Deb,

We've rental villas for several years with Island Getaways in St. John. Kathy McLaughlin is a great villa manager and I can recommending her highly.

What villas are you renting?

Thanks for the info, Diana. We are renting Choco Cruz. Ever heard of it?

Yes, Kathy took me through it a couple of years ago. We saw it before they did the lastest renevations. Most people stay on the south side of the island and love it (which I'm sure you will). We prefer the northshore areas or Coral Bay rather than the Chocoate Hole/Great Cruz Bay area. Actually if you're on St. John you can't go wrong and will enjoy yourself.

We missed our STJ trip this year because our daughter gave us our first (and probably only) granddaughter [which is the only reason I'd miss the trip.

When are you going? Be sure to do a trip report when you get back.

Deb,

We rented Chococruz through island getaways a couple years ago- before it was renovated. We had a decent experience with island getaways. We found other agencies a bit more "attentative" but villa renting doesn't equal pampering so we were happy and would use them again. If you have any specific questions on Choco feel free to email me!

Bridget

Diana,

Congrats on your new granddaughter! That is a pretty good reason to miss a STJ vacation.

We have been to STJ many times, and have stayed in villas all but two of them. We have stayed on the north shore a couple of times and I acutally prefer it to the south shore. I don't like the fact that from the south (and I mean really south side) you can not see any other islands. St Croix is a little too far away to give you much of a view. But, we really like the Great Cruz Bay area because you can see the lights of STT at night, and the other smaller islands around it. Also, we will have two 18 year old girls with us, as well as a 14 year old daughter. I know they will want to be able to run into town for shopping and nightlife.
Being close to Cruz Bay will make that issue alot easier.

I also want ac due to the fact that we will be traveling in July and I know it can be very hot and humid that time of year.

But, I'm not hearing any comments from either of you that make me feel very warm and fuzzy about Choco Cruz. We narrowed down to this particular villa for location, (we were told the views are amazing) proximity to Cruz Bay, and ac throughout. It also looks darling on the web photos.

Diana, were was your favorite? I might need to keep looking.

I understand with teens that you would probably like the location on Maria Bluff rather than be a drive from town on the northshore. Teenagers do like to be close to where the action is.

When I saw this house it was 'tired' looking and needed renovation. From the pics on Kathy's site it looks like they did a really great job. I think it looks great! I wouldn't worry about looking for another house at all if I were you.

You will be glad you have AC for sure. We only stayed on the south side one time and we definitely were glad we had AC throughout the house as it was very hot and we didn't get the breeze that you get on the the top of the hill on the north side.

My family's favorite house is Cinnamon Stones and I also love Island Sun (also in Katherineberg). Neither of these houses have AC but we never found that it was necessary up on the hill. Some people like the AC to drown out the night sounds but we love the night sounds and feel that's part of the island experience in STJ. We've gone to other islands and didn't have the same night music and missed it terribly. To each his own I guess.

I'm sure you'll not regret your choice of Choco Cruz. It looks like it will be a great house for your group. Your husband is a brave man traveling with all of those girls! Sounds like a lot of fun. Have the girls been to STJ before?

My girls (now 35 and 37) have always been 'water bugs' and we all love to snorkle so the beach is the focus of our trips. We all look forward to showing the island to our little baby Margo in 2007 when she's old enough to make the trip.

Boy, I can't believe you picked Cinnamon Stones as your fav. It was the home I fell in love with while searching every web site I could find. Have you actually stayed there in the summer months? Is it as perfect as it appears in the pictures, and are the views vast and unobstructed by trees and other vegetation?

You are so kind to be my personal adviser!!! I feel very blessed that you decided to check the board and reply to my plea for help.

As for my husband...he is a very brave man to live with us girls. My daughter graduates from high school this year, so instead of letting her take a senior trip with her friends to Cancun, Florida, Aruba(heaven forbid), or any place such as that, we are doing a family trip to STJ and letting her take her best friend. This will be their third trip to STJ and they love it.

I'm sure Margo will love the beach. You will have so much fun with her. I don't think our 30 year old son will ever get married.

One more question please..........Is it difficult to get to as far as roads. How far in minutes would you say it is from Cruz Bay?

Deb,

Choco is only a couple minutes past Great Cruz Bay and 5 minutes outside of Cruz Bay. The view is incredibe. Viewing the twinkling lights of St. Thomas was one of our favorite night time activities. Choco's pool and deck space are definitely a huge part of Choco's allure. You will enjoy Choco, it would be difficult not to-

Deb,

Did you receive a ChocCruz brochure? I have it downloaded as well as a couple of pictures of the house if you want me to send them to you..

That would be great! All I have seen of the house is what is on the web. If you have additional photos that would be great. Does the house seem roomy enough for 5 people? Sometimes the angle of the photos makes a room appear larger than it really is.