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I am looking to rent a 3 bedroom for a week. We will have 6 people. I really dont want to pay over 3000. Anyone have any ideas?
"Nighttime views would probably be more interesting at Villa Montana."
Not necessarily so as you have the nightime lights and views of STJ, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola and other islands from the vantage point of Paradise Dream Villa as well the ferries running back and forth off in the distance. Less town lights and the lights of the enormous Frenchman's Bay Resort avail you of better seing the stars at night.
If it were me choosing, I would go with PDV since I wouldn't have to drive far for all the east end activities, especially at night on our ill-lit, pot-hole ridden, unmarked roads. Town at night is not particularly user friendly and going up and down Donkey Hill can prove interesting for those of us that live here.
And..NO! I do don't know the owners of either vacation rental.
I lived up on Emerald Hill (where PDV is located) for a while a few years back and it's a lovely area. Very quiet neighborhood, beautiful views and always with great breezes. Mafolie is lovely too but for the convenience factor and general accessibility, I'd pick PDV as a vacation spot.
Alana33 wrote:
"Nighttime views would probably be more interesting at Villa Montana."Town at night is not particularly user friendly and going up and down Donkey Hill can prove interesting for those of us that live here.
Villa Montana is in Estate Elizabeth above Sibs on the Mt. -- spectacular harbor view day and night - and Frenchtown is very user friendly at night - there would be very little occasion to use Donkey Hill unless you were headed to Bolongo or the Dump.
Long drive to East End.
Yes Villa Montana to Red Hook will probably take about 15-18 min. using Skyline Drive - I do it almost every day.
So it will only be about 15-18 minutes. That is not bad. What about the Frenchtown area? Are there restaurants close by? Beaches? Also, for you who know St.Thomas well. Which are the must see beaches? Thanks for all this help!
It's more like 25 min and at night the roads are even more challenging since they are not well marked or lit. We won't mention "idiot drivers!"
I stayed in the Hull Bay area last spring and, while the drive was quite a challenge the first couple of times, we got used to it quickly and were very glad we decided to stay where we did. The views were unbelievable and it was so peaceful up there.
Also, in re: to beaches, do NOT miss Lindquist/Smith Bay!
A little off topic since it sounds like Aggiemom has her sights on St. Thomas but thought I would share. One of our guests staying at Flamingo Point USVI this week posted this 42 second video on YOUTUBE. Enjoy!
Conversations about STT distance, travel times, commutes, traffic etc. always crack me up. AGGiemon, please understand that stt "commutes" are nothing like the typical suburban stateside commute. This is an island. Rarely do I drive over 30 mph.I guess it will take about 20 minutes from your villa in estate elizabeth to "downtown Red Hook" once you arrive in Red Hook it will take about another 20 minutes to find parking. From the emeralhills villa to red hook is about 10 minutes and 20 minutes to park. The estate elizabeth villa is closer to the airport and more central if you wish to explore. The emerald hills villa is closer to the STJ ferry. If you don't want to drive to the beach, then consider renting a villa on Mango Bay in Virgin Gorda (but tripple your budget) Even on Gorda,you be driving, but may not see another car.
Red Hook is the ferry port to STJ and experiences a good deal of associated traffic. Additionally quite a few high density vacation condo hotel complexes are located close to red hook, so you'll have some restaurant and shops that cater to those folks.
Both of the villas you selected are in "neighborhoods" with full time residents and other rental properties. Neither are "resort" neighborhoods. So you have to drive to beaches and restaurants. I think they are about equal in terms of convience and safety. Be sure to lock your doors at night and when youare way during the day. Ask the PM about a safe place (or safe) to lock up your valuables (camera. lap top, cash, jewelry)
PS. don't be scared of donkey hill (my perferred route from red hook to downtown).
PS # 2. Please take VBRO review with a grain of salt. VRBO has some interesting policies which allow owners to "confirm" and up-date "reviews". You may want to look at other sites for unbiased reviews.
have a great trip!!
Thank you blu4u for the advice. What other sites would I look at for unbiased reviews. Have you seen Villa Montana or Paradise Dream Villa?
