usvi-on-line
Villa needs for a "special" person
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
Villa needs for a "special" person
HELP, I need a villa!!
I am looking for a villa with some special needs and thought I’d throw this out to you guys. One level is a big issue for this group, and I’ve searched and searched the sites. If anyone knows of a good villa that would meet our criteria I’d appreciate it.
The background: This villa is for my sister, husband, 37 year old son, and their 41 year old mentally retarded daughter (Susie). Oh, and of course Uncle Mike & Aunt Jan. Their son just went through a divorce and their daughter lives in a group home. They have never done an “adult” family vacation and are anxious to spend time with their kids. The big issue is that Susie is really freaky when it comes to steps, especially the open kind.
The needs:
4 bedroom, 4 bath, with A/C
Pool (one that gets sun), Hot Tub a real plus
At least 1 bedroom, living area, & pool on same level
High up location, with a good view
Time Frame:
Rent for a week during the last 2 weeks of May, not really into June.
This is really all about my niece, Susie. I was only 9 when she was born, and she is very, very special to me (the light of my life). She’s a “fish” and loves the water, excellent swimming skills! She has only seen and swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I want very badly to take her to STJ and teach her to snorkel. Mike & I can’t wait to get her on the ferry, play with her in the water, & fix her a “virgin” painkiller! She is a 4’8” adult “child” with a bundle of energy, love, and interest, but not quiet. STJ beaches will be perfect for her.
Although the family has gotten used to "the stares", uncrowded beaches are the only way to go with Susie.
We are looking at Cocotier (thanks RickG for the review) and Island Sun (pretty pricey). Any input on these villas and any others would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys, love ya guys, your wonderful.......
Jan (akaCharlie)
I am looking for a villa with some special needs and thought I’d throw this out to you guys. One level is a big issue for this group, and I’ve searched and searched the sites. If anyone knows of a good villa that would meet our criteria I’d appreciate it.
The background: This villa is for my sister, husband, 37 year old son, and their 41 year old mentally retarded daughter (Susie). Oh, and of course Uncle Mike & Aunt Jan. Their son just went through a divorce and their daughter lives in a group home. They have never done an “adult” family vacation and are anxious to spend time with their kids. The big issue is that Susie is really freaky when it comes to steps, especially the open kind.
The needs:
4 bedroom, 4 bath, with A/C
Pool (one that gets sun), Hot Tub a real plus
At least 1 bedroom, living area, & pool on same level
High up location, with a good view
Time Frame:
Rent for a week during the last 2 weeks of May, not really into June.
This is really all about my niece, Susie. I was only 9 when she was born, and she is very, very special to me (the light of my life). She’s a “fish” and loves the water, excellent swimming skills! She has only seen and swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I want very badly to take her to STJ and teach her to snorkel. Mike & I can’t wait to get her on the ferry, play with her in the water, & fix her a “virgin” painkiller! She is a 4’8” adult “child” with a bundle of energy, love, and interest, but not quiet. STJ beaches will be perfect for her.
Although the family has gotten used to "the stares", uncrowded beaches are the only way to go with Susie.We are looking at Cocotier (thanks RickG for the review) and Island Sun (pretty pricey). Any input on these villas and any others would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys, love ya guys, your wonderful.......
Jan (akaCharlie)
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Too bad Coral Cove isn't open for your dates, it seems like it would be perfect.
I haven't stayed at Island Sun, but I stayed at Cinnamon Tarn last year, which is directly above it (Tarn won't work for your group--no AC, no pool, and too small). I have to say that the views are absolutely stunning from this area. We did one week at a villa overlooking St. Thomas and then one week at Tarn, and really could not decide which we liked better!
I haven't stayed at Island Sun, but I stayed at Cinnamon Tarn last year, which is directly above it (Tarn won't work for your group--no AC, no pool, and too small). I have to say that the views are absolutely stunning from this area. We did one week at a villa overlooking St. Thomas and then one week at Tarn, and really could not decide which we liked better!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
Thanks Tom, am checking out Rainblow, Jazz is not availble till June, it WAS on my short list. If only Allesandra had 4 bedrooms. 
