Getting frustrated with making reservations on STJ

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:08 pm

Everyone knows I'm a STT person. We still make day trips to STJ, but it's becoming VERY difficult to try to make reservations for 3 nights on STJ.

Either owners won't make reservations for just 3 nights, prices are high or I read bad reviews (don't want to say for what properties).

We rented our usual place on STT for 6 nights, but I'm seriously just thinking of making it the whole 9 nights and then making our daily trips over on the car barge and taking the people ferry over at night.

Why should we pay 300.00 a night for a decent place when we can use that extra money on other things? Seriously, we really on sleep in the room.

Any ideas?

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:18 pm

DELETED

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:33 pm

Have you tried Grande Bay?
http://www.grandebayresort.com/
(Rentals are not listed yet on this new site, but contact info is there.)

Captain and Mrs Jay reviewed their stay there in May for less than $200.00 a night
http://livedelifeusvi.blogspot.com/search?q=Grande+Bay

and on-stjohn.com also covered it
http://www.on-stjohn.com/2009/03/01/inside-grande-bay/

Of course rates may have changed for your dates. Good luck.

alw1977 · Post by **alw1977** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:50 pm

What month are you going? Cruz Views, Serendip Condos, Coconut Coast Studios, Battery Hill Condos, Estate Lindholm, etc. are all good options. If, like you say, you are only going to sleep in the room, save yourself some cash and stay at Cruz Views.

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:53 am

I think there are a lot of options out there, but it sounds like you're not really into staying on St. John, so why not just do what you always do?

If it's not broken, why fix it?

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:04 am

We're coming in May 6th. Believe, I've been looking and there are a few options out there.

I just wanted to stay on STJ for a change, if only for 3 nights. Especially for the convenience of not having to go back and forth on the car barge. Last time, it was hell trying to get back.

I'll keep looking and thanks for all of the recommendations.

I found a really cute place that was an apartment, within walking distance, in a villa, but they only rented for 5 nights minimum.

I was thinking if I just waiting until mid April, that maybe somebody will be hungry enough to rent for the 3 days.

GidgetPicklebrain · Post by **GidgetPicklebrain** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:30 am

Estate Lindholm has a 3 night minimum. I had a wonderful stay there.

DaleAndGreg · Post by **DaleAndGreg** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:10 am

I know that Star Villas rents for 3 nights min since we are doing that next week. It's all based on availability.

Bart Wailes · Post by **Bart Wailes** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:18 am

I would also vote for Cruz Views on the cheap.
We went that route numerous times while we were building our house in Coral Bay last year. Of course there is construction and its not the easiest walk.
One of the properties suggested here we tried but we checked out after two nights as ALL OF THEIR BEDS NEEDED REPLACED.
From a owners perspective you have to remember that it costs $200 just to clean the house and spa after each renter. What if someone runs the A/C 24 hours a day in the summer? What if something small breaks or disappears? Its not really worth it for $250 a night for three nights. Sometimes empty is better.

Nic in KC · Post by **Nic in KC** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:24 am

I need to quit recommending them, but Sailview is wonderful. A great value and even though it's in Coral Bay, it didn't feel like we drove much to get to Cruz Bay and Maho and Francis were super close as was Skinny Legs and Aqua Bistro! We loved it and it's very affordable and I know they'll rent for shorter stays!

Nicolle

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:38 pm

If you're not looking for a full kitchen, check out the following:

Estate Lindholm (comes with continental breakfast)(3 day minimum)

I don't think either of these have any minimum:
Hillcrest Guest House (also provides breakfast stuff)
St. John Inn

I think someone also mentioned Grande Bay; it's currently a good deal, maybe you can lock in the rate for May. Not sure if they have a minimum, but it would be at least 3 night since we are doing this in November.

Good luck.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:13 pm

Someone told me that St. John Inn has a new owner and they are making lots of renovations. I don't know how far along they are, but it would probably be OK for a few days.

Everyone raves about Estate Lindholm.

But if you have a reasonable place lined up on STT, it may be more economical to just go back and forth, especially if you have a car.

polly · Post by **polly** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:48 am

Try renting directly from a villa owner. Check out
vrbo.com.
We have rented through this site and had good success!

captainjay · Post by **captainjay** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:11 am

Lulu76 wrote:Someone told me that St. John Inn has a new owner and they are making lots of renovations. I don't know how far along they are, but it would probably be OK for a few days.

Everyone raves about Estate Lindholm.

But if you have a reasonable place lined up on STT, it may be more economical to just go back and forth, especially if you have a car.

Lulu,
The new owners are the same people that own Crazy Crackers. We had dinner there sunday and they handed us a card with a "locals rate" that was under $100.

Connie,
We had a great time at Grande Bay. We got a locals deal at $150 a night on a one bedroom penthouse last minute. The rates I have seen lately have been in the $195 range which is still good. Take a look at the link above on the blog it has the contact info on it. You can't find a more convient location.
Good luck
Jay

Berlingirl · Post by **Berlingirl** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:18 am

Connie wrote:Everyone knows I'm a STT person. We still make day trips to STJ, but it's becoming VERY difficult to try to make reservations for 3 nights on STJ.

Either owners won't make reservations for just 3 nights, prices are high or I read bad reviews (don't want to say for what properties).

We rented our usual place on STT for 6 nights, but I'm seriously just thinking of making it the whole 9 nights and then making our daily trips over on the car barge and taking the people ferry over at night.

Why should we pay 300.00 a night for a decent place when we can use that extra money on other things? Seriously, we really on sleep in the room.

Any ideas?

Connie...this frustration isn't limited to just yourself. This is what we've struggled with too. Bottom line, STJ is expensive. We used to spread out our visits between STT and STJ. However, the place we love to stay at on STT has been sold.

For what they charge now, we might as well stay on STJ and are planning to do so agan next year. It is what it is this being our choice to vacation in the USVI. We could all go to go Florida and save a heck of a lot of money! . Luckily (or as some would say, unluckily) we have only a weeks vacation and will not spend time moving between islands. Due to the hits we've taken from the rescession, we're feeling mightly lucky we can even plan a vacation period. I guess if I were you and I was getting a killer deal on STT, I'd stay there the entire time and ferry over .. For us, the time (only time) we can travel is off season in a few spots on STJ and still on season in STT. Weird. Just how it plays out.

usvi-on-line