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Starlit Escape
Starlit Escape
So, because I'm obsessed with looking for a villa for next year's trip even though I don't know who's going except me and I'm not really sure I care, I was looking at that interactive map link Steve posted and found Starlit Escape.
I like it because it fits Rick's suggestion of "just rent a villa you like and whoever comes, comes!" It's inexpensive for a few people, but really a great deal for a large group if this trip ends up morphing into such a thing.
Has anyone stayed there? Seen it? Heard good things? Heard bad things? Didn't see a review here anywhere...
I like it because it fits Rick's suggestion of "just rent a villa you like and whoever comes, comes!" It's inexpensive for a few people, but really a great deal for a large group if this trip ends up morphing into such a thing.
Has anyone stayed there? Seen it? Heard good things? Heard bad things? Didn't see a review here anywhere...
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Hi Lulu!
That's where we're staying in December/January! I haven't been there before (I'm a STJ newbie) but I can say that the owners seem to be very nice. (It is also repped on some agency sites like Windspree, but I ended up finding the villa website first and going through the owners.) I would like to see some interior photos on the web site, but we're pretty low maintenance so I'm not trying for anything posh. (Plus the holiday prices on some of the big places are so high, and I'd rather spend more money on renting kayaks or day trips or other activities.)
Forumite Bert lived near Starlit Escape and told me this:
"It is a beautiful house that's built like a brick (out) house. 12" poured concrete walls, cypress cathedral ceilings, terazzo tile floors, all oak cabinetry, ceiling fans throughout, etc. The current owners, Angie and Jared, are really nice people who just recently refurnished, so everything is new or nearly so. It has a small but nice pool and the owners recently built an observation deck that gives it a nice view of Coral Harbor. It is on a par with many higher-priced villas. I don't think you'll be disappointed."
It was great to get some feedback from someone who had seen it!
It doesn't help you now, but I'll definitely post a trip report after our trip. We'll be there with 10 people (6 adults and 4 kids.) Each couple will have a room with bathroom, 2 boys will share a room, and my 2 kids will share a loft bedroom off the room DH and I are in. One thing I thought was funny: my 8 y.o. son (will be 9 when we're there) was most excited about the 'happy hour tower.' I immediately made a rule that there would be NO climbing on the railing!
Also, another place I thought looked good for a big group is Seagate. What I like about this is that it's walking distance to the water (Chocolate Hole) and it has a nice sized pool. It was already booked back in Feb. for a late Dec. arrival, but worth checking into. The Catered To site lists it with a floor plan.
Have fun looking!
That's where we're staying in December/January! I haven't been there before (I'm a STJ newbie) but I can say that the owners seem to be very nice. (It is also repped on some agency sites like Windspree, but I ended up finding the villa website first and going through the owners.) I would like to see some interior photos on the web site, but we're pretty low maintenance so I'm not trying for anything posh. (Plus the holiday prices on some of the big places are so high, and I'd rather spend more money on renting kayaks or day trips or other activities.)
Forumite Bert lived near Starlit Escape and told me this:
"It is a beautiful house that's built like a brick (out) house. 12" poured concrete walls, cypress cathedral ceilings, terazzo tile floors, all oak cabinetry, ceiling fans throughout, etc. The current owners, Angie and Jared, are really nice people who just recently refurnished, so everything is new or nearly so. It has a small but nice pool and the owners recently built an observation deck that gives it a nice view of Coral Harbor. It is on a par with many higher-priced villas. I don't think you'll be disappointed."
It was great to get some feedback from someone who had seen it!
It doesn't help you now, but I'll definitely post a trip report after our trip. We'll be there with 10 people (6 adults and 4 kids.) Each couple will have a room with bathroom, 2 boys will share a room, and my 2 kids will share a loft bedroom off the room DH and I are in. One thing I thought was funny: my 8 y.o. son (will be 9 when we're there) was most excited about the 'happy hour tower.' I immediately made a rule that there would be NO climbing on the railing!
Also, another place I thought looked good for a big group is Seagate. What I like about this is that it's walking distance to the water (Chocolate Hole) and it has a nice sized pool. It was already booked back in Feb. for a late Dec. arrival, but worth checking into. The Catered To site lists it with a floor plan.
Have fun looking!
