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Just starting the planning for first trip to STJ
Just starting the planning for first trip to STJ
My husband I are just starting the planning for our first trip to St. John. I've learned a lot, and have decided that for this trip, it's best to stay within a fairly easy drive to Cruz Bay, as we will probably enjoy trying different restaurants. I've looked at so many villas, my head is spinning. Here's what I've decided is important.....
1 - sunset views - twinkling lights after dark would be great (we aren't morning people for sunrise view!!) and water view not blocked by houses or foliage
2 - pool (and hot tub would be a huge plus)
3 - air conditioning
4 - Not too low on the hillside (bugs, no wind), not too high (prefer a closer water view, not way distant)
5 - Privacy not a huge issue, but don't want to be in a touristy, crowded area either.
Now - here's where it get tricky - my husband has invited his sisters to go with us. I know that my sister in law envisions walking out of the house and going for an ocean swim every morning. I've told her that most likely won't be the case, but I don't think she totally gets it. Also, when I told her that 4-wheel drive is recommended, she sort of freaked out. The couple of villas that I have seen that advertise "path to beach" don't seem feasible for her either, as she's a widow in her 60's and not in the best of shape. I personally don't know if this is the trip for her, but I think she really wants to go anyway. So that adds in -
5 - fairly easy beach access
6 - no scary drive to the villa.
7 - 2 or 3 king beds, or kings that can be converted to twins (the reasoning being that I don't want to have to give up a master bedroom king sized bed to sleep in a lesser bedroom queen bed so that my two sisters-in-law will be more comfortable. Plus yet another sister might come who always wants a king bed.
I would say we are looking at moderate to upscale - not luxury, not "quaint".
Now - based on all of that, where would be the best place to look, and any specific villas in mind that would work?
I know I've made my in-laws sound really picky - they are really great people, but it's a lot of responsibility to plan someone else's vacation so that they will have fun!!
1 - sunset views - twinkling lights after dark would be great (we aren't morning people for sunrise view!!) and water view not blocked by houses or foliage
2 - pool (and hot tub would be a huge plus)
3 - air conditioning
4 - Not too low on the hillside (bugs, no wind), not too high (prefer a closer water view, not way distant)
5 - Privacy not a huge issue, but don't want to be in a touristy, crowded area either.
Now - here's where it get tricky - my husband has invited his sisters to go with us. I know that my sister in law envisions walking out of the house and going for an ocean swim every morning. I've told her that most likely won't be the case, but I don't think she totally gets it. Also, when I told her that 4-wheel drive is recommended, she sort of freaked out. The couple of villas that I have seen that advertise "path to beach" don't seem feasible for her either, as she's a widow in her 60's and not in the best of shape. I personally don't know if this is the trip for her, but I think she really wants to go anyway. So that adds in -
5 - fairly easy beach access
6 - no scary drive to the villa.
7 - 2 or 3 king beds, or kings that can be converted to twins (the reasoning being that I don't want to have to give up a master bedroom king sized bed to sleep in a lesser bedroom queen bed so that my two sisters-in-law will be more comfortable. Plus yet another sister might come who always wants a king bed.
I would say we are looking at moderate to upscale - not luxury, not "quaint".
Now - based on all of that, where would be the best place to look, and any specific villas in mind that would work?
I know I've made my in-laws sound really picky - they are really great people, but it's a lot of responsibility to plan someone else's vacation so that they will have fun!!
Beach Music is beautiful, but already booked. We have specific dates next May, as my husband and I are attending a wedding on St. John.
Nancy - 2BR at the very least, however, he has 3 other siblings who might also be interested...... I'm trying now to get firm commitments, yea or nay, from them all!! Two of them may have school schedule conflicts, and like I said, we are locked into specific dates.
Ideally, we would find a 3 or 4 bedroom that we could go ahead and book 2 bedrooms, and then have room to expand the booking should additional siblings decide to come!!
Do property owners ever negotiate prices during that time of year? Late May?
Nancy - 2BR at the very least, however, he has 3 other siblings who might also be interested...... I'm trying now to get firm commitments, yea or nay, from them all!! Two of them may have school schedule conflicts, and like I said, we are locked into specific dates.
Ideally, we would find a 3 or 4 bedroom that we could go ahead and book 2 bedrooms, and then have room to expand the booking should additional siblings decide to come!!
Do property owners ever negotiate prices during that time of year? Late May?
