USVI-On-Line

They seem a bit concerned about the "upkeep" of different villa rentals, and still haven't committed to their first trip this May.
I think the way to put it would be about updated villa photo pix;- they don't want a "match.com before/after photo", and want to be sure they'll get what they see on the website.
I've given them a few to choose from, but they're still worried. As much as I'd like to help more, I'm almost at a loss for words. I REALLY want them to go, as we'll be there the same week which is what they want, so's we can show them around. Along the same lines, though, if they end up choosing a home they're unhappy with, I don't want to feel responsible, ya' know?
They realize that I've been there more than a dozen times, and that's what got them interested. They said they want someplace quiet & tropical to enjoy their 30th wedding anniversary.
I just wish they'd jump in on the fun already!-STJ would be perfect for them. Just need a few more enticing & reassuring words of wisdom from you guys-
Any advice is appreciated, thanks.
Smiles-
MJ

where are they looking? can you find recent reviews of the properties and/or pictures?

Maybe call a rental agency and have a chat instead of just looking at photos?

Just tell them to relax! Honestly, I think people get way wrapped up in the "perfect" villa. There is no "perfect" villa, and the villa doesn't make the vacation, the people on the vacation do. I have never once previewed villas before renting them--I personally would never give up my right now vacatiom time to be walked through potential future visits.

My soundest advice for people in the situation you describe would be to rent through an agency that is represented on island and extremely responsive to any renter concerns--in my mind that is Vacation Vistas and Catered To. They might cost a little more but both have on-island management and I can tell you from experience they'll be there right away when something is wrong (or when you are just being goofy and cannot figure out how to work the clothes dryer )

I agree with liamsaunt. Relax. Most times you get what you pay for (not always) in that if you spend a little more you get a little closer to the "perfect villa" but every time we've gone we find that the villa is the least important part of the vacation. It always ends up as a place to rest your head at night and keep your booze cold for the next day's beach trip. Rarely, does the villa ruin your trip, and if for some reason the villa does end up being "unbearable" then the advice to use a good agency is priceless as they can usually move you to another villa. So, relax, go for it, and go with the flow! The best part of St John is everything but the villa!

17th Hole-
I just wish these folks could read what you're writing!
I'm trying to convince them all that...
Hey- we're almost there!
Smiles-
MJ

Enough rum will cover any little flaws a villa may have. I've always thought a high praise for a villa in reviews to be that it was as pictured on the web. I know it doesn't sound like much, but to me thats just perfect - at least I know exactly what I'm getting. That being said, we usually stay in pretty plain, but clean villas and I've always been pleased. We have rented VRBO and agencies and never had an issue. Course, I am just happy to be there, and would sleep in a tent if I had to, but thats me!

I understand their hesitation though. So many villas to choose from and so many things to consider. But like we all know, until you're sitting there at Maho in your beach chair with a cool drink in hand staring out over that calm blue water and the entire world melts away from you...you just don't "get it" yet. That that moment and that feeling is what St John is all about. You can't explain that feeling to someone. You can try to describe it. You can try to take a picture of it. You can even try to relive it in your mind. But only when you are in that moment does it all come together beautifully.

It's been 5 years since our first and only trip to St John. First time around we rented through Destination St John and found the villa to be exactly what was shown in the photos on their web site. I would anticipate that is the case with all of their villas. The drive up was a surprise, but the villa was great and worth it.

This time around we are renting through James Miller Property Management. We are also the type to be really careful what we rent and who we rent from. Marc Miller comes highly recommended by members of this forum and just a phone call with him would help alleviate a lot of the concerns your friends may have. It certainly did for us. The properties Marc represents look spectacular. We were trying to decide between a couple of them and he gave us excellent feedback regarding both. Our choice of one vs. the other really ended up being more about the view.

I will some day stay at Miles Away because I have read over and over that the owners maintain it to a very high standard. It is apparently like a model home.

MJ- I can totally understand your friend's apprehensions. It sounds like they have not travelled to the caribbean all that much if they are stressing about the "exact" villa. As we all know, if they can relax enough to give it a try..they'll probably LOVE it!!! My husband and I bought our timeshare sight unseen in a private sale found on the internet!! Neither one of us had ever been to STJ but we had travelled the caribbean enough to know to keep our expectations in check. As far as we are concerned, We won the lottery!! We are a family of 5 so travel isn't cheap, no matter how you do it. Taking a risk and buying this timeshare allows us a week on our favorite place on earth every year...who knew??? We would never be able to swing it otherwise!! We just figured, how bad can it be?? Everyone we spoke to had never breathed a negative word about their STJ experience..that's what we went with. Hopefully your input will convince them to take a chance...it's so worth it I'll be interested to hear the outcome.

Pia- As I was typing my reply I was thinking the same thing!!

Lagoon Pointe was at the top of our list for May. It is brand new so it will be in exceptionally good condition. It's now booked for the first part of May though.

Jim,

Very interesting topic you got going here. It actually reminds me of when I and Nicolle were booking our first trip to STJ. We went back and forth and forth and back. Looked at many villas on the web and was worried about what it was really like. We all know that some of these places tend to, let’s say pretty up their pictures. We were use to staying at the all inclusive, and honestly that is not STJ. True, you have Westin and Caneel Bay, but there was no way we were going to shovel out the cake to stay in those places. I work hard at baking my cake. We really stressed out over where to stay so much that we said screw it and just headed back to Aruba. The following year we looked at the big picture and said this is what we want; this is what we need if we go down there. We are very simple people and all we needed was a decent place with a good view, and walking distance into town. You pretty much know where we ended up. We go back every time and wouldn’t have it any other way.

You must remember the important thing here. Your likes may not be their likes. I think the best thing you could do at this point is to give them Pia’s advice. Seriously, get them chilled into the factor. The atmosphere of STJ and how the magic works. Tell them all the in and outs of the island. Important, get them to RELAX about it. If they do not, it will not work.

I agree with Pia. We do not want to see the repeat of Maho Jim’s 2010 STJ Tripped dubbed “ASHTRAY” now do we.

P.S. We arrive the 12th Jim. I hope we can meet up and buy yourself and Amy a drink or two.

Boston Mike...
Can I ask where you stay that you keep going back?
Sharon