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Now I will! Thanks!Steve posted the map over in the Starfish Market thread. I think it's www.st-john-map.com. I thought it was interesting and wonder how things end up making the map.
Anyhow, I will check the other one out too. I'm thinking that I won't book until early next year, so I can wait for your trip report!
Anyhow, I will check the other one out too. I'm thinking that I won't book until early next year, so I can wait for your trip report!
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
Re: Starlit Escape
I am going and Jacquie too Lulu and my friend Antoaneta wants to go.......I can get about 5 peopleLulu76 wrote:So, because I'm obsessed with looking for a villa for next year's trip even though I don't know who's going except me and I'm not really sure I care, I was looking at that interactive map link Steve posted and found Starlit Escape.
I like it because it fits Rick's suggestion of "just rent a villa you like and whoever comes, comes!" It's inexpensive for a few people, but really a great deal for a large group if this trip ends up morphing into such a thing.
Has anyone stayed there? Seen it? Heard good things? Heard bad things? Didn't see a review here anywhere...
what about something in Gifft hill since we would be 1/2 to Cruz and 1/2 to Coral Bay?........someone was telling me Johnson Bay is really nice but way out there........
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
It sounds like we might have a big group because I also have a few people who are interested. You know how it is, though. When we started last year, we had ten and we ended up with 9, but only four of us were from the original group that planned it! I was also thinking Gifft Hill. I'm not particularly picky as long as I'm there and as long as I have a view.
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
I pretty much know jacquie and antoaneta will go and lord knows after Belinda comes in Jan with us, she will tell everyone that trains with us and we may just have to have 2 villa's...........Lulu76 wrote:It sounds like we might have a big group because I also have a few people who are interested. You know how it is, though. When we started last year, we had ten and we ended up with 9, but only four of us were from the original group that planned it! I was also thinking Gifft Hill. I'm not particularly picky as long as I'm there and as long as I have a view.
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
If Rosalie wants to go we need to go after Oct 31 and Jacquie to.......I think we will probably have 8 and if people from here are going the same time even cooler!!!Lulu76 wrote:There aren't that many places around for big groups. If we had eight again, I wouldn't mind going back to Hale Lani, but I am up for trying something new.
Cloud Nine is on Gifft Hill and would hold a big group. There's also a discount if we go before Nov. 1.
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
pesky shoulder rates what is that?Lulu76 wrote:Rosalie says she is unavailable until Nov. 5. No Halloween to 11/5. As long as we don't find a villa with those pesky shoulder rates, that should be fine.
I don't think there'll be any problem finding eight people. However, after last time, we need to make sure that none of them are drama mamas!
since I lived on island and did not vacation do not know the villa lingo.......
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
Starlit Escape
Think I did see some interior/exterior shots of this villa on either Windspree or Caribe Havens recently.
Dark paneling inside, wally pool, and 5 bedrooms with only 2 baths. They do say they have an outddor shower.
Didnt much care for the place, even at a low price. Think you would do much better with Cloud Nine or one of the older Carinneabvillas.com villas.
Dark paneling inside, wally pool, and 5 bedrooms with only 2 baths. They do say they have an outddor shower.
Didnt much care for the place, even at a low price. Think you would do much better with Cloud Nine or one of the older Carinneabvillas.com villas.
Starlit Escape is actually a very nice place - one of Coral Bay's "hidden gems". Very nicely furnished with all amenities and 5 BR and 3 (interior) full baths. Lots of interior shots on their website (www.StarlitEscape.com.) The "dark paneling" inside is solid polished cypress - not paneling, actual cypress (just ask Jorge about the price of cypress!) No expenses were spared when Starlit Escape was built and it shows.
peace... bert
peace... bert
Shoulder rates are a relatively new phenomenon. Realizing that November is not quite season but the tourists are starting to arrive, a lot of villas are starting to charge more between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, calling it a "shoulder rate."designbyroe wrote:
pesky shoulder rates what is that?
since I lived on island and did not vacation do not know the villa lingo.......
What I want to know is are there really going to be more people going in early November rather that mid-October? Because I liked having all of Ivan's just to ourselves and not fighting for a parking space in Cruz Bay. If it's really busy in November, I think that'd take away from the experience.
I am really leaning toward either Cloud Nine or Starlit Escape. I don't think it'll be a problem to be that far from Cruz Bay. It won't be for me, I don't think.