USVI-On-Line

Hi all,

Sorry for the second post, but I'm terminally indecisive and its so hard to know what is nice and what just looks nice from the pictures. I've found we are never going to be able to get everything we want (view, hot tub, pool, ultra modern decor, high on a hill, location, etc... cost effective), so trying to decide which to give up and thought well - this forum has a ton of St John knowledgeable people and why not see if I can get some input since this is our first trip to St. John and our first try at a villa rental ever and we're eloping, so needless to say, trying to make it perfect. Here goes. We are staying from MAy 22-June 1st, btw. These are the ones I'm considering:

Coconuts - gorgeous views, some recent remodeling (new owners), pool, but no hot tub (that is coming in July apparently). Price decent. But have to pay all in check, no CC's

Time Out - nice set up, all the amenities including full airconditioning throughout, but much lower down the hill, so views are okay, but not great. Price decent

Serenity - Beautiful in every way, awesome amenities, no hot tub, but everything else. Price runs a bit high, and that's a challenge.

Samba Azul - Brand new, every ammenity and discounted price because its new, but the view is lacking and after everything we've heard about St. John views, just not sure that's something we want to give up.

French Cap - Very nice, seems to have everything we want but appears to be very low down the hill, so the views won’t be as expansive.

Morgan Point – Also very nice, and apparently there is a hot tub, it’s just sometimes not working, so they don’t advertise it – challenge is the pool is a pathway down to, versus right outside the house, and has no views. So all day lounging may not be as fun.

St John’s Passion – Looks beautiful, has hot tub and pool, nice views, good price, but seems the “great room” is truly open – re: no fourth wall, so its totally open air, and from a – do you want mosquitos at night, that seems a concern.

Sapphire Breeze – Perfect in every way, except for price. Ouch.

Daffodil Villa – Very nice, no hot tub, but great pool deck and views – challenge is I hear the pool deck gets no shade at all and wondering if that would be an issue.

Sea Turtle - This seems nice, but not sure what to make of this one. Seems to have everything we want, but can't tell how ince it really is and unsure of the management company.

That covers it – I know we have way too many to choose from and should just decide and move on to a wonderful trip. Any tips, ideas, input people have would be great. And we do know there are many more villas and many that fit exactly our criteria, unfortunately most of those are booked for our dates. The negative of starting planning so late.

Thanks for all of your tips/help/suggestions. Can’t wait to just get to whatever villa we choose and relax.

Not to confuse the issue but look at Bay Rum Breeze on mamey peak. It's new and has it all including a big down-island view. That's were we're staying in May.

Diana2 wrote:Not to confuse the issue but look at Bay Rum Breeze on mamey peak. It's new and has it all including a big down-island view. That's were we're staying in May.

Diana,

Thanks for yuor response. You are going to love your stay - it is beautiful, and has everything. Unfortunately for us, the price is tough - we're staying 10 days and so that weekly price goes up quite a bit and a bit more than we're looking to spend. Thank you though. Great tip!

Sorry folks - Winsome House - good price, great views, no hot tub, but everything else very nice and good price - but its on Ajax Point and is that just too far away? We've heard tales of the drive up and down being difficult and we will need places to go for dinner, as we won't be cooking every night.

Thoughts?

Personally, I don't consider any place on the island to be too far from anywhere that I might want to go, especially not Ajax Peak, or Point.It's a nice ride to Coral Bay, and though a little bit longer to Cruz Bay, it's still an easy drive. You'll have a great time wherever you end up, as wherever it is, it's on STJ!

We are staying on Ajax Peak in 6 days!!! We chose it for its convenient location to both North Shore and Coral Bay. We have stayed at one of your choices, Daffodil Villa(Fish Bay area) and we loved it except for the reason you mentioned...there is positively no shade. We have also stayed twice at Sea Blossom in Fish Bay (not to confuse you even more!!)and we liked it also. We have only had a hot tub once on all our trips and we never even used it. Coconuts is on Gifft Hill which is also a convenient location. We have always had to pay with a check. We prefer the Coral Bay area and can recommend Island Horizons and Periwinkle Cottage, although Periwinkle is that, more of a cottage than villa, but comfy and the price is right!! Good luck on your search!

