help- villa recommendations ?

[johns200]

Hi all- we are planning our 3rd trip to STJ for December 7-17 (rather last-minute I know but we weren't sure we could squeeze it in this year). We will have DH, me, and our 2 kids age 5 and 7 on this trip. Last year we stayed at Luminaria (near Coral Bay) and year before that Eaglesnest (near Chocolate Hole/Westin area). I am searching for a villa for this dec and trying to decide what to do. Could do luminaria again, but wondering if something else might be a bit better. Pool there was quite cold because it was shaded, kids had to be on a different floor than us which was "scary!", and we ended up driving into town a lot for groceries/dining. The kids will share a room, so we only need 2 BR but usually end up with a bigger place.

This is our wish list:
1) master bedroom and a second bedroom on the same floor
2) nice pool area and hot tub if possible (kids main interest- DH and I would rather be at the beach)
3) closer to cruz bay might be nice if we can avoid construction noise
4) no bugs (a mosquito magnet!) or cats (sorry-allergic)

budget: somewhere around $4 to $5 k per week is ok.

We don't need a huge place but since this is our only vacation for the year (i.e. only escape from 2 high-stress jobs) really want it to be relaxing and nice. We would appreciate any suggestions you have- have thought about "In the stars" as an alternative. Any others you might know of?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions to try-

Melissa

[waterguy]

I'm statying at Allesandra I think it would work for you. It's with caribbeanvilla.com

[pswlrw]

A few that might work:

La Papaya (destinationstjohn.com)
Splendore and Belvedere (both with vacationvistas.com)

[Ksea]

You can look at Star Villa (www.starvillas.org)
It is close to Cruz Bay, has 2br on same level and has a pool. No hot tub though.

[Gromit]

Probably telling you something you already know, but keep in mind that your price will probably go up drastically for your last night or two, since high season technically begins on the 15th for most villa co's.

[Gromit]

We've stayed at Cygnus many times in the past and loved it. It's now called "Beach Music" and avail thru Caribbean Villas. I've always found this place to be a very good value. I also like the location -- not too far from town and easy access to grocery stores and restaurant while going to and from beaches -- and that it's essentially waterfront.

Two bedrooms on the main level -- more bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs. It's always felt like a home away from home for us.

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/cygnus/cygnus.html

Magically it looks like its available for the dates you want to go, but booked for months before and after.

My only major concern with this property (and any property in Choc Hole) is the Pond Bay development that's taking place right now and basically taking away from the beautiful view while under construction.

This house has a great open area, kitchen, pool table downstairs, great deck furniture etc. It gets really good afternoon sun and we've always spent the PM in the pool. The pool itself is smallish. Could be bigger, but it's nice. We are also heading down in December this year (we usually travel April - July)and the common complaint I hear is that it's too cold for most pools in general, unless they are heated-- which is tough to find and even if you do often this feature working is spotty at best.

Otherwise, I have to say that I love this house and it might suit your needs. All furniture is very durable, not fancy, but comfortable. Beds are comfy too.

Not cats to speak of and it gets a great breeze. All in all we've stayed here 3 times, once for a two week stretch.

Liek I said we've always enjoyed it.

[johns200]

Hi- thanks for the suggestions- they all look nice. Unfortunately Allesandra is not available then and it looked perfect! I have emailed to check availability on the others. I was not familiar with the agency "vacation vistas"- have you rented with them before? They have several that might work, so I am waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for this and any other suggestions! Greatly appreciated

[Gromit]

See my additional note on Cygnus above-- I think we crossed postings!

[johns200]

Probably telling you something you already know, but keep in mind that your price will probably go up drastically for your last night or two, since high season technically begins on the 15th for most villa co's.

yeah- we noticed that but in the past realized there was a HUGE difference in relaxation between the 7 and 10 day mark- so it is doubling the price per night but will be well worth it for the extra relaxation. I have to be in Vegas the week leading up to that and just can't get back any earlier to start the trip to STJ- arrgh!! I can't imagine how strange it is going to be to go from a huge convention in Vegas to STJ- will be one of my weirder experiences thanks again

[liamsaunt]

Hi- thanks for the suggestions- they all look nice. Unfortunately Allesandra is not available then and it looked perfect! I have emailed to check availability on the others. I was not familiar with the agency "vacation vistas"- have you rented with them before? They have several that might work, so I am waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for this and any other suggestions! Greatly appreciated

I can vouch for Vacation Vistas. We've rented four houses from them and have always had a good experience.

That said, one of the houses we stayed at was Belvedere. We loved it, but I would not recommend it for you with your kids. The reason being that yes, there are two rooms on the same level, but they are individual rooms off a covered outdoor breezeway, seperate from the main living pod. There is no access from room to room without going outside, and you'd have to lock your kids into the room at night, and they would not have access to your room wihtout going outside and knocking on your door. Also, the rooms have sliders out to private decks and I would not want my 5 year old out there alone.

Lisa does represent some properties that I think would be a better fit for your family. Check out Cinnamon Tarn, we've stayed there twice and love it. All on one level, interior access, and a huge hot tub. You can turm the heat off on the hot tub and use it as a pool also.

[Wolfhound]

You may also want to look at Splendore at Vacation Vistas. I wanted it for next year but couldn't get the dates to work.

[Diana2]

I have to second the recommendation for Cinnamon Tarn. This is a great house and it's perfect for your family. The hot tub is huge. Your kids will LOVE IT! You won't miss a pool at all and the view from up there is FABULOUS!!

[nothintolose]

Just want to say that Lisa with Vacation Vistas was AWESOME the year we rented Ristaba. Didn't end up renting one of their villas this past time but missed using Lisa.

nothintolose

[PA Girl]

We rented Splendore in Feb from Vacation Vistas. Great house, spotlessly clean, up to date, etc. I posted a review in March. I would be happy to answer specific questions.

The house is large in the sense that the bedrooms are spacious, as are the bathrooms. Double sinks and garden showers that fit two comfortably. Four adults co-existed peacefully in the kitchen at the same time.

The pool got full sun and was very warm, so much so that we swam at night. We did not experience any bugs at all (although I know weather places a huge part in the buginess) No local animals that I saw. The hot tub has a water fall into the pool, which was pretty cool.

No construction noise and no roosters!

[johns200]

Thanks for all the info- most of these are already booked. The remaining options are:

idyllic
ebb tide
in the stars
luminaria
cygnus

any others you know of that I can try?

thanks again!!!