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We are flopping back and forth over these two places:
http://www.carefreegetaways.com/villacapiz.html
http://www.cloud9villas.com/Pebble_Beach/index.htm
Does anyone have any experience with either. Pebble beach sounds nice because it seems pretty private, and we would get our own private beach, albeit a pebble beach. I am not sure about being so far over on the east side of the island though because I have never been. Can anyone tell me about that area?
villa capiz sits on gift hill. appears to have great view and is a little close to the great beaches from what i hear. and it is cheaper too :).
Appreciate anyones experience with these, and am open to other suggestions. We want to stay 10 nights and our budget is in the $3000-3500 range for accomodations. we already have airfare.
I am also curious about purchasing fresh seafood on the island. We would like to cook a few meals of fresh seafood in the villa that we chose. I am partial to lobster and shrimp she likes fish. I know they sell it there. I am really wondering what the prices run in the markets there and where the bast markets are. example live lobsters run $15 large shrimp are $9 lb. that kind of info.
We are also interseted in doing some fishing there. Not the deep sea variety. Mabye just renting a dingy and some fishing a little ways out from the beach. where might we be able to do that? Are there restrictions. what type of liscenses do we need. etc?
Thanks.
Both Carefree and Cloud9 get good reviews and are recommended agents.
I haven't stayed on the East End of STJ, but many othrs on this forum have and will surely give you their feedback. Many love that side. You shoud also, if you haven't already, search the archives for historical discussions on this very topic. You'll find many.
When are you going?
2 ans 3rd week in May.
The location of Pebble Beach is very isolated, as the entire East End is. IMHO, the East End is awesome! Best snorkeling on the island and very quiet. I'd love to stay there.
But, if you are looking to be near stuff w/o driving for @ 15 minutes up and around some of the tightest switchbacks on the island to get into Coral Bay, it won't be for you.
The other villa on Gift Hill is in the Cruz Bay area. Still @ 10 minute drive into town but much more populated in general and, heck, no private beach, pebble or not :).
I'll give you my personal opinion (and you know what they say about opinions). Neither Gifft Hill or the far East End would be my choices. Gifft Hill not my first pick locations do to too many houses. And IMHO houses that face west tend to be very hot. IMHO Pebble Beach is way too far out and I love the Coral Bay area but wouldn't want to be that far out.
I'd suggest the Ajax Peak or Carolina Ridge or even Bordeaux Mtn over these two areas.
Just know that all groceries and meats are going to be expensive on STJ. They are expensive in the states and you can plan on most items being 25-50% and even twice the stateside prices. Sorry, I don't remember exact prices.
May is a wonderful time to be on STJ. It's our preferred time to go. The water temperature is warmer than the winter months and the winter crowds are gone and the families aren't there yet. We usually celebrate our anniversary (May 10) while we are there.
troutman,
pebble beach is very islolated but is on water. i've rented 4 times from c9 in past 18 mnths (always exceeded expectations), and stayed twice at cloud nine (oct & dec 2005). there's a recent long string where i had several posts about gifft hill & area villas, and i have several other posts about the benefits of the high up west view villas; seach for papbou and look at those comments. frankly we love c9, the views are fantastic and if you try different beaches each day as we do, there's little extra driving time. its is a sun lover's paradise but has a great gazebo right off kitchen & great room and is fully air conditioned if needed.
all c9 villas are owned by a couple usually in residence (currently at pebbles) and they have a great manager in marcy appel. tell marcy jerry bou said hello if you talk to her.
had good experience with destinationstjohn and villa temptress in april 2004 (high on gifft hill but accessed via rockridge road from south shore rd, smaller villa and pool but same great views). i'm not familar with the other agency you mentioned.
papabou
