usvi-on-line
New to the board & thank you already!
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Armchair Traveler
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:07 am
- Location: Boston
New to the board & thank you already!
We just booked our first trip to St. John for the third week in January and couldnt be more excited. We have booked Astral Cottage(not the whole villa), and I would love to hear any feedback. I am obsessive about information before the trip so no detail is too small!
I know I am going to have a ton of questions but I have been going through past trip reports and they are fantastic! I have to say a big thank you already because even though we booked the cottage, we hadnt booked our flights yet. Flying from Boston, I really wanted the direct flight because I am petrified of flying and usually spend it drugged, (my husband laughs at me because our last flight was to Rome and I came back telling everyone how easy and quick it was but in reality it was long and arduous. I just happen to be zonked out on a couple of cocktails and xanax before the flight and was happy as a clam). Long story short(not really, I know!), I checked the board this morning and saw that AA had a sale and knocked off $200 of each of our non stop flights, saving us a total of $400. Very cool!
Thank you again!!
Amy
I know I am going to have a ton of questions but I have been going through past trip reports and they are fantastic! I have to say a big thank you already because even though we booked the cottage, we hadnt booked our flights yet. Flying from Boston, I really wanted the direct flight because I am petrified of flying and usually spend it drugged, (my husband laughs at me because our last flight was to Rome and I came back telling everyone how easy and quick it was but in reality it was long and arduous. I just happen to be zonked out on a couple of cocktails and xanax before the flight and was happy as a clam). Long story short(not really, I know!), I checked the board this morning and saw that AA had a sale and knocked off $200 of each of our non stop flights, saving us a total of $400. Very cool!
Thank you again!!
Amy
Welcome Amy.
I'm sure the non-stop flight will be much easier for you than going through San Juan or Miami. We typically travel in November and the non-stop isn't running yet; always an adventure in SJU.
Astral Cottage is on my list for our next trip, so I'll be looking for your trip report
If you've got questions, we've got answers (opinions:) on everything.
I'm sure the non-stop flight will be much easier for you than going through San Juan or Miami. We typically travel in November and the non-stop isn't running yet; always an adventure in SJU.
Astral Cottage is on my list for our next trip, so I'll be looking for your trip report
If you've got questions, we've got answers (opinions:) on everything.
janet
Hello Amy-
Welcome!!
I've heard that Astral Cottage is very amazing.
I'm assuming it is part of Astral Ridge? If so, being up on Calabash Boom is the best place we stayed in our 4 trips to STJ (we stayed at Sago Cottage).
You need a 4WD vehicle to get up there and it is quite the ride!! I think there's a UTUBE video out there about riding up Calabash Boom.
Just go slow. Heads-up > once you head back down the Boom by yourselves and then back up, you'll be just fine.
The views of Coral Bay, the East End and the BVI's in the distance is just stunning. You'll feel like the luckiest people on earth that you ge to wake up to that view every morning (we did!).
The tradewinds keep everything nice and cool and actually cool enough to really enjoy a hottub at night.
The Calabash Boom neighborhood area is so quiet and private and it was our slice of heaven when we were there.
Make sure to go to Miss Lucy's (take a right at the bottom of Calabash) for lunch/dinner, the Donkey Diner for breakfast/pizza, Aqua Bistro for dinner, Island Blues for lunch after a day at the beach.
Also go to the East End and visit Vie's Snack Shack and beach, Haulover Bay, Pelicn Rock.
Dammit- what was that airfare from Boston again?
Welcome!!
I've heard that Astral Cottage is very amazing.
I'm assuming it is part of Astral Ridge? If so, being up on Calabash Boom is the best place we stayed in our 4 trips to STJ (we stayed at Sago Cottage).
You need a 4WD vehicle to get up there and it is quite the ride!! I think there's a UTUBE video out there about riding up Calabash Boom.
Just go slow. Heads-up > once you head back down the Boom by yourselves and then back up, you'll be just fine.
The views of Coral Bay, the East End and the BVI's in the distance is just stunning. You'll feel like the luckiest people on earth that you ge to wake up to that view every morning (we did!).
The tradewinds keep everything nice and cool and actually cool enough to really enjoy a hottub at night.
The Calabash Boom neighborhood area is so quiet and private and it was our slice of heaven when we were there.
Make sure to go to Miss Lucy's (take a right at the bottom of Calabash) for lunch/dinner, the Donkey Diner for breakfast/pizza, Aqua Bistro for dinner, Island Blues for lunch after a day at the beach.
