so we gave Coral Bay a try...
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:42 pm
And could not have been happier. I'm the guy who, on last June 18, posted "Can a first timer get St. John". It was our first trip and we stayed at Le Lapin overlooking Hart Bay. Loved the island, the house, really everything except Cruz Bay. Just couldn't relax in that frenetic environment and said we'd try the other side of the island next time.
Well, our next time was a ten day stay starting May 27 at Coral Oasis which is on Mamey Peak. Not really Coral Bay but close enough for me. Didn't step foot in Cruz Bay except to park for a day charter that departed from the dock. And I'd do it again.
Coral Oasis - rented through Viva Vacations and what a place! Practically brand new as I believe it opened last November. Absolutely top of the line with a Sub Zero fridge, Wolf stove, oven and outdoor grill. Let's see - what else. A Pioneer Elite TV with Denon sound system. An I-Home system, Meade telescope and Jason binoculars. Cuisinart toaster, coffee maker and blender along with an Estro espresso machine. Bosch microwave, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Oh and for Rick G. - a set of Wusthof knives! Enough brand name dropping for now.
This 3 bedroom villa consists of two pods connected by a breezeway and pool. Perfect for 3 couples or, in our case, 1 couple and 4 teens. Not so good for little ones. Beautiful views and one tough driveway. I think there was one house higher up than this villa and there was a neighbor in close proximity but certainly private enough. Parts of the driveway were roughly paved; the rest was a rocky and bumpy ride. All furnishings were Tommy Bahama. I actually felt this place was too luxurious but got over it. Definitely a splurge though.
We had arranged to meet Rachael and what a treat! She took the back way to the ferry and was a great tour guide. What a change from being carted around in a smelly van by a sullen driver. It was well worth the extra $. She met us again on the return trip, called ahead for a porter (which we didn't really need this time), and gave us all a hug. Nice.
Reserved a Dodge Durango but it wasn't available so we got a Jeep Commander. It had 8,800 hard miles. The vehicle started strong but lost something a couple days into our trip. Was able to switch it out for a Dodge after 3 days.
Beaches - Started at our favorite (Maho) and went to Little Lameshur the next day. Had never been there before and liked it a lot. Next day was Francis (our next favorite). Then to Vie's and the cook was in. That was some good fried chicken. Up early the next day for Waterlemon. Back to Francis and Maho again with our first visit to Cinnamon squeezed it. I really enjoyed that big beach.
Our day with Lion in da Sun was the best. Capt. Josh took the six of us to the Caves (good) and the Indians (great) for some morning snorkeling action. Then lunch at Willy T's which was quite good. Made a stop at a small deserted island which was drop dead beautiful. Josh climbed a tree for a coconut so we all could sample. We spent the rest of the day at White BAy on Jost Van Dyke. We were never rushed and just let Josh plan the day. Such a nice guy and he remembered every name all day long. This was the highlight of our trip. When I sat in the back of the boat and watched my teens laughing out loud I knew it had been a special day.
Food - really boring here. Ate breakfast (just the early risers) 5 times at Donkey Diner. Gotta have the blueberry pancakes. Good coffee and internet (for the record, I didn't watch the news or read a paper for 12 days). 3 trips to Skinny Legs and had the same blue cheese burger, medium, each time. Wanted to try the mahi mahi but just couldn't pull the trigger. Great friendly service, sturdy cocktails and ice cold Presidentes. Love this place and the bathrooms were nice.
Carried out pizza twice at Donkey Diner and once at Big Belly Deli. Not bad. A lunch and dinner at a favorite - Shipwreck Landing. Got beach subs a couple of days and have to say that Big Belly gives Deli Grotto a run for their money! Did hit Mongoose Junction once for a little shopping and made a lunch misstep. Tried Sun Dog - indifferent service and a dry fish sandwich. And to think that Deli Grotto was so close! Live and learn.
The days flew by so fast. The only disappointment about the villa was the pool was cold. I like my pool water at 85 and the temp was a consistent 78. Nice when the sun was out but not much evening swimming. BTW, the pool had sun until about 3:30 or so. The website said it was solar heated and it was - until 3:30 or so.
Just love that side of the island and the laid back vibe. Would really like to find a place that gets more sun and we saw plenty but don't know which ones are for rent. The Mamey Peak location is kind of a central location but closer to Coral Bay. It was 12 minutes from the driveway to Skinnys and 14 minutes to Maho Bay. Not bad at all.
