Need help with villa for a large group

df1 · Post by **df1** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:11 am

We are planning for our trip to St John in June 2008. Our group has 8 adults and 5 children (2 to 6 years old). I would appreciate for any advice/suggestions on villas to accomodate this many people. Thanks

jectac · Post by **jectac** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:38 am

You may want to check out La Collina Villa, rented through www.caribbeanvilla.com. We stayed there with a large group and young children as well. The reason we selected this villa, was due to many villas have bedrooms in different buildings, on different levels. Many of us did not feel comfortable with the children being located far from us. It worked out well, as there are pull out couches in each of the four bedrooms. Each bedroom has it's own bath also. Those with the smallest children stayed in the 2 bedrooms located in the upstairs. This let us put the kids to bed, while we enjoyed the time on the deck and the kids were close. Also, the pool is located to the side of the house. You must exit the "breeze way" to get there. We kept the door locked, so that the 2 & 4 year olds could not wander into the pool area, unsupervised.

The villa has a nice location and is reasonably priced. The deck is very large. The only negatives are, the 2 lower rooms are not as well appointed as the upper rooms, they are not bad, just not as nice. Also, the picture of the pool is a bit deceiving. It is not the fault of Caribbean Villas though. When we also took a picture, it looked just the same. The pool is smaller in person, but fit the needs of our families. The area around the pool is large and is a nice gathering place. The couch is not the comfortable, but we did not find this to be a problem, as we spent the majority of our time at the villa on the deck and by the pool.

Jumbiegirl · Post by **Jumbiegirl** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:02 pm

We just stayed at Chateau Margot last month and it was wonderful. It has 6 bedrooms and is child friendly. We brought our 2-year-old and took advantage of the safety fence around the pool. It's 10 minutes from Frances/Maho and 10 minutes from town. Great location and the best view.

http://www.islandgetawaysinc.com/chateaumargot.html

df1 · Post by **df1** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:23 am

Thanks for the all the info.

If possible, I am looking for a villa that has all the bedrooms on the same floor.

Does the max number of people allowed in a villa include both adults and children or it is only for adults?

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:43 am

Does the max number of people allowed in a villa include both adults and children or it is only for adults?

It depends. RickG has more experience so hopefully he can chime in on his large groups.

In 2006, we had 6 adults rent a 3br/6 max occupancy with a 5 month old and the agency didn't count the infant.

Last year we had 4 adults, rented from a different agency and the now 17 month old was again not included in the head count/price.

For the upcoming trip, we will be 8 adults and the toddler. We could not rent house choice #1 which was a 4 br/8 person occupancy because the owner considers child in the head count.

House choice #2 was also a 4br/8 person occupancy but the owners were fine with the 8 adults + toddler. (We bring our own travel bed for him.)

I would be interested in hearing about others experiences because as our son gets older, this will impact us more.

Ksea · Post by **Ksea** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:54 am

Finding a villa with all bedrooms on one level has been hard for me. Most of them have a lower level with only outside access (long staircase). I do like Sapphire Breeze however...take a look at that one!

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:28 pm

Some villa agencies only charge for adults, so that can be a big cost saving. The Gang of 24 saved money through Caribbean Villas on that count.

A big thing to consider is whether the bedrooms are connected via an internal passageway or stairwell. A lot of houses have bedrooms that open directly onto walkways, terraces, decks and pool decks without any internal passageways.

Cheers, RickG

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:23 pm

Destination St. John doesn't count kids under 6. I would be very interested in knowing which co's other than Caribbean Villas that don't charge for kids.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:18 am

Catered To did not charge us for a child.

Vacation Vistas did but I asked that it be waived since we were not using a bedroom. The charge was waived.

Viva is not charging for our upcoming trip.

rody · Post by **rody** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:49 pm

Tennis Villa & Tennis Cottage...rentinf both would give you 7 bedrooms & 2 pools too !! easy drive to town..plenty of room !! www.caribbeanvilla.com good luck !!

St. John Lover · Post by **St. John Lover** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:08 pm

Oh, Tennis Villa & Cottage, what a good suggestion. I've been there and it would probably be a perfect set up for you. Everything on 1 floor. I'm sure you can easily divide the group up between the villa & cottage. Plenty of room to roam. Lots of room in the kitchen/great room area of the villa and outside patio for the whole gang to gather and have fun together.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:54 pm

We've stayed at Villa Panache, which might work for you---its 6BR, 6 BA. Beautiful view. Wonderful great room/kitcen. Technically sleeps 12, but maybe they would allow 1 more. Rented through Catered To.

Monte Bay also sleeps 12---maybe they would allow 1 more. Of the two villas I mentioned, I probably preferred Villa Panache, but both are nice.

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:01 pm

Great Expectations Villa has 7 bedrooms and sleeps 14.

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