First trip to St.John--where to stay with a 2 year old?

2bpeaceful · Post by **2bpeaceful** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:14 pm

My little family (husband,me,active 2 year old)would love to visit St.John this summer and stay in a villa. I will have just finished my doctorate and we are in desperate need of quiet family time, lounging on the beach, and lots of paddling around in quiet water for our daughter. Nothing fancy needed.
Here's what I need your help with:
1) Location: Where on the island should I look for housing? I know nothing about St.John! We'd like to be a short distance,preferably walking, from calm shallow water and a nice beach (for the kiddo).
2) Quiet neighborhood--no nightlife needed and preferably quiet after bedtime (um...9pm)
3) Is July/August unbearably hot? Is it a good time to visit? Is it high or low season?
4) Villa recommendation: 1 or 2 bedrooms, ideally with a pool.

Any input so appreciated!

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:18 pm

July or aug, is a great time to vist find a place that is with in walking distance of the beach will be hard because most of the beaches are in the park. but it isn;t that far of a drive to any of them for first timers I lie to recomend the Chocolate hole area. But that is just me.
Tom

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:20 pm

Welcome to the forum.

The one thing that you will not really find is a house on or near a kid friendly beach. Most beaches are within the National Park and there are no home on them. You just rent a car and drive to a different and beautiful beach every day.

It will be warm in July and August and you do run the risk of tropical weather, so be sure to purchase trip insurance and try and find a place with AC in the bedrooms.

I think you will find most every neighborhood quiet, there is no real nightlife on island, just small restaurants and bars. If you stay in the Great Cruz Bay area you may here music from the Westin, but it will most likely be steel pan music and end early.

What is your budget? That will be the most important thing to help you find a villa.

2bpeaceful · Post by **2bpeaceful** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:33 pm

Completely randomly I'm throwing out between $1600-$1800 for a villa as I don't know what the ranges might be and if July/Aug is considered in or off season.

Whats the difference between the neighborhoods? For instance, why would someone choose Cruz Bay over Chocolate Hole over Coral Bay?

We'll rent a car based on what I've read so far--

Any villa recs?

Thanks!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:39 pm

There are two "towns" on island. Cruz Bay is the main town where the ferry comes in and where most of the restaurants and shopping areas are. Coral Bay is on the opposite side of the island and is a bit sleepier but still a great area. The villas in Coral Bay tend to be a little cheaper since they are about a 20 minute drive to Cruz Bay. No matter what you are close to beaches.

I am headed out for dinner but I will do some searching for you later tonight. I am sure there are many others that will chime in too!

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:42 pm

There are hundreds of villas which would suit you but, as others have suggested, none are located right on a beach (well, actually, there are a few but they are either very expensive or the beach is rocky, not like the beach you want to spend a day on with your 2 year old). Take a look at the links for villas here and narrow your search then feel free to ask specific questions about any of them.

We have traveled to STJ in the summer with our four kids and, even though they are older, some of the same issues arise. You will want A/C in the bedrooms, you will want a pool to play in when you are not at the beach and you will definitely want to purchase travel insurance because of the (shhhhh) hurricane season.

Don't narrow your villa choices by location as you will need to rent a Jeep no matter where you stay.

Let us know if you have any other questions. Everyone here is very willing to assist.

2bpeaceful · Post by **2bpeaceful** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:47 pm

Wow! I cant believe how helpful everyone is

"Jasmine" villa looks like our price range and has a pool. Does anyone have any feedback on the location or villa itself?

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:59 pm

Welcome to the forum. There are fewer child friendly villas than you would expect. Check to make certain that the bedrooms open to a central area. Many villas only have external entries to the bedrooms centered on a pool deck. I would look for a place with a/c in the bedrooms - its going to be hot. One option is Jasmine through Caribbean Villas. We stayed at the neighboring Periwinkle, but that's not suitable. We are staying at Bay House soon and that works too.

Make certain you talk to the rental companies about kid suitability. They'll have an idea about layouts that work. You can see listings at http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/sj/sjv.shtml . I've had success with vivacations.com, caribbeanvilla.com and destinationstjohn.com. Note that caribbeanvilla.com charges an additional 5% fee. All rental companies charge 8% tax.

I've been taking my kids to St. John since they were infants. They are 10 and 16 now and will be on island in two weeks for Spring Break. You'll have a blast. This is a place where a 2 year olds daily schedule first wonderfully - early to bed, early to rise, take a nap (but no under the coconuts!)

Cheers, RickG

Iluvstjohn · Post by **Iluvstjohn** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:36 pm

Ok...this will be our 6th trip back to the VI's this summer and the 3rd since having kids. BK's (before kids) was easier....but after kids...:

#1: we stayed at Water Island....with an 11 month old...very remote....great pool, short/walk golf cart drive to great beach.....LOWKEY....CHeap...

#2: Cinnamon Bay Campground....this past December for 5 days with our just turned 3 year old boy and 4 year old girl.....RIGHT on the beach, CHEAP....but shared bathrooms, and no tvs.......(but brought our laptops and dvd players for the kids movies for downtime). They have a restaurant.......and a grocery store/shop...having the beach just steps away was GREAT...with kids....

#3: We are returning this June with our kids and my father..for his first trip and decided to stay on St. Thomas at Sapphire Beach resort...because we wanted the space, the access to the beach, and "some civilization" to hope to get away that grandpa is there! LOL.....

BK's....we stayed at Lavedar Hill...which is in Cruz Bay and has a shared pool..........

good luck on your search
Holly in Boston

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:01 pm

Another option to consider is Time Out Villa....a 2 bedroom/2 bath....has a pool & hottub....in Chocolate Hole....beautiful view....great owner to work with. We're staying there in May.

www.timeoutvilla.com

There are so many great choices to be had; enjoy your stay on St John no matter which you choose!!

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:24 pm

I'll add my two cents. One suggetion here was for Jasmine. I stayed there in August 07 and loved it and would reccomend it( I posted a review). Im not sure it would work with a two year old. The house is really one big open space. There is a bedroom on the main level with a queen size bed and then an sleeping loft above the main floor with two twins, up a ladder like staircase with less than full standing head room. In additon to the loft being open, the walls of the bedroom do not extend to the celing. The A/C cools the entire space very well. The pool is separate from the living space which I think is good with a young one since there is less chance they will wander into trouble, but it may make for alot of up and down. It has a nice wrap around deck with high rails, also child safe.

aroobagirl · Post by **aroobagirl** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:16 am

Pianogirl:
Love this villa (Time Out) but I believe it does not allow children under 8 years old. I have a 2 year old and had to rule this house out for that reaon!

aroobagirl · Post by **aroobagirl** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:25 am

2bepeaceful:
We rented Eaglesnest last year. We liked it with a toddler because as RickG commented, the children's room is in the house where our bedroom was and the pool was outside and down the stairs so the kids couldn't accidentally gain access.
That being said, not within walking distance of the beach, but there are very few which are which is just a fact of St. John.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:29 am

Here are a couple suggestions. (I have not stayed at any of them)
I have always wanted to stay at this house and may next year
http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=26648

http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=20939

Rebecca in NOVA · Post by **Rebecca in NOVA** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:23 pm

We're staying at Idyllic in June with our 23-month-old. We stayed there 3 years ago pre-baby and are going back because it has full AC and two bedrooms that open onto the main floor. It's in Chocolate Hole and we liked the proximity to Cruz Bay. No matter where you stay, you do have to drive to all the beaches, but it's worth it!

usvi-on-line

Login or Register with your Facebook account

First trip to St.John--where to stay with a 2 year old?

First trip to St.John--where to stay with a 2 year old?