USVI-On-Line

Ok - we are in a very, very early discussion for us to go to STJ in Aug. '13 w/ 2 couples that we vacation with in Fla. every Sept. I'm going to do the due diligence and then we'll have a meeting. No plans will be set in concrete this year, too much going on, just trying to start the process.

Not sure of budget, maybe 3 - 4K. Of course, if we can find the "perfect" villa for less, we'll take it!! If more $'s needed, we'll have to take that into consideration as well.

What we need:

3 equal bedrooms, or as equal as we can get
A/C in bedrooms a must
Awesome pool - this is a must with 6 folks
Nice kitchen - we are used to cooking together on vacations

Ok - Jeep question....Do the Jeeps hold 6? Like the Jeep Liberty? Or what would we need to rent so we can only have 1 vehicle?

Thanks oodles!!

I don't have any villa suggestions but I will suggest getting 2 jeeps. An actual jeep will not even fit 4 adults, in my opinion.
With newbies, I can not recommend highly enough to get 2 jeeps. No matter how much you explain the island and how your trips normally go, there will be folks that find loading up the jeep every day tiresome. Then they are stuck at the villa with no jeep while everyone else goes to the beach.
trust me, get 2 vehicles!

Hi neighbor! I'm glad to hear you're starting to plan another trip. I'll be thinking about villa options, but regarding the jeep...are you sure your want to have just one? Are you sure everyone is going to want to stay together the whole time? We usually rent separtate ones so that we have more options. ...just something to think about

Haha, Xislandgirl beat me to it. It looks like we were thinking the same thing!

Hey Xislandgirl and Kentuckygirl - Thank you both for the recommendations on the Jeeps. I think it would be smart for us to rent 2 jeeps...I know one of us likes to take long hikes. I had figured we would drop him off and then go to a beach he could hike to and meet up with us.

A lot of planning will have to happen to make this trip a success. Both couples are Newbies to STJ...am I ready for this.

I am not sure I am.

I'd do Bay Rum Breeze. 2 of the bedrooms are equal and the 3rd is slightly larger (large bath/larger closet). Pool view is fantastic. Kitchen works too. Can't beat the outdoor eating area.

You'll need 2 Jeeps!!!! Don't even attempt to do 6 people in 1 Jeep. It's not that they won't fit (which they won't) but with one vehicle you'll have trouble if some want to hit town and some don't - some have to hit the grocery and others don't want to. Etc. One vehicle would be a nightmare, IMHO.

We are leaving for St. John tomorrow. We are staying at Palm Terrace Villas - 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. I have heard the view is not so great though. I will post a trip report when I return. We have traveled with groups of 8 & 9 several times. Of course, we had to rent 2 jeeps, but every day we went to the same place and followed each other. We are traveling with 2 other couples (starting tomorrow) and we are renting a Durango. I will let you know how that works out.

We rented Bay Rum Breeeze in February and it has equal bedrooms, AC (very good AC plus silent ceiling fans) in the bedrooms, huge kitchen, nice built-in grill, expansive outdoor dining and lounging area and seperate pool loungers down by the pool.

No way a four door jeep will hold 6 adults.

We do two vehicles for three couples and it works because of our relationships, we all know how to behave. Also, we have multiple trips under our belts and I think that makes a huge difference. I would not do one vehicle for three couples.

Thanks Jumbiegirl, lovethebeach and Pa Girl. I will put in my notes that 2 jeeps are a must, and why. lovethebeach - let me know how that Durango works for 6 though, will ya?

I'll also look up Bay Rum Breeze - love the name!! And, lovethebeach - looking forward to your comments on Palm Terrace Villas.

What is better than being on STJ? Planning!!

Take a look at Waterfall at www.vivacations.com we stayed there back in 06, has everything you are looking for only downside is that it is a little bit of a distance from Cruz Bay but has excellent privacy, great view and an awesome pool with 3 equal bedrooms.
Have fun planning

We usually travel as a 6 adult group and 2 jeeps works. I would NEVER attempt with 1 vehicle!

You might look at Blue Palm Villa and Sol Inclination. Haven't stayed at Blue Palm, but it looks like the rooms are pretty equal. We did stay at Sol and the villa is top of the line. It is windy up on the hill, but we liked it and there would be plenty of room to spread out. The guesthouse only has queen bed in the bedrooms, but the couple would have their own kitchenette, balcony and sitting room so that might make it "equal". It is a little drive from town, but it was an easy drive.

You may want to look at Alta Vista Villa, 3 equal BR and nice pool and fits the budget even in peak season, I have not stayed there yet, I will be this month, Ill let you know what I thought of it.

Two jeeps, yep two jeeps. Trust me!!!

We rented a Ford Explorer in Feb and had 6/7 people over two weeks, and only one vehicle. It works, but it wasn't fun!

Stayed at Sol Inclination which was a lovely house, but a little far from town for us. If we had had two vehicles, I might not have felt that way, but worrying about how everyone was going to get everywhere all the time made me about crazy!!!

I can tell you from experience that the Durango will fit 6. We used one for our last trip with 5 adults, 2 kids.

BUT we were a family, we traveled as a family, ate as a family, went everywhere as a family.

I do not think three couples would act the same. You don't want tension on vacation- that doesn't make it a good time. If you can fit it in the budget, two vehicles will make for a smoother vacation.

I'll think about a villa with 3 equal bedrooms and a great pool. One thing to consider is if you are walking distance to a snorkel spot (like Klein Bay), maybe one couple could still have something to do if they stayed home and not feel like they missed something.