USVI-On-Line

Researching villas for 4 couples, has anyone stayed at either of these? Cannot find any reviews. Thanks in advance.

I didn't find anything on South Palm (looks like it's a new villa), but found the following on Great Escape....

>>>Great Escape 04/08/2006
Reviewers Rating: Great
We stayed at Great Escape the first part of March, 2005. It is a very good rental price for the accommodation of six persons. The new pool 8x10, is adequate and the large deck has alot of furniture. Some does need to be replaced. There is no shady area until mid to late afternoon, so we did not eat breakfast or lunch on the deck, which I would have like to do. The master bedroom is at one end of the house, by the pool. The other two bedrooms are at the other end. The far end bedroom has a door to the wrap around patio. It is about a 20 minute drive to Cruz Bay and further to the north beaches. <<<

For what it's worth, both villas look gorgeous! I can't imagine NOT enjoying staying at either one while in paradise!

SarahD

I'm partial to the north shore view so I'd pick Great Escape.
Upside: North shore view and lots of privacy.
Downside: A little further from Cruz Bay. Rough road in to this villa in Catherineberg.

South Palm villa looks very nice and would probably be the best pick for 4 couples.
Upside: My guess is that you will probably get more equal bedrooms in this house and all paved roads to this villa too.
Downside: You'll be in an area where there are more neighboring houses than in Catherineberg. Also looks as though this house faces West so you will get the sun sets but also will get the intense heat of the day.

Something seems odd. The review dated 4/8/06 (but the reviewer actually stayed at Great Escape in March, 2005) mentions a new 8' x 10' pool. However, Great Escape as shown on the Destination St. John website lists this prop. as having a 60-foot pool. I wonder if this villa has had some major updating fairly recently. Also, DSJ lists Great Escape as a luxury villa, but the review does not really make it out to be as luxurious as it sounds (or looks) on DSJ website.
I'd check with DSJ to see if this villa has undergone some major renovations.
The villa looks fabulous & its price is in line with other villas with those amenities & views.
Let us know what you find out.

I felt the same way about the review of Great Escape, was almost wondering if it was the same villa. Spoke with DSJ and the villa was updated 3yrs ago. Again curious about the reviewers comment on needing new outdoor furniture. Love the north shore views but the bedroom equality issues may come into play. Thankyou all for your comments. Being the villa coordinator is sometimes a difficult job.

Since you have 4 couples to split the cost, I'd look into a villa in Peter Bay. Now that's a great location!! There's also a really really gorgeous new villa called Hawksnest Estate or something like that. Very pricey but with a 4 way split it might be doable for your group.

One good thing about coordinating the trip is you get first pick of the 'master' bedrooms.

Have you looked into La Jolla Caribe? It's got a great view. 6 nice bedrooms, 5 bath. 2 decks with superb views north to Tortolla and Jost Van Dyke, and overlooks Cinnamon Beach.

DSJ clarified that there is another villa by the same name and that is the review we were reading. And LaJolla Caribe is booked for our dates. thankyou all again.

There are 2 other great four bedroom houses up in Catherineberg that would be really nice for 4 couples. The first, and my personal choice, would be Island Sun and running a close second is Mango Bay. Catered To reps both of these houses. Island Sun has a pool and a hot tub and I think Mango Bay doesn't have a hot tub but I could be wrong on that. I've stayed in both of these houses although it's been a few years since I've been in Mango Bay so it may have changed or been redecorated since I saw it last. The drive in to both of these houses is not bad at all.

oops! Sorry about that Laurie! I didn't read the review, just cross posted it.

sarah

after a vote it was decided that Great Escape was the villa. Have stayed @ Island Sun and it is fabulous, pictures do not do it justice. booked for our dates though. Thankyou all for your input.