Broke but need a villa

[alw1977]

Okay, so I'm overstating it a little for effect. Seeing those monkeys in Costa Rica was more expensive than we thought.

We've got four adults going to St. John in early October. While I originally looked at Miles Away, Hale Lani, etc, we've decided that it's over our budget for this particular trip. So, we're looking at cheaper options.

These are REQUIREMENTS:
1. Covered deck space with chairs and a table
2. A/C in bedrooms
3. Within a 15 minute drive of Cruz Bay
4. Decent view with no major power line obstructions

Note that a pool or hot tub is NOT a requirement, but a "Nice to Have."

I've found the following, does anyone have input: Iguana Inn, Sundance, Beit Hawa, Grandview, San Costanzo. Our budget is around $2200 for the week, before taxes. Any other suggestions?

[cptnkirk]

I would highly reccomend Orions Hill if ya can swing just a tad bit more. Cruz is probably more like 20 min, but ya could make it in 15 if ya drive like a local. Spectaculer views, ac throughout, pool and is like new inside.

[StJohnRuth]

How about Villa Angelica?
www.villaangelica.com
-Ruth

[cptnkirk]

Ruth I also thought of Angelica, can't go wrong with it if ya can live without a view The outside pool area make up for that as far as I'm concerned.

[pswlrw]

Check out La Barracuda (greatcaribbeangetaways.com). You get a lot of house for your $ and some lovely views. I have stayed at this house and, while it is not a luxury villa, we were quite comfortable there and it has a pool and a hot tub! All for under $2000 before taxes.

[Chickadee]

Try Daffodil.

[alw1977]

Thanks everyone. Anglica, while nice, won't work b/c we definitely want a view. Daffodil is $2900 a week for 4 people, so it's over budget. La Barracuda looks interesting - I see an A/C unit on one of the bedroom walls, but it's not listed as an amenity - does anyone know if it has it?

Ugh, I wish our party were willing to stay in Coral Bay. There are so many good houses over there for our budget.

[lisak428]

How about Luna Vista? It may be a little further from Cruz Bay, but the price is great and it gets great reviews. We were thinking about it for November until our group expanded.
http://www.mylunavista.com/
Lisa

[alw1977]

Luna Vista looks great, but the 1-bath thing breaks it. We've got two couples, we need two baths.

[pswlrw]

ALW - Barracuda definitely has ac in all the bedrooms. There is a main house with the great room and a big deck. Then there are two bedroom "pods", one has a full bed and outside bathroom, the other pod has a master bedroom up with a bath across the hall and the downstairs has a queen bedroom. There is a large deck off this with a hot tub. The pool is up a flight of stairs. The views are really stunning from this villa. Again, not luxurious at all, but comfortable. Only downsides - the kitchen is not great - we didn't cook in at all this trip so it didn't bother us - the blender worked! This link http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandin ... leid=en_US should get you to the photos from that trip. Just copy and paste the link. Feel free to ask any questions. Again, this is a pretty basic villa, but the price is definitely right and the views are lovely.

[iowaguy]

Beit Hawa has an awesome seaside location. I'm looking at it for Spring '09 with my family. Would be interested in any comments. Furniture is dated, I know, but I prefer the location to other houses in this price range.

[alw1977]

YEAH! The best thing just happened (I think). We'd assumed the third couple wasn't going, and now we've been instructed to look for three bedroom options. Apparently, the husband was dragging his feet and the wife pulled rank and said "I need a vacation to look forward to or I am going to implode." I think our villa field just opened up. 3 bedrooms cost about the same as 2 bedrooms. Any suggestions for three bedrooms under $3000?

[theshopper3]

Hi Awl1977,

Just got back with three couples at Sundance. For us it was perfect. All three bedrooms give each couple complete privacy & there own en suite bathroom.

The one bedroom is not as large as the other 2, so depending on the couples you may want to compensate the couple that ends up with the smallest room.

There is also a pool & Hot Tub. The view is nice, you see St Thomas, Mary's point & a bit of Chocolate Hole. You can also see the construction at Pnd Bay, but it is not an eys sore, nor is they any noise.

It is about a 7-10 min drive to Cruz Bay.

The Shopper

[alw1977]

Thanks shopper. Curious about Pond Bay development?

[iowaguy]

Hale Lani is just slightly overbudget at $3200/week. See Flip Flop's detailed report. Just eat a little less

Villa Bijou was great, but its $3500. Oleander and Orchid both have great views and are about $3000.