USVI-On-Line

Hi to all the St John experts out there - I need a little advice.....To while away the cold, snowy, crappy, snowy, cold, awful winter we are having in WNY I am helping a friend to plan a trip to St John. The scoop is this - every other year a group of 4 couples who are all good friends go away for a week together (me included!!). If kids are available or want to come they are invited as well. It is a great fun time which we all drink too much and have way more fun than we probably should have!!! We take turns organizing and this year the organizer decided to make plans for a trip to the Bahamas. However, he is having serious problems finding accomadations for all of us and the places he has found seem to be very strict on the number in the party matching the number the villa or house sleeps. That is where all of you come in.....we have four couples and then somewhere between 5-7 teenager/young adults. We are also trying to keep the total cost to 6000 in the off season (for the villa). Normally we have rented a house and if it advertises it sleeps 12 and we have 14 it is no big deal. We have found several villas that advertise they sleep 10 or 12 that would fit the bill in terms of availability (this coming June) and price but none that sleep 13-15. So.....do you guys rent large villas and sleep people on couches or whereever and not worry about sticking religiously to the advertised numbers? Or is that a big no-no and one we could get in trouble with? We will all be arriving at different times so my thought is get one that conceptually will hold 15 but maybe only really sleeps 10 or 12. What is your experience and/ or what do you think about this?

When I was planning a trip for 12, 6 adults, 6 kids (including 2 in pack-n-plays), I was upfront about the makeup of our group (wanted to make sure the houses were good for little kids etc.) and was suprised to find widely varying policies in charging for the kids. One company didn't charge at all (6 person rate), one charged for all but the ones in pack-n-plays (10 person rate), one charged the 12 person rate, even though 2 wouldn't be in beds. Also, some were flexible on whether we could take a max 10 person house, one insisted that we would have to take a max 12 or more person house. The rationale was that the higher rate was needed because of higher utilities. I would not count on them turning a blind eye to extra people if you're booking a place on St. John.

I can't think of a villa that sleeps 15, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. I think I'd call all the usual suspects (villa management companies) and ask them what they suggest. There are some great deals going on right now. Don't be afraid to ask. Maybe you could get 2 villas next to each other for about the same amout, or maybe some owner with a large villa would not mind adding a couple of teens on an air matress you could get at Cost U Less on STT. (or what ever it's called)

I think this is a problem that can be worked out if you aren't too picky about little details.

I have to agree with Petey- If the house says 12 and you show up with 14, there may be a problem. It really has to do with utilities, cleaning, and wear and tear on the house.
I know the house we stayed in last year had a couch but it was not made for sleeping. It was rattan and made for looks and not for a teenage bed. I imagine owners would be concerned if they knew that someone was bunking on it and not paying for it.

I just don't think it is something to lie about. what if you do get caught? Then you are charged a huge fee or you have one family that needs to find a new place to stay or at worst, you all have to leave.

I would look at some houses and make some calls.

Agreed. I'd be very up front with the villa company from the get go. If you aren't they can kick you out and keep your money.

In addition to electricity you also have to factor in water costs.

It sounds like you've done this before so I won't get into the pitfalls of kids leeping on couches and common areas.

I guess the good news is that villa reps are offering discounts these days so you may be able to get a lot more house for your money than last year.

I'd contact the villa co's directly and ask them to provide you with some suggestions.

SOmething like a house with a guest house for the teens might work very well.

You get close to the size you need with Vistaero through Destination St. John. Max of 14 and in your budget range.

http://www.destinationstjohn.com/vistaero.htm

Villa Paulette is also in your price range and maxs at 14. http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... rtyID=2611

I have worked with both Destination St. John, Viva and Windpree and they are all extremely helpful in finding a house that will work. I like doing everything via email, so I outline what we're looking for and they each have been very responsive and helpful in helping me figure out what will work (our issue is two littler kids and making sure houses are safe for them). Regardless, I would touch base with them. They may even be able to get you two houes in very close proximity that will be in your total budget, esp. in the off season.

Good luck!

I will second the recommendation for Vistaero. It is huge! Also, Destination St. John is fabulous to work with and once even offered to supply me with air mattresses to fit a few more people in a villa (we didn't end up needing it, though).

I hope I didn't misconstrue the situation and make it look as though we were trying to get something for nothing but what "typically" happens with our group is that we will confirm let's say 15 people in the planning process, then for one reason or another 12 will actually go. 90% of the time we will have booked for 15 and then have extra space we paid for but don't use. We started doing the opposite - we find a place close to our size requirements then go from there. That is why we were looking at something that conceivably sleeps 12 and having a contingency plan for 15 if they all show up. There of course are more choices the smaller you go but in no way do we want to be in a situation where we are doing something we should not be doing. I like both Vistaero and Villa Paulette - sleeping 14 is probably our best option - thanks flip flop! We will definitely check those out.

Another idea - Tennis Villa plus Cottage will sleep 14. ( 4 beds in the main house - 3 in the cottage) The cottage now has it's own pool - giving the property 2 pools. It's about $6400 for both in the off season. It's handled by Caribbean Villas and Resorts - so remember that 5% "service fee".....

I second Tennis Villa and Cottage. Also, check out Great Expectations - they have some discounts and have one week in June left - http://www.greatexpectationsusvi.com/rates.htm

Cheers, RickG

I absolutely LOVE Vistero. I almost booked it, but decided to stay in Coral Bay. Dest. ST. John offered me a sizable discount, said thie property is VERY large, and has amazing views, convienient to Cruz Bay. Also the photo in the web site has not been updated....the living and dining room furniture has been replaced. I may be wrong, but I don't think Villa Paulette has a view.

Since your group is so large, they may not offer a discount, but if they allow an air matress, that would make it a great deal.

Cypress is right about the view at Paulette. If I had my choice, I'd pick Vistaero over Paulette for sure.

The other options are great too.