Making SJ affordable during high season?

[Backtotheislands]

I am seeing some wonderful airfares for January - March. I know villa costs go up substantially! Is the airline savings worth it considering villa rates? Where can you stay with a comfy bed and view for $2000 or less or can you? Would love a hot tub or pool, but that is probably not possible. Is the ocean cold? I love it in summer! Do the swells keep you off Maho and other northshore beaches? Being a teacher, I've only been in June, July, and August. Thanks for your help!

[ToonMann]

We're January visitors to St. John. Here are our tips to make it more affordable:

- Use frequent flyer miles
- Book a longer stay and negotiate a discount on lodging
- Pack/ship some groceries, especially pricier items (coffee, cereal)
- Stay within walking distance of Cruz Bay (Battery Hill, Lavender Hill, Grande Bay, Gallows Point, Star Villas, Cruz Views)
- Only rent a car on days you need one (especially if there are just two of you)
- Do some billable hours of work
- Eat breakfast in
- Eat lunch in or pack one for the beach
- Alternate dinners with happy hour appetizers

Have fun!

TM

[michigan girls]

You didn't say how many bedrooms you need? If it's just two of you, there are plenty of below $2000 options with a great view, even a couple with a pool. There are a couple 2 bedrooms on my short list for that amount as well.

Food always seems to be our biggest expense on the island, so this is how we save: Every breakfast (Except Miss Lucy's Sunday brunch) is at the villa. Most lunches are packed sandwiches we take to the beach. About half our dinners are cooked at the villa as well. We pack a checked bag full of food, and buy the perishables once we arrive.

I know you can save by not renting a car for your whole time. I've not tried that before, but when I'm there in a couple weeks that's the plan. I'm a little antsy about it, but I'm giving it a try

[ToonMann]

Here's another tip:

- Become an elite member of a certain airline if one of the perks is no baggage charges.

TM

[dreamshark]

I've been researching this myself, although I haven't tried it yet. I see several different ways to approach it. Here's some examples from my spreadsheet.

1) Stay in town (barebones, hotels, apts) and do without a vehicle:
Tamarind Court Hotel ($1036, hotel rm) http://innattamarindcourt.com
Samuel's Cottages ($800, teeny cottage) http://www.samuelcottages.com/index.html
Sugarbird Dreams ($1000, studio apt) http://www.vrbo.com/197654
Star Villas (various, small villas) http://www.starvillas.com/vacation_rent ... os_1br.php

2) Barebones cottage, out of town (vehicle required)
Cinnamon Bay ($1000/wk, campground) http://www.cinnamonbay.com/cottages.html
Coqui Cottage ($900/wk, Fish Bay) http://www.vrbo.com/216722
Peaceful Cottage ($1050/wk, Gifft Hill) http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p245759
Lameshur Cottage ($1050, Salt Pond) http://www.vrbo.com/139712

3) Apt or guest cottage on owners premises, out of town (vehicle required).
Christmas Cottage ($600/wk, Coral Bay) http://www.vrbo.com/281412
Island Vibes ($900, Coral Bay) http://stjohnhouserentals.com/Island-Vibes.htm
Paradise on the Rocks ($1150, Ajax Peak) http://www.vrbo.com/58389
Cactus Flower ($1680, Fish Bay) http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p963889

[MNTroy]

I haven't seen this suggested, but I stayed at Sago Cottage years ago and loved it. Check it out online. It is nearly always booked, and I think a good deal if you can get it. Great view, great breeze, but must have a car, preferably 4x4. The owners also have a few other properties nearby. You can find more info at calabash cottages.com.

Good luck, have a great vacation.

[JJShaw]

We are booked for Peaceful Cottage for our upcoming trip. There are actually 2 cottages he rents and he has a jeep he will rent to you for about half the costs and offers discounts, I would be sure to call him...I am also going to send you a PM..

[mnfun2bme]

As many have suggested, I have taken advantage of a free credit card with the airline I'm flying with to get free checked bag. In this checked bag we bring 49.9 pounds of everything from:
frozen lunchmeat (to save on making sandwiches for the beach each day)
frozen taco meat, frozen spaghetti sauce, frozen butter, chips, frozen muffins,
pancake mix- just add water, crackers, snacks, frozen block of cheese. Anything that helps defray the cost of eating. We occasionally do a Skinny's burger or go out for dinner one night... but savings on food can help.

Also, inviting another couple along to split the cost of a villa helps! They can also help pay for the vehicle! High season was typically my 3 girlfriends and me. Splitting 4 ways really helps!