check with your host, that sounds about right for the change to low season... middle to late april. calendars do vary.

hope the hubby recovers quickly, a romp in the warm surf (an advantage to coming in the spring/summer) does wonders for loosening whatever one wants loosened, and it will be good therapy for him after he's all healed, to enjoy the salt water and the additional exercise the islands tempt one to.

Sorry about the change of plans...hope everything goes smoothly and the hubby is up and kickin' in no time. A lot of the villas change their rates on April 15th. Some go to off season, some have shoulder season. I don't think the car rental places do the same though. Mid April can be quite busy on St. John because of the rates dropping. I can't think of a single business that closes or changes their hours until after carnival, which is July 4th.
What has changed in 5 years??? A LOT. There are a lot of new "developments" on island. They also are putting a traffic circle in where the Texaco station used to be. I think you will be surprised at how different parts of the island look. On the other hand, the National Park is still the National Park and hasn't really changed. So changes yes, but still plenty of National Park that should look the same.

Thanks Stjohnjulie, I sure hope to be back on the island soon. I knew of the road going in at the old Texaco and maybe a new development. But with the economy the way it is, is there still building going on? And where is it all going in at? Seems like the island is running out of space sometime. lol

Imcneil1125,

5 years since your last visit... new construction... here are some that come to mind:. the traffic circle in Cruz Bay, the Grande Bay condos in Cruz Bay, Sirenusa Condos above Cruz Bay, Pond Bay in Chocolate Hole, the barge dock in Enighed Pond, Greenleaf Commons - a retail building/area near Westin, I think the Westin was doing some stuff too - renovations, and various homes/villas around the island in different areas.

As far as restaurants; they come and go, change names, change management etc. Any restaurants in particular, from your last trip, that you wanted to know if they were still around?

--Islander

Oh my that's alot of building going on. Is it all done now or are these new buildings just shells because of the economy? I wouldn't think there was room for all these condos. Well, as for restaurants I want to make sure Joe's is still open and going strong and one in Coral Bay that the name is escaping me right now. Across the water by some shops. I remember eating there in the open and a stray cat jumped up and into my lap and the waitress said don't pet it but as a animal lover that I'am, I did pet it and it bit me. She said they do get some wild cats now and then roaming the restaurant. I thought only in the V.I'S could you get away with that. lol I hate to see St. John get so built up. But what can ya do right?

Sounds like you're describing Shipwreck Landing on the Coral Bay side. It's still there and the food is still good. Aqua Bistro in Cocolobo Plaza just past Island Blues is also very good (I'm not sure how long ago that was built but it may have been there 5 years ago.

Yes your right it was Shipwreck Landing. The food was good and we will defiently be going back minus the cat. lol I just now need to find a villa within our budget...

Imcneil - Of the ones I mentioned... the traffic circle is in progress, Grande Bay condos are mostly done but I think they are still finishing up some parts, Sirenusa is on hold - legal issues, Pond Bay is in progress, the barge dock is done, Greenleaf Commons is done, not sure if the Westin is still doing stuff on their buildings.

--Islander

Oh my gosh I'm trying to rack my brain on where these new buildings are at? Does anyone have pics or websites to them. Are they like real HUGE that are a eye sore? Are they right in town? Pics would be great if anyone can post some..Whats the Greenleaf Commons? I assume condos.

Hi Imcneil1125,

Grande Bay is right in Cruz Bay and Sirenusa is above Cruz Bay. I put point marks on a google map of those two and also Pond Bay: take a look http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=18.330242,-64.796875&daddr=18.328292,-64.788587+to:Chocolate+Hole+Estate&geocode=%3BFeSqFwEdlWcj_A%3BFTyDFwEdkX4j_A&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=18.329575,-64.795464&sspn=0.002337,0.004812&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=18.324789,-64.785218&spn=0.01764,0.038495&z=15. The Google Map is dated but you can see some of the buildings for both Grande Bay and Sirenusa and the cleared land for Pond Bay. You can use your mouse to move the map left and right etc. and you can also zoom in.

Grande Bay's website has some photos http://www.grandebayresort.com/. Sirenusa: http://www.sirenusastjohn.com/.

Greenleaf Commons is a commercial building... shops/offices.

--Islander

Hi Islander- Thanks so much for the info. I will definitely be looking at it. This is so interesting. 5 years and I miss so much.

Islander- I just took a look at the 2 websites you wrote about on St. John and all I can say is, was it really necessary or in high demand for these 2 projects? I mean this seems excessive in this economy plus the one set of condos right in Cruz Bay is ugly in my opinion of course. The second project seems to be a waste of good land for that set of condos. Personally I would like to leave the land un-built. But like they say you cant stop growth. I just don't see it being a good thing on St. John. Are there people breaking down the doors to buy into these condos? I'm just going to have to come out there and see for myself. Hopefully this spring. Again, thanks for the map and websites.

Hi Imcneil125. You are not alone in your opinion. Both projects received (and still do) strong opposition and outcry. If you do a search of the on-line newspapers there are articles on both projects regarding legal issues, notes from community meetings, public opinion, hearings, permits and so forth.

On another note, there has been land that has been protected from development, take a look at this Maho Bay article.

--Islander

Thanks Islander for the Maho Bay link. I'm so glad that something is being done to protect St. John development. I believe it should be now left alone. If I want to see more expensive ugly buildings I will just stay in my home town. lol I do know that I will never stay at these 2 places and get a private villa. Thanks again...