USVI-On-Line

Hi. We're (2 adults plus a 17 year old boy and a 13 year old girl) already planning a 2015 trip to St. John. This is our first trip to St John and the trip will be more than our normal vacation budget so want to make sure we are doing it right..

Not sure how far in advance we need to book in order to ensure we get the right villa for us but think we've narrowed it down to the following:

Blue Palm - Coral Bay
Treasure Ridge - Chocolate Hole
Morgan Point - Cruz Bay
Villa Dos Palmas - Coral Bay
Waterlemon - Coral Bay

We'd be grateful to anyone who can provide insight and thoughts regarding these villas as well as in making the Coral Bay vs Cruz Bay choice.

Some additional details. This is a week long trip that will include hiking, snorkeling, a little bit of shopping and an island charter. While we'll prepare many of our meals, we'll also be eating out several times.

Again - appreciate any help or insight anyone can provide.

Everyone has their favorite side of the island, and ours is Cruz Bay. It is close to restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, excursions, etc. We have not stayed at any of the villas listed but we looked at Treasure Ridge for our June trip. We love the Chocolate Hole area for the view and location to town. We have traveled twice to St John with our oldest child and he loves it! I hope this helps a little.

According to the villa's website, Morgan Point is in Great Cruz Bay, not Cruz Bay.

Good luck with your planning!

TM

You're correct - Great Cruz Bay - Thanks

I've looked into staying both at Morgan Point, and Blue Palm villas, so they're my too standout choices. Where the views are maybe a wee bit more generous in a couple of the other places, something about those 2 joints tickles my fancy.
Then all you have to do is decide which side of the island you want to stay on. Like lots of folks, I've pretty much migrated to the quieter Coral Bay side, so MY absolute 1st choice in your list would be Blue Palm. There's plenty of groovy little restaurants and shops,and you'll be closer to the North shore beaches.
However-!
I'd probably stay on the Cruz Bay side for the first trip, then venture east. More shopping, bars/restaurants, and stuff to do.
All that said, go to Morgan Point, and love the hell out it. Take a day and visit Coral Bay and decide what you'd like to do for your next trip.
Hopefully you'll be renting a Jeep, so you can explore at your own pace.
Hope to have helped, just my 2 cents!
Smiles-
MJ

I vote for Cruz Bay vs. Coral Bay with kids. We stayed on Coral Bay last time & it felt too far away & we spent too much time in the car. We mostly do northshore beaches.

We stayed at Blue Palm in 2008. I see that more deck has been added to the property since then.

We enjoyed our stay at Blue Palm. The owners are very, very nice and so is the caretaker (doesn't live on the property). A possible concern might be the close proximity to Centerline Rd. You hear some traffic noise from down below, which some folks might find bothersome. That said, it’s not like the road ever gets heavy traffic.

We only used the master bedroom in the main building but looked at the other two bedrooms in the other building. The second/upper bedroom with a kitchenette is bright and has an inviting balcony. I recall thinking it was a cute bedroom and liking it perhaps more than the master bedroom. The third/lower bedroom is a little dimmer and less airy. If you have specific questions, let me know.

Photos of Blue Palm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80473236@N ... 151779700/

As for Cruz Bay vs. Coral Bay, as others mentioned, Cruz Bay offers more eating and shopping options if that's important to you and your family - though there are tasty options in Coral Bay as well. I like them both. Since this is your first, it might be easier to stay closer to more shops & eateries, ferry dock, gas station (no gas in Coral Bay), etc. although I know many folks whose first stays were on the Coral Bay side and had great times. It’s hard to say not knowing what your family is like.

I generally think if first-time visitors will enjoy St. John, they will no matter which side of the island they stay on. I'm sure they will develop preferences once they start returning to St. John... like many of us here!

Happy planning.

Postby lazylane » Thu Nov 07, 2013 9:03 am
Good morning! We loved Treasure Ridge and the views are fabulous for sunsets!! The pool gets sun most of the day and the covered veranda was great all day with shade. This was the first time we had stayed in Chocolate Hole and we are going back again in December to approximately the same area. (not that I wouldn't rent Treasure Ridge again, but we find it fun to try a different one each year!!) The beds may be personal preference, but we loved the king size beds. My favorite part was seeing Hart Bay and listening to the waves come ashore. Make sure you take a walk down there if you rent it!! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it at all. Lots of pics here and the pics are exactly what you get!! It is almost to the end of Rock Ridge Rd. (just past the Westin) so it is a quiet and private location also. The bathrooms were very adequate, no complaints there! Nice open walk-in shower, ensuite.

http://www.destinationstjohn.com/home.p ... re%20Ridge

Coral Bay will be my choice forevermore. I tried Cruz Bay last time. It was lovely and convenient, but nothing compares to the views, quiet and chill factor of the Coral Bay side. I'm glad I gave staying in Cruz Bay a chance, but once was enough for me. Back to my beloved Coral Bay in just under 2 months!

mahojim wrote:...I'd probably stay on the Cruz Bay side for the first trip, then venture east. More shopping, bars/restaurants, and stuff to do.

And I can't comment on staying on the Coral Bay side...but I'm more of a Sunset vs Sunrise person. We always get to the East side a few times...great drives , beaches and eats(mmm Shipwreck). But with teenagers, Cruz Bay is a good place to roam around...shop around and drink around( for the adults). And then back to our Gift hill villa to marvel at the shimmering lights of St Thomas...a late swim counting shooting stars and then lulled to sleep by the sounds of nature.

Bigcheeze....what is your fav villa to enjoy those sunsets and lights of St. Thomas?

stjchica wrote:Bigcheeze....what is your fav villa to enjoy those sunsets and lights of St. Thomas?

This will be our 3rd visit to Hummingbird Hill. But can also say praises for Coconuts ( 2 visits) and that was before Kevin bought the joint and made it even nicer( and before he banned me from Late Night Booty/Villa Calls to the Villa occupants( he was the villa occupant that one and ONLY time)...lol. Also a stay at Villa Del Sol in Virgin Grand was nice as well. Also, we loved LeLapin 2 times and Chococruz. And while the view wasn't as high, Vida de Mar was awesome as well.

But then our very 1st Villa, Catalina 12 years ago was nice too.

I know...more info then you wanted to know....LOL

Our family LOVES ANYWHERE on St. John as long as we have a pool and a gorgeous view at a comfortable and clean villa! Where you stay does depend on what your family likes to do to some extent...unless you are like us and don't mind driving! Our kids are the same age as yours, our son turns 17 while on STJ this summer and our daughter is 14. Our Island Time is spent hanging out at different beaches each day snorkeling! We always do a day charter with Captain Brandi of Palm Tree Charters...who I highly recommend. Late afternoon we head back to the villa to either shower to go back out for dinner or if we are making dinner at the villa, we make a stop to buy groceries before heading to the villa. The kids play in the pool while we prepare dinner. Then it is shower time and evenings spent playing games or watching a movie!

Our first trip, the kids were 13 and 10 and we stayed in Coral Bay...Luminaria in Upper Carolina.
Our second trip we were closer to Cruz Bay in Boatmen's Point at Acqua Blu Villa.
Our third trip back to Coral Bay on Bordeaux Mountain at Drake's View.
This year we are going back to Bordeaux Mountain at Chateau Margot...can hardly wait!
Looks like I am partial to the Coral Bay side!

Have fun planning...you will have an AMAZING time and return for sure!

Thanks to all for your help and insight. The choice is hard but the waiting will indeed be the hardest part...