USVI-On-Line

ok so I have been suffering over my upcoming honeymoon (late July), think I am set on St. John, is it better to stay at Gibney Beach Cottage or somehwere with a pool and a elevated view? Will the bugs drive us nuts at Gibney in the evenings? Will it even be possible to grill dinner down there or sit out there for cocktails w/o getting eaten alive? Thnaks in advance!

I like to be up with a great pool and sunsets

Bug spray is your best friend on St. John, but I do think the bugs are not as bad higher up.

Personally, I like to be where I can get great sunsets and views, as well. Of course, that could be because I can't afford to stay right on the beach.

Several years and many trips ago when my husband and I were planning our honeymoon on STJ we both thought we’d want to stay on the beach. Then we stayed higher up and really enjoyed having sweeping views. Those views have now become a must-have in any villa we rent.

The Gibney Beach Cottages are appealing because they’re close to a great beach but I would be eaten alive there. It’s not just mosquitoes but also noseeums that are very prevalent on the beach. I think it depends on how much the bugs like you. I can get 50 bites before my husband gets one even when I use all unscented shampoo, deodorant, etc. So he’d probably be fine staying on the beach but I would not.

My vote is for higher up - I love the amazing views on St. John. Do you have a list of prospects other then Gibney cottages? Bongo Bongo is a beautiful 2 bedroom villa in upper Chocolate hole and Reef Madness is also gorgeous in Coral Bay (the other side of the island). Not sure if either are available but we'd stay in them again.

Happy hunting!

so far seems lopsided, surprising as so many people have listed Gibney as one of their favorite beaches, I will check out Bongo Bongo, any other "pool with a view" suggestions, proximity to North Shore beaches and Cruz bay a priority as well, thanks you guys!

Gibney is my favorite beach - I just don't want to stay on it due to the bug factor. You can still go there for the day and enjoy the beautiful beach and then return to your villa wherever it is. Cinnamon Tarn has also gotten very high marks on this form (see Pickle's recent Trip Report). Good luck!

Beaches are great during the day...however it's in the early morning and the dusk and evening hours that the skeets and noseeums appear there. If your up in a higher elevation, you'll have some tradewinds and won't be bothered as much if at all.

how about Serenity or Cinamon Ridge or French Cap? anybody know anything about these? It seems like it is down to Gibney Beach Cottage or one of these (Cinamon Ridge is hege with great views but it does not look like it has a/c...

Most of the Northshore villas don't have a/c.

An exception is Sago Palms:
http://www.privatehomesvi.com/sagopalms.htm
But it always has very little availability.

Have you looked at Caribbean Villas website?
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/

They have by far the best website but they also charge a 5% fee which almost no other companies charge. Sometimes you can find a villa there and then rent it through someone else.

I have always wanted to stay at Gibney Beach Cottage. I even got the OK to rent one of them for our upcoming trip, but decided against it, in favor of Cinnamon Tarn. Because - I also enjoy privacy - ALL beaches are public and there always seems to be people hanging out on Gibney.

I'm afraid if I spent the money and rented one of the cottages - I would resent others trespassing on "our" beach.

Is this your first time to St. John? You might really open your villa choices by looking at villas that aren't only on the North Shore. (unless you find one you love and that is great, nothing wrong with a Norht Shore villa).

It is just that most of us stay all over the island, I am not sure how many of us would say it is that important we are in a North Shore villa. You will have a jeep, right? So no matter what, you will drive to the beach...

There are tons of areas with lovely views that aren't just North Shore.

I'm with DjMom on this one...keep your options open and don't rule anything out. It's a small island and no matter where you stay, you'll be close to the beaches. I thought the higher up, less buggy option was perfect. We stayed at Inn Paradise overlooking Chocolate Hole and Hart's Bay.