Villa Carolina, Drake's View, Casa Luna or Lost Horizon?

[skenyon]

My husband and I are traveling in late April or May to STJ and are between these villas. We will have my mother and my then 14 month old with us. We want a phenomenal view and access to the Northshore beaches. We are also interested in a very nicely furnished villa with a private sunny pool (with a view). We have only stayed at Sago Palms in Catherineberg and loved it but they don't take little ones. Please help with any insights you may have. Thanks!!

[flip-flop]

Not sure if you are referring to Drakes Lookout or if there is a different villa called Drakes View.

We are traveling in November and after extensive research decided on Drakes Lookout (through Destination St. John) as we are traveling with gramma and 2 kids under 5. We wanted something where there was room to spread but not tooooo separate.

This fits the bill. Then they showed me the driveway. But it will be fine!

[ShelleyZ]

Since no one else has replied, I'll offer the knowledge I have. We stayed next door to Casa Luna at Skyridge and we have friends who stayed at Casa Luna. Our friends loved Casa Luna. They said it was beautiful, comfortable and there are decks with views facing every direction. The pool is also separate, which is nice with a little one. (Don't know about the sun factor, perhaps ask the rental agent.) Our family loves the Carolina Ridge location. We've stayed there a few times -- easy access to Coral Bay and I guess about 10 minutes to Maho and Francis.

We've also looked at Drake's View. It's just down the road from Chateau Bordeaux, so it shares that magnificent view. Looks exquisite from the outside. Also, you're just a couple minutes away from the North Shore Road and our favorite beaches. Either of these choices seem wonderful to me! Sorry I can't offer firsthand knowledge. Happy hunting!
Shelley

[liamsaunt]

I have not stayed in any of these, but I do remember a very funny trip report from around May or June lof ast year (you can search for it on the "old" forum) by, I think, Robin in NC, and they stayed at Lost Horizon. I recall that they loved it, and that the report had lots of details on the villa.

[MLS]

Lost Horizon may have the best great room/master bedroom combination on St. John. If the little one is staying with you in the MBR, you are well set. Momma may not be so happy as the downstairs bedrooms have little view, no air ciculation, and have to use the AC. The view is good, straight down Ditleef Point with good south shore vistas. Good pool/full sunshine.

Villa Carolina and Casa Luna have similar excellent views into Coral Bay and Drakes Passage. Villa Carolina is beautifully appointed, but bedrooms are not large. Never been in Casa Luna.

Drakes View does have that view, but it is set far back from the water compared to the others. Another great great room. There are some steep areas around driveway and pool. Pool location is a major problem here-not a good view at all-without a heater the water will always be cold.

[skenyon]

Thanks for your replies! I loved the look of Lost Horizon and thought it might be the one. However,I hate the fact that there is no television in the great room (we use so little of it but my mom will be there with the baby even when we are not and might want to watch televsion somewhere else besides her dark room below). I was also told that there are not doors leading out to the deck but metal blinds that fully obstruct the view when closed. The pictures aren't great and there aren't many. I have been told the pics on the web do not do it justice. I do love the idea of the 2 baths in the master. The agent was unclear of square footage. Does that side of the island have a breeze in early May? I also like that it's close enough to Cruz Bay but dislike how far from the North Shore it is.

Casa Luna looks great. I love all the decks and the pool area and views but only 2 BR have a/c. We've stayed in a villa with no A/C but worry with a baby.

Villa Carolina looks wonderful and has great views and we are actually leaning in that direction now as it is close to Maho and Francis (where we'll take the baby). I do worry about the pool being on the same level even though he will never be unattended.

I think we've eliminated Drake's View. I need a warm pool. I hate cold pools...

So I think it's between Villa Carolina and Lost Horizon. I'm still confused but less so

[ShelleyZ]

Not to complicate your decision making, but have you looked at Orion's Hill? It's a new two bedroom house on Ajax Peak. It has phenomenal views and seems like a good layout for a young child (interior staircase), two living rooms, etc. We saw it from a distance, looks beautiful. The location is incredibly easy for sliding down the hill to Francis and Maho (maybe even a stop at the smoothie truck).

We first traveled to St. John when our youngest was 2, so I know all the factors you must be considering. Anyway, good luck.