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First Timer Needs Advice
First Timer Needs Advice
Looking forward to our first visit to St. John and could use some advice on villas we are considering renting. Is anyone familiar with these?
Villa Romance
Eden's Whim
La Bella Vista
Rapture
Having never been to the island, not sure about the best location - don't want to be too far away from everything but also don't want to be in downtown area.
All suggestions are welcome!
Villa Romance
Eden's Whim
La Bella Vista
Rapture
Having never been to the island, not sure about the best location - don't want to be too far away from everything but also don't want to be in downtown area.
All suggestions are welcome!
Hey Sunny,
Never stayed in a villa but it's hard to be too far from anything since the island is so small. That being said it can take 30 minutes or so to get to Cruz Bay if you're in Coral Bay because of the winding roads, goats/donkeys in the road, etc. If you pick something near the center you won't be far from anything. Coral Bay is definitely in the quieter side of the island but it still has its share of restaurants/bars. You're farther from the north shore beaches but closer to Salt Pond/Lameshur/Haulover, etc. For my first time I probably would pick a villa closer to Cruz Bay just because you're closer to a lot of conveniences and the famous beaches of the north shore. That being said it depends more on what you want to do/where you want to go the most. Again though, nothing is much further than 30 minutes via Jeep.
Never stayed in a villa but it's hard to be too far from anything since the island is so small. That being said it can take 30 minutes or so to get to Cruz Bay if you're in Coral Bay because of the winding roads, goats/donkeys in the road, etc. If you pick something near the center you won't be far from anything. Coral Bay is definitely in the quieter side of the island but it still has its share of restaurants/bars. You're farther from the north shore beaches but closer to Salt Pond/Lameshur/Haulover, etc. For my first time I probably would pick a villa closer to Cruz Bay just because you're closer to a lot of conveniences and the famous beaches of the north shore. That being said it depends more on what you want to do/where you want to go the most. Again though, nothing is much further than 30 minutes via Jeep.
Newbie
Welcome to the forum. The information you will find here will certainly make your trip special.
The villas you have inquired about are all pretty large villas, so I guess you are coming with family or other couples or friends. If you give us a little more info, maybe we can be of more help.
The villas you have inquired about are all pretty large villas, so I guess you are coming with family or other couples or friends. If you give us a little more info, maybe we can be of more help.
My family of 8 stayed in Eden's Whim last April. The house about 1/4 mile past the Westin - very convenient to Cruz Bay and about 5 minutes to the Starfish and Pine Peace markets. The main building consists of the kitchen, living and dining rooms with a large master suite/sitting room. You exit the building and travel along a covered breezeway to two large bedrooms, each with ensuite baths. Past the pool is a two story poolhouse which houses two additional bedrooms, one up, one down, each with ensuite bath. The house and grounds are immaculate. In the living/dining area, the floor to ceiling glass doors retract into the walls for an indoor/outdoor lounging/dining experience (screens included). The bedrooms all have a/c, but we only used it one night. The downstairs bedroom in the pool house needed a/c though. I loved this house. The only drawback would be for families with small children. The bedrooms all open to the outside, with pool access. My youngest was 11 at the time and shared a room with my mother-in-law ( one of the bedrooms had two double sized beds). My teens LOVED this house. Good luck with your trip. If you have any additional questions regarding this villa, please pm and I'll reply.
First Timer Needs Advice (Villas)
Thanks for the info already received!
We are a group of 7 (no children) - sounds like the Cruz Bay area is definitely where we want to be. We are looking for a newer well-stocked villa with a pool (hot tub would be nice) and space for each couple to get away from each other when needed! I have heard that roads can be difficult - want to ensure that is not a problem with the villas we are considering.
I have noted that some villas are offered by numerous management companies - any advice on which companies are the best to deal with?
We are a group of 7 (no children) - sounds like the Cruz Bay area is definitely where we want to be. We are looking for a newer well-stocked villa with a pool (hot tub would be nice) and space for each couple to get away from each other when needed! I have heard that roads can be difficult - want to ensure that is not a problem with the villas we are considering.
I have noted that some villas are offered by numerous management companies - any advice on which companies are the best to deal with?
Welcome!
I haven't stayed at Bella Vista but did look at it. It's in Virgin Grande which is a beautiful neighborhood and it has amazing views. Each bedroom is a separate pod and I love that for privacy for couples. The layout is great and very nice pool. As far as the drive, it's out past the Westin and then up Giftt Hill Road - a bit steep and may seem overwhelming for newbies but it doesn't bother us.
Rapture is probably an easier to get to location.
Good luck with your search!
I haven't stayed at Bella Vista but did look at it. It's in Virgin Grande which is a beautiful neighborhood and it has amazing views. Each bedroom is a separate pod and I love that for privacy for couples. The layout is great and very nice pool. As far as the drive, it's out past the Westin and then up Giftt Hill Road - a bit steep and may seem overwhelming for newbies but it doesn't bother us.
Rapture is probably an easier to get to location.
Good luck with your search!
NancyB
