Hi Judy,
I stayed in Cruz Views #10 last month and loved it. The condo is very charming and cozy, and the wrap around porch makes it the most private unit at CV. It's very peaceful at night. There is one master bedroom and a loft with 2 twin beds. The upstairs might be a little tight for 2 adults if you are craving space. You cannot see the big construction project on the hillside due to the trees, which is a blessing. However, there is constant construction noise during the day that you hear if you are outside on the deck. It did not bother me because I was out at the beach all day. In the afternoon, I used the A/C and ceiling fans and was not disturbed by the noise.
Cruz Views is close to town and the pool and deck area is well maintained.

MrD22, thank you for the info. I'm probably agonizing over this too much, but in my family I have a rep. of picking the best places and I don't want to ruin my streak lol. Carib Villas has been very open about the construction. I can't seem to find out if the noise is super loud, like you can't have a conversation outside or is it background noise. The Unit (#10) looks lovely. We would be at the beaches all day, but it's the mornings I'm worried about.

Battery Hill noise seems to come from party noise at night. Party noise isn't as bad as construction, but it would be while we were in at night. Aah, I wish someone just pick one for me.
Thanks again, any other info you have re: St. John would be great to hear.

I'm not sure what party noise you'd be getting at Battery Hill, as I can't picture any bars up there (unless the noise from the Beach Bar travels up the hill). I work near the Sirenusa construction site, and I've been hearing some kind of jackhammer or rock chipper the last few weeks, which I imagine would be pretty annoying if you were staying close by. When are you coming, because the construction could be not so loud by the time you are here. As for the construction near Battery Hill that you're referring to...they don't even have permits for that building yet (if it's Grande Bay you're thinking of), so I wouldn't worry about construction noise there. Hope this helps!

Andrea, thanks for the info.
We are coming the last half of June. Maybe it will be quieter then?
We were told that the Beach Bar noise does "float" up. That doesn't really concern me too much.
I guess if construction wasn't an issue my 1st choice would be CV, it seems more private than Battery Hill. The views from Battery Hill look amazing though.
Yes, I'm referring to Grand Bay and that they want to develop another piece of land near there. I have no idea how long it takes to get permits in STJ. Here in California it takes forever. I just wouldn't want to be there during rock crushing time.

If I'm comparing apples to apples which complex do you think is nicer? Thank you so very much.

It does take a long time to get permits here in St. John as well, but Grande Bay's application has been submitted and is under review, so I think technically, they could have permits and begin construction by June. I would assume things would quiet down at Sirenusa by then.
I haven't been inside either of the complexes, so I couldn't comment on which one is nicer. I do get the same privacy feeling from Cruz Views, but then again, at CV, a lot of your view is the scarred hillside where Sirenusa is being built. I would like the Cruz Bay views from Battery Hill better.
I'm not sure if this is helping at all, just trying to tell you what I know! Good luck in your decision.

Hi JudyCat,
I wanted to give you more feedback on CV#10. From this end unit, you cannot see the construction at Sirenusa on the hillside unless you were to lean out over the balcony. So, with the landscaping and the trees, the view from #10 is very nice. The construction noise during the day is distracting, but not loud enough that it will disturb your conversation on the balcony in the morning. I believe if you stay at Battery Hill, you could walk into Cruz Bay at night. I don't think it would be practical to walk to town and home at night to CV, due to the very steep hill. I had a jeep and it was a quick trip in to town and back.
CV#10 is very charming, but it is an older condo complex and CV #10 is on the small side. I was there alone and it was planty of space for me. There is an L- shaped couch and a small dining table for 4. IMHO, for a family of four or more, this condo might be a little cozy. The loft bedroom is small. I did love the setting, view and the peace and quiet at night. The small kitchen is very nice and has newer appliances, including a dishwasher. The condo does comes with 2 good beach chairs, 2 beach backpacks, a regular cooler, 6 beach towels and some snorkeling gear. There are also 4-5 nice chairs on the deck. The Queen bed is comfortable, and the A/C and ceiling fans worked well- I used the A/C in the evening/night to cool the whole place down. The only thing that was not in good working order was the outside shower therefore,I did not use this.
One plus was the small complex swimming pool and pool deck. It was nice to take a quick swim there after driving back from the beach. They also have tables and chairs outside on the pool deck, If you wanted to eat dinner there.
St. John is a wonderful place for a beach vacation-hope you have a good trip

Thanks Andrea and MrD22,
Your info was very helpful. I just e-mailed the owner at Battery Hill. I'm leaning towards them but if new construction is starting then forget it. I've heard that the rock breaking is horrible and I don't want to be there during that! I wish I had a crystal ball. I need to commit to a place now not knowing what could be going on when I get there.
If anyone knows of any updates re: Grand Bay construction please share them with me.
Thanks again.

md22.......I will be staying in CV#3 for 4 nights this month with my college daughter and her friend. They, of course, will have the loft. Is the loft so tiny they will be uncomfortable? Also, do the ac's cool the entire unit or just the bedrooms? I'm also trying to figure out where in Cruz Bay they are located. They told me up the hill from Woody's, but I can't picture that in my brain.

