USVI-On-Line

Hello forum friends,

First of all, whoo-hoo Patriots!

So, we had the game on the TV of course, but also upstairs on the radio (WBCN!) so I could listen in the kitchen while preparing giant meatwiches and other football-worthy foods (check the OT forum food porn thread in a bit for pictures if interested).

Here is the thing: there was an ad on the radio, multiple times, for a St. John villa! I was busy cooking and running up and down the stairs, but as best I can tell, this villa is named Florian (or something like that). The ad said that staying at the villa would help pay for medical care for veterans (?????). There was an 800 number to call for inquiries. I am not making this up! Did anyone else hear this ad, or does anyone know anything about this villa???

Oh, and whoo-hoo Patriots! (Horrible truth: I have JURY DUTY the morning after the Super Bowl!!! )

I don't know anything first hand about the villa, but I have seen it mentioned quite a bit somewhere. Maybe tripadvisor?

I didn't hear the radio spot but there's someone on the Trip Advisor forum who stayed there and has been touting this villa for the past month or so. It seemed like every post was Villa Florian, Villa Florian, stay at Villa Florian. I began to think the poster was the new owner. Didn't hear a word about any proceeds going to vets - I think the poster was a fireman, though. Here's the listing:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p172256

GO GREEN BAY - if the Bears can't be in it, then Favre all the way!!!

- Margy

liamsaunt,
I just sent you a pm.

I was sent a pm on the trip advisor forum about the postings. A regular poster was confident that it was the owner posting because they had sent them a PM that seemed fishy.

No matter, they are marketing the heck out of the villa. Hope all the $$ they are investing is worth it.

Xislandgirl wrote:No matter, they are marketing the heck out of the villa. Hope all the $$ they are investing is worth it.

That's just it, I can't imagine that it is worth it! John and I picked up some stuff about buying property on the island about a year ago and the cost breakdown is really sobering. It is not a money-making venture AT ALL unless you are extremely lucky. I was just floored that a St. John (which is not the most known vacation destination) villa (again, not most folks' first choice of accommodation), would be advertised on the radio during a football game.

I doubt many people are thinking "Whoo-hoo! We won the big game! Let's go to St. John!"

Well, I think that way...maybe the ad was meant for me!

As a former STJ Realtor, I can tell you that a villa is not a money maker. It is an investment for someone that loves the island and wants to cover some costs but with all the expenses, no amount of rental income will cover the cost of the house and expenses.

Xislandgirl wrote:As a former STJ Realtor, I can tell you that a villa is not a money maker. It is an investment for someone that loves the island and wants to cover some costs but with all the expenses, no amount of rental income will cover the cost of the house and expenses.

Exactly. Which is why we don't own a property on St. John. However, we are happy to help out the folks whose villas we rent!

Im all for a bargain, but I find this website very vague and hard to see! Maybe its my 40+ year old eyes. Where is it? I also recall it being pushed on another forum. As far as spending money on advertising, isnt it free when you post it here or on another forum? Please correct me if Im wrong.

It's half time so I went to the Florian site and read the 2 reviews. The first one is extremely complimentary and talks about all-inclusive yoga and "active sports" retreats "hosted" by the owners at the villa!?! Food and everything! Retreats?? Unh oh - there goes my filthy little mind a'racing ...better get back to the game!

Shame on me for what I was thinking - this is from their website:

"Our Service Mission at Florian Villa
Together, Scott and Deborah continue their community work with their purchase of Florian Villa in 2007. They bought the villa in order to provide a haven and vacation spot for wounded veterans and families of fallen firefighters. For every 5 all-inclusive vacations at the villa, Deborah and Scott donate a week long all-inclusive vacation for a wounded veteran or family of a fallen firefighter. You can support this work too, by planning your next vacation at the villa. The next phase of their work in St. John is to make the villa handicapped accessible. They are expecting to do the renovations in 2008 or early 2009."

I think that it used to be called A Son Tour.

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