We just returned from our first visit to St. John, we stayed 10 nights at Harmony 1B, just a bedroom, not with the extra futon/bed. I would think that 4 would be okay, 5 would be a bit much. We heard several families near us who had children quite young, under 6. They seemed to be handling the stairs just fine, there are quite a few up to Harmony! Around 400 to the beach I believe. We took showers in the afternoon when the sun had had a chance to warm the water up. We showered camp-like, soap-up, turn off, then rinse. We had plenty of hot water. The meals we felt were very reasonable, adults around 16-18 included trips to the salad bar and ice tea. Very generous portions also,in fact we shared some main courses. We also packed some dry food, cereal, crackers, snacks. The units do have a 2 burner propane unit, microwave and small refrigerator. We were there in jan and we never felt hot in the unti. There are ceiling fans and also a table fan that we used just a couple of nights. Plenty of breezes on the hill! We did pack and used all the time bug spray with deet. The bugs were not overwhelming (by norhtern N.H. black fly season) but the spray sure did help. Hope I helped. We really loved out time at maho and on St. John. Make sure you watch the glass blowing!

We will be staying at the Maho Tent Camp in April. We are only a couple and wonder if we should forgo the cooking and just eat in the restaurant. Any advice? Also, is a car necessary or do they have a shuttle service? One lat thing - unfortunately I have a serious phobia to snakes. I've be assurred by management that I won't see any on the property. What do you think, having been there. Thanks for any help you can give me.

The restaurant is good, however we found it nice to bring some basic items. It was nice to just have a bowl of cereal on the deck. They also offer a leave it station where outgoing guests leave food and other items that they don't want to pack back home. There is a shuttle service and Maho organizes trips to popular spots, ie skinny's in coral bay for a night out, snorkle trips and the like. Also some nice spots are only a 30, 45 or 60 minute hike away. We never saw a single snake, just small cute lizards that help eat the no seeums 🙂 Enjoy wish I was there right now!

We're never interested in cooking when on vacation. The pavilion restaurant at Maho is a really great space looking out over Little Maho and Francis Bays. Breakfasts are good and dinners are usually at least okay. There is also a small store at Maho where you can pick up most of what you'll want.

Maho is one place where you can do fine without a car. There's plenty of good snorkeling within walking distance and there is a regular shuttle (there is a fee) to Cruz Bay, so it's easy to get to any of the other north shore beaches. I'd still suggest renting a vehicle for a day or two so you can get to other parts of the island.

You won't see any snakes.