USVI-On-Line

Do you recommend St. John to your friends and coworkers? I converted another person this morning. My boss just booked a week at Caneel for this August because he said he was so jealous of my tan. I think he'll really like it--he's into snorkeling and hiking. My old boss started going to Caneel a couple of years ago on my recommendation, and now spends February school vacation week there every year with his wife and grandson. He told me that his grandson informed him that they needed to move to Caneel.

I've recently stopped overtly recommending it. For one, I was getting to sound like a broken record and didn't want to be the "Overly Enthusiastic" guy. Now, if someone asks me where to go or where my favorite place is, I'll go into my dissertation in a heartbeat. But, I'm trying to cutdown on telling people how they should vacation. If they choose to go to Cancun and they're happy there, more power to'em.

Depends on if I like them or not. Usually I hook people with the photos.

I try to judge the person and decide if it would be right for them, if they'd "get it" or not.

What really makes you feel good is when you recommend it or take down some newbies and then they love it as much as you do and make it their own. We took my cousin Liz and her parents down a few years ago. Cousin Liz will be on St. John this summer for her 5th trip and is bringing her own newbies! How cool is that?

I think you've got to tone it down with most, maybe only go on with those you know may have a good chance of getting it. We’ve gotten burned before by over-enthusiastic recommendations of fill-in-the-blank (restaurant, movie, trip destination, etc.) so we’ve implemented the “lead pipe rule”.

If any of us start really going on and on about something, the other family members are supposed to hit the over-zealous one upside the head with a lead pipe to get them to stop - metaphorically speaking of course. Actually we just whisper “lead pipe” to get them to stop and/or tone it down. Nicer than a kick in the shins under table.

Friends and family also know about my 30 yr photography hobby so they ask to see my photos. That often gets them all charged up about the places we go more than words can, so then I have to reel them with disclaimers like “well, its not for everybody” and “you are just seeing the best of the best” etc. I have a cousin who says he really wants to go to STJ after seeing my pictures, but on the other hand, he also keeps asking me about the "nightlife". Yikes. How do explain that nightlife on STJ is chillin with some Jack Johnson while you gaze at the stars and decide which beach you're going to first in the morning?

Its definitely a thin line to tread. I have only tried to convince my parents and a few other close relatives because they deserve the relaxation and vibe that STJ offers. They also gravitate towards tropical vacations above all other options.I really dont have to say much, they saw the pictures and the complete relaxation and happiness on our faces when we came back from our honeymoon . My parents will be going to the Westin in September for their 30th anniversary. I am so stoked for them! Other than that I think its something special to us and i try not to convince people its where they belong.

I'd say I'm pretty passive until someone asks or I get pointed out as "an expert", then the hard part is providing enough but not too much information .

Not after the friend of the family's honeymoon disaster!

Actually, that was more of my husband's fault than mine.

Steve S wrote:...the hard part is providing enough but not too much information .

Yes, I tend to start waxing euphoric about St John! I do recommend it to people who like outdoor type activities and don't expect to have a cabana boy bringing them umbrella drinks. Most people who know me know what kind of vacations we like, and if they didn't like hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and close encounters with critters... they might tolerate my stories but wouldn't take my travel advice!

I guess I could have been more specific. I only meant if you know someone that you think would "get it" do you mention it. I would not recommend St. John to everyone I know, just the folks who I think would enjoy the vibe. In the cases I cited, I specifically recommended Caneel Bay as opposed to a villa, because I thought that was a better match for them.

Oh yeah, I definitely only actively encourage people that I 1) Like and 2) think will get it. I introduced a very good friend of mine and her hubby to the island, we've been together a couple times and she LOVED it as much as I do.

She, in turn, recommended it to a good friend of her's at work for her honeymoon. They HATED it. HATED IT. They were scared, bored (took the ferry to STT to buy dvds to watch at their house) and slept with a knife (I am not kidding) under their pillow because they were afraid someone was going to break in and rob them.

They didn't go to a single beach.

Um...she shoots she misses.

liamsaunt wrote:I guess I could have been more specific. I only meant if you know someone that you think would "get it" do you mention it. I would not recommend St. John to everyone I know, just the folks who I think would enjoy the vibe. In the cases I cited, I specifically recommended Caneel Bay as opposed to a villa, because I thought that was a better match for them.

If I think they would get it, definately! We are friends with a couple that would love Maho and I encourage them to go. (she grew up off the grid and is totally into camping.)

I agree, you do have to be careful, alot of enthusiasm goes a long way. My husband (who really does not like or desire to travel anywhere!) will talk about St John until said company is nauseated! I have finally convinced him that as much as a cruise or a resort vacation are not for us, St John is not for everyone. It's not a canned vacation, you do have to do a little work and research. Frankly alot of people are not up for it, I think if you're the type of person who calls Apple Vacations and buys a trip with meals and flights, etc. you will not like St John in the least little bit, and would consider it to be a waste of money. But that is great, because those people are in a resort elsewhere and not irritating me while I'm busy doing nothing!

I have recommended it to a few people who I think would like it. And with some people I have been wrong (like my friend who asked me if I had a number for an all-inclusive resort where she could stay. God no.)

The newbie we drug along last year is joining us in February, so I guess she liked it. I still think my brother and his wife would like it, but I haven't gotten them on the plane yet. My mother would love it, but she also loves Europe and doesn't have a lot of income.

Some people just aren't going to get it. Some people think I'm a snob because I go somewhere exotic instead of Destin. I have a friend who loves to camp -- like dig a pit in the woods to go potty camp -- and I thought she was ready to go to Cinnamon Bay. However, when she watched the House Hunters on the new villa (Into the Mystic?) she said "That place has way too many houses for me." I guess I just tune them out because there's so much awesomeness on St. John.

Sometimes I do get overexcitable, like when the girl at the doctor's office's "Beach of the Month" calendar was on Trunk Bay this month and I told her all about it...

I tend to only tell people that ask about it after seeing photos or when they find out I keep going back to the same place. Then, when they ask, the flood gates open and they get a War and Peace email with all my recommendations, etc.

I've helped two separate couples plan (and by plan, I mean get a clue) this year and they've both loved it and want to return, so that's nice.