Take a look at Coconut Villas, just a little furter than Gallows Point but definitly within walking distance to Cruz Bay. Kind of simple but clean and definitly right on the ocean. Private little balcony.

Estate Lindholm/ great inn/10 rooms/small pool/breakfast included /great view/walk to cruz bay...although the walk back is quite a hill clinb..but if no can do, grab a taxi up the hill -- www.estatelindholm.com -- another option is Cruz Views Condos www.caribbeanvilla.com , nice units(10)all w/decks/pool and covered sitting area at pool to keep out of sun,if needed. walk to cruz bay too but again a hike up hill home. nice place.

Hi Spicy-

"Ginger Thomas" is a new luxury level villa on Pocket Money Hill (15 min walk to Cruz Bay). I don't know if it is available for your dates. It has AC in the 2 king bedrooms, a large verandah that looks more like an al fresco living room (very nice!) and a dipping pool. The views are wonderful - of Cruz Bay and St Thomas. Here's a picture of the verandah, pool and view.

Next door to Ginger Thomas is it's sister property, "Mandavilla"- a more established villa (older - but very, very nice - luxury level). It, too, has 2 bedrooms - a large pool and a hot tub, as well as a large deck. As with Ginger Thomas, the verandah at Mandavilla is more like an al fresco living room. Pic below will show what I mean. Mandavilla seems to be available for your dates, which is lucky. It's well booked before and after your dates.

Ylang Ylang is the third villa in this trio. It was built with the same specs as Ginger Thomas.

When I first read your post, I thought of Crow's Nest, which is atop Wharfside Villa right in Cruz Bay- but it doesn't have a verandah and isn't available anyway. You can't beat it for convenience and proximity to Cruz Bay, so you might consider it for future trips.

Palm Terrace Villas are part of a small (6 condos) luxury condo community in Cruz Bay. They all have balconies and nice views. The smallest have 2 bedrooms.

Since you are less than 60 days from arrival, you should ask about late availability discounts when you inquire with agents. You might think about calling the agents and asking them which villas they are willing to discount - then see if you can back into a discounted villa that meets your desires.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide upon.

BLUWATER - you are a jewel ! Thank you for all the information - many of these I have not heard of (which is amazing as it seems I have spent at least ten solid hours looking for a place)... - I am going to look into the ones you suggested.
Thank you too, RODY (I thought I had found it with Estate Lindholm, I was so excited, it was JUST where/what we watned - but unfortuatnely they are completely booked 🙁
SUMERWATERS thank you too! I'm still looking so if there are any more ideas pleezzz let me know!

You can't walk it from town but I've heard positive things about this house on Contant Point - Calicaribe. http://destinationstjohn.com/calicaribe.htm

Another to check out is Star Villas.

We prefer the Coral Bay side as it is much quieter.

Thank you Diana, I will check that out. I may have to do more research into Coral Bay. I just checked the listings Bluwater gave me and while they are fabulous they are just more than we need or can afford for just the two of us (we kinda blew our island budget when we brought the kids last June... it was worth it though !!)...hope you have a wonderful Saturday evening 🙂

Spicy-

The villas I mentioned are luxury level. You CAN find villas just below that level, which still feel luxurious to me and they'll be lower priced. Calicaribe, as mentioned by Diana, seems to be just back on the market after being sold. I noticed that DSJ (Destination St John) seems to offer it...not sure if they manage it. I've stayed there and loved it. It's a 3BDR with a nice pool and great views. You can walk to Cruz Bay, but the walk back would be a killer up a steep hill. Under the previous owners, I would have qualified it as Luxury Level. I'm not sure what has changed under the new owners. Looks like the same pics are being used...so maybe it was sold with contents in tact. I recall Calicaribe going for $2200 minimum - I got it for $1,800 under a late availability discount.

VIVA has some nice sub-luxury villas. Give them a call and tell them what your budget is. Talk to Jack. He's good at looking for deals for people.

Good luck and HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY!

Thank you BLUWATER !!

It is definitely not within walking distance, but we stayed at Fishbone cottage on Fish Bay in July and loved it. It is the cutest little cottage for a couple. You need a four-wheel drive to get there (about 15 minutes out of Cruz Bay). It was quiet and private. A great deck and a hammock. Good star gazing. Small and cozy, and cheaper than many.

Hello all...I was reading the above post and we have several choices....We would like to be a little higher rather than on the beach (for breezes and views) and near town... here are some choices

Mandevilla,Chez Shell,Blue Sky,Ocean Pearl,Bayview,Paridise Revisited,Ft Miles & Meritage.....I know these are alot of choices and I have never been to St John....can you folks please give some feedback...Many Thanks !!

I want to THANK those who have given me such good recommendations. I am excited to say our trip is PLANNED - yeah - and we will once again return to STJ for five days - spending the day of 25th anniversary on the Wayward Sailor with Captain Phil and then sailing over to spend several very low key days on Marina Cay. We can't wait to see the mesmerizing turquoise waters of the Caribbean and hear the sounds of the island - Lucky are those who are blessed to call it their permanent home! Spicy<')))<

Calicaribe is being sold, but the contents will stay, and the lucky new owners will continue to treat this wonderful villa as a luxury property. It will continue to be rented by Destination St. John.