USVI-On-Line

Futon or sofa bed that is the question.
Hi folks ! I've been a quiet lurker/ reader the past few years an avid adventure travelor especially to tropical exotic locations. Traveled to STJ & STT about 5 times in the past ten years. We just returned about a month ago and am longing to return (especially given the back-to-back blizzards this week in Maryland) I think you guys know the feeling well We were fortunate enough to buy a condo recently in Cruz Bay ¡V nothing too fancy BUT views to die for and good enough for us. We unfortunately will NOT be able to live on STJ on any type full-time basis due to a nagging problem called jobs ¡ we are not yet retired & both work full-time heck someone¡¦s gotta carry the health insurance coverage Just kidding , we feel very fortunate to have jobs (we're in health care) in this economy and job market problems.
Anyway, I'm in a bit of a quandary right now trying to decide whether to furnish a 1BR condo¡s (it¡s in Cruz Bay) combo living/ sleeper area with a futon v. sleep-sofa (the condo sleeps 2-4). Your opinions or sharing of personal experience/ preferences are really appreciated and would really help us and hopefully guests out. I understand traveling companions & families vary so this is sort of a survey. Given there can be various circumstances, e.g. anything from two same or opposite sex siblings under age 12, 4 girlfriends or guyfriends, two couples. Read some posts recently where, the poster wrote, ¡never again¡¨ would¡¨ two brothers sleep in the same (sofa) bed again¡¨. My priority is guest comfort, so I figured a good quality sofa bed would beat a futon any day BUT now I¡¦m having second thoughts. In advance, thanks again for your opinions
What say you
Lee-ah

Sofa bed with top of the line mattress!

Sofa bed for sure. Congrats on your purchase. Will you be giving forum member discounts I'm always lookin for good deals on St John.

I say sofa bed with a good mattress!! We started with futons in our cabins and folks don't know how to open/close them properly so they jam them and then they're pretty much broken and useless as a bed!!

My daughter has a great futon from Ikea. The reason being the mattress.

I agree with everyone else that the mattress is the most important thing.

Personally, I gave up on sofa beds in my condo because young adults would open the sofa bed, take the mattress out and put it on the floor. It was just a pain in the neck.

We have both & I would say sofa bed with good mattress also. Our futon has a 10 inch mattress...not the normal mattress because the thin ones let you feel the wood/metal slats. I find the mattress hard as a rock & bunches after a few years. The sofa bed is a pain to put in and out. Not sure this would work for you but we have a daybed in a bedroom with a pop up trundel mattress under it. The trundel rolls out & pops up or can be used flat. Makes 2 twins or a king.

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Hoping this upload link to foto works - first time so bear with me. Thanks for all the suggestions so far - forgot to mention - space in this area is VERY limited-the space is quite narrow. I'm looking to simplify & decluter the the entire condo & update the current all yellow paint. Seems like futn takes up less space when in sofa form - ultimately I think it's all about the mattress & springs & even a pillow-top topper perhaps could help. Those curent daybeds gotta go !

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I agree with a poster above who mentions a good quality day bed. There are some really nice ones still made. What they offer is the ability to use REAL mattresses and a lot of versatility (can be used as a king or two separate twins).

To me, a high quality queen size futon with an innerspring mattress (those cotton things stink no matter how thick they are) beats a sofabed any day.

Illyse wrote:I agree with a poster above who mentions a good quality day bed. There are some really nice ones still made. What they offer is the ability to use REAL mattresses and a lot of versatility (can be used as a king or two separate twins).

Because I have nothing but bad memories of sleeping on futtons and sofa beds, I will 3rd the daybed suggestion. Add a nice cover (LL Bean is a good source) and pillows and it makes comfy seating as well.

A close friend of ours is in the higher-end furniture business and he tried to talk us into a sofa bed for our cabin. He claims that the new ones are nothing like I remember. So if space doesn't allow a daybed w/trundle, a good quality sofa bed would be my second vote.

lv2fish wrote:I'm looking to simplify & decluter the the entire condo & update the current all yellow paint.

jumping back to add - EXCELLENT idea to declutter and simplify! Junked up rental are one of my pet peeves. Less stuff = easier to keep clean and is much more attractive.

We have rented 20+ vacation houses over the years and some were obviously dumping grounds for the owner's cast off crap (including one in Pete Bay, go figure!)

my brother had a futon and it lasted a good ten years. But it came with a terrible mattress. I was recently shopping for a futon but they were all SO uncomfortable so i just went to sleepys and bought a small but amazingly comfortable mattress and sofa bed. I would go with a sofa bed!

You guys are so great - I can't thank you enough for your in-put. You'll have to excuse me but I'm a nurse researcher (a bit nerdy)by trade so here goes:

Total n=10
_________
Sofabed=5
Futon = 2
Daybed= 3

But, if I'm interpreting your responses correctly- the bottom line is - it's all aout an excellent quality mattress, practicality and aesthetics last; a fabric choice that's durable- holding up to wear, tear & spills and easily replaceable covers/ upholstery. A sofa bed may not be so easy / cost-effective to reupholster, while the daybeds & futons do offer that option. Now just getting one shipped there v. buying on STT. Called UPS yesterday WOW did I get sticker shock-was thinking I might UPS ship a lightweight rattan chair (no pillows just the chair approx. 40 lbs. - OMG - I was quoted $1,000 - I kept asking the CSR to check again, that must be an error, uhm UPS - I think NOT. Unbeleivable - what a challenge this is to be. There are a few furniture dealers on STT - but they seem to be operating on island time - which I need to adapt to, almost gives the impression they don't need my business. The other option is shopping via the weekly Isalnd Trader claasified - maybe I can find some quality items there. What I won't skimp on though is a GOOD quality mattress. PA Girl -Can't wait to get in there & DECLUTTER!
Thanks again all.