Thanks for your info!

Cypressgirl, I'd love a trip report re:CV when you get back. I haven't totally committed to any unit yet. As far as location, I've never been to St. John but I've found photos on the web and it's up a steep hill above town, to the left of the Sirenusa construction.
When around are you going in March?

We took a look around Cruz Views when we visited in February. If you take Centerline Rd (left of the Texaco), you go straight up the hill past the Texaco. When Centerline Rd. turns to the sharp left (a short distance past the Texaco) you don't -- go straight up the steep hill and Cruz Views is on the right -- down a steep drive to the small parking area. We were there on a Monday morning and didn't notice the construction noise. It was about 10:00 am when we were there. The pool looked clean and everything looked tidy around the condos. We didn't see the interior of the condos, but we left with the impression that we wouldn't be opposed to staying there in the future. It's an easy walk downhill into Cruz Bay. I would be huffing and puffing on the way back up though. We figured we'd walk into town and taxi back. 🙂

Thanks for the info on the location and your impression of the property. I had also planned to cab it home at night. Esp. after a few painkillers.

Sorry Judycat! I missed your reply.

We will return on March 16 and I will be happy to post a review. We booked at the last minute and were lucky to get the dates we needed and #3 was the only unit they had available. Hopefully it will be ok.

We stayed at CV # 10 in Oct/Nov 2006...it's a great unit...have stayed twice at Cruz Bay Villas.. no comparison as far as comfort/updates/amenities....# 10 has been renovated ,thus the higher rate..but by far it is the best unit there for privacy, views,deck space and comfort...It is very well appointed and didn't lack for anything when we were there...The loft is small but very cozy and comfortable...(just don't overindulge at Woody's and try navigating the ladder after bedtime!!! no what I mean?....The unit has a/c throughout and ceiling fans.....A must for us since this is an annual girl trip and we are all prone to "power surges"..I know some of the units only have a/c in the bedrooms...not an option for us!..The pool is a great size and well kept, a gas grill is available...getting out of the driveway can be tricky, you just have to go for it and start blowing your horn early!..The noise wasn't a factor for us, we were gone most of the day and you can't see the construction unless you are up in the parking lot . the wrap around deck was fabulous...mornings and nights...you have a great view of Cruz Bay and STT. We'll probably stay there again this year..I would highly recommend it....It has a "villa feel" even though it is a condo...We have stayed in both throughout the years and this is a nice in-between fit for the bucks...The only thing I wouldn't recommend is walking back up from downtown...it's a pretty wicked hill, but it's only a couple of bucks for a cab... have fun !!

60 days and counting
"Boats"

Cypressgirl, when I talked to the booking agent she said they hadn't had any complaints lately about noise. I wouldn't be so worried, but I don't want to disappoint my family. We are going to New York City for 4 days before this, so if it weren't for airfare from California, NYC hotel rates, Broadway tickets and Jeep rentals I'd have more money to spend on a place and go with a Villa. I looked into Gallows Point but we'd have to stay downstairs and my daughter's at the age where she wants more privacy. So pretty much everywhere in our budget is near construction. Do they have Unions in the USVI? Maybe I can incite a labor strike while I'm there, Just kidding.

Thanks Boats, I'm sure getting a ton of positive feedback re: CV #10. Seems like a good choice. It looks really nice online. My daughter will be staying in the loft so I don't have to worry about it. It seems like w/ the a/c running in the morning you could still sleep in. So I'd hear the noise in the morning while getting ready, then we'd be at the beach all day. By the time we get back for a dip in the pool the construction noise should be over.

You guys have all been so helpful. 🙂

I've stayed at Gallows Point a couple of times and It is a great location and a pretty property, but the units that I have seen are very dated. For the high season rate, I'd rather stay in a villa. But for this trip, I wanted to be close to town for the girls (19 and 20). I know they are going to want to hit the night spots and be out late. I'm sure CV will be just fine. I'll give you a full report when I get back.

I just reserved CV#10. All the good advice I got here helped me make my mind up. We really won't be in our unit much during the day. I figure if the noise is bad in the moring while packing up for the beach we'll just put on some Bob Marley real loud! 🙂