Trip Report June 9-16: Villa, Jeep Rental and Groceries
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:43 pm
Our first trip to STJ was last July and we began planning our return immediately after coming home. Last year we stayed near Coral Bay. This year we decided to stay closer to Cruz Bay for a change. Other than location, our priorities were 1) air conditioning and 2) a secure/lockable villa. A pool would be nice, but was not necessary. I'd heard so many good things about Destination St. John that I started my villa search with them. Miles Away looked perfect and had gotten excellent reviews. This was last October and it was booked pretty solid through this summer (which is a good sign), but there was a full week available in June so I went ahead and reserved it.
DSJ was very easy to work. They also provided a very nice welcome basket; large bottle of water, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, chips and salsa. The greeter Melissa was very nice. We would definitely recommend DSJ. We heard they offer a discount for return clients.
Now about Miles Away...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/578267992/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/578 ... 19beca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
It is just as beautiful as the photos on DSJ website and for us, the location is ideal: 5-10 minutes from Cruz Bay on paved roads. The dates in the guestbook start in early 2005, so I assume that's how old it is. It seems new. All the furnishings are beautiful and comfortable. The kitchen is well-equipped. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and there is a washer and dryer. The pool and deck are a nice size with cushioned lounge chairs and an umbrella. Guess I haven't mentioned the view yet...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/571397220/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1163/571 ... 2826e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fish Bay"></a>
We spent many hours on the patio; breakfast, reading, discussing important things like what beach we're going to that day and where we're eating dinner.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/584290890/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/584 ... 66b519.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/584290910/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/584 ... ae283e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
Not sure what else to say about this villa. We loved it and will stay here again.
We rented a Vitara from Courtesy. It was in good shape, a little small, but fine for the two of us. The rate was $60/day. We parked in their lot everytime we went to Cruz Bay. We only had to fill the tank on the way to turn it in. Unfortunately the gas station next to MarketPlace was out of regular unleaded. We paid $4.19 a gallon at Conoco...OUCH! Oh well, it still cost us less than $50 for gas for the entire week.
We bought almost all of our groceries at Dolphin Market. Their produce looked pretty good. They didn't have much of a selection of meat to grill, so we ended up buying some hotdogs. They did have fresh buns and other bread. The people working there were much friendlier than I remember last year.
We also made a stop at Mixology.
Next report: Beaches and Restaurants (sorry, no photos of nekkidness or food).
DSJ was very easy to work. They also provided a very nice welcome basket; large bottle of water, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, chips and salsa. The greeter Melissa was very nice. We would definitely recommend DSJ. We heard they offer a discount for return clients.
Now about Miles Away...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/578267992/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/578 ... 19beca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
It is just as beautiful as the photos on DSJ website and for us, the location is ideal: 5-10 minutes from Cruz Bay on paved roads. The dates in the guestbook start in early 2005, so I assume that's how old it is. It seems new. All the furnishings are beautiful and comfortable. The kitchen is well-equipped. The bedrooms are air-conditioned and there is a washer and dryer. The pool and deck are a nice size with cushioned lounge chairs and an umbrella. Guess I haven't mentioned the view yet...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/571397220/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1163/571 ... 2826e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fish Bay"></a>
We spent many hours on the patio; breakfast, reading, discussing important things like what beach we're going to that day and where we're eating dinner.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/584290890/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/584 ... 66b519.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9043759@N05/584290910/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/584 ... ae283e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away"></a>
Not sure what else to say about this villa. We loved it and will stay here again.
We rented a Vitara from Courtesy. It was in good shape, a little small, but fine for the two of us. The rate was $60/day. We parked in their lot everytime we went to Cruz Bay. We only had to fill the tank on the way to turn it in. Unfortunately the gas station next to MarketPlace was out of regular unleaded. We paid $4.19 a gallon at Conoco...OUCH! Oh well, it still cost us less than $50 for gas for the entire week.
We bought almost all of our groceries at Dolphin Market. Their produce looked pretty good. They didn't have much of a selection of meat to grill, so we ended up buying some hotdogs. They did have fresh buns and other bread. The people working there were much friendlier than I remember last year.
We also made a stop at Mixology.
Next report: Beaches and Restaurants (sorry, no photos of nekkidness or food).
