usvi-on-line
Hi Everyone...new member/lurker with a question or two
Hi Everyone...new member/lurker with a question or two
I've been lurking here for a month or two as I start to think about a special vacation this coming summer for a 15th anniversary.
We've traveled a fair amount and have been to Hawaii and Riviera Maya, but have never made it to the Caribbean.
What are your recommendations when considering St. John for first-time visitors. We're a couple in our late 30's/early 40's and enjoy the water (snorkel, day sailing, etc), good beverages, music....
So... villa vs. condo (like a Gallows Point)
location? I have been thinking closer to Cruz Bay for a first trip and have looked at villas like Arc du Soleil, Bongo Bongo, even the Gibney beach cottage
other suggestions?
Thank you!
KT
We've traveled a fair amount and have been to Hawaii and Riviera Maya, but have never made it to the Caribbean.
What are your recommendations when considering St. John for first-time visitors. We're a couple in our late 30's/early 40's and enjoy the water (snorkel, day sailing, etc), good beverages, music....
So... villa vs. condo (like a Gallows Point)
location? I have been thinking closer to Cruz Bay for a first trip and have looked at villas like Arc du Soleil, Bongo Bongo, even the Gibney beach cottage
other suggestions?
Thank you!
KT
!st off, Welcome to the forum. As they say in Coral Bay," We're all here 'cause we're not all there.
I have some advice. It's your 15th? Splurge! Get a villa. Go for 2 weeks, if you can. If not, try for 10 days. Book a car way in advance. Some here like to rent on STT and take the car ferry, but I think 1st timers would do better to rent on STJ. If you rent a villa, most will make the car rental arrangement for you.
As to Cruz Bay vs. Coral Bay, different strokes for different folks. Cruz Bay is quite a bit busier, with more night life, eateries and shopping. Also more traffic and cruise ship visitors. Coral Bay is quieter, they party hard, close up shop early and get moving earlier.
Last bit of advice from me... Don't try to over plan. The plan is there is no plan is the best plan.
Relax, adjust to "island time" as soon as you get on the ferry. You'll love it, have fun.
I have some advice. It's your 15th? Splurge! Get a villa. Go for 2 weeks, if you can. If not, try for 10 days. Book a car way in advance. Some here like to rent on STT and take the car ferry, but I think 1st timers would do better to rent on STJ. If you rent a villa, most will make the car rental arrangement for you.
As to Cruz Bay vs. Coral Bay, different strokes for different folks. Cruz Bay is quite a bit busier, with more night life, eateries and shopping. Also more traffic and cruise ship visitors. Coral Bay is quieter, they party hard, close up shop early and get moving earlier.
Last bit of advice from me... Don't try to over plan. The plan is there is no plan is the best plan.
Relax, adjust to "island time" as soon as you get on the ferry. You'll love it, have fun.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
The great thing about St. John is that it is not that big, so you almost can't pick a wrong location! We have stayed on nearly every corner of the island and have found all to have unique features.
Perhaps just think about what you want to be closest to? The beaches? Night life (and I say that loosely!)? We like staying about half-way between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay - find it relatively convenient to both and to the beaches.
As far as condo versus villa...we have always stayed at villas (except for one trip where we stayed at Caneel Bay). We like the privacy of the villas. Each villa we have stayed in has had books of activities, restaurants, etc.
I think all the villas you are looking at are wonderful - I personally would go with Gibney Beach Cottage on the beach. We love snorkeling and being able to wake up and jump in the water?!?!? What could be better.
Perhaps just think about what you want to be closest to? The beaches? Night life (and I say that loosely!)? We like staying about half-way between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay - find it relatively convenient to both and to the beaches.
As far as condo versus villa...we have always stayed at villas (except for one trip where we stayed at Caneel Bay). We like the privacy of the villas. Each villa we have stayed in has had books of activities, restaurants, etc.
I think all the villas you are looking at are wonderful - I personally would go with Gibney Beach Cottage on the beach. We love snorkeling and being able to wake up and jump in the water?!?!? What could be better.
KT- Welcome. Lots of opinions on what's best...can't pick a bad place on STJ...
My first three choices would be:
http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=23078
http://vacationvistas.com/2007/cinnamon-tarn.html
http://www.destinationstjohn.com/lamer.htm
Feel free to use the Google Earth villa map I put together with alot of help from this forum...
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php ... j840khcn54
Have fun, peace.
My first three choices would be:
http://www.vivacations.com/viewproperty ... tyID=23078
http://vacationvistas.com/2007/cinnamon-tarn.html
http://www.destinationstjohn.com/lamer.htm
Feel free to use the Google Earth villa map I put together with alot of help from this forum...
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php ... j840khcn54
Have fun, peace.
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Some good info already...thanks and keep up the tips
We're pretty sold on St. John for the trip. Unfortunately two weeks is out of the question. How is the activity level and crowd factor in the offseason (late June early July)? Are some of the day charters and restaurant/bars shut down?
Thanks!
KT
Thanks!
KT
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Pete (Mr. Marcia)
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
These are obviously my personal opinions, because, after all, I am writing them.
