USVI-On-Line

My family is planning on visiting STJ for the first time June/July 2010 and I believe I have it down to 2 villas now! Casa Bueno on Bordeaux Mtn and Luminaria in Upper Carolina.
Any advice on either location/villa would be greatly appreciated and helpful in deciding on these 2.
Thank you!
Jo

Hi Jo (Doyle from trip advisor). Not to confuse you more but have you looked at Bordeaux Breeze. That is one of the villas on our list and has a pool and hot tub plus air in at least the bedrooms. Good luck - I hope to find something soon too.

Haven't stayed on Bordeaux but we really loved the Upper Carolina location.

Post on CB:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 87ac4b5ed4

I don't know if you have looked at Villa Carolina which is next door to Luminaria. We have stayed there 2X and love the view and the house.

Yes, Luminarias pool is bigger, but still love Villa Carolina. Two bedrooms upstairs, one inside downstairs with patio.

Have pictures if you want to to pm me.

Susan

We have stayed on Bordeaux 3 times and even though we've toured houses in Upper Carolina we have never stayed up there.

We really love the Bordeaux Mtn. location which is closer to the intersection of Centerline Road and the Northshore road. In other words it will take you longer to get the beach from Luminaria than from Casa Bueno. Both villas look great but Casa Bueno is newer and will take you less time to get to the both the northshore beaches and to town than Luminaria.

Casa Bueno gets my vote.

My pick would be Casa Bueno but it's currently for sale so for a stay that far out I wouldn't count on it. If it sells before then the new owner won't have to honor rental agreements made by the previous owner so you could be SOL.

I would have to disagree about distance to beaches. Upper Carolina is definitely closer to beaches than Bordeaux - both North and South shore. Bordeaux is closer to Cruz Bay but Upper Carolina is closer to Coral Bay. That being said- both are lovely locations and you cannot go wrong on either one! Enjoy.

Casa Bueno has bookings into the summer of 2010, and the new owner will be honoring ALL bookings made with the current owner. This is the normal course of business, as many vacation homes are for sale. Luminaria is also for sale,most likely the same policy. They would tell you if that wasn't the case. You can't go wrong with either home! I am partial to Casa Bueno since I manage it. Normally, I would not comment, but just wanted to clarify this. Enjoy the island.

I've stayed in both and Bordeaux is my favorite.

bushman1 wrote:Casa Bueno has bookings into the summer of 2010, and the new owner will be honoring ALL bookings made with the current owner. This is the normal course of business, as many vacation homes are for sale.

That's easy to say now when there is no new owner yet

Preferably that's how things would work. But if the new owners are willing to drop a few million dollars on a villa but don't want to uphold the rental agreements, the current owner is going to sell regardless.

Now that said if Luminaria is also for sale then you'd be taking the same risk with that property.

There are many of us STJ regulars who won't rent villas that far out that are for sale. There are people here who have gotten burned in this situation.

Good luck making your decision

One other thing about Luminaria...that villa has always confused me because I think it's overpriced. There are many comparable villas that rent for less, or better villas that rent for the same.

For example, I've always thought this place looks amazing and it is less expensive for 2-4 and the the same price for 5-6:
http://www.carefreegetaways.com/lespritdelavie.htm

Casa Bueno is under contract now, and will close very soon with a new owner. As part of the contract of sale the new owner will honor all in place bookings. Thanks.

polly wrote:I would have to disagree about distance to beaches. Upper Carolina is definitely closer to beaches than Bordeaux - both North and South shore. Bordeaux is closer to Cruz Bay but Upper Carolina is closer to Coral Bay. That being said- both are lovely locations and you cannot go wrong on either one! Enjoy.

"As the crow flies" Upper Carolina is closer to the Northshore/Centerline intersection but by road you'll be closer from Bordeaux Mtn. villas. Casa Bueno is very close to the Bordeaux Mtn. corner where the restaurant used to be. It's just down the road a short ways...... maybe a 1/2 mile or less.

As the new owners of Casa Bueno (if we ever close) We will honor all Rental Agreements. Hope that makes you feel more comfortable.