USVI-On-Line

I am trying to narrow down my villa choice and I have searched past posts and the villa reviews. Alot of the great villas everyone normally reccomends for 2 couples heading to the island are already booked. Can anyone help by checking my list and provide feedback on if there are any pros or cons I may have not found on any of these villas or did I a miss a great villa that is still available that meets my criteria?

Trip will be btwn 07/13-07/20 on St John and last 2 nights on St Thomas. We were on St John last year and stayed in a studio at the Westin. This year we are bringing a first time couple with us. Main criteria I used for list were - A/C (at least in bedrooms), privacy btwn the bedrooms, pool, good view, preferably closer to Cruz Bay area, fairly reasonable $ (not over 3500). Do any of these villas not have something on my list?

Argonauta (3500)- top of our price range, but frontrunner right now due to all the great reviews (thanks liamsaunt)

Splendore (2900)- also great reviews (thanks PAGirl), about $600 cheaper than Argonauta

Orchid Villa (2900 +5%)- great reviews (thanks Knolmom, Leslie), not too keen on 5%, but would do

Palm Villa (2530 +5%)

Villa Capiz (3150)

Haiku(2150)

Paloma Blanca (2495)

Time Out Villa (3000) (waiting to hear about availability)

Pink Horses (2450)- only choice on Coral Bay

Thanks for any help ahead of time. Sorry if I missed crediting you for a review of these villas, but I did go and try to search for them all. I feel good that I have narrowed it down this far, but I know I need to get one soon since they seem to be booking as I ponder.

Tami "laxcat"

I also stayed in Argonauta and loved it! Full ac is great for July. The views are to die for. Pool is plenty big enough for 2 couple and the hot tub is wonderful at night. Even in July, the pool can get a bit chilly at night if there is a nice breeze. The deck has lots of fans that keep the skeeters away.

We stayed at Orchid Villa 5 years ago. There was nothing wrong with the villa, but it just didn't have an open feel to it for us compared to the other villas we have stayed at. We like views not just from a deck or a pool area but from a great room also. Orchid had practically no view from the great room when we were there due to overgrown vegetation (not sure if that has changed now). Speaking of the great room, it is small if that means anything to you. It is a rather small villa to begin with. The view is great from the pool area and especially from the upper bedroom deck.

Personally, I think you can do better with your budget. I would vote for Argonauta for its location, expansive decks, and spaciousness.

Have been in Palm Villa but not stayed there - stayed two doors down at Seawatch. Great views from higher up. Only drawback is you tend to take Centerline alot and miss the North Shore views. Easy to get to but more of a drive than things closer to town.

Staying at Argonauta this summer. Wish I could help you more.

Liamsaunt can tell you tons of stuff about Argo though.

nothintolose

Argonauta is really great for two couples. I have also heard great things about Splendore...we almost picked it for our stay next month and I am regretting not choosing it a little bit. Next trip!

If you have any specific questions about Argo I am happy to help out! Feel free to pm or email me if you'd like.

I did a review of Villa Capiz from my November stay. Personally I'd question the privacy factor for 2 couples in the lower bedrooms. PM if you'd like to ask me anything specific about that. And I have a bunch of photos I could share with you.

mary beth

Hi laxcat,

We stayed at Time Out a few years ago (2002 IIRC). Our first villa rental. Liked it VERY much!! We are booked in Pink Horses in June (4th villa in caribbean, 3rd on StJ). I haven't found much info on it, but we wanted to try the quieter side in Coral Bay this trip.

Comments - The Pond Bay Club work has begun (at least land is cleared), which is near Time out. I have no first hand knowledge of activity, noise, etc., but having watched the Jeep Cam from OnStJohn go down the road to Time Out, I see fences added and foliage taken out that is different than when we were there. If it were me, I would be wary. Having said that, I don't know what might be happening in the area of Pink Horses. I did see a recent review of St John Livin' and I understand that it is on the same drive, and it doesn't sound like there's any activity.

We usually hit a beach in the morning, have lunch out, get something for the grill for dinner (with deli sides - limited work for dinner, we're on vacation), and spend the afternoon in/around the pool. I do the grill, and having had a grill WITH a view and one WITHOUT a view - (behind the villa), I choose the WITH! The outdoor cooking area was a selling point for us as far as Pink Horses was concerned. The grill at Time Out was behind the villa, and maybe it could've been moved, but I didn't bother, though I didn't care for cooking out there, it was more like work than looking at the ocean while grilling. Depending on your eating preferences that may or may not matter to you.

A potential downside to PH is the view is more to the east and I doubt there is a view of the sunset. It is also a much further drive into Cruz Bay, which many like for restaurants and night life. Those 2 things are not an issue for us. We like the access to the north shore beaches and tended to lunch in Coral Bay even when we stayed in the Great Cruz Bay/Chocolate Hole area. Again, all up to personal preference.

I did a quick search and found the PH is open all of July and TO is booked until the 5th but open after. Since these places tend to be advertised by multiple sites I won't vouch for the accuracy, but it's what I found.

We've enjoyed our trips with villa rentals, and I hope you have a great time! FWIW - I think that many will fit the bill, don't obsess too much, just make a decision and go for it. Much of how you enjoy the trip is related to how you'll like renting a villa and being on StJ, who you go with, etc. Not for everyone, but it works for us.

irbgolfin

We stayed at Splendore about 4 years ago - we LOVED it. all of the roads to the villa are paved, the view is wonderful - we watch cruise ships pull in and out of STT most days. The bedrooms are on opposite ends of the house - and they both have king size beds. It does get a lot of afternoon sun - so it could get quite warm in the main living area, this was the only negative. I would rent it again if coming w/ just my husband (last two trips we took the kids and need twin beds in the second bedroom) or with another couple.

Oh thank you for all of the wonderful advice everyone has given so far. This board is the best! I think I am definitely down to Argonauta or Splendore. Just need to see if I can be motivated to work some overtime or convince hubby to pick up an extra shift or 2 then I won't feel so bad going for the gusto with Argonauta. But really I know I am just happy to be having to make such a choice. St John 2 years in a row - Yippee!!!! And I will most likely be PM'ing some of you if I need some more details.

Who is rep. for Argonauta & Splendore? or what is their website?

Thanks!

This is where I'll be staying in 27 day's

http://www.islandgetawaysstjohn.com/allesandra.htm

What about Lost Horizon?
http://www.greatcaribbeangetaways.com/lost_horizon.htm
$3050
We just got back from a week there and it was perfect! Under 15 mins from Cruz Bay and secluded enough without feeling isolated. The 2nd master is downstairs and has a lot of privacy. It doesnt have the views of the first master, but as soon as you come upstairs, views are as far as the eye can see. We had six people in this villa and it was absolutely perfect. GREAT weber grill and awesome Blender. Like the other poster, we hit the beaches in the morning and looked forward to returning to the villa to Grill and chill!!
Good Luck!

pipergal - I have always thought that the pictures of Lost Horizon were awesome. It's good to hear that it is as good as it looks. Thanks!

After our last trip, I am even more impressed with the quality of the "stuff" at Splendore like the towels, kitchen ware, etc. If you like to cook, you will like the kitchen as it is big and well-laid out. The grill is also on the deck, which is nice.

Should you chose Splendore, you will likely want to keep the bedroom shades drawn during the day. We did during February to keep it cool enough to sleep without AC at night. Our choice, there is AC in both rooms.