I would go the villa route. It's so cool having your own place...much more private. Also, I strongly recommend a villa with a pool. It's nice to have the pool to chill by during the day with tunes. At night, the pool lights are romantic. For us, a pool is a must.
We like to rent the Jeep/car on STJ. First off, if you rent on STT you have to take the car barge. That can be a bit intimidating. Also, if something happens to the car...flat tire, etc...it's nice to have the rental agency on island so that you don't have to waste a day going back to STT to deal with the situation. Finally, if you rent on STJ from someone like Conrad Sutton, you can park in their lot when you come into town. That's a big plus, as parking in Cruz Bay is limited and a pain.
There are differences of opinion on this board about staying on the Cruz Bay or Coral Bay side of the island. For a first trip, I would stay closer to Cruz Bay. There is much more to do in Cruz Bay at night and much more in terms of shopping, groceries and liquor stores.
If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me.
I would go the villa route. It's so cool having your own place...much more private. Also, I strongly recommend a villa with a pool. It's nice to have the pool to chill by during the day with tunes. At night, the pool lights are romantic. For us, a pool is a must.
We like to rent the Jeep/car on STJ. First off, if you rent on STT you have to take the car barge. That can be a bit intimidating. Also, if something happens to the car...flat tire, etc...it's nice to have the rental agency on island so that you don't have to waste a day going back to STT to deal with the situation. Finally, if you rent on STJ from someone like Conrad Sutton, you can park in their lot when you come into town. That's a big plus, as parking in Cruz Bay is limited and a pain.
There are differences of opinion on this board about staying on the Cruz Bay or Coral Bay side of the island. For a first trip, I would stay closer to Cruz Bay. There is much more to do in Cruz Bay at night and much more in terms of shopping, groceries and liquor stores.
If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me.
Wisconsin, smell the dairy air
Pete nailed it and I hate to type go with what he just said. Ask away on the ??? lots of experts here. Our first trip three years ago we hit St John like Veterans, ya get so much more out of your vacation with some good knowledge before ya get there.Welcome to the forum!!!
I can't add a lot to what has already been said. It's all good advice. We were first timers for our honeymoon in May. We looked at every possible option and we decided that a villa on the Cruz Bay side was the way to go. We barely left our villa the first 3 days we were there! Of course it was our honeymoon and we had no kids but if it had just been a normal vacation we probably wouldn't have changed much. That said, the comments about not "overplanning" are very true. I think we ditched our detailed plan the second day. We made a list of things we would like to do and agreed that we would just go with the flow of "island time" and see how it worked out. We only ended up doing a few things off our list but we decided that we now have a great list (and more knowledge) for our next vacation. We aren't even considering going anywhere else. For some strange reason the New England beaches have lost their appeal to me.....Brrrrrrr!
I can't add a lot to what has already been said. It's all good advice. We were first timers for our honeymoon in May. We looked at every possible option and we decided that a villa on the Cruz Bay side was the way to go. We barely left our villa the first 3 days we were there! Of course it was our honeymoon and we had no kids but if it had just been a normal vacation we probably wouldn't have changed much. That said, the comments about not "overplanning" are very true. I think we ditched our detailed plan the second day. We made a list of things we would like to do and agreed that we would just go with the flow of "island time" and see how it worked out. We only ended up doing a few things off our list but we decided that we now have a great list (and more knowledge) for our next vacation. We aren't even considering going anywhere else. For some strange reason the New England beaches have lost their appeal to me.....Brrrrrrr!
Re: Some good info already...thanks and keep up the tips
We were there ~ 3rd week in June this year...there was plenty going on...maybe a few things closed but there were plent of stores, bars, restaurants open...no problems..KTinTX wrote:How is the activity level and crowd factor in the offseason (late June early July)? Are some of the day charters and restaurant/bars shut down? KT
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on picking STJ for your summer vacation.
One thing that has not been mentioned yet is that you might want to consider trip insurance. You will be hitting the very beginning of hurricane season and although it's highly unlikely that you will be affected, it's nice to know that you won't lose out on all of the expenses PLUS the trip, if you are.
One thing that has not been mentioned yet is that you might want to consider trip insurance. You will be hitting the very beginning of hurricane season and although it's highly unlikely that you will be affected, it's nice to know that you won't lose out on all of the expenses PLUS the trip, if you are.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
Living just southeast of Houston for most of my life, hurricane season is definitely something I've grown up with a healthy respect for. We were 'hunkered down' during Ike in September and had the eye pass directly over our house for over an hour. Not something I want to do while on vacation for sure!
Definitely something we'll keep in mind.
What villas and rental agencies have you used?
KT
Definitely something we'll keep in mind.
What villas and rental agencies have you used?
KT
Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:Welcome to the forum and congratulations on picking STJ for your summer vacation.
One thing that has not been mentioned yet is that you might want to consider trip insurance. You will be hitting the very beginning of hurricane season and although it's highly unlikely that you will be affected, it's nice to know that you won't lose out on all of the expenses PLUS the trip, if you are.
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
KTinTX -
I suggest for your first time staying closer to Cruz Bay. Our first time we stayed in Catherineburg and it was nice, but I didn't realize how much there was that I hadn't seen until the next trip. If you plan to mainly hang out at your villa (assuming you choose a villa) or the beaches.
