USVI-On-Line

Calypso del Sol is indeed a lovely house, but you don't get the view you get from Maria's Bluff. And Calypso would feel pretty small on a rainy day for three couples. Shellee, we're now all waiting to find out which you choose. The good thing is, they're all on St. John! You can't go too wrong.

I have ruled out everything now except Colibri and Vista Cielo. I am so drawn to Vista Cielo but love the Colibri location. I assume we could expect more mosquitos at Colibri and less breeze???? I know it is a longer drive to town from Vista but Centerline seems to be a good option for getting there. This is just impossible. It's so much easier to pick out a hotel or resort!!!!

Not sure why you'd expect more mosquitos and less breeze at Colibri, but we never had problems on Maria Bluff with mosquitos or lack of breeze. Good luck with your decision. There will always be issues beyond your control.

shellee wrote:I have ruled out everything now except Colibri and Vista Cielo. I am so drawn to Vista Cielo but love the Colibri location. I assume we could expect more mosquitos at Colibri and less breeze???? I know it is a longer drive to town from Vista but Centerline seems to be a good option for getting there. This is just impossible. It's so much easier to pick out a hotel or resort!!!!

I know I have said it before, but it is just a villa. Unless you plan on spending all day every day at the house, just pick a house and start planning all the great ways you can enjoy the island. There is not such thing as the perfect rental.

Whatever you decide, just decide not to second guess yourself after you do. That will just make you miserable. You can never predict exactly what things will be like or the circumstances that might arise. If something isn't exactly to your liking, well, it's St. John so that makes up for it.

So just bite the bullet, decide and enjoy it, no matter what! Or let someone else decide if that makes it easier for you. Nothing wrong with that as long as you can live with their decision and go with the flow.

It will all be good!

Very well put, Xislandgirl!

I spoke with my brother-in-law last night. He and some friends (3 couples) stayed at Ellison Villa and loved it. Their requirements were similar to yours: 3 equal bedrooms/baths with king beds and southwest killer views, even from the bedrooms. He said the sunsets were beyond beautiful. He also said the layout of the bedrooms were private, if you know what I mean .

The girls liked the outside pool bar, so they didn’t have to walk back in the house to make more drinks, and he said there was ample outside shade.

I think Ellison is in the area where you’re looking. They rented through Caribbean Villas and paid around $4,000.

This may help in your search. Good Luck.

Spindrift, I have looked at Ellison but read that it seems small for 3 couples. Also someone said that the pool was very deep. I emailed one of the management companies about this and was told that they couldn't remember for sure about the pool but didn't think it was deep all the way across. We have two short gals that don't really swim and a shallow end in the pool is a must. Do you know anything about that???

I think Ellison's owner is on this forum. Maybe start a new topic with the villa name in the subject line and she'll see it.

Good idea, petepie.

I believe Ellison’s owners are on this forum as eehman and dehman.

Shellee, you should send them a private message if you have more questions.

Regarding your questions:
From his photos there seems to be a built-in underwater sitting ledge just to the left of the pool stairs that runs the width of the pool and as far as the depth, it didn’t appear to be over their heads.
Chip said the 3 levels of living space were adequate enough for them to spread out but they didn’t hang out at the villa all day, either.
I’m not trying to convince you. What was good for Chip and his friends may not be to your liking.

I think Xislandgirl said it best…there is no such thing as the perfect villa rental.

Man, this is pathetic, 4 pages and still no decision!! I just realized the pool at Colibri is 8' deep at the deep end. I am the only one that actually swims well out of our group, plus the other two gals are only 5'2" or so and they want a pool no deeper than 5'(give or take a few inches). I am checking on the pool depth of Ellison as we speak along with Vista Cielo. Hadn't thought about this previously.

You've got some tough customers in your group Shellee!! They all owe you a nice dinner for having to figure this one out

Seriously though...I don't think you are going to find a villa that meets every single requirement but I guarantee everyone will like the place you pick and you all will have a great time. Is Belvedere still in the running?

BTW, if you ever go to St. Martin, I have the PERFECT villa for you

I may never travel again after this...lol but I will keep that in mind!!!

I've been following all your posts and decisions. Next time, you might want to try what we did... Plan your trip, pick and book a villa (preferably a big one with rates that are doable, even if it's just you two. Many are priced much lower for 2 or 4, then say 10, but you have the option of adding more people). Then, ask your friends to join you if they'd like. We did this and ended up with 16... had to get a second house! We had a great time!