usvi-on-line
Current Top 3 Villas
Current Top 3 Villas
Ristaba, Mystic Ridge and Vistaero
Any feedback anyone?
I say current because this is all subject to change!
Any feedback anyone?
I say current because this is all subject to change!
FF - see my post on your "need a villa" topic. We stayed at Mystic Ridge the first 6 years we visited the island. The location is perfect, with a short drive to Coral Bay, a 12 min drive to Cruz Bay, and Maho is 5 min down the road. The view is astonishing and the breeze cools the house (individual AC in the rooms. The layout is excellent, with a center covered breezway seperating the 3 main bedrooms from the main house - kitchen, dining, and living room with glass folding doors end-to-end that open to the pool deck and hot tub.
Now, we both think MR is the most incredible slice of paradise, but this year we we stayed at Sol Inclination...even better. But probably not good for kids. It's a bit steep from the lower house, climbing the steps past the pool then climbing up to the main bouse. On the east side of the yard is a low rock wall where the other side is a 100' vertical drop. It's dramatic, but not safe for small kids.
Check out Islandgetawaysinc.com
Now, we both think MR is the most incredible slice of paradise, but this year we we stayed at Sol Inclination...even better. But probably not good for kids. It's a bit steep from the lower house, climbing the steps past the pool then climbing up to the main bouse. On the east side of the yard is a low rock wall where the other side is a 100' vertical drop. It's dramatic, but not safe for small kids.
Check out Islandgetawaysinc.com
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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I am staying in Vistaero in April, so I'm afraid I can't give you a first hand report yet. But, from what I have researched on line and talking to folks, the view is supposed to be incredible and the outdoor space unbeatable. That pretty much sealed the deal for me because we have 9 adults this trip and we all LOVE villa gravity! I have been told that it is a comfortable vs. a luxury villa which is fine with me. The beds are said to be comfy, the great room extremely comfortable with the doors open even in July/August due to the wonderful breezes. People have taken issue with how difficult (if not possible) this villa is to lock up because every bedroom has it's own door and some of those don't appear to lock. I am not sure if this has been addressed, but you can check with DSJ on that.
I have also looked at Ristaba for several possible trips. I love the outdoor shaded patio, the poolside bar and the large pool. I was concerned about how hot that great room would get in the afternoon and I know I am being really picky, and from photos I think the view at Vistaero will give a much more "isolated" feeling if you know what I mean.
I have also looked at Ristaba for several possible trips. I love the outdoor shaded patio, the poolside bar and the large pool. I was concerned about how hot that great room would get in the afternoon and I know I am being really picky, and from photos I think the view at Vistaero will give a much more "isolated" feeling if you know what I mean.
Paula
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cliffnchristi
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:33 pm
- Location: Virginia
Ran across this one...
Was surfing thru just "browsing" villas and ran across Skyway that rents thru Carefree Getaways and thought of you. You might want to look at that one as well.
Christi
Christi
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
Flip Flop - my family stayed at Ristaba in 2004 and the youngest kids were 2 and 3 years old. If you have any questions about it, let me know.
Cat and I both stayed in the cottage so I can't tell you about the privacy but just talked to one of the people that stayed in one of the rooms off of the pool (the one with three kids one of which was the two year old) and they said that there was never a privacy issue and that he is a very private person.
The location was great for ease of closeness to town but there are other villas in your view...not like your last villa (loved your reports by the way).
Lisa with Vacation Vistas was great to deal with her so much so that we picked a villa that she was handling for this time around. We wanted Ristaba again but it was booked
The pool is deep everywhere except by the steps. As a person that is just under 5'4" I saw that as a drawback, but SO didn't even notice but he is 6'.
If you want to know more pm me or Cat and we can tell you more...Cat can send you pics.
nothintolose
Cat and I both stayed in the cottage so I can't tell you about the privacy but just talked to one of the people that stayed in one of the rooms off of the pool (the one with three kids one of which was the two year old) and they said that there was never a privacy issue and that he is a very private person.
The location was great for ease of closeness to town but there are other villas in your view...not like your last villa (loved your reports by the way).
Lisa with Vacation Vistas was great to deal with her so much so that we picked a villa that she was handling for this time around. We wanted Ristaba again but it was booked
The pool is deep everywhere except by the steps. As a person that is just under 5'4" I saw that as a drawback, but SO didn't even notice but he is 6'.
If you want to know more pm me or Cat and we can tell you more...Cat can send you pics.
nothintolose
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Pete (Mr. Marcia)
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Marcia and I did stay at Vistaero in 2005 and then again this past summer. We posted a review dated 8/29/05. About the only thing that has changed from that review is that they did put a safe in the closet of the master bedroom.