Stayed at Serenity, loced it. Pool was a bit small, but HUGE iguanas limin' around it most of the days...
Great view, very private.
Smiles-
MJ

We just got back from staying at Cinnamon Tarn and it was reasonable and at the top of the mountain. It has a Hot tub but no pool and the breezes were so great we never needed air conditioning.

I would suggest you read the three reviews for French Cap under the 2009 reviews. Only one is a good review. I can vouch for the bad comments having stayed there at least four times, the last being very, very bad.

Rather than comment specifically on the villas you mention, I'm going to offer some suggestions on what you might want to focus on in terms of amenities.

Of course these are just my opinions based on many, many villa rentals so accept these suggestion for what they are worth -- my opinion.

Hot Tub: That time of year a Hot Tub is something that you should drop from your list. Quite frankly it's very warm out and it's far more likely that you'll want a pool to cool off in.

Ultra modern decor: honestly the views are more important and are what you will leave the villa remembering the most. The higher up you are, depending on the location on island, the more spectacular the views. Instead focus on whether or not the villa is clean and well maintained. Make sure the kitchen is in decent shape. Even if you eat out a lot, it's nice to have a decent and modern functional kitchen and supplies for those rainy nights in when you don't wnat to venture out.

Location: This really depends on what kind of person you are. Cruz Bay has more shopping and dining options. Coral Bay is quieter and closer to our favorite beaches. Coral Bay also has decent dining options but not as many choices as Cruz Bay. But then again, it has less traffic to deal with.
One time we decided to stay in the middle of the island above the North Shore beaches thinking that we'd have access to everything, but the end result was that we felt close to nothing. This works for some people but I felt like to get anywhere we had to drive more, not less.

Privacy: Given the occasion you may want a place that affords you more privacy than other spots.

Price: Cost is always a driver. There have been times when we splurged on a super nice villa, and other times where we went with a more budget minded villa. You know what? In the end, as long as it had the basics it really didn't matter since we spent most of our time out and about anyway. But I understand if this is a special occasion you want someplace special. Just don't feel like you have to pay a ton of money to get a great place. Save your money for nice dinners out and gifts for each other, like a nice peice of jewelry that you can wear everyday to remind you of your visit-- or how about a day sail? Just something to consider.

Pool: That time of year a pool is a must for me. Some can do without a pool but we like to cool off after a long day at the beach. If travelling in December a pool is less necessary IMHO.

Hope these tips help!

Where's that "like" button, Gromit! Perfectly said and the feelings you provoke in your descriptions are so true!!

As always Gromit is right on the money - we have to rent a wheelchair accessible villa and that really limits the options - so not a bad problem to have - wherever you stay you will love the island.

So many good tips here and Gromit - you are spot on. So thank you. I've narrowed it down to four based on the many great suggestions, and now its just a matter of deciding what is most impt. between view and amenities and price. Thanks so much again and if anyone has further tips, love to hear them. This is a Fantastic forum!!

Which four have you narrowed it down to?

We've stayed at St John passion if you still have questions. It was also one of the houses shown on the most recent stj house hunters international I believe. I missed that episode, but keep hoping to catch it.

toni wrote:Which four have you narrowed it down to?

We've stayed at St John passion if you still have questions. It was also one of the houses shown on the most recent stj house hunters international I believe. I missed that episode, but keep hoping to catch it.

Actually - we narrowed it to:
Serenity - Maria's Bluff
Winsome House - Ajax Point
Coconuts - Gifft Hill
Sea Cay Villa - Point Rendezvous

Serenity is our favorite, but the price may be the deal breaker. We'll see. Question on St. John Passion. We ruled it out because of the open air living room...looks like it literally leads out to the garden with no fourth wall - is it screened at all?
Thanks!