sherban,
If you have to ask about AC, you're going to need it! It's hot in June/July. Some People don't like AC, Some People can live without it, Some say the trade winds will keep you cool. I say HA! I don't care how far up the mountain you go, give me AC.

We were there this past July, and it would have been pretty warm without a/c. Only the bedrooms had it, and the great room got pretty warm. I would imagine the bedrooms would have felt the same. Personally, I'd go for a/c at that time of year.

We have visited the USVI Water Island in June for several years. We do not have a/c and do not need it. Make sure the place you stay is UP where it gets breeze and has ceiling fans. If your staying down on a hillside or have the breeze blocked for any other reason it will be much warmer. Even so, it cools off at night. And it is cooler on the beach. The water is wonderful that time of year.

Sherban, AC or No AC (being comfortable with ceiling fans and Mother Natures's breezes) can be hard to predict in June......some years we've found June to be constant breezy and comfortable without AC. On the other hand, there's been a couple of years we've found June to be warm with little or inconsistent breeze. This past June, we had guests who thoroughly enjoyed their stay in the month of June, were very comfortable both day and night - and we don't have AC. The last 5 years, IMHO, June has been a roll-of-the-dice kinda thing for AC. July on the other hand (getting closer to August) can be p-r-e-t-t-y hot, little breeze and the need for AC definitely increases. If the budget allows, go with the villa with AC. If the budget doesn't allow, select a location that catches as much breeze possible and ask the villa if they have floor/table fans as well as ceiling fans.

the only room in my house that i air condition is my computer room/office, and that is only to keep the computers from dying, the rest of the house is floor and ceiling fans.

We rented a condo (Pastory sp? Gardens) on St John and we were very comfortable and it was for a week in July. The cross winds kept us cool, as a matter of fact I slept under a blanket every night. But where we stayed on St Thomas the following week we needed the air conditioning due to the fact there wasn't flow through to take advantage of the breezes. I guess it is all in what you are used to as well. The first year we were there my wife was uncomfortable but each year after that she has enjoyed the warmth (she still calls it heat).

Thanks everyone for sharing your opinions and experiences. It looks to be a topic with differing opinions, I guess I knew that when I asked. All the courses I've taken in statistics, as well as observations about variations in seasonal weather trends also tell me that the conditions while I am there will be "a crap shoot".

What I did learn is that there appears to be no clear answer and that the middle ground is likely not too risky----translated to english= we probably won't be miserable if we are up high and don't have AC, but it would be good to have in case it gets nasty-sticky...

If a bunch of folks had replied that they had horrible experiences without AC and would never do it again, that would be a warning sign...however; folks seem to be closer to the middle opinion leaning slightly to the left or right.

Again, thanks to all for sharing your opinions, I appreciate your help.
sherban

It's very much a matter of individual tolerance--not is a/c necessary, but is it necessary for you. People did live on STJ for a very long time before there was a/c and even at Caneel it's a relatively recent addition. People do stay at Maho and Concordia where there isn't any a/c. Our rentals tend to be older West Indian-style cottages with ceiling fans. We do fine without a/c when we're on vacation but if I was living and working on STJ I'd definitely want a/c. When we're in the tropics we like to feel the tropics. I like hearing the night sounds, smelling the fragrances. Other people would be absolutely miserable without a/c. I agree with the earlier poster who felt that anyone who thinks to ask about a/c will probably want a/c.

I went in October which I was told is the hottest month and it would be quite uncomfortable without AC. My room was on the top level of our house, which was up pretty high, and we turned the AC on once, opting instead to open all of the windows and use the ceiling fan. We were comfortable during the day and evening.

The great room did get a little stuffy if we didn't open the sliders all the way (doors and screens) when we were in there, but really it wasn't bad at all.

If you take a vacation in the Tropics, you have to expect to be warm at some point. The only place I could've tolerated not having AC would've been the car.

i know it sounds strange but when i run the car AC i have the blowers on my legs and feet and then drive with the windows open

Are you my wife? She does that too and she wondered away in St John and hasn't been seen since. lol