St John Villas and kids

[Hawaii]

Ok - Have posted many times now on this forum and as of right now have it narrowed down to Coral Bay area for first trip. Myself, hubby and 12 and 9 year old for next July. I have been looking at several villas and they change every time I see a new one. My question for those of you who have kids and anyone else who wants to add input. How do you feel about the bedrooms being accessed from the outside with kids. Do you feel safe with them in separate area? It seems that alot of the ones we like are not together or can only enter from the outside. I really like summer wind, bordeaux breeze (inside acess I think)and several others. Thanks again! We also like Fun and Contentment but it seems there is no shade outside and I am sure July will be hot.

[sherban]

My opinion...your kids are old enough not to worry about it unless one of them has a sleep walking habit or something else like insecurities.

Once kids are 9 oe 10 they are probably ok. JMO...

[RickG]

Whether outside entries are okay for you depends on your kids. I sleep with the a/c off and would hear anything that was going on outside. But, my youngest daughter had night terrors until recently (she's 12 now), so I was concerned about sleep walking.

With my kids, without a specific concern like night terrors, I would be comfortable with outdoor entry.

Cheers, RickG

[djmom]

We have a 12 and 8 year old.

This is how I feel about it. They will probably-pretty much for sure be fine. BUT...am I going to sleep as well knowing they are "out there"? NO.

So we don't do it. It is my vacation too and I do want a good night's sleep!

The fact you asked means you will not enjoy your trip as much, because you might have a "nagging feeling" all night whether the kids are ok.


One option would be to bring a baby monitor. That could work.

But I think you will be able to find a villa that meets your requirements. Really.

[petepie]

If you do decide to go with separate pods, you can use a baby monitor to hear your kids in the other rooms. We also brought our own wireless door alarms (search "wireless window alarm" and "wireless door alarm" on Amazon, you'll see them for about $4-7), that we put on the outside of the room doors. That way, we could hear if any kids got up and opened the bedroom door at night.

[flip-flop]

It really depends on the house, some separate pods are REALLY seperate, others are not so bad. That said, I am with DJMom, I don't think I'd sleep well and that defeats the purpose of going away to relax.

[KPlumm]

I don't remember what all your requirements are, or if you have already looked at this villa, but Rainbow Beach is a four bedroom villa on the water in Coral Bay. It has a pool and a hottub, with AC in each bedroom. There are two bedrooms on the main floor and two below, with an interior staircase. We stayed there about seven years ago with our family and everyone was very comfortable.

[Diana2]

Will the kids able to share a bedroom? I seem to recall that you had and a boy and a girl so you'll need a bedroom for each, right? If you need separate rooms, Bordeax Breeze won't work because there are only 2 bedrooms.

I wouldn't be afraid to put a 12 and an 8 year old in the lower bedrooms at Summerwind. These bedrooms are below the master bedroom so there are outside stairs though.

[Hawaii]

KPlumm - Looks like a very nice villa but we do want to be up higher especially in July to get the breezes.

Diana2 - Yes, our son is 11 almost 12 (friday) and daughter 8 so if we would go with Bordeaux Breeze they would have to sleep together or it would end up my husband with son and me with daughter. I will have to check out the bed arangements. I know they would be ok in the same room with twins but probably not the same bed.

[petepie]

I have little kids, so they stay in the room with us unless there is a connecting bedroom under the same roof. Even though we were all in one room, we found the door alarms helpful in the evening after they had gone to sleep, but we were still up. That way, if we were out on the decks or in a different area of the house, we could hear if they opened the bedroom door to let us know they needed something. The door alarm had a chime feature (like a fitting room chime). Something else to think about!

[Hawaii]

Thanks everyone you have given me alot to think about. I am sure my kids will be fine with it but as a mother am use to being in the same house with the kids so will just have to wait and see. Thanks alot.

[djmom]

Hawaii, I pm'd you.

[lily]

My kids are 9&11. We stayed at Long View Villa thru Caribbean Villas. It was a 2 br, access only from outside on separate levels. I was a bit concerned because their room was pool level and my daughter sleep walks sometimes. For my piece of mind, my husband and I slept with them in their room every night. Luckily it was a huge room (twin bed w/trundle and king size bed) with attached bathroom. If it weren't for the sleep walking issue, we probably would have let them stay alone a few nights - just lock doors and keep cell phone nearby. We had a great time regardless. Loved the place.

[Hawaii]

Ok - Now that I have been reading the post on the break-in I think we will go with a villa with inside access. I know I would probably be up all night worrying about the kids. Has anyone ever stayed at Casa Bueno I just found that on VRBO? Also still like many others it will probably take me forever to pick a villa because I keep changing my mind. Caribbean Jewels looks nice too! Oh, decisions, decisions!!!

[Pia]

I did not know Casa Bueno was on the rental market. I have shown this villa many times as it is for sale and I must be honest in saying it is my absolute favorite villa on STJ for sale at the moment

I would stay there in a heart beat.

Pia