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St. John Villa for Honeymoon--Please Help
St. John Villa for Honeymoon--Please Help
Hi everyone,
This is my first post and I was hoping you all could help me out. My fiance and I were wanting to stay in a villa on St. John for our honeymoon at the end of April 2008. We would like a villa with both a hot tub and pool, preferably private but yet not too far from restaurants (and of course a nice view
). We would like to spend $1700-$2500 for a week rental. I would prefer the Coral Bay or East End area but I'm open to suggestions of other places on St. John. I have looked at many of the sites listed (i.e. Destination St. John, Carefree Getaways, Caribbean Villas, etc.) but I would like to hear from people who have seen these or stayed here in person.
We were thinking about possibly Seascape from Carefree Getaways or Splendore from Vacation Vistas. Has anyone stayed at these? Or any other suggestions that meet what we're looking for?
Thanks in advance!
This is my first post and I was hoping you all could help me out. My fiance and I were wanting to stay in a villa on St. John for our honeymoon at the end of April 2008. We would like a villa with both a hot tub and pool, preferably private but yet not too far from restaurants (and of course a nice view
). We would like to spend $1700-$2500 for a week rental. I would prefer the Coral Bay or East End area but I'm open to suggestions of other places on St. John. I have looked at many of the sites listed (i.e. Destination St. John, Carefree Getaways, Caribbean Villas, etc.) but I would like to hear from people who have seen these or stayed here in person. We were thinking about possibly Seascape from Carefree Getaways or Splendore from Vacation Vistas. Has anyone stayed at these? Or any other suggestions that meet what we're looking for?
Thanks in advance!
We stayed at Splendore in Feb 2007 and were very pleased. It is in an established (and very nice) neighborhood with good access to town. Because of how the house is situated and the landscaping, it is very private.
I have a review posted under the villa review section. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
I have a review posted under the villa review section. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Linz - I think I posted one for you on a different forum - St. John Livin' in Coral Bay, brand new at Book-it VI. I think someone who posts on this forum may have stayed there already - might want to do a search.
PA Girl - Splendore has always been on my shortlist - I hear there is a killer view out over Maria Bluff.
- Margy
PA Girl - Splendore has always been on my shortlist - I hear there is a killer view out over Maria Bluff.
- Margy
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Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
[quote="Margy Z"]Linz - I think I posted one for you on a different forum - St. John Livin' in Coral Bay, brand new at Book-it VI. I think someone who posts on this forum may have stayed there already - might want to do a search.
We stayed at St. John Livin' in May and were very pleased. It has a small pool and a hot tub, and beautiful views of Coral Bay, the East End, and some of the BVI's. I would be happy to answer any specific questions that you may have.
We stayed at St. John Livin' in May and were very pleased. It has a small pool and a hot tub, and beautiful views of Coral Bay, the East End, and some of the BVI's. I would be happy to answer any specific questions that you may have.
[/url]Two years ago we stayed at Coconuts Villa on Gifft Hill. It is closer to Cruz Bay rather than Coral Bay, so it was easy to pop down to restaurants or shops. It has a very nice view over to STT. We spent many hours in the gazebo with comfy furniture and a dining set just hanging out and enjoying the view. (Can't remember if it has a hot tub - we don't use them.) The pool area was surrounded on 3 sides by the pods of the house and the front wall, so it was very private. The villas has a bit of property, so there was a back yard with huge bougainvillea bushes that were just a beautiful site from the deck. Had lots of birdie visitors every morning. We really enjoyed this villa and had no problems with it. Its rented by Caribbean Villas.
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
To kygirl,
I'm not the OP, but am currently looking around for a villa for just my wife and I for next June. St J Livin' and Island Dreams look similar and appear to be in the same vicinity and have caught my eye. Considering staying in Coral Bay vicinity (or Carolina/Bordeaux/etc. for easier combination north shore/Coral Bay access). Wouldn't mind a little more space and bigger pool, but the price is right. Couple of questions if you don't mind.
1 - How do you get there? All the way in to Coral Bay and then off on a side road? Or is there a side road to turn off before you get all the way into the intersection in Coral Bay? Just trying to get calibrated for distance to north shore beaches.
