Virgin Islands Virgin - Advice please...

Ron_L · Post by **Ron_L** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:20 pm

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! This is my first post, but I've been reading the forum for the past couple of days.

My wife requested that we go somewhere warm for spring break this year. Our daughter is a senior in high school and this will probably be our last spring break together. We've convinced her to put up with us for a week

but we've also conceded that she can bring a girlfriend (keeps her happy and minimizes the arguments

)

So... We're planning on flying into St. Thomas on Sunday, March 25 and leaving on Sunday April 1 (no foolin'

) I'm using united miles for the flights and we're limited on the available dates so that;s why I'm looking at a Sunday to Sunday trip.

After reading here and on a couple of other sites we've decided to rent a condo or cottage or small villa, but we're not sure which island, so I'm hoping for some guidance from all of you. Even though I'm burning miles for the airfare, we're probably limited to about $2000 max for the rental. We need room for four people, but a 1+ BR with a sleeper sofa would be fine. 2 BR would be ideal. As far as what we like, we're not big on late night partying, but we do enjoy nice restaurants and quieter clubs. We love snorkeling and hiking, but I can't handle steep inclines or tough trails. My initial reaction is to look at St. John, but it looks like rentals there are more expensive, but any recommendations on St. John would be great!

As far as St. Thomas and St. Croix, since we've never been to either (or St. John for than matter), I really don't know what area to look at. We'd like easy access to beaches and snorkeling, I would like to be able to go fishing nearby, and we'd like someplace clean, comfortable and safe.

Hopefully that gives you enough info to give me some advice. if I've left something out, please let me know!

Thanks!

FrankG · Post by **FrankG** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:41 am

Happy New Year, Ron L. I've never stayed in this villa, but it looks like it might be what you're looking for. It's called "Simply Paradise" and it's on St. John, in Chocolate Hole. 2 br., hot tub. www.vivacations.com It is available for your dates.

Good luck and have a great vacation!

Ron_L · Post by **Ron_L** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:20 am

Thanks, Frank! I hadn't stumbled across that one in my searches yet. It looks very nice. A little more than I had hoped to spend, but if we eat in a couple of nights, that would make up the difference!

Has anyone stayed there that confirm the condition, etc.?

dscallah · Post by **dscallah** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:19 am

Ron,
We are staying at the Horizons Cottage the last week of Jan and it sounds like what your looking for. We have never seen this location but all the reviews I've read were good and the lady who owns it has been great to deal with. It's out south of Coral Bay near Concordia and offers a great view. http://www.horizonscottage.com Check it out and have a good trip.

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:44 am

If you're interested in a condo close to town (Cruz Bay), Cruz Views has a two bedroom unit available for your week (CV4). Friends of ours recently stayed in a 1BR unit and enjoyed it - said they had the pool to themselves the entire week.

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/cviews/cruz_views.html

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:11 am

We had some friends stay at Cruz Views and they were fine with it - just make sure to get one with a/c.

On an "adventure" driving around we came upon Horizons. It is easy to get to from the main road and it has a really nice view. It is literally on the side of a cliff

You can also check out The Inn At Tamarind Court (http://innattamarindcourt.com/index.html) if you are trying to go inexpensive. I have never had any experience with it but have it bookmarded along with several other places on STJ that might be options.

We have stayed at Estate Lindholm (http://www.estatelindholm.com/) and were VERY happy with it.

nothintolose

p.s. there are several villa rental companies on St. John that you can check into.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 11:38 am

I like to also suggest Cruz Views and if you go to www.caribbeanvilla.com they list the price and available units and the ones with a/c in bedroom and some with ac throughout. It also says that units 7 &10 are the best they offer and #7 is available for your week. It is also a great feature to be able to walk into town at night and not have to worry about driving or parking. Scott

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:53 pm

St. John vs. St. Thomas? Well, it's a personal decision, but I always end up on St. John.

We've stayed at the Tamarind Court and Cruz Views. Tamarind Court is probably not what you're looking for, though we like it as a place to hang our hat for a couple of days.

Cruz Views is fun, close to town and has reasonable views. The pool is nice and there's a gas grill.

