USVI-On-Line

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My family and I prefer a quiet setting with a down island view (not open water). We don't like being too close to other villas. We've been coming to STJ for 16 or 17th years (we've lost count) and have seen the change which has occurred with the building of so many new villas since we first began coming down. The quiet and access to the beaches is what it's all about for us and for those reasons we love the Bordeaux Mtn location of villas like Chateau Margot or Summerwind.
Our second favorite location is Catherineberg with what we consider the best views of anywhere on the island. We've stayed at many of the villas up there and have several that we love.
We've have stayed on the south side in the Great Cruz Bay area but because of the density of villas in that area will never stay over there again. The other down side of that location for us is we don't like having to go through town to get to the northshore beaches.

Not being able to afford the North Shore aside, my two favorites are Rendezvous Bay for the view and Contant Pt. for the sunset but anywhere on St. John suits me just fine

This is such an interesting thread to read - glad the question was posted. I feel a bit divided because each one I read I agree with almost everything. I say, yes, I really like that about staying in Coral Bay. Then I read the next one and say - Yes, I really like that about north shore location, but agree about cold pools. Then I like Gifft Hill for the view over to STT. Would love to try East End too.
I think Liamsaunt has the right idea - stay in different places because each one has something I would love.

Pickle - I would stay in the East End if I planned to eat all (or the majority) of my dinners at the villa. I love how quiet it is there.

I would also love to stay in Coral Bay but for some reason there is always at least on person in our group that is convinced they need to be near town but in the end, they always end up saying they would have been fine on the other end of the island...go figure.

I love Coral Bay, actually Calabash Boom area. But you really need to be a morning person, the sunrises are just beautiful. We've stayed in Fish Bay and although in some respects it was nice to be close to Cruz Bay, at night it's a long drive back from the Aqua Bistro, which was our favorite place to hang! Coral Bay is really like being on vacation for us, it's not too far from the beaches (Maho)and has enough restaurants and watering holes to keep us entertained. I mean you have Skinnys, Island Blues, Aqua Bistro, Shipwreck & Miss Lucys. Of course you also have the smaller establishments like Vies, Donkey Diner & that new deli at the Cocoloba Plaza. Thats more than enough for us, we're not too picky, just want a little bit of a view. PS - Donkey Diner has the best pizza!

Thank you everyone for taking time to share your thoughts. Not only it satisfies my curiosity but also it gives me a better idea of where we want to try staying in the future. Yes, the economy has been crappy but I'm hoping we can keep visiting St. John somehow. If there is a place we will go even if we have to tighten our belts, it will be St. John.

I realize that I haven't contributed much for this post myself. As I've mentioned, I don't really have a favorite. All the areas we have stayed, Klein Bay, Hart Bay, Point Rendezvous, Maria Bluff, and Upper Carolina – I like them all in different ways and will stay there again. I have to admit that I've been avoiding areas like Chocolate Hole or Great Cruz Bay (other than Maria Bluff). I've been biased by the views of clusters of villas in these areas. It feels cluttered, relatively speaking, to me. But I wouldn't really know how I feel until I actually stay there, so I may try it in the future. Many of the villas in those areas have a very nice sunset view.
We are very much looking forward to trying Catherineberg and Seagrape Hill in 2009. I do wonder if we may encounter more St. John critters in Catherineberg due to its lush/dense greenery. Love reptiles but I don't do so well with bugs.
We're willing to try staying in the East End someday if circumstances are right. As liamsaunt said, there are great snorkeling spots out there to explore (my husband and I are more snorkelers than beach loungers). I suppose we wouldn't be eating out much at night then and that could be a bummer, hmm... We don't even like driving Centerline Rd. after dark.

I do enjoy trying new locations, but I wouldn't mind having a favorite or two that suit us just perfectly (it doesn't necessary mean we would stay only there) - not that it's not perfect enough just being on St. John .

Thanks again,

Our vote...Coral Bay area. Quiet beaches...good local food. But we tend to go to bed early and get up early. Met some great folks there.

We stayed on Maria Bluff last year, and in the Upper Chocolate Hole (Rock Ridge Road) area this year. I have to say that I'm beginning to love that part of town, just for the views of St. Thomas and the amazing sunsets.

I was a little nervous staying in an area with a large concentration of villas, but it wasn't a huge problem. Maybe it's because it's still off-season, but I think we only passed two other cars on the road all week. With the exception of the steel drums we heard in the middle of the night and the nearby villa that had its own full-moon party while we were trying to watch Grey's Anatomy, it was pretty quiet.