USVI-On-Line

Hi all,

We're starting to plan for next year (and some of us haven't gotten back from this year yet lol), and I want everyone to give me the nitty-gritty about villas that they know about that meet our criteria. Thanks.

We're going next fall; it's looking like early November.

We are leaning toward Coral Bay or Gifft Hill but I am not married to leaving the Cruz Bay area if we have lots of newbies. They tend to want to stay near the action, and I liked where we stayed this year.

Right now it's looking like eight people, possibly 10.

I've offered to cook, but that means we'll need a nice, well-equipped kitchen.

I've been somewhat spoiled by the views at Hale Lani, so a great view would be nice.

I'd really like a pool because I'm all about late night dips after an extended Happy Hour at the Beach Bar.

Oh, I guess price would be nice. I'd like to keep it under 4K for 8 people.

You're all villa experts, so point me in the right direction! Right now we've talked about Cloud Nine and Starlit Escape, both of which have great reviews. I'm not opposed to going back to Hale Lani next year, and I also like Little Plantation but haven't seen any reviews.

This seems to be a spacious house for a good price!

http://seaviewhomes.com/villa_villekula.html

How funny! Last year when we picked villas, that was actually our first choice. The landlord ended up needing it the week we wanted it, so we ended up at Hale Lani.

It is on the same road as Hale Lani (Great Cruz Bay Road). However, it is right on the water and we surmised that it probably doesn't get the breezes we got at the top of the hill.

That being said, I'll put it back on the list, because I still like it.

I thought it had kayaks (something I'd kinda like to try) but I'm not seeing them listed here now...

You may be right about the breezes, but it does have a/c in the bedrooms and in the great room I think. I read something about the kayaks too!

I found the kayaks.

I prefer tradewinds to AC, but it is a nice house. We'll definitely keep it on the list. I also like that the price is the same for 10 people as it is for eight (even though I think it's up 10% from last year).

La Papaya is on the high end of our budget. Anyone have any thoughts/experiences for it?

Be prepared for alot of villa price increases with the taxes going up

I know. I know. Hopefully they won't be too bad. I've got my fingers crossed.

As long as I'm there, I'll be fine with wherever I stay as long as I can get a shower and a cup of coffee in the morning.

We have booked Cloud 9 for July of next year after reading some positive reviews on this site and receiving some pictures from nice people on the forum who responded to my questions.
The owners stay at the house in November I understand and make improvements and repairs as necessary.
The view from the deck (amazing) and the total a/c has been noted by many.(And the price is right!) I did read one post saying that the kitchen needed up-grading and I forwarded the comments to the property manager who said she would pass it on to the owners.
We've never stayed on Gifft Hill but after 6 years needed a change. We are excited and a little nervous about a new location but trust the recommendations we've received on this site.

Lulu,

I haven't stayed at any places on your list, but Starlit Escape looks amazing. I've got it bookmarked in case we do go next year - we've never stayed on the Coral Bay side and may be in for a change. The price for 2 is less than many smaller places in the Cruz Bay area - and you gotta love the Happy Hour tower

I vote for Starlit........I like the E. end..
I lived up on Gifft Hill and what I loved about it was it was 1/2 to Coral Bay and 1/2 to Cruz bay......
I really so far really like Starlit......
There was a villa up on Gifft Hill I think it is windchime or windsong or something like that it is really pretty big......does anyone know that one?

My group of 10 stayed in Villa Villakula in 2000. We loved it! Several of my fellow travelers would stay there every year, but I like to try to new villas! The kayaks were a blast and we used them alot. Folks loved being able to just jump into the water whenever they wanted (although Great Cruz Bay is not the greatest for swimming, they were newbies, so they thought it was great!). The house is comfortable and I think it is a good value for a large group. Be warned - the second bedroom downstairs is a tiny, windowless room with two twin beds. The only real downside to me? Only 3 bathrooms. Of course, I had the master bedroom and my own bath and no one else seemed to mind at all, but I think it would be tricky to pick rooms because 2 have their own bath, 2 don't, and that third one is just teeny tiny.

Anyone know anything about Coral Rays or La Mer? I noticed those on Destination St. John's web site last night, and I really liked working with them.

lulu,

bride and i love c9 villa and folks at cloud nine. stayed in one of their villas 5 times since oct 04 and 3 times at c9 (oct 05, dec 05 & jan 07). she's a great villa and ac in living pod was needed in oct not dec or jan. don't believe that's a place on the island with better views and OPTION for the true ope island feel.

that said, the only people with privacy will be 2 couples in poolside bedrooms. yes there's a sleeping alcove and loft with ac that could accommodate 6 more, there's only one bath in that pod and it's also entrance to laundry. loft was great for our grandaughters and same for couple of family with kids who can suffer through early risers using kitchen that's open to great room.

we're not big crowd people, we prefer more privacy and ability to do own thing (2 stays at c9 only 2 of us). but if your crowd thrives on togetherness, plenty of room and open space with the best view around, you'll love c9! marcy (m. Appel, manager extraordinair)will need to round up some extra plates and stuff which she will probably do w/o being asked once she knows size of your crowd.

papabou

Cloud Nine does sound good, but if the owners are using it in November it probably won't work for us.