Bookend hotel / shopping for basics

sandytoes · Post by **sandytoes** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:53 pm

Hello all --

Planning my first visit to St. John in March, and have really appreciated all the good advice I have gotten from this board so far. I have a couple of questions:

1 - due to late arrival into St. Thomas, 10:30pm, I'm thinking it would be best to spend the first night there before heading over to STJ on the ferry the next morning. Any recommendations for decent, inexpensive lodging for that first night? Basically looking for clean & convenient.

2 -- We'll be bringing only carry-on luggage and I'll need to pick up some basic toiletries (and insect repellant) after we arrive. Are there drug stores / discount stores readily available on STJ? (Like Walgreen / Target).

3. -- Where's the best place to stock up on groceries? We will probably be staying in Coral Bay area.

4 -- planning to rent our car after we arrive on STJ. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:01 pm

If you haven't booked your car for this March you need to do it YESTERDAY - good luck on finding one and you need it for Coral Bay

Pia

needmesomesun · Post by **needmesomesun** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:06 pm

I can't help you with STT lodging, but you need to hop on that car rental reservation ASAP.

Also, there isn't anything like a Target on STJ, but there is Chelsea Drugstore for basic toiletries as well as the regular markets. Stock up before heading to Coral Bay...

Make sure you are careful with gas during your stay as you will be a half hour from any gas station if you stay in Coral Bay!

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:52 pm

We stayed at the Green Iguana once for a night and it was fine. Next time, I will probably go to the Best Western right next to the airport.

Am I understanding you don't have a rental vehicle secured yet? If so, like the other posters said, you need to do that ASAP. If you can't find one on STJ, maybe you could rent on STT and hit Kmart or similar prior to taking the ferry over. On STJ, Chelsea has a good selection.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:05 pm

Finding yourself a vehicle to rent should be your most urgent priority. After you find out whether you'll have a vehicle, then you can decide where to stay. If you can't find a vehicle, you'll have to stay in Cruz Bay. Not the end of the world, but being without a vehicle on St. John limits your options significantly.

PaminMaine · Post by **PaminMaine** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:22 pm

Hello Sandytoes,

Welcome to the best forum board about St John on the net!

Here are a couple of links to help you with the food / car rental companies on island.

http://www.stjohnusvi.com/food.html

http://www.stjohnusvi.com/rentals.html

There are no big box stores, or coffee chains and only ONE gas station on the entire island in Cruz Bay.

Good luck! You will love St John...

eala · Post by **eala** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:56 pm

We stayed at Two Sandals by the Sea B & B near Red Hook on STT. We found it very nice and comfortable. We had dinner at Secret Harbour and thought that was nice too. You'll love Coral Bay, we sure did. There's a little Market upstairs at the Cocolobo Plaza where the Aqua Bistro is for groceries. There's also another little party store called Love City Mini Mart that actually had a pretty nice selection for such a small place. Hope you have a great time! Super jealous

Capn Dan and Ruby · Post by **Capn Dan and Ruby** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:27 pm

About a place to stay... don't know... About the car... agree with all others!!!!

About Toiletries...The Chelsea drug store is about your best bet...We usually pack a box and send it with toiletries as they can be rather expensive on the island. We use a flat rate box and send it to Connections. I don't have their website just now, I would have to look it up. Definately follow their instructions exactly, and mail 2 weeks minimum before you leave. St. John is definatly not convenient, but it is the best place on earth as far as we are concerned!

piscesgirl0314 · Post by **piscesgirl0314** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:01 am

YIKES...no car rental yet...thats always the first thing we do once our villa is booked. One of the best parts about STJ is there is NOTHING like a Target/Walgreens/Kmart on island...we are carry on only and bring all our own toiletries from home...we've never run out...have a great trip but get on that car rental immediately...

Randy in MD · Post by **Randy in MD** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 8:40 am

Landing at 10:30PM, I think your best bet is to stay at either of the 2 Best Western's by the airport (BW Carib is closer, BW Emerald Beach is nicer), or Island Beachcomber which is between the two. All are within walking distance off of the airport access road - there's a sidewalk. If all 3 are booked, the Green Iguana is a short taxi ride away, as are several other modest places... Try Amalie, Discount, or Dependable for vehicle rentals on St. Thomas if you can't find anything on St. John. But as the others have said, do it today!!!

Starfish Market (for food) and Chelsea Drugstore are both located in the same shopping area in Cruz Bay. Dolphin Market in Cruz Bay has been enlarged and is also very good. Lilly's & Love City Markets in Coral Bay will serve your everyday needs...

Don't forget to buy a bag of sugar for the bananaquits, and have fun!

stjchica · Post by **stjchica** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:10 am

I find it a little odd that you are planning to go in March and have no car reserved, no place to stay, and think there might be a Target. It just doesn't sound like you have researched your destination very well, but maybe you aren't a "planner"...I like to know the ins and outs of where I am going.
I'm with the others, get the car reserved asap as well as some place to stay. Then read as much as you can about STJ so you can truly appreciate all it has to offer, and what it is, and what it isn't.
Have a great trip!

Capn Dan and Ruby · Post by **Capn Dan and Ruby** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 7:53 pm

Inquiring minds want to know...Did you find a car? A place to stay? I hope all goes well, because if you are not expecting all the conveniences of home, you will love St. John! We all do!!! and dream of being on the island forever!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:45 am

LOL! Cracks me up, as well. Different people do vacation differently. This winter, a person came up to me at work and said "I'm leaving for my honeymoon tomorrow and heard you could give me some guidance." They were headed to St. John. Where are you staying? Where are you renting your jeep from? What are you most looking forward to? All met with a blank stare..... But two weeks later, he showed up at work, the happiest guy in the world and had a terrific vacation!
Who knew you could do that???

momto3boys · Post by **momto3boys** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:00 am

mindehankins wrote:LOL! Cracks me up, as well. Different people do vacation differently. This winter, a person came up to me at work and said "I'm leaving for my honeymoon tomorrow and heard you could give me some guidance." They were headed to St. John. Where are you staying? Where are you renting your jeep from? What are you most looking forward to? All met with a blank stare..... But two weeks later, he showed up at work, the happiest guy in the world and had a terrific vacation!
Who knew you could do that???

That brought such a smile.

What a great start. So what did they end up doing about a jeep and a place to stay? Are they planning to go back?

loria · Post by **loria** » Sat Feb 23, 2013 6:43 pm

Zoiks-- did you get a jeep? a place to stay?

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