On a budget - cottage, apartment, condo, campground studio?

patr · Post by **patr** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:11 pm

If you're looking for value - you can't go wrong with Sailview.
http://www.sailviewstjohn.com/

If you want seclusion and a waterfront view w/hot tub check out Siempre Azul:
http://www.vi-villas.com/.
You can negotiate a price just slightly above your budget ifyou deal directly with the owner, Chris. He also owns Villa Madeline which has a pool and hot tub, but not much privacy. He will give great rates on this one too.

augie · Post by **augie** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:18 pm

My wife and I stayed here for a week in October:

http://www.vrbo.com/58389

Very reasonable and functional, nice quiet location with easy access to north shore beaches, and just off of Centerline so you can navigate the whole island fairly easily from there.

Great couple that owns the place. They live on the property but you never know they're there unless you need something!

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:19 pm

Gotta second (or third) Cruz Views. Hubby and I planned a similar last-miute trip last April. We were very pleased with Cruz Views.

Check out the last minute travel link for deals:

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/lastminute.asp

They aren't listing anything for April yet, but they will eventually. We jumped on it as soon as our dates showed and got an even better deal. Good luck!

17th Hole · Post by **17th Hole** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:56 pm

I have to thank you all for some excellent suggestions, many of which I don't think I would have found researching by myself! I've compiled a pretty good list so far and now have to narrow it down. A couple of them were not available for the dates I want (June 22-July 1) so that helped a little. Some were a little too bare bones so I have to either get past that and decide I want to save more money or spend a bit more and get a little more.

Since I haven't decided yet, any further suggestions are certainly welcome!

One question about Sail View: How big is the fridge? The description mentions a mini fridge. We like to get vodka and rum and mix it with punch and freeze them in empty Gatorade bottles to take to the beach with us. Not that they take up alot of space, but I wanted to be sure they had freezers. Are these like dorm-size fridges or like a small full size?

We also like to get lunchmeats, cheeses and breads and breakfast stuff too. It looks like it has an "outdoor kitchen" but I'm not sure about having all that stuff outside. Could someone clarify what that's like?

Thanks again!

CaribbeanSoul · Post by **CaribbeanSoul** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:19 pm

parafins wrote:Samuel cottages....700.00 week! Full kitchen,air,cable tv,and a o.k. view to boot!Try the search for Samuel Cottages and you should find some pics.Parfins

I'd steer clear of this place. My parents reported bad cockroach issue.

St. John Lover · Post by **St. John Lover** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:02 pm

I second or third both Cruz Views & Serendip. Great locations--both offer very relaxing, centrally-located, cheap-for-St. John accommodations when you just absolutely need a "St. John fix."

lv2fish · Post by **lv2fish** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:42 pm

17th hole,
If it helps at all, we just returned from STJ 2 weeks ago and toured the exterior property of Serendip, met the Property Manager (Quite a jolly helpful fellow) and toured the inside of one of the units 1 BR units (Alpha). VROB /Cruz Bay/ Serendip has some nice updated photos of another 1 BR unit called, "Fiesta" and advertise offering some remarkable discounts I was pretty impressed with the amenities and gorgeous views! Some litle extras were use of laundry facilities on-site, and I think beach chairs, & gas grill on the updated pool area. Best of Luck & Have fun! Personally, having seen Serendip, I would defintely stay there - seems like an excellent value.

17th Hole · Post by **17th Hole** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:44 pm

Regarding Cruz Views and Serendip - where exactly are they located? I've tried to get a sense of where they are based on the photos on the websites, but I'm having trouble getting my exact bearings. Walking distance to town? How's the noise level (both city noises and noises from others staying at the condos) in the evenings and mornings in those areas?

Just curious at this point, not really a deal-breaker either way...thanks again for the help!

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:42 pm

DELETED

Beesmom · Post by **Beesmom** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:06 pm

17th Hole wrote:Regarding Cruz Views and Serendip - where exactly are they located?

In Google Maps, Serendip Condos are the 2 buildings at 18°19'37.17"N 64°47'16.80"W. I'll also recommend them for a nice and inexpensive place to stay. I'm not sure where Cruz Views are.

-Sandy

17th Hole · Post by **17th Hole** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:15 pm

Thanks guys! Found them!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:24 pm

To get to Cruz Views, you pass Dolphin Market and go straight up the road. When you come to the curve left, you stay straight instead and go up Pocket Money Rd. Cruz Views is on the right. We could have walked (doing the zig zag walk on the way back up to spare our legs), but we always drove.

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:47 pm

Cruz Views......we did our budget trip this past Nov. & stayed here in Unit # 7....it's a one bedroom that's been updated & was very nice. Gorgeous view, larger balcony & we even left a hummingbird feeder!! Their website has some inside pics from this unit.

So glad you're getting to go again! Have fun!!

17th Hole · Post by **17th Hole** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 9:40 am

Flights are booked! Found a decent fare out of Detroit on Spirit. From June 22nd to July 1st - 9 nights and 10 days in paradise! Now I just need to decide if I want to wait and see if I can get a last minute special on someplace to stay, or just lock it all down and set the timer until wheels up!

I can't wait to surprise my wife next weekend for V-Day! She is going to flip!

Thanks again to everybody for the help finding an inexpensive place to stay! I have lots of options!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:05 am

Boy are you getting alot of guys in trouble here!

What a nice v-day gift. Flowers & dinner might not do it for us anymore. ha..

Good luck w/ the "place to stay" hunt. It's been such fun doing all the research and being on the forums getting so many tips & lots of help. Part of the trip I think.

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