USVI-On-Line

Greetings fellow forumites.

I am looking for feedback, or maybe just want some verification that I am not trying to move too fast/early to secure a villa. Here's a little background history. . . . . .There are 7 of us (3 couples, 1 single - might have a 4th couple) who have traveled to St. John probably 15+ times over the past 12 years. Due to some limited vacation time, some of us prefer to use the Thanksgiving week (encompassing Thursday of Thanksgiving, along with the Friday after), into our vacation plans since for many of our group these are what I would call "FREE" days and don't require vacation. This means that we can usually be in St. John for 10 to 12 nights while only using 6 or so vacation days. I know from the past couple of times we've been on St. John that week, that it is a fairly busy week. Based on some of the criteria I've listed below, do you believe it is a little early to settle on and rent a villa or is there plenty of time to wait?

Here's the criteria:

1) At least 4 bedrooms (insuite baths preferred) with AC
2) Pool
3) Ocean View
4) Nice common/living room area with TV
5) Nice outdoor area/balcony
6) Cruz Bay side (We've stayed in Rendezvous Bay area, Chocolate Hole and Great Cruz Bay in the past)
7) Grill
Easy kitchen to cook in - we eat breakfast in and probably 3+ meals at night
9) Would like to stay under $7500 for 10 nights - total
10) Would like to stay in one place the entire time and not move from one villa to another

So..... what are your thoughts? I've been looking at alot of villas and already one we were looking at just 2 weeks ago is booked. My thought is we need to get something booked in the next month. Not sure that everyone in the group feels this way. If we didn't need 4 bedrooms I would say we have more time.

All feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanksgiving week is busy and I would book as soon as you find a villa that works for your group.
I would let your group know that if they wait and can not get a villa with all your wants, how happy will they be on vacation? I would not want to miss out on the perfect villa because someone thought it was too early to book.
I would also book jeeps right away as well

Hi, Please check out my villa , villa venturoso which I have listed on VI on line. Its just up the hill past Dolphin Market overlooking cruz bay and off towards stt. 4 br's with all you are looking for. Please check it out here and look at the pictures or go to villaventuroso.com. Honestly you have a little time to look but it is a big week for rentals so I wouldn't wait too long. Let me know if you have any questions about my villa, & I wish you luck and a great trip! Brenda

What is the rest of the group's motivation for waiting? Are some not 100% committed? Hoping for a discount?

I would not wait. Granted, our group is picky but once one needs 4 BRs, the selection starts to narrow. And like the other posters mentioned, that is a popular time.

I'm with the others who recommend booking early. I book as soon as I confirm flights, which is almost always as soon as flights open since I use miles. On most if not all of my trips to STJ (and HI for that matter) many of my top choices are already booked about 11 months in advance.

Commitment to a villa = commitment to the trip for your fellow travelers. How bummed would you be if you waited for someone else before booking a villa, and then those people backed out of the trip?

Maybe if you send them your top choices -- including info about the one you liked that was booked -- it will get them excited to go. You could also do what I do and keep two lists -- one list of villas for just my family and one for the whole group -- so you have a backup plan.

Also I'd give them a solid deadline -- "I'm going to book by this date" -- so that they can think about whether they're in or out. Oh yeah, and get their deposit checks on that day too... just in case.

Are we allowing solicitation on this site now? Just sayin. Maybe I am wrong.

Maybe not but I like finding out about villas I haven't heard about before!

Thank you everyone for your replies and it is as I thought, we need to book our villa . . . . . .like NOW! A couple of us have been doing lots of research on what is available for our dates and yes. . . . I am compiling a spreadsheet listing various information. I like the idea of picking the two/three "favorite" villas and then "voting" on the villa for our upcoming trip. I don't have any concerns about getting committment and/or having any of our friends "back out", I do think that there is a thought that prices might come down or that we are more apt to be given a discount if we wait until this summer. I would be fine with that if our times were not pretty much dictated by the Thanksgiving Holiday, or if it was just two couples traveling. With needing at least 4 bedrooms, the choices are much more limited.

As soon as we make our decision - I will let you know!

Thanks again!

I agree with the others. Book the villa, jeep and flights now. Less stress because then it will be done.
Also as far as the group thing...Yes, I would set a date that you will book, and have everyone send you a nice size deposit so you know they are committed to going. We have traveled in a large group several times, and it has worked out well for us, sending our commitment deposit, etc..
Let us know which villa you decide. I will be looking for a 4BR as well..Pam