USVI-On-Line

What a surprise! Decided this weekend to finalize plans for a short(one week for us is short) trip to St John at the end of August, after noticing that my DH and I could use our FF miles on American, and it would afford us the opportunity to take my sister(single parent) and her 10 yr old twins along, owing to airfare she could afford with the AA airfare sale. Of couurse, if you know me, you will LOL when I say that I immediately started looking at some of the great north shore villas, as I felt that we were saving SOOO much money on the airfare and I will always be a sucker for those north shore views. But cooler heads prevailed when we started thinking about the November trip to Sol Inclination. We are now looking at places like Dolfin Villa, Still Waters, Tesseract(through Private Homes) and anything else within the $2000 to $2500 range. Not easily deterred, I will spend the remainder of this weekend trying to blow the cobwebs off my husband's wallet so that we could do Oleander or Sago Palms as a compromise.

Think I recall either RickG or Waterguy have recently stayed at Dolfin, and was wondering how large the pool is? Thanks to Randy for his info on Still Waters, but wondering if the deck space there might be a little close quarters to share with 2 active kids? Was thinking that Palm Villa might be a nice compromise--not too much over our budget and seems like a pretty large deck with some private area in and around the master bedroom.

Does anyone have any ideas--especially anyone who has stayed at Dolfin or Tesseract?

Lucky you! I haven't stayed at those villas, so I'm no help to you, but I sure wish that I could plan one of those last minute STJ trips! Have fun with your planning!!!

Having a great time with the planning. As you know, that is as much fun for some of us as making the trip.
But I do want to resolve the villa thing on Monday before DH changes his mind about taking my sister and the kids and decides that we should go alone.
Could that be a bad thing??? Not really. He loves to go to Gallows Point when we go by ourselves, but that to me is a different kind of vacation.
DH is having some eye surgery on Monday and originally we were driving to Florida to do some work on our condo and hang for a dew days on Captiva Island. Turns out he will not be able to do any work for a few weeks and lodging on Captiva has become just as expensive as St John--even in the summer. As we would now have to fly to Florida instead of driving--St John is the logical choice--dont you think? My sister has not been to St John since our wedding in 2000 and will probably not afford to get there anytime soon if she does not go with us.
DH eye surgery----bummer
Not getting the work in Florida done--oh well

St John, even with my sister---priceless.

Just saw that Coconuts Villa on Gift Hill is available also. That looks nice for kids.

sounds great! somehow I can never manage those short notice trips. maybe I should plan less

I know Dolphin Run. Good size pool, but not a lap pool. Nice house, inexpensive, great views, no a/c. Quite a good bargain.

Cheers, RickG

Description of Dolphin Run from our November Gang of 24 trip: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... light=gang

Cheers, RickG

I'm not sure I would rent a villa without A/C in August,it's HOT. I would get one with aleast A/C in the bedrooms, maybe that will knock some of the cobwebs off if your other choices has A/C.
Good Luck

Totally agree with traveler22 about a/c in at least the bedrooms. For us, the heat in August would be too much without it.
Let us know what you decide on.

k,

if really interested in palm, might also want to look at cloud nine that's next door. she has only 2 bedrooms but great loft for kids and greatroom/loft has great split ac system as do the the bedrooms. stayed there thrice (including trip with grandaughters who loved their secret retreat loft) and enjoyed views but gifft hill is a little remote. doesn't bother us cause we are deck diners when alone.

papabou

website for c9 is http://www.cloud9villas.com/Cloud_Nine/index.htm

Knolmom - Deck space at Still Waters IS limited as you surmised. Good enough for reading and lounging, but if your kids get really wound up they might propel themselves over the edge...