Hello Betz,

Welcome to posting on the board after 6 months of lurking :).

Anyone stayed at any of these three villas and can share some feedback with Betz about them?

--Islander

The Sundance rented by Cloud 9 Villas?

Yes, Jen that's the one. Thanks Islander for bumping this post back up. Our group is STILL undecided. My hubby and I didn't realize what an ordeal involving 2 other couples in planning a vacation could turn out to be!

Well we are coming Feb 5 to STJ with 2 other couples
Neither of which have been to the Caribbean
We used Catered to Villas and chose Solaris
Link: http://cateredto.com/VillaPage/SOL
So far everything has been slick as glass and the folks helpful and friendly.

So here is what I have learned traveling in bunches:

We have found that one person just has to take the lead and everybody else get out of the way. This happen to be my turn since we have been to STJ many times. We have traveled in groups before both in villas as well as sailboats
I did car, excursion, airplane tickets, villa and sent out one bill to everybody when I was done. You reward for doing the work is that you Credit Card Miles just helped a whole bunch for the next trip to the islands.

Pick or play a game for the nicest room BEFORE you ARRIVE - Drinking games can be fun. I know somebody played a marthon monopoly game with two other couples. Hubsand and Wife played seperate - last one standing wins.

Pick an arbitary number like $1000 for groceries, incidentals, beverages etc... Everybody throw equal amounts in and somebody play banker - If you planned the trip that ain't you. If you want to loose a friend over we bought fish and they bought chicken - bad plan. And waste hours at the store - you got it last time I got it this...

Plan the big excursions before you go. We are doing a Nauti Nymph trip to the BVI - that way no one is surprised at $s

If at all possible everybody get on the same flight - especially if you are going to STJ - we have the taxi - ferry - p/u rent a car ordeal. If coming from other locations meet in San Juan or STT and join up

Remember you are coming with friends or family - you want to leave that way. If you got problems know you may want to rethink is this right group to go with.

We stayed at Moonsong, right next to Sundance and also owned by Cloud 9 Villas, about 5 years ago.

It was a great villa - nice view of Hart Bay and St. Thomas, everything was in great condition in the villa, the owners are VERY nice and helpful. It wasn't fancy, but comfortable - Moonsong was one of the most reasonably priced villas at that time (not sure if that is still the case).

The 2 villas share a road (which is very easy to drive on), but they do seem separate and private from each other. There were other guests at Sundance while we were there, but we only knew that because we saw their vehicle - we never heard them or saw them. They are both easy to get to from Cruz Bay - we went to dinner there most nights.

Have a great time, whatever you decide!

Thanks so much for your advice TomB about traveling with friends. At this point I am at a loss and have now started thinking a trip to St John with a group isn't the best plan. One friend has griped about the fact you have to "take a plane to STT, then a taxi to the ferry and then a rental car to the villa" about one too many times that I'm about to throw in the towel and just my hubby and I go. I think it would be a blast to all go but I'm not sure it's worth all the headache that's involved. Especially when we can't even decide on a villa and we've been at it for over 3 weeks now!

Going to STJ is more than a vacation - it is also an adventure! Getting there is part of the adventure. I have not told anyone yet (not even my wife) but I am think about doing an amazing race to the villa. Since my wife and I know the place we will have a 30 minute penalty. Come on life has to be fun. Maybe even better get my daughter and son to seal 3 enevolpes and have a road block - like get a hat from woody's, Nauti Nymph card from AYC and Bag from Pueblo with something stupid in it.

Tell the buds to loosen up - you got it
They do not like the trip they can plan next one.

Love the advice and your amazing race idea!! I agree completely with you about getting there is half the fun : ) My hubby and I are very laid back and are not picky travelers and one of the couples falls in line with this however, there is one person that just has a difficult time seeing the trees through the forest...maybe a little rum punch will help with this..LOL!

I'll work on her though. Anymore group traveling advice is more than appreciated!! This morning emails have been flying back and forth and we are now looking at MORE villa's....Yikes!!

So did we come to a decision Betz?

Unbelievably no.....the other 2 couples have now scratched all 3 of the previous villa's and we have moved on to deciding between 2 others now:

Calypso Del Sol (Formerly Wanderer)
Beach Music (Formerly Cygnus)

I've seen a few comments posted about them and they were both given excellent recommendations so I think we will be fine whichever one we decide on. My hubby and I just can't believe how long it's taking just to decide on a freakin' villa. We would have had our entire trip planned out by now : )

And so it goes..............

Betz

We have some former friends that we planned and spent an island vacation with. The key word here is "former friends".

Planning a trip is hard enough without doing it by committee.

We traveled with 2 other couples and we almost ruined a friendship as well.
Make sure that you have at least 2 cars. For us, we like to spend a day at the villa, just hanging out and napping. One couple would not do this and then made us feel guilty for not driving them to the beach. We like to eat a bit earlier, have a few drinks, and then get to bed early. Another couple were night owls, so we were either falling asleep at the bar at 10 or they were miserable back at the house at 8:30.

We like to lounge in the morning, others like to get going at dawn. Sandwiches at the beach are fine with us, another couple wanted to go back to town every day for lunch.

There are many things to consider and you should have many talks before you travel.

It does not matter what villa you choose. Get a roof, and place to shower! Pool and AC if you want to spurlge
You are going to STJ not to a villa. Although I understand that everyone must be comfortable.

The group we are traveling with we have been to Greece and Spain with one of the couples
and PV Mexico with the other couple
They have never travelled together so that is the wild card

Both have never spent any time in the Caribbean and wanted to find out why my sweetie and I always go at a drop of a hat. So we said we do it but they better hang on. We play hard all day and at night sit on the deck and watch the stars.

Everyone seems pumped. I am sure we will not loose a friendship, but always worry with odd number (3 couples)

I stayed at Beach music when it was cygnus 4 times the last time was Jan 2007 great villa just so you know the beach they show is for the house next door never had a problem useing it to enter the water for snorkleing but we didn't use there chairs or hang out on it. In fact my best friend got married on it in 2005 but we called and asked the owners if it was ok.
Tom

TomB

First off you have some great ideas. Will you plan my family vacation for me?
I do have a real question for you. We are interested in renting Solaris. I would like You to give me your review on that property.

Thanks,

CME

Working on trip report

But the short story is Solaris was ABSOULTELY everything we wanted and more

We have returned with our friends still being friends and all bills paid with $55 still in the kitty

life is good

promise i will do my report today or tomorrow

Hey Betz - what did you decide?
go - no go
friends - no friends
what a villa

Yeah enquiring minds are wondering...we are planning our 2nd group trip as well.....:D

Just FYI both Calypso del Sol and Beach Music are on Chocolate Hole (opposite sides of the bay).
Calypso will get sunset views and Beach Music gets sunrises.
The Pond Bay development, a large one, has begun construction right in the middle of Chocolate Hole.
I couldn't speak as to what stage they're at but I know they've begun clearing the land, etc. and it's not pretty.
You may want to check into it further before comitting.
Hope this helps.

Kathy Henion