I need help choosing a villa! Your suggestions please!!

[craigk724]

So we've narrowed it down to some affordable options. We're looking for great views, a swimming pool, and a clean modern accomodation. There will be 5 of us. Myself, my girlfriend, both of us are 21. My parents, and my younger brother, 18. I don't want to be more than 20 minutes or so from town in Cruz. The list that follows is what we've slimmed the choices down to. Orion's Hill is probably our favorite--how is it?--along with Notre Ciel and Beit Hawa. Comments on these places, suggestions on what's not too good, something that's not on the list that should be, all are welcome and so appreciated. We've never been here so we're looking for a great first experience! Thanks for your help!!!

Here's our possibilities:

Ananas
Beit Hawa
La Sirena
Notre Ciel
Orion's Hill
St. John's Passion
Sundancer
Villa Margherita

[toni]

Sorry, we currently don't have any experience with the properties you have listed, but will be staying at St. John Passion in about a week and will post a trip report when we get back. Do you have any other criteria?

[Xislandgirl]

I don't have any first hand info on any of those bit in looking at all of them, I noticed that some are only 2 bedrooms, which leaves someone on the couch.
Also, at least one of them, I can't remember which one know, seemed pretty far out of Cruz Bay.

Have you checked the reviews page?

[musicman]

Scratch La Sirena from your list. It is about 45 minutes from Cruz Bay, on the south-east part of the island just past Salt Pond. Don't know about the others. Good luck!

[craigk724]

Thanks for the input so far! I will scratch La Sirena, though it looked lovely. Any that are two bedrooms have pullouts that we'd be happy on. Budget is an issue and in some cases 3 bedrooms are just out of the price range. We're looking to not go over $2750, preferably closer to $2250-$2500. Right now, the four favorites are Beit Hawa, but the pictures don't offer much; Ananas, Sundancer, and our overall favorite, Orion's Hill, which seems to be close enough to both Cruz and Coral Bays to satisfy us and the views are just breathtaking. I just worry, because from the looks of it, the price is almost too reasonable. Is there construction nearby or something else to make this so? I know it's a two bedroom but it has two pullouts in two separate living rooms so it definitely won't be an issue. Of those four, does anyone have any ideas, experience, etc.? Are there some we should be looking at that we're not? Thanks so much!!

[Xislandgirl]

Did you say what time of year?

[iowaguy]

Orion's Hill looks like the nicest villa of the ones you have selected---its new, has a good sized pool,
and new furnishings. Still, if it were me, I would pick Beit Hawa---right on the water, 10 minutes from town. We go into Cruz Bay pretty much every night for dinner and drinks so, personally, I would prefer that location over Orion's Hill, but there are many others that would prefer being more out of the way at the Ajax Peak location of Orion's Hill. St. John's Passion is in the same general area as Beit Hawa.

[craigk724]

Have you personally stayed at Beit Hawa? How are its furnishings? Honestly, at this point I'd say it's between there and Orion's Hill. Orion's Hill's website says that it's about 15-20 minutes from Cruz Bay, does this sound accurate? Is this a lifetime in island time? Too far from the restaurants of Cruz? Beit doesn't have a pool, which would be nice for lazy nights, and its pictures on the websites aren't as flattering as Orion's Hill. All of your help has been wonderful. Thanks so much.

Craig

[Rachelle & Joe]

Take a look at cielovista on gift hill two bedrooms & a loft upstairs, Great pool & Gorgeous view of st. Thomas! stayed there last may 3wks. just perfect!newer villa..web.stjohncielovista.com or carefreegetaway's .com

[KPlumm]

How about Paloma Blanca? Fantastic views, pool & hot-tub, three bedrooms and 10 minutes to Cruz Bay. You don't say when you are going, but the villa is available in May at your price.
http://destinationstjohn.com/paloma.htm

[carron]

Stayed at Beit Hawa in the past. Lovely area, lovely view which overlooks Detliff point. No pool but has a hot tub. Furnishings need an update. The only bedroom that is private is the one not located in the main house. There is also a tenant in the lower apartment but we never heard or saw them.

Hope this helps.

Carol

[sailorgirl]

Have you looked into Dreamcatcher?

[bill]

my vote would be for st john's passion. have almost rented it twice, but some of the group we were going with backed out. have never seen the inside of the house, but have drived past it. The view is to die for. Rendezvous bay is my favorite area. it is close to cruz bay, yet just far enough away can't say enough about the view!! good luck the rental agent we spoke to said it was her favorite house - not fancy but very islandie! has a great caribbean feel to it. maybe this will help in your decision...

[ShelleyZ]

Notre Ciel would be a great choice for your crew. The 18 year old could have the loft which is large, and he wouldn't need to sleep on a sofa. The house is very comfortable, the views are stunningly beautiful and you'll enjoy the pool and hot tub (with the same magnificent views).

We loved the location -- central island with easy access to our favorite beaches and Coral Bay. If you plan on eating dinner in Cruz Bay every night, the drive might get old, but that wasn't an issue for us. Stargazing from the deck was more our speed.

We could see Orion's Hill from Notre Ciel. It's on the next ridge, Ajax Peak. From a distance, it looked beautiful and again, we would love the location. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time in Cruz Bay, it might seem too far. (It's slightly further from Cruz Bay than Notre Ciel)

Happy hunting! (':roll:')

[craigk724]

Thank you Shelley! About how long of a drive to Cruz would you say it is? Is 15-20 mins accurate?