1024 on Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just do it Flip Flop - it'll be fun. Play at the Ritz, go to Uncle Buddies on Coki Beack and have a Bushwacker, on the way back - stop at Fungie's and have a painkiller - and as your going through Red Hook, stop at Duffy's Love Shack. Then - make a grand entrance into the Ritz.
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
Yep-yep-yep, it's called Utter Delight, but it's on the hill leading to Drakes Seat.flip-flop wrote:I think we're doing the Ritz. FlaGeorge approves ... so there you have it.
Isn't there a great milkshake/ice cream place somewhere around there too or am I making that up?
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
Well, maybe I'm cheaper than you... the Ritz? But, I think your constraining factor will be the 9 month old. I vote for a first night on STT with an early dinner and early to bed. Then, relaxed breakfast on the day you go to STJ, get lunch at the beach bar (kids play on the beach) while Mr. Wonderful gets the rental car. Voila, your villa is ready
I'd also pack the carry-ons with everything you need until you hit the villa. Suitcases stay packed until you hit the villa.
The Green Iguana gets good reviews and is reasonable.
I remember taking my 5 month old in 1997. I just barely convinced my wife not to bring the pack-n-play. Still, the sheer volume of baby stuff we brought was astonishing. I was glad I had the back pack for her, though.
5 years old is when I started having my girls lug all of their own gear. My little one was able to get all of her gear into a wheeled LL Bean Knapsack and a shared snorkel bag with her sister. It's possible! In the picture below, we were going to Maho Campground and had to fit a towel in the knapsack.
Good luck!
Cheers, RickG
I'd also pack the carry-ons with everything you need until you hit the villa. Suitcases stay packed until you hit the villa.
The Green Iguana gets good reviews and is reasonable.
I remember taking my 5 month old in 1997. I just barely convinced my wife not to bring the pack-n-play. Still, the sheer volume of baby stuff we brought was astonishing. I was glad I had the back pack for her, though.
5 years old is when I started having my girls lug all of their own gear. My little one was able to get all of her gear into a wheeled LL Bean Knapsack and a shared snorkel bag with her sister. It's possible! In the picture below, we were going to Maho Campground and had to fit a towel in the knapsack.
Good luck!
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
FF, if it were me, I would stay the night on STT and pick up some cheap booze (and smokes if anyone is a smoker)while there. They also have great deals on other things you may want to look at! They even have a Harley Davidson Shop! I probably would not stay at the Ritz cause Im el cheapo...but if the price was the budget, you bet I would!
The Caneel ferry is extra...around the same price as the Westin's.
Another option is a two-bedroom unit at Secret Harbour. It might be cheaper than the Ritz and you would have more privacy (and maybe two bathrooms!). I can't remember if you've stayed there before but their beach is really kid-friendly and the restaurant on property is good.
Another option is a two-bedroom unit at Secret Harbour. It might be cheaper than the Ritz and you would have more privacy (and maybe two bathrooms!). I can't remember if you've stayed there before but their beach is really kid-friendly and the restaurant on property is good.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.