2 - Construction? The one review I saw mentioned construction in the area. We've stayed in two villas before (Chocolate Hole and Maria Bluff). My gut impression is that there is less built up land in Coral Bay so I expect there to be more construction there than where we've stayed before, which is more built up. Curious if there is anything truth to that generality. Any general comments on construction in the area and how it affected your stay would be appreciated.
Thanks for any info!
irbgolfin
I'm not the OP, but am currently looking around for a villa for just my wife and I for next June. St J Livin' and Island Dreams look similar and appear to be in the same vicinity and have caught my eye. Considering staying in Coral Bay vicinity (or Carolina/Bordeaux/etc. for easier combination north shore/Coral Bay access). Wouldn't mind a little more space and bigger pool, but the price is right. Couple of questions if you don't mind.
1 - How do you get there? All the way in to Coral Bay and then off on a side road? Or is there a side road to turn off before you get all the way into the intersection in Coral Bay? Just trying to get calibrated for distance to north shore beaches.
2 - Construction? The one review I saw mentioned construction in the area. We've stayed in two villas before (Chocolate Hole and Maria Bluff). My gut impression is that there is less built up land in Coral Bay so I expect there to be more construction there than where we've stayed before, which is more built up. Curious if there is anything truth to that generality. Any general comments on construction in the area and how it affected your stay would be appreciated.
Thanks for any info!
irbgolfin
First welcome to both linzo2m and irbgolfin. you will it fun to hang out here.
I believe any villa located on Ajax Peak would have the closet access to the North Shore beaches and a view of Coral Bay. In July we stayed on Ajax peak and once out of the driveway it was only a few hundred feet up the hill to the intersection of Route 20 that heads to North Shore.
An area known as Carolina Estates is a litle closer to Coral Bay, but still is an easy drive to the North Shore area.
When we were there no construction close by.
What are you looking for in a villa, i.e. number of bedrooms, a/c, pool, hot tub?
I believe any villa located on Ajax Peak would have the closet access to the North Shore beaches and a view of Coral Bay. In July we stayed on Ajax peak and once out of the driveway it was only a few hundred feet up the hill to the intersection of Route 20 that heads to North Shore.
An area known as Carolina Estates is a litle closer to Coral Bay, but still is an easy drive to the North Shore area.
When we were there no construction close by.
What are you looking for in a villa, i.e. number of bedrooms, a/c, pool, hot tub?
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Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
irbgolfin,
You are right. St. John Livin' and Island Dreams are similar. They are also built by each other, but with privacy. You will go all the way to the intersection at Coral Bay, then up a side road. You will go up the hill a while, then take a right. The road is a bit rough there for a minute. You pass a few driveways, then turn right to get to Livin' (the first turn in), then Island Dreams. Pink Horses is down beyond Island Dreams. The views from there are beautiful. There was no construction going on around us while we were there. There was something going on at Pink Horses (We thought they were probably adding a hot tub), but we never heard anything.
We loved this part of the island and would really like to stay there again. I would be happy to answer any more questions that you have!
kentuckygirl
You are right. St. John Livin' and Island Dreams are similar. They are also built by each other, but with privacy. You will go all the way to the intersection at Coral Bay, then up a side road. You will go up the hill a while, then take a right. The road is a bit rough there for a minute. You pass a few driveways, then turn right to get to Livin' (the first turn in), then Island Dreams. Pink Horses is down beyond Island Dreams. The views from there are beautiful. There was no construction going on around us while we were there. There was something going on at Pink Horses (We thought they were probably adding a hot tub), but we never heard anything.
We loved this part of the island and would really like to stay there again. I would be happy to answer any more questions that you have!
kentuckygirl
[/url]Hey MarkR and Kygirl,
Thanks for the response. I'm also a midwesterner, Cincinnati, OH.
Have a few Carib trips, cruises and villas, under our belt. Milking my FF miles, and next June will use them up. So I'm torn between keeping the cost down or spending a few extra $$$ and getting something really nice knowing it may be a while til we go again.
