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Hi all,
This is a great resource, I've been doing lots of research, and it seems we've narrowed our vacation down to St Johns...now..where to stay. We are two adults, looking for more villa-like accomodations - meaning, not a huge hotel like the Westin but somewhere a bit more intimate and romantic....we'd love to be right on the water, for sure to have a water view and/or beach access....king size bed, a balcony/patio to sit out on and enjoy the views and ocean breezes, a hot tub would be great..tennis courts a plus..where can we stay?
I'm thinking gallows point comes closest to what we are looking for, any other suggestions? Also went on to caribbean villas.com but it seems most of these villas are for larger groups and the few that are not aren't available. We're coming from Thurs March 3-Tues March 8.
Any advice, suggestions on places to stay, good local spots to eat, beaches not to miss - heck - anything not to miss, greatly appreciated 🙂
thanks,
lori
Sorry, meant to say St John.
No S necessary
🙂
Thanks in advance.
Locating a villa still in the high season will be tricky but not impossible. You will be renting a car and visiting all the beaches, so don't get hung up on getting one on or near the beach as they will be taken. Make sure you do not write off villas assuming they are for larger groups. Even though they can accommodate 6+ they often quote rates for less. This is true of most including Caribbean Villas, Windspree, Lim & Da Coconut, etc.
The North Shore beaches get all of the attention and rightly so. We liked Hawksnest, Cinnamon, Francis and Waterlemon the most for swimming and snorkeling. On the South side, Salt Pond and Lameshur bays were really nice.
Don't pass up Coral Bay, which is an 'old island' town compared to the 'metropolis' of Cruz Bay.
Skinny Legs in Coral Bay
Tage in Cruz Bay
If you don't already have one, get the book "St John Off The Beaten Track". You can order it at the top of this page. It is worth every penney and our well used copy is a testament to that.
I am sure many more suggestions for sightseeing and eating will get posted and that is what's so great about this board.
Hello Lori,
There is a villa called Tennis Villa that has tennis courts & pool. Not sure how many villas come with tennis courts... Odessa would work for intimate, being close to the water; http://www.odessa-stjohn.com/
Also might look at http://www.morningsidevilla.com/
The villas might have 2 or 3 rooms but typically there are different rates depending on number of people/rooms are needed in the house.
Beaches: Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon, Maho, Francis, Salt Pond, hike to Waterlemon to snorkel... visit Annaberg and Cinnamon Bay plantation ruins... do a hike or two.
--Islander
lori--you might want to look at crow's nest villa, right on cruz bay harbor; for info go to:
http://www.mclaughlinanderson.com/caribbean-villas/CROWSNEST/
we have had several dealings w. mclaughlin/anderson , and they are a first class operation: dependable, friendly, professional, and attentive to detail.
We love Belle View. The absolute best views and easy access to town. It has a pool and the most important thing is a hot tub. Not too many villas have a hot tub and I have been convinced by my many trips to SJ that a pool is pretty and ok for daytime but when you get back from the beach and the sun is setting, the pool is cold (year around) and the hot tub is glorious. I know there are villlas that have a hot tub only and no pool and I would prefer that to pool and no hot tub.
Beaches.....Cinnamon, Francis, Hawksnest, Waterlemon, Salt Pond, Honeymoon (if it's not crowded) seems honeymoon has gotten alot more crowded in the last few years.
Restaurants...... Everyhing is expensive. Food is generally pretty good (we are not that picky) but we do like hot food, reasonable service (this notion of "island Time" is c**p)Almost all restaurants are pretty good about service and try to make you happy. Those that don't should be ashamed of themselves. "Island time" does not excuse ignoring a paying customer that has saved for months for this trip, (especially a these prices), I did not find this to be the case. Some are better than others, but we did not have a bad experience at any restaurant.
The best thing about SJ is the way it makes you feel. The best mornings in my life have been getting out of bed when I feel like it, and looking out at the gorgeous view and deciding what I feel like doing for the day. Any choice is perfect. Any beach is perfect.
My advice is to avoid the cruise ship crowd. Go to the beaches that have the fewist people and enjoy. The time a vacation lasts is so short, and your back home before you realize it. Back to reality, back to the norm and missing the best place you've ever been.
P.S. A few days ago Kenney Chesney released a new video called "The Old Blue Chair". What a great showcase for SJ and the USVI. Great video of Cinnamon Bay.
WE love Kenney and will have to be happy seeing him at the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo, as we missed seeing him at Woody"s by a few days. Even if your not a country fan, check out the video. If you love SJ, you'll love it.
For a cheaper (?) place book at the last mimute and check out VRBO.COM vacation rentals by owner.