Overall, it is a very nice villa. The pool and pool deck are huge, which was great because we had our four kids with us. We spent almost every afternoon hanging out by the pool. The view is stunning.
The biggest negative is that it is virtually impossible to lock the place up when heading into town. All of the bedrooms, the great room and kitchen are accessible from the exterior. In order to lock the place, you would have to go around to each room and close the hurricane doors and lock them with padlocks. We usually just left the place open. We would put valuables in the master bedroom and lock those hurricane doors.
If you have any questions after reading the '05 review, feel free to ask them here or by PM.
Overall, it is a very nice villa. The pool and pool deck are huge, which was great because we had our four kids with us. We spent almost every afternoon hanging out by the pool. The view is stunning.
The biggest negative is that it is virtually impossible to lock the place up when heading into town. All of the bedrooms, the great room and kitchen are accessible from the exterior. In order to lock the place, you would have to go around to each room and close the hurricane doors and lock them with padlocks. We usually just left the place open. We would put valuables in the master bedroom and lock those hurricane doors.
If you have any questions after reading the '05 review, feel free to ask them here or by PM.
Wisconsin, smell the dairy air
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the info. I went and read your review of Vistaero Pete and it was very helpful. The only problem is I still like ALL 3!
I just wonder why it is so much cheaper than the other options.
Speaking of the ability to lock up we pretty much only locked the masters at Hale Lani. Everything else was too much of a pain to deal with. We were careful to put everything valuable in the locked bedrooms or take it with us.
I just wonder why it is so much cheaper than the other options.
Speaking of the ability to lock up we pretty much only locked the masters at Hale Lani. Everything else was too much of a pain to deal with. We were careful to put everything valuable in the locked bedrooms or take it with us.
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Pete (Mr. Marcia)
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Flip-Flop,
I hope you don't get the impression that we have a negative feeling towards Vistaero, it's actually quite the opposite.
The pool area is like having your own resort. The pool is huge and the deck area has a ton of space. Also, there is a nice covered area outside, off the great room, with comfortable wicker chairs and a table. We spent almost all of our time outside at the villa.
The kitchen is spacious and has new appliances. The main room also is nicely done. In addition, there is a very clean laundry area off the kitchen.
The bedrooms also are very nice. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom with shower. I think the bedrooms on the upper level are the nicer of the five, but the three down below certainly are nice.
I remember the first time we set foot in the villa with our kids. Everyone's reaction was, "wait a minute, this entire place is all ours?" It's like having an entire resort all to yourself...it's that big.
In short, it's a great big villa with a great big pool with a stunning view.
I hope you don't get the impression that we have a negative feeling towards Vistaero, it's actually quite the opposite.
The pool area is like having your own resort. The pool is huge and the deck area has a ton of space. Also, there is a nice covered area outside, off the great room, with comfortable wicker chairs and a table. We spent almost all of our time outside at the villa.
The kitchen is spacious and has new appliances. The main room also is nicely done. In addition, there is a very clean laundry area off the kitchen.
The bedrooms also are very nice. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom with shower. I think the bedrooms on the upper level are the nicer of the five, but the three down below certainly are nice.
I remember the first time we set foot in the villa with our kids. Everyone's reaction was, "wait a minute, this entire place is all ours?" It's like having an entire resort all to yourself...it's that big.
In short, it's a great big villa with a great big pool with a stunning view.
Wisconsin, smell the dairy air
Nope Mr. Marcia,
I didn't get that impression at all. It is high on my list. It looks huge - plenty of room to spread is importation. DSJ rents it and I love them.
Our only hiccup right now is we are investigating the possibility of finding a place in Coral bay.
Finding a 5 bedroom house is just a tiny bit more challenging.
I appreciate all the help I can get. Lord knows I need it!
And please post more...even if its on the sarcastic side we need a little spice!
I didn't get that impression at all. It is high on my list. It looks huge - plenty of room to spread is importation. DSJ rents it and I love them.
Our only hiccup right now is we are investigating the possibility of finding a place in Coral bay.
Finding a 5 bedroom house is just a tiny bit more challenging.
I appreciate all the help I can get. Lord knows I need it!
And please post more...even if its on the sarcastic side we need a little spice!
Hey FF, if you are looking at Coral Bay now, check this one out:
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/rainbow/rainbow.html
I have never stayed there, but once when I was looking for a big place, I kept considering it. It's Coral Bay oceanfront, pool, jacuzzi, a/c, 4 bedrooms plus a sleeping loft with 2 full beds. Might fit your needs. And the price is pretty darn good.
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/rainbow/rainbow.html
I have never stayed there, but once when I was looking for a big place, I kept considering it. It's Coral Bay oceanfront, pool, jacuzzi, a/c, 4 bedrooms plus a sleeping loft with 2 full beds. Might fit your needs. And the price is pretty darn good.