USVI-On-Line

This was an interesting post. For one reason this will our first time renting through an agency on any island. Have always rented directly from the owners. Went with Windspree because they specialize in the Coral Bay area. We didn't decide to do this February trip until late October which limits ones choices.

So far they have been great on the communications side.

Can you imagine letting something like a shower caddy wreck even a minute of your vacation? Some people just can't be pleased. (I would hate to travel with them!)

My first impression of a rental company is based on their website. Is it easy to to search for villas based on location, price, size? Do the pictures show most or all of the rooms and outdoor areas? If they have a floorplan, I'm especially happy. Some sites don't let you see a villa's availability without sending them an email - I hate that and will look somewhere else for the same villa.

We rented direct through the owners, and they were very accomodating and made sure we had everything we needed. But next time I'll be driven by the villa I want first, rental company second.

I agree that websites are a large factor. I look at that Island Hideaways and my mind goes numb. I just move on from that one.

We are going to do a few drive-bys this year to look at some possibilities for next trip.

I usually plan to 'preview' at least 2 villas whenever I'm on STJ. Contact the island agent and see if there's a time when you can do a walk through (turn around days are good even though you usually see the house at it's worst). When I'm there in May I plan on looking at 3 houses for later trips. I've eliminated several houses this way and added others.

Xislandgirl-
I was on a cruise once where this women at our table complained to the Captain(huh?) that the cream for her coffee was cold and wanted it heated up so the HOT coffee didn't cool down too fast and this was on the first night. You can imagine what the rest of the week was like sitting with her every meal! Complain, Complain, Complain!

Yes make villa choice the first priority. We used Vivactions.com for our villa rental. Everthings going good to start, they several villas in different price ranges, and their office is right on STJ so if we do have any problems they can be handled easily.

I have been using a "broker" for @ the past 10 years, Denise Wright at onlinevacations.com. Denise actually wears three hats now she's an artist, broker and villa manager, she manages SKYWAY on Gifft Hill and maybe one other by now also. It DOES NOT cost any additional to go through her. You pay the same rate as advertised on the villa managements websites and if/when you have issues on island the management company is who you call to respond, and if they don't answer call Denise and she'll make it happen. They still provide a greeter, we still get a welcoming gift at the villas, and she takes care of our Jeep rentals. What I like about Denise is her local knowledge and her honest opinion. For instance, I'll ask her about construction, driveway conditions, villa condition, villa privacy etc. and she has always given us accurate info. We always do our own searching on the web first, then narrow our choices down to a few and then we call Denise for her opinion. We went against her recommendation a few years ago and we regret doing that, we still had a great trip but we should have listened to her advice!

Happy searching!

Budman