Also go to the East End and visit Vie's Snack Shack and beach, Haulover Bay, Pelicn Rock.
Dammit- what was that airfare from Boston again?
Welcome!
We stayed at Astral Ridge (whole place) in July 2006 with 6 people (2 couples, 2 sisters). It is one of my favorites and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
Which 1/2 are you staying in? Main house w/ detatched bedroom or the "back house"?
Any way, the place is amazing in every way. Definitely get 4WD as the driveway is crazy steep. The house is beautiful, well kept, well appointed, well laid out and has killer views. There is no AC, but floor fans were sufficient to keep us comfortable in July. It looks JUST like the pictures on the website (no funny business with the photography), there are no neighbors that I noticed so there's complete privacy.
I think if you're staying in the "back house" you can see the main house, but it's not like you're intruding on eachother's space, except that you might cross another renter in the driveway. We didn't use the kitchen in the back house, but it is fully screened, a little more rustic than most villas but still very useable, and faces the hill rather than the views. The 2 bedrooms face the view, but the lower bedroom view is probably blocked largely by the main house but looks out onto a little garden area. It has its own hot tub, but I think the pool is for the main house use.
Have a great trip and holler if you've got any more specific questions about the house.
We stayed at Astral Ridge (whole place) in July 2006 with 6 people (2 couples, 2 sisters). It is one of my favorites and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
Which 1/2 are you staying in? Main house w/ detatched bedroom or the "back house"?
Any way, the place is amazing in every way. Definitely get 4WD as the driveway is crazy steep. The house is beautiful, well kept, well appointed, well laid out and has killer views. There is no AC, but floor fans were sufficient to keep us comfortable in July. It looks JUST like the pictures on the website (no funny business with the photography), there are no neighbors that I noticed so there's complete privacy.
I think if you're staying in the "back house" you can see the main house, but it's not like you're intruding on eachother's space, except that you might cross another renter in the driveway. We didn't use the kitchen in the back house, but it is fully screened, a little more rustic than most villas but still very useable, and faces the hill rather than the views. The 2 bedrooms face the view, but the lower bedroom view is probably blocked largely by the main house but looks out onto a little garden area. It has its own hot tub, but I think the pool is for the main house use.
Have a great trip and holler if you've got any more specific questions about the house.
Jennifer
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Armchair Traveler
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:07 am
- Location: Boston
Thanks for the welcome greetings!! We have rented a four wheel drive and are actually looking forward to the challenge! I grew up driving in Boston and that is probably scarier. 
The cottage is the back part of the house. We wanted the front but it was booked already and the cottage looked like it would suit our needs. I am already addicted to this board and I am a little giddy that I am no longer just a lurker. It makes the trip all that much more real!
The cottage is the back part of the house. We wanted the front but it was booked already and the cottage looked like it would suit our needs. I am already addicted to this board and I am a little giddy that I am no longer just a lurker. It makes the trip all that much more real!-
chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Welcome Amy -
You will have a great time on STJ and an even better one planning your trip with all the great people here chiming in. It is a more than once a day stop for me!
We are still in the planning stages, but hope to be on St. John from January 19-26th. If it works for us and you're there then, we love to share a toast at the beach bar !
Tracy
You will have a great time on STJ and an even better one planning your trip with all the great people here chiming in. It is a more than once a day stop for me!
We are still in the planning stages, but hope to be on St. John from January 19-26th. If it works for us and you're there then, we love to share a toast at the beach bar !
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
Hi Amy,
Driving in Boston is a whole different scary; the traffic, horns, one-way streets, blocked ramps, etc., is not a good training ground for STJ
However, if you travel west on Rte 2 out toward North Adams, there are a couple of hilly switchbacks that will get you in the mood
If you begin the mantra now, you'll be in good shape - stay left, stay left, STAY LEFT!!!
Driving in Boston is a whole different scary; the traffic, horns, one-way streets, blocked ramps, etc., is not a good training ground for STJ
However, if you travel west on Rte 2 out toward North Adams, there are a couple of hilly switchbacks that will get you in the mood
If you begin the mantra now, you'll be in good shape - stay left, stay left, STAY LEFT!!!
janet
Hi Amy, welcome!
I love the look of Astral Villa. We almost booked it for our very first trip to the island. It was brand new them and the kitchen was open air, which is what scared us off. It's screened in now, so it's back on the list of "somedays."
I love the look of Astral Villa. We almost booked it for our very first trip to the island. It was brand new them and the kitchen was open air, which is what scared us off. It's screened in now, so it's back on the list of "somedays."
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.