Something to consider is whether you want the girls to walk to town on their own. There are ample opportunities for them to get in trouble. They will get served in every bar, my 15 year old daughter does, and have the usual characters buying them drinks. I would discreetly chaperone evening outings. It's always nice to sit at the Beach Bar and have some cocktails while the youngsters do body shots at Woodys for an hour or so.

Most importantly, are you getting a car? If not, some other alternatives are http://starvillas.com/ (Ruth recommends them).

You'll have a blast. Checkout our trip report from Spring Break 2004 with my daughters and our newbie guide to STJ at http://www.garvin.us/STJ/St_John_US_Virgin_Islands.html

Cheers, RickG

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 12:55 pm

Not sure if they have availability but check out
Coconut coast
http://coconutcoast.com/index.htm

Betty · Post by **Betty** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:10 pm

Check out http://www.suitestjohn.com/batteryhill/batteryhill.html
Ruth posted a reasonable guest suite a few weeks ago
in Coral Bay area, but I think the girls would have more fun in Cruz Bay.
You are traveling at the end of high season so prices are still high. I would choose St John over St Thomas anyday. St John is our favorite island in the Carribean/Bahamas and we have tried about 15 of them

Suite St John seems to have reasonably priced units.

Our daughter is a senior too and we want to do one last Spring Break with her on a budget, she needs to play golf also to get ready for the Spring Varsity season and we found great deals in Cancun. It is not where my husband and I would go alone for a vacation, but it fits our needs this year traveling with a teen that needs to play golf and wants tropics.

ATG · Post by **ATG** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 1:51 pm

I would say, if you choose St. John, as a first timer, stay within walking distance of Cruz Bay (don't have to rent a car the whole time, easy access to town and taxis to beaches, etc.) Try Lavendar Hill condos (they have 2 bedroom units) or Gallows Point.

Ron_L · Post by **Ron_L** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:06 pm

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I am checking them all out.

One place that I found while searching is Windward Side. It looks nice, and would offer some privacy since the bedroom and the rest of the living area are separated. Has anyone stayed there or know more about it?

I like the idea of being near Cruz Bay to save a little on a car, but I'm just a bit concerned about the temptation of being that close for the girls (as RickG mentioned). Since one of them is not my kid, it's probably not a good idea for her get introduced to body shots while with us!

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:58 pm

check out www.bookitvi.com , they seem to have alot of 2 bedroom villas in your price range "Iguana Inn' and " Wood Rose". Couldn't check availablity online though also www.caribehavens.com same deal. I stayed intwo of there villas "Casa Contant"(great sunset) and "Poi Pu" with no complaints

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:59 pm

In my opinion, do get the car! You'll have access to all of the beautiful VINP beaches, and you can come and go as you please! Staying in town is so convenient if you are going out to the restaurants and bars frequently, but I am guessing that it not the focus of your vacation, with the teens along.

Coral Bay is beautiful, you will be more likely to find a place in your budget out there, and you'll be close to some of the good South Shore beaches--Salt Pond, Haulover, etc. Make SURE you get a 4WD vehicle if you are staying out there though--some of the access roads to the villas on the Coral Bay side can be hairy!

If you think the teens can handle quiet evenings at home with your group, I'd look into the villa out of Cruz Bay--anywhere but right in town--you'll likely have better views, and won't have to worry about all that Rick G. mentions. Here are some of the websites to check for St. John rentals:

http://www.vacationvistas.com
http://www.destinationstjohn.com
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com
http://www.privatehomesforprivatevacations.com
http://www.carefreegetaways.com
http://www.vivacations.com
http://www.cateredto.com
http://www.stjohnrentavilla.com

Also, you can look for places on the villa rental by owner sites:

http://www.cyberrentals.com
http://www.vrbo.com

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:45 pm

Hi, although I ended up renting a different villa, here's one that got my attention and was on my "short list" for a long time. "Over The Rainbow" at Reef Bay, 4 mi. from Cruz Bay. It would suit your needs and price, and it's still close to town, although not "in" town.

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/overain/overain.html

Have fun!

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