Thanks IslandGirl. Yeah we thought of that, we will probably wait and be the last ones off of the plane. It just takes her a bit longer than most of us, and we have to hold her hand. She'll get down them, it's just that anyone around her will KNOW what a difficult time she's having, nothing shy about Susie.
Jan (akaCharlie)
Thanks IslandGirl. Yeah we thought of that, we will probably wait and be the last ones off of the plane. It just takes her a bit longer than most of us, and we have to hold her hand. She'll get down them, it's just that anyone around her will KNOW what a difficult time she's having, nothing shy about Susie.
Jan (akaCharlie)
Island Sun is one of the most beautiful villas on St. John. But I am afraid that it has exactly the type of open steps that you are trying to avoid. Each area is a few steps up or down from the next. And they are wide steps with rails, if any, at the ends. I also seem to remember only one bedroom accessible without a staircase.
Hey Jan and Mike
I will think about villa's for you (nothing coming to mind off the top of my head) but if the stairs are a problem getting off the plane, explain the situation to the flight crew and they can arrange for you to be taken off the plane via the "lift" thingy that they use to load the plane with the food/beverages (I hope you know what I mean
) This is what they use for wheelchair users.
Hope this helps.
Pia
I will think about villa's for you (nothing coming to mind off the top of my head) but if the stairs are a problem getting off the plane, explain the situation to the flight crew and they can arrange for you to be taken off the plane via the "lift" thingy that they use to load the plane with the food/beverages (I hope you know what I mean
) This is what they use for wheelchair users.Hope this helps.
Pia
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madforstjohn
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: Massachusetts
Well I have been racking my brain trying to think of the villas I have been in without stairs and AC in bedrooms. I came up with a few.
Tennis Villa has beautiful views, a great pool, nice and big for swimming and bedrooms without stairs. I think tennis cottage may have put in a hot tub so if you took both you would have access to it. I think the main house had 3 bedrooms and 1 bedroom in a pool house next door and then 2 or 3 bedrooms in the cottage but that had stairs.
Beach Estate had a master bedroom on the main level with a beautiful view with the kitchen and living area but now that I think of it you had to go dosnstairs for the pool(small but stunning) and there is a hot tub too.
Golden Dragon had bedrooms on the same level as the pool and entrance. Villa is currently being discussed on this board.
White Cottage is right up the road from this and has 2 bedrooms and pool on main level(2 bedrooms are downstairs). House has AC but no hot tub. View is of fish bay so not as stunning as Tennis Villa which has views in 2 directions.
That's all I can think of right now but I am sure you will get lots of ideas from the great minds on the forum. Also the management companies are very helpful and really know the inventory. Good Luck
Tennis Villa has beautiful views, a great pool, nice and big for swimming and bedrooms without stairs. I think tennis cottage may have put in a hot tub so if you took both you would have access to it. I think the main house had 3 bedrooms and 1 bedroom in a pool house next door and then 2 or 3 bedrooms in the cottage but that had stairs.
Beach Estate had a master bedroom on the main level with a beautiful view with the kitchen and living area but now that I think of it you had to go dosnstairs for the pool(small but stunning) and there is a hot tub too.
Golden Dragon had bedrooms on the same level as the pool and entrance. Villa is currently being discussed on this board.
White Cottage is right up the road from this and has 2 bedrooms and pool on main level(2 bedrooms are downstairs). House has AC but no hot tub. View is of fish bay so not as stunning as Tennis Villa which has views in 2 directions.
That's all I can think of right now but I am sure you will get lots of ideas from the great minds on the forum. Also the management companies are very helpful and really know the inventory. Good Luck
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
http://www.cateredto.com/villas/Morning ... ngside.php
try this one, it has availabilty for your timeframe
try this one, it has availabilty for your timeframe
I've stayed at both Cocotire and Rainbow Beach Villa.
Cocotier is gorgeous and only a few years old. Our family of 8 stayed there is 2004. The only stairs are up to the 4th bedroom and the pool get tons of sun in the afternoon! Also- GORGEOUS views of St Thomas- especially at night.
The only con for Cocotier was the construction going on in the neighborhood. Ask the rental agent if that's still an issue.
