USVI-On-Line

So, you are going to STJ with a small group of friends, all guys or all girls, no couples. You find a few Villas that you like in the same price range.
What is the deciding factor?
Is it the location/view?
Is it the pool area/outdoor areas?
Is it the indoor space and furnishings?
Is it the convenience to Cruz Bay?
Everyone gets their own bedroom?

Thanks for any and all advice!

It really depends on the group. My quick and simple checklist:

1) Clothing optional deck and pool area

2) Pool on same level as kitchen

3) About $1,000 per couple in off-season

4) Sunset view

5) Window screens

Important to other people, but not to me

6) A/C in bedrooms

7) Shades/curtain in bedrooms

Cheers, RickG

1) Location
2) Location
3) Location
4) Bedrooms (king beds) and bath arrangement
5) Outside common living/gathering area
6) Inside common living/gathering area
7) A/C in bedrooms

I think for me the deciding factor is becoming view. I have looked at tons of villas, and I'm pretty sure I could stay in a cardboard box if I had a good sunset and could see the ocean.

AC in the bedrooms (no problem sharing), convenience to Cruz Bay, View, outdoor areas (padded lounges are a plus).

And I guess price would come into the equation at some point.

All of the above!!

I want to FEEL like I'm on vacation in the caribbean...so- a great view and a slice of tropical luxury for me...

What is the deciding factor?
Is it the location/view?

I wouldn't want a villa blocking my view. I feel that while we are in St. John we should be able to see the ocean!!

Is it the pool area/outdoor areas?

We have learned that we like to spend the evening in our villa hanging out at the pool and hot tub and we also like to make our own meals . . . so we would like a good grill.

Is it the indoor space and furnishings?

Not really important. I would like for it to be comfortable. We also would like to have a good tv and dvd player.

Is it the convenience to Cruz Bay?

Important. I think it is easy to get around in St. John but we don't want to have to go for a long drive every time we go somewhere (we go to the dock a lot for excersions).

Everyone gets their own bedroom?

Not important.

Great questions! It should come in handy for someone who rents villas.

Gina

We may be in the minority (or not) and want to live differently on vacation than we do at home.

We look for Caribbean-ness (to make up my own word) and place little emphasis on lux stuff like gourmet kitchens, indoor living, etc. We stayed at Caneel several summers without ac and LOVED it - sleeping practically on the beach with all the windows open and the fans going was paradise.

I would share a room with a close girlfriend but I grew up that way so I don't think it is weird.

My ranking -

Location/Caribbean-ness jointly

Quality (maintenance is an issue with me)Doesn't have to be fancy, just maintained at a level appropriate for the price

Pool (didn't care before but have moved to the other side)

Ksea
Since it would be just guys or girls I would go with:
1.I think both view/location and outdoor area go together since you will probably spend some time there partying. A great view and area to view it while enjoying some time with friends can't be beat!
2. Covenience to Cruz Bay, I don't like to do too much driving after a day of sun and fun. If you can walk or drive a short distance back to your place it's always a bonus!
3. I usually don't spend much time IN my villa except showering and sleeping so that not a big factor but I've never rented with a group larger that six.
Good Luck!

Hi all, for us it's View, Pool, & well maintained! if we were limited on funds, just to b on island would for go the view & pool but must b CLEAN!

Thanks everyone! I thought I may have been putting too much emphasis on the pool/view/outdoor space category, but I see that other folks find this important too.

One thing CaliforniaGirl pointed out to me is that she would much rather have the pool on the same level as the villa.

It's definitely something to think about cuz it makes it easier to refresh your drinks, but you can always bring a cooler down with you.

It wasn't something I thought about before she said it to me.

For me, I look for a view (preferably with other islands in that view) and a/c in the bedrooms (even if we don't use it) and preferably not alot of other villas around it.

nothintolose

I concur with so much that others have said (you can tell there are very experienced "St. Johnees" on this board

My "critical criteria" in order of importance are:

View: must have panoramic views which are oriented to get sunsets, & include not only the beautiful turquoise water, but also other islands & cays, and will have twinkling lights at night. View must be 'viewable' from a comfortable perch outside on a deck/patio and also inside from living area, if not also bedroom area.

Pool in a garden: I really enjoy a pool, doesn't have to be large, but if it's 'clothing-optional' and nestled in a tropical garden, that's a deciding factor for me.

Clean, clean, clean. Also Well-Maintained! If the structure doesn't look, smell, & feel clean & well-cared-for, I would also wonder what the kitchen equipment & bedroom & bath linens are really like. People are generally either 'care-takers' or 'surface cleaners' and after living in the tropics for a few months, I know how important constant 'care-taking' is.

Convenient Location: I have few vacation days & each one is very precious to me. Therefore, I don't want to waste a lot of my vacation time driving back & forth to places. I love so many of the restaurants in St. John, plus all of my favorite beaches (for both swimming & snorkeling) are in the National Park on the North Shore so I definitely prefer the Cruz Bay area.

St. John Lover wrote:Clean, clean, clean. Also Well-Maintained! If the structure doesn't look, smell, & feel clean & well-cared-for, I would also wonder what the kitchen equipment & bedroom & bath linens are really like. People are generally either 'care-takers' or 'surface cleaners' and after living in the tropics for a few months, I know how important constant 'care-taking' is.

Well said. Last trip, I commented to the rental agent about how impressed I was with the condition and cleanliness of the house we rented. The owners spend a lot of time there (something like 3 months a year) and really, really love the house and therefore, keep it pristine.

She was very complimentary in her comments about the owners, saying that the house was a “pleasure to rent” because the owners were so meticulous about the condition.