Just my opinion but I would love to stay at One Beach Road. It's been on my villa short list for several years. I've always thought we would need a large group to balance the cost, though, and it looks like you have that with your group of 8. Have been up the road where Sea Star is located several times - always seems a very busy and congested area to me. Saw it being built in 2001 when we visited the villa next door. Not too crazy about the beach front - pebbly and rocky. Check to see how much construction is still going on at the Ritz as you will definitely hear it at Sea Star. It's a relatively new villa so I'm sure the interiors are beautiful but personally I would prefer One Beach Road.

Regarding groceries - there are markets close by but we used The Grocery Goddesses for basic provisioning when we were on STT in May and they did a wonderful job. Arriving with a group of island newbies, getting in late after a long travel day and then not having to go back out to market right away was wonderful and well worth the provisioning cost IMO. It was great to arrive at the villa to find the Red Stripes and Diet Cokes already cold and the Stoli and Tanqueray frosty in the freezer. Tired, hungry and hot, we were able to break out the cold ones and dive into the snacks with our villa greeter around the dining room table while she was going over the orientation - that was so nice! (Thanks, again, Sherri - you were beyond great!)

Mary - thanks for the feedback! I wonder if anyone is there now that knows about construction in that area? That would be awful if that was the case.

Also, has anyone been to One Beach Road? Is it as great as it looks??? How is the area that it is in?

thanks!
Jen

Sorry - typo on your name, Margy! Sorry!!

No worries, Jen - not the worst name I've been called - ;).

If you look at the Ritz Carlton Club listings on the Island Hideaways site they note construction currently in the area of the RC Club, which, if I remember correctly, is on the side closest to Cabrita Point.

McLaughlin Anderson also has this note at the bottom of their RC Club & Suites listings:

"**Construction of the new Members' Lounge in the parking area behind Kava Building (opposite the beach side) will be ongoing into fall 2007 or even winter 2008. Kindly inquire as to the current status of this project, and we will be happy to provide you with the latest update on this project and the current activity at the site.**"

If no one else chimes in on this thread with current info, I'd check with your villa agent and just keep in mind that construction schedules can slip in the islands - construction completion may be scheduled for one month and end up not being finished for 6+ months later. Just the way things are - everything has to be brought in so crews are at the mercy of receiving supplies.

Thanks, Margy. BTW, have you been to One Beach Road? It really looks nice but I haven't seen any first hand reviews. We mainly want to spend the time at the villa and make it a hassle free vacation.

Would love to hear any comments from people who have been to one or the other - thanks!!!

One Beach Rd is an awesome house and was built by an architect who thought it out well! It is located on a pininsula and has another beach just across the street (pelican beach). The house is one of my favorites and well designed. Lots of space with room to get away from others. There are 2 bedrooms located to the left as you walk in the back door. The kitchen, living, and dining space is in the middle with huge doors that open up to the view and to the pool area with a very nice built in grill. Just steps down to the sand! There are 2 more bedrooms down to a lower level....all being spacious! In the dining area, there is a set of steps (steep) that lead up to a loft with a day bed and then out to the roof!!! There is even a bathroom up there! (tho not a shower) 3 of the 4 bedrooms have adjoining bathrooms that are also spacious. The one bedroom with out a bathroom has a bathroom/shower just across the hall.
I love this house!
The road to this house is located near Pavillions and Pools and it is just a skinny,dirt road. You will not be bothered by alot of people there! 4wd NOT required.
I have seen Sea Star as well and DO like the house, but if I had to compare, I surely would choose ONE BEACH without a doubt!
Jen, if you decide to book One Beach, I would be more than willing to be your escort, simpy request me!
If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me also!

Margyz, so nice to see that you have chimed in, been a very looooong time girl!!!!! I enjoyed getting to meet you and am looking forward to the next time!!!!! hint, hint! 🙂

Sherri - yep, I am getting past the awful May trip to STT, concentrating on the good memories from the April trip to STX and thinking ahead to spring '08. Nothing wrong with STT, folks, just had a less than great group of island newbies with me for a week at Villa Diva in Peterborg this past May. On one of the other forums they talk about folks who "get it" and those who don't. These folks were definitely in the "don't get it" group - 'nuff said about that on this thread, anyway ;).

Jen - if you do take One Beach, the two best pieces of advice I can give you is to 1) rent it directly through McLaughlin Anderson who manages the villa rather than just brokering it (is that right, Sherri?), and 2) request Sherri as your Villa Greeter. She is the absolute best!

If you are at One Beach you will not only have your own private beach but will have the option of going to Pelican across the road and also to Lindqvist and to Sapphire. Lindqvist is my absolute favorite in all of the USVI (yes, even STJ). It was primarily a locals' beach, then it was locked off by a developer and now I understand that the USVI has it back and is beginning to develop it like Magens. Here are a couple of shots - if they post in small, just click on them to enlarge.

I heard that some of the cab drivers are now bringing cruise passengers here so you might want to check the ships-in-port schedule before you go. When it was a locals' beach we always went on a week day, got in early and left before lunch. We never had any problems there but folks were always warning about it so felt it wise to be cautious.

I am envious of a stay at One Beach - we, too, like to make the villa a big part of the vacation but even if we are having a number of "villa days" we try to take a ride to someplace new every afternoon. Been going since the 80's but find there are still new places to see.