We always seem to go in June (usually late June) with the exception of that first year when we went in late July and the second week of July right before Katrina hit here. Now, we don't travel (unless it's evacuating) July through September because I don't want someone to have to evacuate with my pets (but that a whole 'nother story).
Anyway, the one thing to keep in mind about late June (mainly that last week) is that it's right before the St. John Carnival (July 4th) so it can seem a bit more crowded. We have never stayed on STJ for Carnival but have left as late as July 2nd. I have mixed feelings about being there then. It can seem too crowded in Cruz Bay (and sometimes harder to park), but they do have all of the tents and things for sale right there in the park by the ferry dock and cool things like the steel pan competition.
I have to say that we have never noticed anything closed in late June that we were trying to go to, and we usually eat out all lunches and dinners while there. I think when you get into late July you begin to see more closings.
Oh and look into Estate Lindholm as an option if you decide you want to try a bed and breakfast...it's an ideal location. We have stayed there several times either before or after we get into our villa as we usually like to stay at least 10 days.
Good luck in your decisions.
I suggest for your first time staying closer to Cruz Bay. Our first time we stayed in Catherineburg and it was nice, but I didn't realize how much there was that I hadn't seen until the next trip. If you plan to mainly hang out at your villa (assuming you choose a villa) or the beaches.
We always seem to go in June (usually late June) with the exception of that first year when we went in late July and the second week of July right before Katrina hit here. Now, we don't travel (unless it's evacuating) July through September because I don't want someone to have to evacuate with my pets (but that a whole 'nother story).
Anyway, the one thing to keep in mind about late June (mainly that last week) is that it's right before the St. John Carnival (July 4th) so it can seem a bit more crowded. We have never stayed on STJ for Carnival but have left as late as July 2nd. I have mixed feelings about being there then. It can seem too crowded in Cruz Bay (and sometimes harder to park), but they do have all of the tents and things for sale right there in the park by the ferry dock and cool things like the steel pan competition.
I have to say that we have never noticed anything closed in late June that we were trying to go to, and we usually eat out all lunches and dinners while there. I think when you get into late July you begin to see more closings.
Oh and look into Estate Lindholm as an option if you decide you want to try a bed and breakfast...it's an ideal location. We have stayed there several times either before or after we get into our villa as we usually like to stay at least 10 days.
Good luck in your decisions.
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
Welcome to the Forum!! You will LOVE St John & will not be disappointed you choose to vacation there; actually you'll probably be hooked in not wanting to go many other places!!
You'll find so many great people on this forum who are more than willing to help you with any question you might have. From those who've gone to STJ once to those who've been there many, many times & even to those who live on island, so much knowledge & info can be gained just by asking/reading.
I'll throw another villa option in the mix for you: Time Out Villa. We stayed there last May & loved it. Check out their website: www.timeoutvilla.com. It's in Chocolate Hole (close to Cruz Bay), has a pool, washer/dryer, 2 bedroom/2 bath, beautiful view, villa rep/contact living on island to help at any point in your stay.
Whichever place you choose to stay or side of the island you stay on, etc. just enjoy the planning! & don't forget to ask any question here from these great people.
You'll find so many great people on this forum who are more than willing to help you with any question you might have. From those who've gone to STJ once to those who've been there many, many times & even to those who live on island, so much knowledge & info can be gained just by asking/reading.
I'll throw another villa option in the mix for you: Time Out Villa. We stayed there last May & loved it. Check out their website: www.timeoutvilla.com. It's in Chocolate Hole (close to Cruz Bay), has a pool, washer/dryer, 2 bedroom/2 bath, beautiful view, villa rep/contact living on island to help at any point in your stay.
Whichever place you choose to stay or side of the island you stay on, etc. just enjoy the planning! & don't forget to ask any question here from these great people.
Hey KT- Sent you a PM back, also thought of a couple more points to share.
We used Vacaion Vistasfor our villa, but that was because we had decided on CT and they handled it...they were good.
http://vacationvistas.com/
This was our first trip, we stayed ~ a week and we loved Catherineberg but we had a jeep so we could go where-ever we wanted when-ever we wanted. We walked down to Cinnamon beach from Catherineberg and would get into the Jeep to go to Coral or Cruz bays...if you have wheels I don't think location is such a big deal. We based our villa choice on proximity to North Shore beaches and the awesome view. We ate dinner at home most evenings which also made location less important.
Our trip reports:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=7825
Peace-
sherb
We used Vacaion Vistasfor our villa, but that was because we had decided on CT and they handled it...they were good.
http://vacationvistas.com/
This was our first trip, we stayed ~ a week and we loved Catherineberg but we had a jeep so we could go where-ever we wanted when-ever we wanted. We walked down to Cinnamon beach from Catherineberg and would get into the Jeep to go to Coral or Cruz bays...if you have wheels I don't think location is such a big deal. We based our villa choice on proximity to North Shore beaches and the awesome view. We ate dinner at home most evenings which also made location less important.
Our trip reports:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=7825
Peace-
sherb
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA