USVI-On-Line

Which of these 2 villas would you rent for a family trip to St John (have 3 teenagers).
Watermelon is in Coral Bay and about $1000 less than Bijou. I think I would like the Coral Bay location, ok.
Let me know your thoughts re: pros/cons to each villa to help me decide..Thanks!

http://vacationvistas.com/Villas/ville_ ... _john.html

http://www.waterlemonvillastjohn.com/

First of all, I used to be a hard core Cruz Bay area girl up until a few years ago. I have shifted to staying in Coral Bay and couldn't be happier. Mostly cause I feel that Cruz BAy has gotten too hectic (of course that's relative -- but that's where I'm at).

Add to that the fact that Coral Bay now has Lilly's market for groceries and some pretty decent eating spots that continue to pop up and that makes the equation even better.

Plus we really like to stick to Maho, Jumbie, Francis and salt Pond beaches anyway and staying in the Coral Bay area just saves driving time altogether.

We head into Cruz Bay when we want to shop and that's about it.

That being said both houses look lovely. But I am concerned that they don't have pics of the other bedrooms at Waterlemon. I would ask the villa co for more pis and a floorplan if they have it. I just like to know what I am getting.

Overall it looks like it lives pretty large for the $$$ but the living room does seem kind of small. Though you probably won't spend much time in the living room so that prob doesn't matter much.

Last June we rented Casa Luna and it lived REALLY large or the $$$$ you might want to check on that place as well. Waterlemon reminded me of Casa Luna in its design.

http://www.vivacations.com/site/Overvie ... fault.aspx

Keep in mind that some houses with 5 bedrooms may run the same price as a 3 BR because they charge per person.

I can't comment on Waterlemon, but I have been to Villa Bijou and its a great house. Nice big pool, great pool deck, everything is new. It is booked up pretty regularly and gets good reviews.

I stayed in Waterlemon and it's a fantastic house. I did a pretty extensive review in the villa reviews section. There are two identical queen suites on the lower level and the other bedroom is on the main floor and it has 2 twins. ( I just checked, and there are photos of all of the bedrooms posted on the website.) The screened porch that extends the width of the house is the best. We ate every meal out there, played cards, read, etc. It's a great view over Coral Harbor. Any questions, feel free to ask.

LisaK-- how did I msis them? On the site link she gave I clicked on Photo Tour and went through the slideshow and only two of bedroom pics were there.... just curious....

Gromit-if you go through the photo gallery, the pictures of the queen suites are right next to each other. Maybe you thought that was one bedroom? They're identical suites, but notice that they have different bedspreads. And then further down through the slideshow is the picture of the room with two twins.

It really is a great house!

Thanks guys...yes, I see all 3 bedrooms..
I guess the big question is Coral Bay vs closer to Cruz Bay...

bnsilly-Sue and I brought our collective three girls and their spouse/boyfriend/BFF to STJ for Christmas '08...eight of us. We stayed close to Cruz Bay intentionally as only one of the kids was old enough to rent a vehicle and drive. If It had been just the two of us, we would probably have stayed on Coral Bay side. But the attractions for kids at those ages in our opinion clearly lies on Cruz Bay side. We didn't want to be the perpetual taxi service. It worked out very well for us. We stayed at villa Acqua Blu which was beautiful and perfect for a group of our size. Best of luck!

How old are your teens? Teens get antsy and are always bored and need something to do. I would choose Cruz Bay, hands down, for that reason.

Our teens are 13 and 16 and our son is 20. None of them will be driving on the island. We plan to do stuff like beaches and day trips/day sails during the day and then dinner and family time at the villa in the evenings so I guess either location will be ok. Just wasn't sure as far as locations to grocery stores, beaches, etc..
Thanks guys...guess I just needed to think through it..I think either location is fine for our family. We aren't big "go out" types and can run into Cruz a time or two if needed for extra shopping, or an early dinner out, etc.