USVI-On-Line

I like cloud 9 looking at the sites. I love to chill in the pool after a long day on the beaches (i'd be in the water 24/7 if I could be) and it looks like cloud 9 has a super view from the pool, whereas the caneel one seems to have a wall and alot of tree/shrub/plants around the pool. The only lovely view seems to be on the veranda, whereas cloud 9 looks to have a super choc hole/stx view from the pool/deck/bedroom/kitchen. Also, the pool seems to be blocked from view by the villa itself, so as to have a bit of privacy fro anyone behind you higher on the hill.

My 2c

I would pick Cloud 9 bases on the view from the pool. There is nothing like hanging out in the pool at sunset with a cocktail and your honey. (I say leave the friends at home, but that is just me)

We stayed at Cloud Nine in Mar 06. The views are spectacular! Very private and the house while not fancy is very comfortable. The villa rental company was easy to deal with, never any problems so I can't tell you how responsive they would be.
Kitchen is a little sparsely equipped but we managed to put together meals fairly easily. If the other couple goes along there are two master bedrooms in separate pods so this house is ideally suited for this.
Have fun!

Our neighbors stayed at Cloud 9 twice and loved it. (They are STJ repeaters)

Caneel Trailside was in the running for our last trip but I couldn't get any information out of the rental agent. Her answers to my questions were vague. I see the agency no longer has it in their rental pool.

The layout was appealing to us because we were travelling with a toddler and the price was right. I would love to hear about it if anyone has info.

I read your post before booking a villa for our family’s summer vacation and we came to the opposite conclusion for choice of villa as several of the readers above. We just returned from 8 days at Caneel Trailside Cottage and from what was our best ever trip to St John. The views from the house were simply stunning, and it was the best-maintained rental villa we have ever experienced in the Caribbean. Everything was new, very, very clean, and so comfortable we stayed at the house all day for about half of the trip. When we did finally stir each morning we normally just hung out reading on the porch and at the pool. We are looking into another trip for this winter and would love to hear about your stay at Cloud 9. We wanted to book Caneel Trailside Cottage again, but by the time we got back home it had already filled for all of this coming February (the only time my wife and I can both get time away this winter). Does anyone know of other similar villas we could try?

We just returned from staying on Gifft Hill at Seawatch which is the next driveway past the Cloud 9/Palm Villa Driveway.

We liked the views and being higher up on the mountain but are undecided about the location.

The cons to that area are getting to the beaches. We spent alot of time using Centerline to get to anything from Cinnamon to Waterlemon or Coral Bay which meant we didn't do the North Shore Road for those beautiful views.

I will get back to you in a few days and give you more info -still adjusting to being back

nothintolose

bride & i have stayed at c9 3 times, 0ct 05, dec 05 & jan 07 and we love how comfortable she is. not luxury but well equipped but cook ware spare for a crowd. last trip we wound up grilling (great grill that we used just outside kitchen by gazebo) and eating on deck each evening so we could enjoy sunsets, lighting of stt and departing cruise ships. awesome views and breezes. she's fully ac with quiet split systems but only used in bedrooms; we like to open her up and enjoy the breezes including 4 doors that give an completely unobstructed water view from the kitchen.

have also stayed at c9's sundance and moonsong. always clean and no surprises. we are last minute travelers and marcey appel (manager) has always been wonderful to work with and very responsive. owners (allen & linda) are usually in residence at one of their villas (normally pebble beach) on stj except during summer when they come back to states so you'll have backup. bride always insisted on using centerline rd for to and fro but i'd zip down to south shore rd to go to starfish market for daily dinner grilling stuff.

believe you'll enjoy unless your normal hotel is a ritz-carlton.

papabou