Need some help w/ a place to stay for 2 nights?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:35 am

Well.. we have a villa and a flight for November. We arrive 2 days before we check in to the villa. Thought we were going to stay in Estate Lindholm but they informed me today they have a 4 night minimum for holiday weekends (we arrive dayafter Thanksgiving). Wish it told me that on their web site!

So .. now we need a place to stay. Looking for a place where we can walk in to town as we don't plan on getting the car for those days. What are my options? I looked at Lavender Hill and Gallows. Any other suggestions?

Also a ? about Secret Harbor. If we stay there we are thinking we might take the ferry over to JVD on that Saturday. Is SH close to the ferry and are taxi's readily available there?
Thanks for the help.....

Mary Beth

SuefromMA · Post by **SuefromMA** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:02 am

Yes - to both of your questions!

Secret Harbour is probably just about a 5 minute drive to the Red Hook Ferry.

And "Yes" Taxis are plentiful. The front desk staff at Secret Harbour is great & they will arrange for a taxi to pick you up at the front lobby at whatever time you need one. And upon your return from the ferry back to Red Hook you will find many, many taxis waiting to fight for you!

We loved the location of Secret Harbour! On our first time there we took the New Horizons II boat trip out of Sapphire Beach Marina (which is only about 10 minutes away) - that trip went to The Baths, lunch on Marina Cay, snorkeling off of Guana Island - then our first intro to White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.

My husband actually just put one of our photos of the White Bay Parking Lot of Boats on as our Background. Too Beautiful!

If you have any more questions about Secret Harbour - just ask away!

JudyK · Post by **JudyK** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:33 am

Try Inn at Tamarind Court-very clean & right in Cruz Bay! Their restaurant is very good too!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:17 am

Try St John Inn too. A little nicer than Tamnarind and just past the Texaco so it is a quick walk to town.

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:47 pm

Hi,

We stayed at the St. John Inn for a few nights in 2000.

Nothing fancy, but the rooms were clean. Walkable to town and nice sunset view from the "shared porch".

I think it has since changed hands again. Worth giving them a look.

I also remember walking by the Hillcrest Guest House; it was on top of a hill "somewhere" above Gallow's. I stumbled upon it while walking through the neighborhood in November.

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:41 pm

Hi mary beth!

One other option might be Samuel Cottages. Very basic, clean cottages within walking distance to town. I believe they are owned by Julien and Patrice Harley. Julien is the administrator of St. John I think. It's probably where I would stay for a couple nights prior to villa arrival if not on St. Thomas. They have a website. Am I allowed to post a link?

ScubaGirl · Post by **ScubaGirl** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:05 pm

Here is a link to another place, very close to Red Hook. The place is really nice and the price is right.

http://www.absoluteparadisevillas.com/index.html

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:08 pm

Hi Mary Beth

I would recommend Gallows - the nicest of all the suggestions

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:49 pm

Hi Pia.... I really wanted to stay at Gallows just to check it out for the future, you know, all in the name of research! But I called there yesterday and the only suites they had started at $395/night, which is Ocean view upper I believe. I wanted Harbor view lower ($335) which is the cheapest they offer at that time. Over $400/night is just more then we wanted to spend for these few days. Anyway, looks like we're going to Secret Harbor. I hear many good things but I KNOW I'm going to be cranky over there just waiting to get to STJ

We might ferry to JVD on the full day we have (Saturday 11/24). Who knows when we hit STJ on the return I might just hop off and tell Charlie to come back in the morning with our luggage

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:09 am

May Beth
Maybe snorkeling like this 40 feet from your doorstep will help relieve any "cant wait to get to St. John" crankiness...

Photo taken by flickr buddy Norm Wlash while snorkeling Secret Harbour...

SuefromMA · Post by **SuefromMA** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:45 am

Mary Beth,

I am so happy that jmq posted that photo!

You definitely need to allow and/or schedule enough time at Secret Harbour just to get in the water & enjoy the beautiful snorkeling - just minutes from your room!

We have stayed there twice & saw turtles both times - also squid, stingrays & baracuda. Also, of course, the "traditional" parrotfish, blueheaded wrasse, tang, etc.

Just wanted to "chime in" and "second" that you need to be sure to check out the "ocean life" while you are there. You will not be disappointed!!

stjohnmay2003 · Post by **stjohnmay2003** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:50 am

JudyK wrote:Try Inn at Tamarind Court-very clean & right in Cruz Bay! Their restaurant is very good too!

I second this! We stayed there for 2 nights this past June before a one week trip in Tortola. The only time we ate there was one breakfast and it was yummy.
It's very basic, but clean, close to town and the staff was very friendly.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:10 am

hey, that little guy looks cute! I will look for him and his friends, thanks!

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:17 pm

jmq
I Love that turtle photo!

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