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Newbie March Trip

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:29 am
by Chuck
I have been lurking on this board for a couple of years now, enjoying reading and gathering info with hopes that I would eventually get to go. We have finally decided to give it a try, the first week of March. Wondered if anyone could give us advice on:

1. We are having trouble finding accomodations. Are there any sites where I can check for villa cancellations / last minute availability? It's just the two of us, no kids. We searched for hours this past weekend trying to find something.
2. Now that I finally get to book a trip, I can't remember the differences between St. Thomas / St. John / St. Croix. Memory tells me St. John is less developed commercially. We're looking for a snorkeling, lazing on beach type of vacation, not partiers.

We'll see if we can get this trip booked, right now flights are high so we may have to just bite the bullet. I'm so excited about possibly being able to finally experience USVI! Thanks for any pointers.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:33 am
by waterguy
You can try here for last min. discounts

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/lastminute.asp

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:51 am
by RickG
I'm with waterguy, they list Cruz Views. That's a good spot for two people.

Cheers, RickG

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:05 am
by Ksea
St John is perfect for snorkeling and beach lazing!
Good luck, hope you can make it!

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:31 am
by cptnkirk
Sounds like St John would be a perfect fit. Agree with Rick Cruz View works great for two. Used them three times, very convenient for newbies and have a nice pool and view at decent price especially in the off season.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:51 am
by jayseadee
There are limited beachfront accomodations on St. John, so as long as you don't mind renting a jeep or taxi-ing, it is a great choice for "just limin'".

If you want to do your snorkeling/lazing by the beach at the place you're staying - you may want to look at some of the resorts on St. Thomas; Secret Harbor and Sapphire Beach get good reviews here.

Not a villa, but Hillcrest Guest house(St. John) might have availability for your dates. I haven't stayed there, but it also gets good reviews.

Any of the other villa agencies might be able to help with availability.

Have a great trip,

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:32 pm
by Nancy_B
We'll be staying at Cruz Views on March 1-5th. I agree it's a great spot for you to try. Note that you will most likely hear some construction noise but you'll find that there is so much to explore on the island that you won't be at the condo much anyway.

Good luck!

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:44 pm
by theshopper3
Hi Chuck,

Not sure if you have booked yet, but we just got back Sat from a week at Far Horizon's. I called Jan 1 & was lucky she had an opening.

It was a small 1 bed/1 bath appartment just up past the Gallows. There was a small plung pool, to cool off in. The view was not the best, but it was so quiet & convienient to town. We walk in every day & took a taxi to the beach or hiked to Salomon.
You can find it on VRBO.

Anna was Awesome.

Best of Luck

The Shopper

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:11 pm
by papabou
chuck,

cloud nine villa's palmello is showing vacancy last half of march go to http://www.cloud9villas.com/discounts.htm

never stayed there but looked in in dec 04, she was clean and well equipped and plenty of room for 2. good location while has water sunset views they are not as good as other c9 villas. we have rented from them 7 times and never a hitch. marcy appel is manager and very good to deal with.

papabou

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:55 pm
by Steve S
Here is a good list of small 1 bedroom units. Check the units in Cruz Bay. Many of theme are around the corner from the Gallows and you'll have access to Frank Bay for snorkeling though you should rent a Jeep to sample as many beaches as you can.

http://stjohnvillarental.com/finder/

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:06 pm
by Steve S
theshopper3 wrote:
Not sure if you have booked yet, but we just got back Sat from a week at Far Horizon's. I called Jan 1 & was lucky she had an opening.



The Shopper
Hey Shopper:

We're staying at Anna's new upstairs unit when we go in April. My inlaws just returned from 2 weeks at Anna's on the 24th. I'm glad they put in the off street parking because I've heard that they are starting to ticket along Frangipani St. I don't know where the Villa Caribe folks will park now...

Newbie March Trip

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:18 pm
by Chuck
Thanks all - we've been surfing and surfing on the net and think that tonight we will book an air+hotel package for St. Croix. We had a bad experience renting a budget house at the Outer Banks - thought it looked okay by the pictures but were very disappointed. (Have had other successes including a house at Maui.) Anyway, we think we're going to go the resort route the first time to USVI. I am sure we will love it and maybe next time can get a house on St. John. I will be sure to post a trip report! Thanks --

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:42 pm
by theshopper3
Hey Steve,

Did your In-laws stay upstairs as well???

I think I would like to try that one next time. The view would be much better. But we loved the villa & the location.

There is plenty of parking for 2 cars now.

You have to do a report on the villa when you get back.

The Shopper