construction noise on the island?

[emmarose]

We just returned from our first visit on St. John. We stayed in the Great Cruz Bay area. There were two properties with construction work in our area.....one was right next door. The street below the villa sounded like a highway as the workers arrived and left each day. Thankfully we couldn't hear the construction noise from that one. The place next door was noisy enough! Banging, pounding, hammers, power drills, saws, shouting etc., etc. The noise lasted for 6 of our 8 day stay. We tried to not let it spoil the trip, but we were really disappointed. We'd hoped for a peaceful, quiet place to enjoy the beautiful views. While on the island I noticed a lot of construction vehicles on the roads, and wondered if this is what I can expect if I come back again.

[Exit Zero]

I believe that as the number of visitors who want to rent villas for vacationing on STJ continues to increase the corresponding amount of people willing to build villas for rent will also increase - because of the limited land and home-sites available there will also be teardowns of smaller, older homes that are replaced by more lavish rental properties - in some areas like Cruz Bay it is not only the landscape that is changing but the skyline is changing as larger developments like Grande Bay and Sirenusa are built and supported by rental income from an increasing vacationing demographic.
You mentioned it was your 1st trip to STJ - there are still some areas that have" a peaceful, quiet place to enjoy the beautiful views" but until the tipping point is reached when 1st time visitors decide not to return because of the disappointment you expressed and the many repeat visitors decide that STJ has finally changed too much for their enjoyment and stop coming back, the destruction and construction will continue to escalate.
It does seem to me though that there are always more people coming to fill the void of disappointed non-returnees and that many of them see STJ as materialistically underdeveloped and want even more change to occur so that STJ can fulfill their model idea of a vacation paradise. This appears to be the engine that drives STJ economy.

[Anthony]

Your issue with the construction is something that people that come to the island a lot know to look out for. Like Exit Zero said, there are quieter spots on St. John that Cruz Bay, and using resources like this forum to ask before you rent is often done.

[bdkane]

Its unfortunate you had to deal with the noise, I myself would have been highly annoyed, going to a place such as St John you expect peace and quite. If you do choose to go back be sure and ask around on the forum, you will get up to date info on something such as construction.

If you go elsewhere, something I always do is check the hotels website for any "notes" regarding construction, they - usually post them to cover their arse

Be well

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Ditto every one else. I know that I often have mixed feelings about sharing STJ with others, not wanting to contribute to the distruction of the natural beauty, but I love it so much I can't help myself!

I know we tend to search out the less traveled roads. Just know that there are still many of them still on STJ.

[Pia]

Unfortunately construction is somewhat unavoidable on St John.

If you are reading our blog you know we are under (re)construction and noise is a factor but it is unavoidable. We have two rental homes next door and two above us but what are we to do - we live here full time and this has to be done and as we all know noise does carry - we do not start until 9am (usually closer to 10am) and finish around 5pm or 6pm so hopefully guests are at the beach (at least we are not jack hammering )

If anyone has any suggestions as to how to build/remodel noise free I would love to hear them

Pia

ps: if you want to check out our progress go to................ www.onawhimstjohn.wordpress.com

[emmarose]

Thanks for the insight. I understand both sides of the destruction/construction and noise issues...Unfortunately they don't tell you this when you are watching St. John on House Hunters! This was our 30th anniversary celebration and we decided to really treat ourselves. We were looking for some quiet, romantic time at the villa. The construction started by 8 in the morning and went until sunset. We ended up leaving early each day and coming back late just to avoid the noise. This is the only vacation that we've ever gone on where we were ready to go home and knew we probably would never return. It was quite expensive for us, and we wondered if we would have been better off staying in a resort where we might have had some recourse. I spoke to the property manager after we left and he said he didn't know that the construction noise was bothersome...that some people don't mind construction noise! I have enough noise in my "real life"..right now they are installing speed bumps on my street!

[waterguy]

It would of been great if you would of asked here as I'm sure someone would of gave you the heads up on the next door project also I have complained to the property manager while on island and been moved to different villa because of it. I always ask if there is construction close by and let them know I won't be a happy camper if there is.

[Pia]

I am sorry this happened to you - I hope you enjoyed your time here (away from the villa) and managed to celebrate in other ways. If you should return - or vacation on any other island - and find yourself with a similar situation please do call the property management company many times they will move you to another villa - they really do want guests to be happy.

Congratulations on your 30th

Pia

[Iluvstjohn]

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed. We have gone to St. John 9 times now, and each time is a different experience. If you researched the parts of the island, you might have learned which parts are "quieter" than others. This forum, and others out there are a great wealth of information. People can respond to what is happening RIGHT now on the island...or people who have just stayed in the same house even.

Next time, you should definitely call the property manager right away. There are lots of ways they can help you out.

I would try St. John again....try Coral Bay or high up in the hills....and don't believe everything you see on house hunters!

[emmarose]

Thanks for the advice. We love the Caribbean so I am sure we'll be back some day. This is all just very fresh right now...I'm sure we'll get over it. Next time we'll check a forum like this. We didn't call the property manager while on the island because the person he hired to check us in was aware of the problem. She apologized and wanted to do something but told us the manager told her not to get involved..."many people don't have an issue with construction noise." Whether this is accurate or not, this led us to believe he wouldn't be responsive. We didn't want to spend our vacation making repeated calls and complaining about something that wouldn't or couldn't be fixed. I am sure that would have ruined the trip. In the end, we did have a good time,....away from the villa. St. John is really beautiful!

[Muhaha]

It's not just Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. This past winter we heard loud construction noises while snorkeling Francis, at Jumbie, Haulover, and Hawksnest. It seemed to be literally everywhere.