In closing, I may not have "got" Cruz Bay but the Coral Bay side "got" us in a big way.
jp
Well, our next time was a ten day stay starting May 27 at Coral Oasis which is on Mamey Peak. Not really Coral Bay but close enough for me. Didn't step foot in Cruz Bay except to park for a day charter that departed from the dock. And I'd do it again.
Coral Oasis - rented through Viva Vacations and what a place! Practically brand new as I believe it opened last November. Absolutely top of the line with a Sub Zero fridge, Wolf stove, oven and outdoor grill. Let's see - what else. A Pioneer Elite TV with Denon sound system. An I-Home system, Meade telescope and Jason binoculars. Cuisinart toaster, coffee maker and blender along with an Estro espresso machine. Bosch microwave, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Oh and for Rick G. - a set of Wusthof knives! Enough brand name dropping for now.
This 3 bedroom villa consists of two pods connected by a breezeway and pool. Perfect for 3 couples or, in our case, 1 couple and 4 teens. Not so good for little ones. Beautiful views and one tough driveway. I think there was one house higher up than this villa and there was a neighbor in close proximity but certainly private enough. Parts of the driveway were roughly paved; the rest was a rocky and bumpy ride. All furnishings were Tommy Bahama. I actually felt this place was too luxurious but got over it. Definitely a splurge though.
We had arranged to meet Rachael and what a treat! She took the back way to the ferry and was a great tour guide. What a change from being carted around in a smelly van by a sullen driver. It was well worth the extra $. She met us again on the return trip, called ahead for a porter (which we didn't really need this time), and gave us all a hug. Nice.
Reserved a Dodge Durango but it wasn't available so we got a Jeep Commander. It had 8,800 hard miles. The vehicle started strong but lost something a couple days into our trip. Was able to switch it out for a Dodge after 3 days.
Beaches - Started at our favorite (Maho) and went to Little Lameshur the next day. Had never been there before and liked it a lot. Next day was Francis (our next favorite). Then to Vie's and the cook was in. That was some good fried chicken. Up early the next day for Waterlemon. Back to Francis and Maho again with our first visit to Cinnamon squeezed it. I really enjoyed that big beach.
Our day with Lion in da Sun was the best. Capt. Josh took the six of us to the Caves (good) and the Indians (great) for some morning snorkeling action. Then lunch at Willy T's which was quite good. Made a stop at a small deserted island which was drop dead beautiful. Josh climbed a tree for a coconut so we all could sample. We spent the rest of the day at White BAy on Jost Van Dyke. We were never rushed and just let Josh plan the day. Such a nice guy and he remembered every name all day long. This was the highlight of our trip. When I sat in the back of the boat and watched my teens laughing out loud I knew it had been a special day.
Food - really boring here. Ate breakfast (just the early risers) 5 times at Donkey Diner. Gotta have the blueberry pancakes. Good coffee and internet (for the record, I didn't watch the news or read a paper for 12 days). 3 trips to Skinny Legs and had the same blue cheese burger, medium, each time. Wanted to try the mahi mahi but just couldn't pull the trigger. Great friendly service, sturdy cocktails and ice cold Presidentes. Love this place and the bathrooms were nice.
Carried out pizza twice at Donkey Diner and once at Big Belly Deli. Not bad. A lunch and dinner at a favorite - Shipwreck Landing. Got beach subs a couple of days and have to say that Big Belly gives Deli Grotto a run for their money! Did hit Mongoose Junction once for a little shopping and made a lunch misstep. Tried Sun Dog - indifferent service and a dry fish sandwich. And to think that Deli Grotto was so close! Live and learn.
The days flew by so fast. The only disappointment about the villa was the pool was cold. I like my pool water at 85 and the temp was a consistent 78. Nice when the sun was out but not much evening swimming. BTW, the pool had sun until about 3:30 or so. The website said it was solar heated and it was - until 3:30 or so.
Just love that side of the island and the laid back vibe. Would really like to find a place that gets more sun and we saw plenty but don't know which ones are for rent. The Mamey Peak location is kind of a central location but closer to Coral Bay. It was 12 minutes from the driveway to Skinnys and 14 minutes to Maho Bay. Not bad at all.
In closing, I may not have "got" Cruz Bay but the Coral Bay side "got" us in a big way.
jp
