Where can we view these properties? I checked my usual villa rental sites and don't see them.

The site to view these (and a ton of others) www.caibbeanvilla.com

Okay, I just found them by randomly searching the net....

I like Calypso By theSea because of it's beachfront location. But, only if that beach is good. I have no idea what Johnson Bay is like.

Ya Ya seems like a nicer home...but is in the mountains. How can you beat beachfront? Then again, islands views are amazing!! You have a tough call . Are ther eany other homes on Johnson Bay? If so, the detracts from the appeal IMHO.

Have you confirmed their availability?

Both are available for the time I want to go.. The villa we rented on Tortola was directly on the beach which was great but that's also why now I'm considering something like Casa Ya Ya because of the incredible view. Like I said, I'm on overload looking at so many and I really have nothing to go on other than the descriptions, photos, and gut instinct.

Ohm ok. If you've already done the "on the beach" villa, then I would go ith the mountains.....and the home looks beautiful. Also ,the price is great.

Go with Ya Ya.

Thanks, I just e-mailed them...Have you been to St John?

I just went to the site for a look at both of the villas. I agree that Casa Ya Ya is beautiful. I have friends who live near the villa and it overlooks the harbor where our boat is. The only thing that I would worry about is the drive on a hillside in Coral Bay. It's high up and the road is very steep. Now Johnson Bay is another story. I've seen the house from the water and always envied the fact that it was on the beach. The inside is not as nicely furnished as the other villa but the location is certainly great. Keep in mind that you are way out in Coral Bay. If you would rather be closer to Cruz Bay, I would suggest that you look at the Gibney Cottages. They are located right on a great beach. Not sure of the price but if I have time I'll try to find out.

Gibney is $3k wk/off season and $5k wk/in season....

I've been salivating over Gibney for a while!

You got there before I did! They are beautiful but also expensive.

Thanks, I gues I'm going to flip-flop back and forth on this for a bit. When you say steep, how steep do you mean?? The roads on Tortola are pretty crazy with some nasty hairpin turns but we sort of got used to them after a while. If it's realy really steep, that be be the decising factor. Does teh beach lokk nice at Calypso?? Thanks!

wow, my eyes are tired!! Sorry about the spelling in thlast post....

You would definitely need a four wheel drive vehicle, especially if it should rain. It is a steep incline. I've driven up those roads. The beach at Calypso is nice. Although, I would not concentrate on that aspect as there are so many nice beaches in STJ that it would be a shame to concentrate on just that one. Another factor to consider is the time of year that you are going. The hillside would be breezy and therefore cut down on the bugs (noseeums) at that time of the year. At that time of the year it can get very still on or near the water. Even on the boat at that time of the year it does get very still. Good luck in deciding. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help out if I can.

Marie, I received literature over the weekend on Calypso. It does look like a great location. I have no problem with getting a four wheel drive vehicle no matter which we go with. My question is would you consider the road so steep that it's dangerous?? Like I said, in Tortola there are roads that seem like you're literally going up (or down)at a 90 degree angle and then you come to a hairpin turn. The house at Calypso does not have A/C and being down at water level, the bugs might be bad with not much air movement?? I guess I'm looking for ONE deciding factor to push me one way or another. The island looks beautiful and I can't wait to go no matter which villa we end in. Really appreciate your thoughts and comments!

Aren't the 4WDs very expensive to rent?

For that time of year, I vote for the hillside. Get as much breeze as you can so the evening are more enjoyable. Chances are you are not going to stay at the same beach all week anyway, so travel is a must. Most 4WD are running ~$350/wk that time of year.

Chris

Calypso by the Sea is beautiful and has its own beach in front of the villa. No air-conditioning! We stayed at Rainbow Beach which is next door. We almost got married in the beach area of Calypso. The actual beach to the ocean is made of mostly pebbles and crabs. IT is down a long stretch of beach that is used by sailboats. Bats Bats Bats!

On a brighter note, the night sounds here were amazing. We have stayed at 6 villas so far.

There seems to be an issue with each of my choices....Casa Ya Ya with the steepness of the road and no a/c at Calypso. Having stayed at 6 villas, do you have a favorite yet? I checked out Rainbow - looks nice too. We have to keep the villa price under $2000. Lots of bats, huh??

Did you stay at the Calypso?
I am thinking about it this year.