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Accomodation Question
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nomorelurking
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 am
- Location: US
Accomodation Question
Good Morning Gang,
I posted a note a week back regarding my upcoming plans for an engagement proposal on island in December. We will be hopping around, and staying on STJ just three nights.
My question is, when evaluating places to stay, how important is a 'higher quality' place when typically we are just in the room to sleep and shower? Normally, all I want is a clean place with A/C. But given that this is a special occasion, do I splurge?
Among the choices:
Suite Dreams - 245/night. Easy walk to Cruz Bay.
Cruz Views - ~225/night. Tougher walk to Cruz Bay.
Estate Lindholm - ~320/night. Never stayed here, but have had many recommend this place.
Is Lindholm that much nicer to warrant almost 100 extra a night? For those that have stayed, how is the view from the garden suites compared to the harbor suites? It is my understanding that there is some vegitation you have to look through to see the ocean as compared to the harbor suites.
The upside to Estate Lindholm is the proximity to the beaches (not to relevant as I will have a 4x4), but mainly the staff who will be able to coordinate some special things such as a bottle of champagne in the room after the proposal occurs, etc.
Thoughts are appreciated!
Tim
I posted a note a week back regarding my upcoming plans for an engagement proposal on island in December. We will be hopping around, and staying on STJ just three nights.
My question is, when evaluating places to stay, how important is a 'higher quality' place when typically we are just in the room to sleep and shower? Normally, all I want is a clean place with A/C. But given that this is a special occasion, do I splurge?
Among the choices:
Suite Dreams - 245/night. Easy walk to Cruz Bay.
Cruz Views - ~225/night. Tougher walk to Cruz Bay.
Estate Lindholm - ~320/night. Never stayed here, but have had many recommend this place.
Is Lindholm that much nicer to warrant almost 100 extra a night? For those that have stayed, how is the view from the garden suites compared to the harbor suites? It is my understanding that there is some vegitation you have to look through to see the ocean as compared to the harbor suites.
The upside to Estate Lindholm is the proximity to the beaches (not to relevant as I will have a 4x4), but mainly the staff who will be able to coordinate some special things such as a bottle of champagne in the room after the proposal occurs, etc.
Thoughts are appreciated!
Tim
On a normal trip, I'd say go for the less expensive option. Truthfully, Estate Lindholm puts your marginally closer to the beaches than your other options. However, my concern with Cruz Views and Suite Dreams is more its proximity to the large Sirenusa condo construction project. Have you verified that noise is not currently a problem?
I don't know, for this special occasion, I'd be tempted to pick Estate Lindholm. It has killer views and is out of the hustle and bustle of town just enough. Another option might be Gallows Point. I think it's probably around the same price point for that time of year.
I don't know, for this special occasion, I'd be tempted to pick Estate Lindholm. It has killer views and is out of the hustle and bustle of town just enough. Another option might be Gallows Point. I think it's probably around the same price point for that time of year.
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
First, this is gonna be a special week so I would spend the extra $300 and stay at Estate Lindholm. If it were any other week, you might skimp to save money, but this is special.
Estate Lindholm's grounds are absolutely gorgeous. Well maintained and beautiful flowers everywhere. Hermit crabs cruise the grounds while hummingbirds are all over the place as well as bannaquits. When my parents stayed there before we ever did, my mom kept referring to it as a paradise within paradise.
We have only ever stayed in the Garden level rooms and have been very happy with those and saw no need to be in a better room.
I may have said this before but SO's brother and wife spent their first time on island at Cruz Views for a week and were fine with it but when they visited us at Estate Lindholm this past summer, they fell in love with it and said it's definitely worth the extra money. They have booked a room there before we get into our villa for our next trip as did we.
You can walk to town from EL as it's just up the hill from Cruz Bay. We never do because we have a car all of the time, but we have seen other guests doing it.
It is also just above Honeymoon and Solomon so we have walked to those beaches from EL. It is soooo close to the North Shore beaches that it just makes everything easy. To me, they are in one of the best locations on that side of the island.
When we are there, we always feel like we have the place to ourselves as the only time we ever seem to see anyone is at breakfast.
The mini kitchen is adequate for what we need as we only ever use the mini fridge, but it has a microwave and coffee maker (maybe other stuff too but didn't notice).
To top it all off, you will LOVE Lauren. She is the perfect hostess. Full of info about the island. We ALWAYS learn something new from her. She is just so warm and friendly, and she really cares about their place.
This past visit the power went off on the island for a good while but it was only off there for a short while as Brion went and started up their generators. I was VERY impressed with that...maybe just because of where I live and the fact that generators are now a part of our lives
Anyway, I can promise you that you won't be sorry if you do opt for Estate Lindholm.
Estate Lindholm's grounds are absolutely gorgeous. Well maintained and beautiful flowers everywhere. Hermit crabs cruise the grounds while hummingbirds are all over the place as well as bannaquits. When my parents stayed there before we ever did, my mom kept referring to it as a paradise within paradise.
We have only ever stayed in the Garden level rooms and have been very happy with those and saw no need to be in a better room.