We just stayed at Rainbow Beach Villa in December. There were pros and cons. We didn't have a bad time but I don't think we'd stay there again unless the house was updated.
It's a very large house but very dated. The bathrooms are a little worn (one is decorated in black, another brown- yikes!).
There are two bedrooms on the main floor, two downstairs (accessed indoors by a spiral staircase and outdoor sliding glass doors from the bedrooms) and an open loft accessed by antoher spiral staircase) with two twin beds. The rooms have small window AC units but the main house is not AC'd. The loft gets pretty warm!
The pool deck is huge and it was the highlight of our stay. The pool was pretty big for a St John villa too. The pool got sun for @ 4 hours in the late-morning/early afternoon.
It was really nice not having to drive up a moountain to get to the house!...the house is in a neighborhood right off of the road to Salt Pond. In fact, donkeys would walk thru the neighborhood in the early AM foraging.
The kitchen was NOT as equipped as we would like it for cooking in. We had to request frying pans for making breakfast. The only pans there were small and not in good shape at all. New pans were eventually delivered but it took a few days.
As I said, there were pros and cons but it's affordable for the size of the house and if it fits the needs of your neice then go for it.
I would choose Cocotier though.
Good luck!
Cocotier is gorgeous and only a few years old. Our family of 8 stayed there is 2004. The only stairs are up to the 4th bedroom and the pool get tons of sun in the afternoon! Also- GORGEOUS views of St Thomas- especially at night.
The only con for Cocotier was the construction going on in the neighborhood. Ask the rental agent if that's still an issue.
We just stayed at Rainbow Beach Villa in December. There were pros and cons. We didn't have a bad time but I don't think we'd stay there again unless the house was updated.
It's a very large house but very dated. The bathrooms are a little worn (one is decorated in black, another brown- yikes!).
There are two bedrooms on the main floor, two downstairs (accessed indoors by a spiral staircase and outdoor sliding glass doors from the bedrooms) and an open loft accessed by antoher spiral staircase) with two twin beds. The rooms have small window AC units but the main house is not AC'd. The loft gets pretty warm!
The pool deck is huge and it was the highlight of our stay. The pool was pretty big for a St John villa too. The pool got sun for @ 4 hours in the late-morning/early afternoon.
It was really nice not having to drive up a moountain to get to the house!...the house is in a neighborhood right off of the road to Salt Pond. In fact, donkeys would walk thru the neighborhood in the early AM foraging.
The kitchen was NOT as equipped as we would like it for cooking in. We had to request frying pans for making breakfast. The only pans there were small and not in good shape at all. New pans were eventually delivered but it took a few days.
As I said, there were pros and cons but it's affordable for the size of the house and if it fits the needs of your neice then go for it.
I would choose Cocotier though.
Good luck!
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
Hi Jan&MikeVa-
My husband and I stayed at La Collina (of Caribbean Villas) a few years ago, and I think it would be just about perfect for you.
See: http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/lacollina/lacollina.html
You drive right up to the main (upper) level of the house. There are two bedrooms on the upper level, and two bedrooms on the lower level. The two lower bedrooms are accessed from outside. I can't remember if there are stairs or just a hill to the lower level bedrooms, but since there are two bedrooms upstairs that don't require stairs, that shouldn't be a problem.
In addition to the two bedrooms on the upper level, there is also the kitchen, large deck, and large main room.
I think there might be a couple concrete steps up to the pool, but that's it. The pool is on the small side (see pictures on the website), but we thought it was fine.
My husband and I stayed at La Collina (of Caribbean Villas) a few years ago, and I think it would be just about perfect for you.
See: http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/lacollina/lacollina.html
You drive right up to the main (upper) level of the house. There are two bedrooms on the upper level, and two bedrooms on the lower level. The two lower bedrooms are accessed from outside. I can't remember if there are stairs or just a hill to the lower level bedrooms, but since there are two bedrooms upstairs that don't require stairs, that shouldn't be a problem.
In addition to the two bedrooms on the upper level, there is also the kitchen, large deck, and large main room.
I think there might be a couple concrete steps up to the pool, but that's it. The pool is on the small side (see pictures on the website), but we thought it was fine.