As for what we consider our MUST haves:
1 BR w/queen or king
A/C in BR
Pool
View, particularly from the pool
"Privacy"
Would like a grill with a location that has a view. Higher up, view, breeze, unless right on a great sandy beach, which we know won't happen. We tend to do a beach/snorkel in the morning (my wife doesn't care to snorkel, I do, she'll have a book on the beach, so the combo is important!). Cinnamon and Francis are two of our favorites. Then a lunch out (Island Blues, Skinny's, etc.). Don't care to deal with parking in Cruz Bay, my success has been limited, even with "parking" at my rental car agency lot. Pick up something to cook in for dinner, back to the villa for a nap/pool/reading time, then an easy to prepare dinner (me on the grill with something and deli sides), and dining al fresco, maybe watching the sun set, maybe later, all depends.
Hmmm... Any more details you need?
While we enjoyed our previous locations in Chocolate Hole and Maria Bluff, we're thinking something more convenient to Coral Bay and north shore to give that a try. I've found numerous places that fit the bill. I don't have a specific budget in mind, will spend as little as I can, but want as much as I can get - then don't we all? One place I saw that looked like way more than we need but lots of bang for the buck was Croix Vista, though the location is not appropriate. Probably going to cap the upper end at about $3K plus tax based on what I've seen. I would prefer not to try to save a few $$$ and get the $2K place only to find something that makes the trip less enjoyable.
So... there you go, can anyone point me to the perfect spot based on all my preferences?
Thx!
Thanks for the response. I'm also a midwesterner, Cincinnati, OH.
Have a few Carib trips, cruises and villas, under our belt. Milking my FF miles, and next June will use them up. So I'm torn between keeping the cost down or spending a few extra $$$ and getting something really nice knowing it may be a while til we go again.
As for what we consider our MUST haves:
1 BR w/queen or king
A/C in BR
Pool
View, particularly from the pool
"Privacy"
Would like a grill with a location that has a view. Higher up, view, breeze, unless right on a great sandy beach, which we know won't happen. We tend to do a beach/snorkel in the morning (my wife doesn't care to snorkel, I do, she'll have a book on the beach, so the combo is important!). Cinnamon and Francis are two of our favorites. Then a lunch out (Island Blues, Skinny's, etc.). Don't care to deal with parking in Cruz Bay, my success has been limited, even with "parking" at my rental car agency lot. Pick up something to cook in for dinner, back to the villa for a nap/pool/reading time, then an easy to prepare dinner (me on the grill with something and deli sides), and dining al fresco, maybe watching the sun set, maybe later, all depends.
Hmmm... Any more details you need?
While we enjoyed our previous locations in Chocolate Hole and Maria Bluff, we're thinking something more convenient to Coral Bay and north shore to give that a try. I've found numerous places that fit the bill. I don't have a specific budget in mind, will spend as little as I can, but want as much as I can get - then don't we all? One place I saw that looked like way more than we need but lots of bang for the buck was Croix Vista, though the location is not appropriate. Probably going to cap the upper end at about $3K plus tax based on what I've seen. I would prefer not to try to save a few $$$ and get the $2K place only to find something that makes the trip less enjoyable.
So... there you go, can anyone point me to the perfect spot based on all my preferences?
Thx!
Hey irbgolfin,
Have a look at this villa
http://www.vrbo.com/119689
We stayed here for 6 days this past June, while it is not fancy, it was very clean and had everything we were looking for---privacy, views, large outdoor areas, pool, hot tub and more privacy. While there is no a/c, we never missed it, this place gets very strong breezes and the wife had to put on a sweatshirt at night out on the deck.
Any questions just let me know, I have pics also I could send.
Mark
Have a look at this villa
http://www.vrbo.com/119689
We stayed here for 6 days this past June, while it is not fancy, it was very clean and had everything we were looking for---privacy, views, large outdoor areas, pool, hot tub and more privacy. While there is no a/c, we never missed it, this place gets very strong breezes and the wife had to put on a sweatshirt at night out on the deck.
Any questions just let me know, I have pics also I could send.
Mark
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Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
irbgolfin,
We did really like "Livin'" and it fits most of your criteria. I wasn't sure if you meant that you wanted a view from the grill. The grill is located by the front door, opposite the pool, hot tub, deck, and view.
