I love those last minute trip!

The Retreat on STJ is a favorite of many travelers. I'm surprised you've found availability at last minute. Are any of the agents offering discounts on the villas you've mentioned? Usually, I would expect a 15-20% discount on last minute villa arrangements becuase you have to take whatever is available. I have gotten to know some really amazing villas this way.

I don't know anything about Aqua Gem.

The Retreat is a really unique villa, with one side completely open to the sea view. The only downside that I consider is that the pool doesn't sit out over the sea with a view - the pool sits behind the home - with the home in between the pool and the sea.

Do you have a link to Aqua Gem?

You're going in July....so the A/C in the bedrooms at Retreat will be appreciated if things really steam up, as they often do in July and August.

http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/aquagem/aquagem.html

The above link is for the Aqua Gem. I was a little concerned about the location of the Retreat so far out on East End - as well as a pretty negative review from a year or so ago about the state of the property. What do you think???

Thanks for your help!

I know what you mean about location. I've stayed in amazing villas in locations that felt "off" to me, and never really enjoyed myself. But, I don't stay in my villa all day like many travelers. It is up to your travel style to determine how important your location is. Some really prefer to be on the far East End.

Are you likely to want to dine in Cruz Bay each night? If so, the location of Aqua Gem is better...but I still like The Retreat as a villa much more than what I see in Aqua Gem's pics. I really love villas with character - and Retreat has the Indonesian furnishings and Asian influence that sets it apart.

The Retreat is significantly more expensive than Aqua Gem, isn't it? If that is a concern, then you've got two checks for Aqua Gem, price and location.

Because I am a location person - and I don't like to spend a fortune - this would be a tough choice for me.

Have you seen pics of the other AG bedroom? I worry when a website only shows me pics of one bedroom.

I haven't stayed at Aqua Gem, but have used CaribbeanVilla.com twice and had pleasant experiences both times. I found that the photos and descriptions of the villas were accurate and not overly inflated so as to cause disappointment upon arrival. Good luck with your choice!

amtraveler

never stayed at aquagem but have tracked and looked for info because usually good rates and views. seems like there was comment on one of boards about villa being "upside down". living area up and pool is down by bedrooms not off living. I've seen numerous villas with good posts where pool on level below living, buttt, while staying at temptress last year on upper rockridge i drove by aquagem, best i recall she's just above the dumpster on left side of southshore road just before rockridge rd. thus she could be noisy and smelly, but looks like good value otherwise.

papabou

Friends of mine stayed at Aqua Gem a few years back. They enjoyed it, especially the deck and pool. The deck overlooks the roofs of the Westin Villas and Great Cruz Bay. The only negative I remember hearing was the difficult time they had keeping their young child away from the spiral staircase; not as much an issue if you're not traveling with children. They said the villa was in good condition at the time (about 7 years ago). I know this isn't as good as first-hand info, but I hope it's a little bit helpful.

Thanks to everyone for the all the info! We're still working on the best place to stay, and we've even found a couple more openings to choose from. If anyone has any restaurant recommendations or "things to do" highlights, please let me know. We been to St. Thomas quite a bit, but this will be our first time staying on St. John. Thanks again!

My husband & I stayed at The Retreat two weeks ago. It is a beautiful villa with gorgeous views. We originally decided on this villa beause of its location on the east end and the isolation. It takes 40 minutes to get to the villa from Cruz Bay. As others have stated on this board the roads are very rough and the lighing along the roads is vertualy nonexistant. If you are looking for isolation this is the perfect place for you. If you want to be close to the restaurants and bars this isn't the place for you. If you would like I can e-mail you pictures that I took of The Retreat while we were there.

Lisa C --

I'm considering The Retreat for my honeymoon in August. Would you still be willing to email me some pictures? My email is [email protected]

Thanks!

If the forum stripped my address (not sure if this forum does that or not), here it is again -- typed as a person would say it.

sean dot alan dot reed at gmail dot com

Thanks!

Could you send me your pictures of the retreat. I am interested in going....Thanks for your time, Greg