USVI-On-Line

Hi everyone,
I have been reading this forum for months now, and have gotten so much info! I had to join, because I am becoming a st. john addict and havent been there yet! I am planning a once in a lifetime vacation for my family. Hubby and two teens 18 and 15. we are a quiet, nature loving laid back family that wants to spend 2 weeks next july(or June) on st. john. My father took us as kids to Virgin gorda each year and I fell in love with the sea. ( dad died 4 months ago) My lifelong dream was to take MY kids and give them the "gift" of experiencing the islands. Little Dix is way out of my range, so I started looking at STJ and probably fell more in love. I NEED YOUR ADVICE PLEASE!!! I had my heart set on Sapphire Breeze until I found Dream Come True in Devers bay. 3 bedrooms, pool, hot tub, and walk to the water-- does it get any better? is one location better than the other? we love peace and quiet, but love to socialize with locals, and do lots of activities during the day, then come home to OUR place. any help or other villa suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for listening.
pisces

I'm sure someone can help you with this but welcome aboard! Sapphire Breeze looks like a great place. Someone around here stayed there recently. Happy planning.

Sapphire Breeze has a great reputation. I've tried to rent it, but it gets booked well ahead.

I know the location of Dream Come True very well. It is next door to Sunset Beach and is quite new. Devers Bay is beautiful and secluded. The driveway is rather challenging - 4WD!!! The beach is cobble stone and is great for snorkeling, but little/no sand.

Check out pics of the area at:



and



Cheers, RickG

We stayed at Dream Come True in 2005. The location is great. If you snorkel from the front right of the house along toward Chocolate Hole, you should usually find a turtle. Rooms are basic but fine. The great room doesn't have ac. That was okay with us but you are down lower so not as many breezes come through. Only prolem you may have this year is going through construction traffic from the Pond Bay Club to get down to your location. We are renting Sapphire Breeze next year. I have't been there yet but I am looking forward to it.

Our family sounds similar, though the ages are a little older. We've done 2 villa trips with our boys. First was St John, summer 2006, they were 20 and 22 and their 21 year old female cousin joined us. This past summer we went to Anguilla, without the cousin.

On StJ we stayed at Villa Maria, which we chose in part to have the Westin within walking distance. Figured the kids might want to be able to go out on their own at some point (either go to a bar at the Westin or catch a cab). They didn't end up taking advantage of it, but we did drop them in Cruz Bay to spend an afternoon. I also looked at something within walking distance to Cruz Bay but choices were limited and in hindsight it would not have been an advantage. Since they don't see their cousin much, they ended up spending time together at the villa. It was laid out with multiple decks, so they could easily get away from the old folks when they wanted. Our typical day was snorkeling at a beach in the morning, lunch out, afternoon at the villa (nap, read, pool, etc.) and cooking dinner in.

For a 2 week trip, your kids might like to get off on their own at some point, I'd choose a location to make it easy on you to drop them in town or at the Westin. Also, to be sure you're aware, the drinking age in the USVI is 18.

We all had a great trip, I think you'll have a blast! FWIW, we've rented villas 3 times (wife and I went alone once), and I like many others, got carried away worrying about details and so many choices. Just booked my 4th for next summer (just wife and I again), and while I looked around for location and amenities that suited us, I didn't keep fretting over the 47 or so that fit my criteria, just went with one that felt good.

Hope you have a great time!

irbgolfin