Have you looked at Reef Madness? We considered it for next year. It is still being built, and I think it looks great. It is not as high on the hill (different hill), up from Skinny's. It looks like the weekly rate in June is $2450. Here is the link http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=23078
From that sight you can also get to their website with a blog telling all about their building experiences.
We did really like "Livin'" and it fits most of your criteria. I wasn't sure if you meant that you wanted a view from the grill. The grill is located by the front door, opposite the pool, hot tub, deck, and view.
Have you looked at Reef Madness? We considered it for next year. It is still being built, and I think it looks great. It is not as high on the hill (different hill), up from Skinny's. It looks like the weekly rate in June is $2450. Here is the link http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=23078
From that sight you can also get to their website with a blog telling all about their building experiences.
[/url]Mark and Kygirl...
Thanks for the responses. No need for details, but A/C in bedroom is a requirement for us. I didn't think it was at first, but it is If it wasn't, there are some north shore places I'd be on in a heartbeat, even though a little more expensive.
Yes, I meant a view from the grill. Silly? Perhaps. But after 3 villa rentals, only 1 of which had a view from the grill, I make that a priority. I also want a view while I'm IN the pool. Picky? Sure. But they're out there, and I've learned what I like and don't. And for various personal reasons I anticipate this trip being our last for awhile (but the good news is in the last 8 years we've managed 6 Carib cruises and 6 Carib land stays, milking my FF account for all I can!).
Reef Madness - just found the blog recently when I picked up my StJ search. (Last USVI visit was in 2006, 2007 we went to Anguilla due to FF miles, and the StJ 2006 trip was booked by fall 2005 so I'm a good 2 years out of looking at villas on StJ.) I like the look and am seriously considering it. Would like some confidence that it will be handled and not working through issues. After following Bongo Bongo I know those guys worked hard at it, yet missed dates and had to do things for early renters (at least one comes to mind, the driveway being poured while someone was there). Not sure how that would go over.
Thanks very much for the information, hope it has been helpful to the OP, didn't mean to hijack the topic but it fit right in for me, villa wise, not honeymoon wise
Thanks!
irbgolfin
Thanks for the responses. No need for details, but A/C in bedroom is a requirement for us. I didn't think it was at first, but it is
If it wasn't, there are some north shore places I'd be on in a heartbeat, even though a little more expensive. Yes, I meant a view from the grill. Silly? Perhaps. But after 3 villa rentals, only 1 of which had a view from the grill, I make that a priority. I also want a view while I'm IN the pool. Picky? Sure. But they're out there, and I've learned what I like and don't. And for various personal reasons I anticipate this trip being our last for awhile (but the good news is in the last 8 years we've managed 6 Carib cruises and 6 Carib land stays, milking my FF account for all I can!).
Reef Madness - just found the blog recently when I picked up my StJ search. (Last USVI visit was in 2006, 2007 we went to Anguilla due to FF miles, and the StJ 2006 trip was booked by fall 2005 so I'm a good 2 years out of looking at villas on StJ.) I like the look and am seriously considering it. Would like some confidence that it will be handled and not working through issues. After following Bongo Bongo I know those guys worked hard at it, yet missed dates and had to do things for early renters (at least one comes to mind, the driveway being poured while someone was there). Not sure how that would go over.
Thanks very much for the information, hope it has been helpful to the OP, didn't mean to hijack the topic but it fit right in for me, villa wise, not honeymoon wise
Thanks!
irbgolfin
Thank you guys for the suggestions.
PA Girl--How were the views from the pool and hot tub at Splendore? They look like they'd be nice but I couldn't tell if the trees or greenery would be in the way while in the pool. I know it's a picky question but just curious.
You also mentioned it was private--like private enough for "clothing optional" swimming?
Also, what about the drive to Splendore. I know you said it's in a nice neighborhood so that means the roads are paved, right?
PA Girl--How were the views from the pool and hot tub at Splendore? They look like they'd be nice but I couldn't tell if the trees or greenery would be in the way while in the pool. I know it's a picky question but just curious.
You also mentioned it was private--like private enough for "clothing optional" swimming?Also, what about the drive to Splendore. I know you said it's in a nice neighborhood so that means the roads are paved, right?