USVI-On-Line

Hello everyone. I am new to the Forum and my wife and I are in need of some advise. We have been to St. John five times now, always in villas in the chocolate hole area. We now have a 1yr old son and thinking about one of the Gibney cottages in June or July.

Has anyone stayed there before and what do you think about it with a 1 1/2 yr old. Is it big enough for a crib? safe? etc.

Thanks for your advise for the new person to the forum.

George

I have seen inside of both of them. One of them is a one bedroom/studio type, and the other one has a loft in addition to the bed downstairs. There is plenty of room for a crib, but there is not a seperate room seperated with a door. I would think it is safe, etc, but I have noticed loud music, etc, coming from the house next door when we stayed at Terrahawk up the hill from the gibney cottages. I love this area and is my favorite area to stay. I love being on the north shore and cruz bay and caneel is just a short drive away.

Welcome to the forum!

We love this beach and area. This is one of the rare properties actually on a beach so if that is a priority go for it. My one caution is the NoSeeUms. We often like to end our days on this beach, the cottage is just off the beach in the trees and when our little winged friends arrive in the evening, run!!!!!! Although I have not stayed there I have been near the cottage when they arrived, since the Cottages are actually in the trees I suspect bugs might be a problem. The old dictum is vacate the beaches for the hour or two in the evening when the bugs dine. We usually head to our Catherinberg Villa just as the first bites start.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at these cottages - for most of the early morning and evening it will be like your own private beach - Safe ? very much so.
I would recommend taking a mosquito net for the crib no matter where you stay just to be thoughtful for the young one.
There are very few places in the VI that have the beach ambiance of these cottages - a unique and absolutely beautiful spot.
Pia's comments about the layout are well worth considering.

I always recommend these villas. It is an unbelievable location and like no other on the island. I too would say the Beach Cottage would be the better pick, although either would be fine.
I think the loud music situation is due to the Oppenheimer spot, which is close by. This spot is rented out for parties, which sometimes involves loud music. This is regulated by the National Park, and I would think that it would not be too bothersome. I'm not sure what the specific rules are about the loud music, and what time functions must end, but I do know that Teri will try hard to make sure you enjoy yourselves and are comfortable.
Overall, this is a DREAM location and I don't think you would regret it!

This is great, keep it coming. Thank You so much

Over the last few years we stayed at Gibney Beach villas at least 15 times and LOVE IT. You will have the beach to yourself until about 10am and most people leave at 3. Terri and her son Tommy are really great and are very repsectful when they have guests. Both cottages are great but with a little one in a crib, I would go for the front beach cottage. The garden cottage is also nice, but there wouldn't be room in the bedroom for the crib. It is a baby friendly beach for sure...my daughters first trip in the ocean when she was 9 weeks old was on Gibney. We miss staying there, but unfortunately my parents broke down and bought a house in Coral Bay (it ends up being cheaper than renting 5 times a year). Good luck, if you have any more questions, just email me! (PSUWethr@rcn.com)