Newbie in need of help

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:56 pm

I've been lurking here for a while and really enjoyed reading all the comments. I think St. John has to be a fun place just based on the way you all respond to inquiries.

I have a few questions:

1. When should I book for next February? We have to travel during school vacation (President's Week).

2. Does anyone have a suggestion for a villa for 1st timers? We'll be travelling 2 adults and 2 13 year olds. We're thinking we'd like to book a 3 bedroom as we may bring my parents along.

3. We don't need nightime entertainment. Sitting on a veranda with a cold drink, looking at the night sky is our idea of entertainment. We do however like to dine out at night because "Mama doesn't cook on vacation". We've been focussing on Cruz Bay and Choc. Hole but they seem to run a little pricier than other areas. Is there another part of the island where we should be looking that would give us what we're looking for?

Our wish list:

Pool, view and cold storage for libations.

AC- Not sure if it's neccessary. If it isn't we're fine without it. If we can catch a seabreeze through screens, we're a happy family.

A laid back vacation.

Thanks in advance for your help.
-Marya

lisa mcg · Post by **lisa mcg** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:28 pm

I suggest you book as soon as you can as President's week is popular.

We stayed at Andante By The Sea in Feb which was in Chocolate Hole...3BR, 3BA, pool, Ac in BR but not necessary and well priced. Look for my trip report at the end of Feb.

www.andantebythesea.com

Good luck..STJ is the best!

ihochman · Post by **ihochman** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:02 am

First of all, St John is all you asked for. It is beautiful, can be laid back and has a few good restaurants for good dining and others so that "mama don't have to cook" (loved that). As far as villas are concerned, I think you should stay on the Cruz Bay side for your first trip. It is a bit more active with more
restaurants, stores and people. Coral Bay is a great place for visiting, lunch, beaches and for checking out for your next villa. I'd check with the various rental agents on line and look at the pictures. I've stayed in a number of places and I suggest a villa on the south
west part of the island. Better light, sunsets and views.
Check out Catered To (an agent...bit pricier than others but very good), Caribbean Villas, etc. You can see availability, rates, pictures,etc. Have a good trip

lazylane · Post by **lazylane** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:51 am

Coral Bay is the laid back side of the island and we stayed at Adeste last year thru www.vivacations.com . It is less than 5 minutes to several restaurants, Skinny Legs, Donkey Diner, Island Blues, Aqua Bistro, Sweet Plantains and about 10 minutes to Miss Lucy's. All of these have great food and service! No parking problems in Coral Bay as in Cruz Bay. Salt Pond and Lameshur are a short drive too or a gorgeous 10-15 minute drive to the north shore beaches, Francis Bay being our favorite. 2 groceries, Lily's and Love City Mini-Mart are very convenient too! The unpopulated East End is s short drive and Vie's Snack Shack has great conch fritters! We stayed in the Fish Bay area the first several years and will never stay anywhere but Coral Bay area again. It was our most relaxing vacation to date. If you do want to go to "town", it's only a 20 minute drive!!

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:07 pm

Just one thought... the next time I rent a villa, the living area will be on the same level as the pool. Carrying blender drinks up and down stairs all the time is not that conducive to limin'!

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:01 pm

California Girl wrote:Just one thought... the next time I rent a villa, the living area will be on the same level as the pool. Carrying blender drinks up and down stairs all the time is not that conducive to limin'!

That's why I have two 13 year olds. We play games like "who can get the drink to mommy without spilling it." Good times.

Anyone have any input on Calypso del Sol (formerly Wanderer), VIlla Capiz, or Hibiscus?? Also considering Time Out as well.

aroobagirl · Post by **aroobagirl** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:12 pm

I haven't stayed at either of these but they are on my list - "Ilios" (haven't been able to stay here because my Mom has MS and needs air conditioning), and "Still Waters" which is the house I plan on trying next year.
We rented Eaglesnest last year and it would work for you since having a pool on the lower level isn't an issue. Also, your Mom would be on the lower level and could have some privacy.
Sounds like St John is your kind of place! Enjoy!

cliffnchristi · Post by **cliffnchristi** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:21 pm

We're staying at Calypso DelSol in June and friends of ours are staying at Hibiscus Gardens that same week. I will be glad to let you know what we thought of both when we get back, but I wouldn't wait til June to book if I were you.

I'm pretty sure there are other on the board who had already stayed at both of these and will probably chime in soon.

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:46 am

Thanks so far everyone. I'm a very decisive person but there are just so many villas to choose from. I think we've narrowed down to Cruz Bay area in order to narrow down the choices.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:18 am

My favorite floor plan is Jazz Villa on Chocolate Hole through CV. As CAGirl said, pool on the same level as the kitchen is bitchen. Sunset exposure and a 10 minute drive to town make this a house I love.

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/jazz/index.html

Cheers, RickG

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:43 am

Jazz looks terrific. It's a little bigger and a little more $ than we're looking to spend- especially if it's just the 4 of us. I'd love to check it out if we can ever vacation other than X-Mas and President's Week.

Do you have any insight on Idyllic or Bijou?

Rachelle & Joe · Post by **Rachelle & Joe** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:35 pm

Hey Rick, Thanks for posting Jazz Villa it's a great layout with great views! Love the deck & pool. we are definitely going to check that out when we're down there this may !! our list of villas to check out just keep growing & growing , but we'll be there for 24 day's & hopefully will get to see at least half of that list! Joe

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:47 pm

joe pagan wrote:Hey Rick, Thanks for posting Jazz Villa it's a great layout with great views! Love the deck & pool. we are definitely going to check that out when we're down there this may !! our list of villas to check out just keep growing & growing , but we'll be there for 24 day's & hopefully will get to see at least half of that list! Joe

JoeJoe, Jazz Villa is at its best during the sunset. It gets completely bathed in orangey/pink sunlight. I took a lot of pictures that time of day but, ahem, there were no tan lines involved. Simply beautiful.

Cheers, RickG

vacationpants · Post by **vacationpants** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:25 pm

If you stay w/ a 2BR I would recommend either Splendore or Long View. We really like Splendore - but when we travel w/ our daughter and son we need twin beds in the second bedroom - which LongView has - it actually has three twin beds in the second bedroom - so it works out well for the family. Splendore has great views (mostly water), pool is on the same floor as the kitchen, and king size beds in each bedroom. Long View has a great wrap around deck with great views also. Long View's second BR on the 1st floor where as the master BR is on the second floor- along w/ the kitchen and living area.

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