I may have said this before but SO's brother and wife spent their first time on island at Cruz Views for a week and were fine with it but when they visited us at Estate Lindholm this past summer, they fell in love with it and said it's definitely worth the extra money. They have booked a room there before we get into our villa for our next trip as did we.
You can walk to town from EL as it's just up the hill from Cruz Bay. We never do because we have a car all of the time, but we have seen other guests doing it.
It is also just above Honeymoon and Solomon so we have walked to those beaches from EL. It is soooo close to the North Shore beaches that it just makes everything easy. To me, they are in one of the best locations on that side of the island.
When we are there, we always feel like we have the place to ourselves as the only time we ever seem to see anyone is at breakfast.
The mini kitchen is adequate for what we need as we only ever use the mini fridge, but it has a microwave and coffee maker (maybe other stuff too but didn't notice).
To top it all off, you will LOVE Lauren. She is the perfect hostess. Full of info about the island. We ALWAYS learn something new from her. She is just so warm and friendly, and she really cares about their place.
This past visit the power went off on the island for a good while but it was only off there for a short while as Brion went and started up their generators. I was VERY impressed with that...maybe just because of where I live and the fact that generators are now a part of our lives
Anyway, I can promise you that you won't be sorry if you do opt for Estate Lindholm.
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
We stayed at Estate Lindholm two years ago for 2 nights after a week in the BVIs. We loved the room, the convenience of the location and breakfast, the views, the grounds, and the great hospitality. This past summer we stayed at Cruz Views in unit 7. It is nicely renovated and was very affordable. For 3 nights and especially for this special event, I would hands down pick Estate Lindholm - and I am the biggest bargain travel seeker in the world! This is a week you can never repeat and a moment you will remember for the rest of your life.
Congratulations. You will have a wonderful trip!
Congratulations. You will have a wonderful trip!
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nomorelurking
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 am
- Location: US
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
You can see the water from all of the garden rooms, and they are on the level that you walk in on. We have been perfectly happy with the garden level rooms.
I think the difference is that you have plants in your view from the gardens, but they don't obstruct the views that much.
If you don't mind going up stairs and you want an unobstructed view, go for it. I will see if I can find a pic of a view from one of our rooms and post it for you.
I think the difference is that you have plants in your view from the gardens, but they don't obstruct the views that much.
If you don't mind going up stairs and you want an unobstructed view, go for it. I will see if I can find a pic of a view from one of our rooms and post it for you.
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
This is a view from the Cinnamon Room (it's on the far end)
I can't remember which room this was from, but it's another garden level room.
The only garden level room I was not overly fond of was the first one right by the enterance just because you are right over the office when you are on your balcony.
I can't remember which room this was from, but it's another garden level room.
The only garden level room I was not overly fond of was the first one right by the enterance just because you are right over the office when you are on your balcony.
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
I would ay that the Harbor View rooms just put you above the greenery so your view is unobstructed.
We never spend enough time in the room to warrant the Harbor Views. At night you still see all of the lights of St. Thomas from the garden level rooms.
Then again...this IS a special trip
We never spend enough time in the room to warrant the Harbor Views. At night you still see all of the lights of St. Thomas from the garden level rooms.
Then again...this IS a special trip
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
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nomorelurking
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 am
- Location: US
We've stayed at three different garden rooms over the years (reef, maho, and cinnamon). The views are great from all three of those -- plants/trees in front of the balconies really only partially obstruct view if you are sitting. It's kind of cool to look out at the ocean over the flowers, etc., and they provide privacy for the decks too.
As everyone said, you won't be sorry staying there -- it's nice to walk into town if you don't feel like driving (walk back up is challenging, but doable!), and to just head out to the north shore beaches without dealing with the traffic in cruz bay.
Another convenience is the continental breakfast that's included. It's basic (fruit, muffins, hardboiled eggs), but good. Also, the ice machine is key for packing the cooler (also provided)to go to the beach! There's also an "honor bar" to make your own drinks...
As everyone said, you won't be sorry staying there -- it's nice to walk into town if you don't feel like driving (walk back up is challenging, but doable!), and to just head out to the north shore beaches without dealing with the traffic in cruz bay.
Another convenience is the continental breakfast that's included. It's basic (fruit, muffins, hardboiled eggs), but good. Also, the ice machine is key for packing the cooler (also provided)to go to the beach! There's also an "honor bar" to make your own drinks...
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
I agree with sunlover about the walk to town. I would possibly go down the hill, but I would get a taxi up...especially being that I am a flatlander
They provide beach towels for you and coolers to take to the beach as well. I don't know about chairs but pretty sure they provide them too.
We love the breakfasts there as that's where we share info back and forth with the other guests and Lauren.
I am excited that you opted for Estate Lindholm; you won't be sorry.
Sunlover also pointed out my favorite thing about that location, you don't have to drive through town to go to the beaches!
They provide beach towels for you and coolers to take to the beach as well. I don't know about chairs but pretty sure they provide them too.
We love the breakfasts there as that's where we share info back and forth with the other guests and Lauren.
I am excited that you opted for Estate Lindholm; you won't be sorry.
Sunlover also pointed out my favorite thing about that location, you don't have to drive through town to go to the beaches!
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band