USVI-On-Line

We are thinking about staying at the Gibney Cottages in mid-April of next year. The place looks perfect, but kind of small (my husband and I will be traveling with our 7&4 YO daughters and staying in the front cottage). My question is, has anyone stayed here before? What were your experiences. Is it worth the money for this little house right on the water? If we are going to pay the regular rate, we really want to stay in the front house vs. the back house. How is this location with kids? Do they have fun? Any advice would be great. Thanks a bunch!
Kelly

I can't speak for the interior of the cottages but from past looking on line (and exterior in real life) they do look fab.

I can say that Gibney is one of my favorite beaches and the convenience can't be beat -- although I would expect that being directly on the beach could get a bit buggy at dawn and dusk.

There are so many great villas on island, it's just factoring in what means the most to you in terms of space and amenities.

Good luck!

I don't know the configuration of the 2 cottages but I get to the beach fairly often. FUN?? ---Your children will be out the door 1st thing every single day playing in the water and building sand castles. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and even hats or super lightweight beach clothes. They will be the official beach hosts all week as the beach is empty all morning and late afternoon, a lot of hours of it being their beach alone. It is uncommon to have more than a dozen people there at once, midday.
You will likely be worn out yourself snorkeling with them.

If you plan on cooking dinner at the villa most nights and the young ones enjoy perfect beach time they will be in bed, dead tired early each evening. It is worth the money for its unique and beautiful location. Having the front or rear cottage wouldn't seem to be much different as far as beach enjoyment - I would choose the larger one or which ever one looks to be more comfortable for the 2 childrens sleeping comfort.

I have been though the interior of the first cottage last year.Very,very nice but,There are no walls around the bed so if you want some privacy from the kids this will not work for you.I don't remember any curtains to close off the bedroom. The cottage has a open feel layout.Sorry to drop the bomb on you.Keep in mind I only walked through but never stayed there.It would be a great place for two!Parafins

One of my favorite places in the entire world!

The back house has an upstairs bedroom and is comfortable for 4 pp (about 600 sq ft total). It's closer to the garden which fruits in the summers. Star fruit, mangoes, avocado, breadfruit, papaya, banana, sugar apples are all in season around late July-mid August.

Of course, you can't beat the front yard of the studio house right on the beach. Literally 30-40 feet from the shoreline. But much smaller.

I think Gibney is a great great house.....

we are a family of 4 with young kids too.....ages 3 and 5....and we are returning for our 6th trip......it is our 3rd trip with kids.

we took dd#1...when she was 1 to water island....pretty much ocean front.

We took both kids to cinammon bay campground.....ocean front....in December and we are going back in June with both kids and granpa.

we have been spoiled as renters of ocean front property on cape cod. it is sooooooo much easier with kids when you are on the beach. You don't have to hassle with the packing of the car to get to the beach....and if your kids are anything like ours.....like...one will be miserable and want to go back to the villa and one will want to stay.

So.....we decided for this trip, to stay on St. Thomas at a more of a resort type setting to please the kids, granpa, and us! We wanted to be able to sneak away for a quick drink after the kids go to bed....and that would be most easiest with granpa in the condo and us being able to walk down to the restaurant/bar.

But...we have oogled over Gibney...but haven't been able to swallow up the price as of yet...

I applaud you if you do!
good luck!

Over the last few years we have probably stayed at the Gibney Beach cottages 8 times and loved it. The front cottage is literally on the beach. The best part is going in the water in the morning and then taking an outside shower before going to lunch. What a great feeling to be clean. The cottage is basically one room. I stayed there with my parents for a long weekend and slept on an air mattress on the floor. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't alot of room. With little kids it would prbably be better.

The cottage in the back is two sotory. We stayed there with friends and had a great time. Luckily my parents always stayed in the front one so we could use their front porch. The back cottage has a bedroom that is private, a loft upstairs and a kitchen and bath. Very nice. The only thing I would have liked is more of a seating area inside.

THey are expensive, but worth it. And Terri Gibney and her on Tommy are really nice.

Good luck with the decision!
Elisa

Thanks so much for all the replies. I had my husband read all the responses and he said "BOOK IT!" Thanks again. I'm sure I'll have more Q's in the future!