Villa Management companys

[waterguy]

What is the villa companys you all like to rent from and why.
Thanks
Tom

[Pat]

Having used these companies during our nine visits to St. John, I can highly recommend Private Homes VI and Catered To. Watch out for the security deposit scam with Carefree Getaways. Unlike other management companies that require a $35.00 Security Deposit Waiver to cover damage up to $500.00, Carefree collects the same non-refundable security waiver fee but doesn't cover like the others. They pocket the money and then charge you if there's damage. No where on their website do they explain their security
deposit. Catered to, as well as others, clearly define theirs and state that as a Thank You for your business, they will cover damages up to $500. My recommendation is to fully examine any management companies policies before you rent from them. You could be stuck with a nasty bill when you get home.

[ihochman]

I agree. I think Catered To is very buttoned up and professional. I've used
other companies but find that their "hidden" charges, no matter how small,
tacky. Catered To is open and above board and treats you like a real
guest. Go with them.

[Ksea]

So far I have only uses Seaview Homes. They were very pleasant and easy to work with. They only thing they didn't come thru on was the welcome basket...which we really could have used after our 13 hour travel day!
I already reserved next years villa through Star Villas since we will require a smaller place. So far so good!

[flip-flop]

I have used Caribbean Villas & Destination St. John. Each twice. I don't look at CVillas homes anymore for a couple of reasons: 1) though they are less expensive they tend to seem a little more worn/dated, even considering the price diff. 2) the 5% service charge. In principle I am opposed to it, but ESPECIALLY since you get nothing special for it. I don't mind paying more for more. Its paying more for no good reason that gets me all worked up

I will continue to use Destination St. John. Their houses, though a little more expensive, seem fresher and newer. Not 100% of them, but you have a good range of options in their portfolio. I will continue more so with them because they are always professional and extremely helpful(particularly Lori) and could not have been kinder to me when I had to cancel last September for a planned November trip due to medical issues. They allowed me to rebook, once I figured out when I could return, using my original deposit. They could have taken by deposit or at a minimum a fee, they did neither. Very compassionate group. Earned my loyalty!

I am not saying I'll never rent from another co. As our needs and priorities change, some other outfit may better fit our needs, but DSJ will ALWAYS be on the top of my list.

[liamsaunt]

I've had excellent rental experiences with both Catered To and Vacation Vistas, and would heartily recommend both.

[cypressgirl]

I tend to find the villa I want and just hope for good service. I have to agree with Flip on everything she said about Carb. Villa, but I did book a condo from them last trip because it was cheap and just what I needed. I've used Vac. Vistas, Catered To, and Dest. St. John with no problems.

[Margy Z]

Agree about Caribbean Villas - I just don't see the attention to repair and replacement and general upkeep there and cannot justify the upcharge. Their newer villas may be ok but again, the upcharge confuses me. When we arrived at Cinnamon Ridge the kitchen surfaces were sticky tacky, there were termites marching across the counter and after taking out a few dishes and glasses we decided we needed to run just about everything through the dishwasher before we used it. The screens were loose so the guys found a screw driver and went around tightening up the frames and tightening cabinet handles and shower heads (which were also loose and leaky) - kept us all busy during a rainy arrival day but we shouldn't have had to do that. Just had a great experience on STX with Vacation St. Croix - Marti Gotts. VSC is a direct manager (like McLaughlin Anderson on STT) and manages villas that you will see for rent on other websites. Very easy to work with and accommodating - also very well connected on the island to rental car companies and excursion providers.

[Kentuckygirl]

We were very happy with bookitvi. They were great to work with. They even held our luggage for us for a few hours before we caught the ferry back to St. Thomas.
We are using Destination St. John for our trip next June, and they have been good so far, too.

[Diana2]

Over the years we have used several agents and don't have any real complaints about any of them. They include Catered To, Windspree, Vacation Vistas and Island Getaways. Like I said we have had no negative issues with any of these agents but for the last 5 of 6 trips we keep coming back to Kathy at Island Getaways. We think she's really great and does a wonderful job for both the villa owners and the renter. Anything that may come up while we are there is addresses immediately (we had a Jeep go over the side of the mountain and an AC unit drain clogged on our trip in June and both problems were immediately solved to our grateful satisfaction).

[St. John Lover]

Have used Carefree Getaways, Suite St. John, Where-to-Stay, Kathy Del Mar, Caribbean Villas, and direct through owners via VRBO and HomeAway over the last many, many years.

Del Mars were wonderful but are no longer in the rental business (nor on-island). I will not again use Caribbean Villas (5% extra service charge for nothing which others have noted as well as just a general cavelier attitude towards guests). But ALL the others have been great experiences for us, which we will definitely use again.

If you have specific additional questions about any of the above, please ask & I will answer best I can.

[RickG]

VIVA! gives a 10% discount to repeat renters for the properties they directly manage; you do have to pay by check to get the discount.

Destination St. John, for the reason that the FLIPster gives - nice properties.

Caribbean Villas because their web site is easy to use and they have a large inventory. I know the beefs about their service charge, but I just add that in when I am comparing prices.

VRBO.com for the best prices and the listings that are available no where else.

Cheers, RickG

[cptnkirk]

We've never rented from anywhere but Caribbean Villas and never had a bad experience yet. I know the 5% seems to piss people off but they still come up cheaper than most the others when added in. They will also hold your luggage on the last day and let you park there at night if theres a spot.

[JT]

We've been happy with Windspree. We always stay on the Coral Bay side and Karen, the owner, lives in Coral Bay and if there are any problems, they are handled quickly. We've also dealt with Viva and I think that they're great, too, and I wouldn't hesitate to use bookitvi.
The CV 5% service charge is bad joss. They aren't up front about it, and it comes as a unexpected, bad taste surprise to the first time user of their service. I personally will never do business with them.

[Maryanne]

Have used Viva, CateredTo, bookitvi, private homes for private vacations, windspree, islandgetaways, stjohnproperties, and caribbean villas. Only one I had a bad experience with is Caribbean villas. I wish everyone had a website like theirs, though..