You might want to try this site they have a villa review section. I think that forum is more STJ focused

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/

LANE:
If you want the quiet side of STJ, definitely go to Coral Bay.

In making reccomendations to you, it would help if we knew what you preferred: hot tub or not? Pool or not? AC or not? How many bedrooms? Luxury or not.

Hubby and I stayed at Sago Cottage on Calabash Boom in Coral Bay a few years back. Very private, very quiet, amazing views of the BVI's in the distance. Sago Cottage is literally a cottage, West Indian style, one room partitioned with walls, a wrap-around porch, outdoor shower, hot tub, no AC- just celiing fans- but didn't need A/C in December with the tradewinds blowing, no cable/satellite TV. A very clean, well-maintained, loved, charming and perect for two cottage perched waaaaaayyyy up on Calabash Boom- you NEED a FWD vehicle to get to it.

If you want more info, Google "Sago Cottage"...

thanks for your responses!

sago cottage is adorable...unfortunately it's unavailable when we want to go.

We were in Anquilla about 6 years ago and stayed in a small condo complex on the beach right near Blanchards. By the way, is Blanchards still there? Remember arriving on a Sunday with all the food stores closed and our taxi driver took us to a friends grocery, knocked on the door and he came out and opened the store so we could buy some food for the next day. That's the kind of island we love!!!

If this is your first time on SJ I might suggest staying somewhere in Rendezvous bay area. You will be out of town, but not so far from it. We have stayed at Le Virage twice and found it quiet but close to Cruz bay, say 7-8 minutes if we wanted to go into town. This year we are staying on the other side of the island, Upper Carolina. The drive to Coral Bay is winding roads etc. and at night, not the best especially if you partake of the wonderful alcoholic drinks! Last year we made the drive to Coral Bay during the day but it was a little intimidating at night so we usually went in to Cruz Bay, or cooked at our villa which was also great.
I would suggest giving Denise of On-line-vacations St John a call as she was very helpful when I was looking for a villa.We are staying at Villa Carolina in Upper Carolina.
Hope this helps you.

Hi Lane & Susanherb,

We've been to St. John a few times, but went to Anguilla this past summer (couldn't get FF tix to STT but got SXM). Anguilla was OK, but I was disappointed with the quantity of building large resorts taking place, and the corresponding lack of beach access. Fortunately, we were able to use the last of our FF miles to return to STT next year. While I am not familiar with the places you mentioned, we also wanted a place near Coral Bay (have stayed on the southwest shore in Chocolate Hole in the past). We just booked a place through bookitvi, they have several smaller villas in that area, you might find something through them. I have no affiliation, and no experience except the contact to line up a place for our next visit, so proceed at your own risk. I did a few searches, and the Doves had many good comments from previous customers. FWIW, I think you're making a good decision and hope you enjoy your trip!

http://www.bookitvi.com/featured.htm

Yes, Blanchards is still there. We ate dinner there this past July to celebrate my wife's birthday. The Blanchards themselves weren't there, they are currently getting a new restaurant up and running at one of the new resorts. This was my only visit to Anguilla, so I can't compare, but the beach they were on (Meads Bay?, not positive), while beautiful, is largely inaccessible (unless you stay there) with all the building taking place, might be different than when you were there. Perhaps there are some tricks, but even experienced Anguilla visitors were discussing the resorts putting up fences and restricting access on an Anguilla board I was monitoring. While the beaches are public, you still have to find a place to park and a way to get to them. The number of rooms being added, and the price they expect to charge, is staggering. They have imported hundreds (thousands?) of Indian and Chinese laborers to aid in construction (there has been some negative publicity on the subject of their treatment). Once they are running, they will need non-Anguillians for labor, there just aren't enough natives to handle it! Personally, I don't see how it will work, because there are only so many people that will fork over $1000 a night for a hotel room, IMHO. IIRC, I think the number of rooms they will have when those currently under construction are completed is 20,000. On an island the size of St. John, more or less. The reason people have gone there and will spend this kind of money is because it's not developed like some, IMHO. The villa we stayed in has bumped their rate for next year by about 65%. If you think St. John is expensive, check out Anguilla!

As for me, I have visited over 20 major Caribbean islands on a combination of cruises and land trips, and I will stick with St. John in the future, knowing the National Park will leave some undeveloped beaches I can go to. There are a couple of others I'd consider for a visit, Anguilla was one of them, but dropped off my short list after this visit.

Have a great trip!

irbgolfin

Lane,
We have been to St. John for spring break the last few years and tried Anguilla this past April. While we were AMAZED at the beauty of the island and beaches, we are going back to St. John this Christmas. Anguilla just seemed like more work, I can't explain it. We ate at outstanding restaurants (Blanchard's, Straw Hat) but it really took some planning. When we go to St. John, we don't pack any nice clothes and it all works out. It's just more relaxing, I can't explain it. We will stay in a villa in Coral Bay this time so that we can really explore the beaches there as opposed to Cruz Bay. You must also take a trip to the BVI's, Jost and Virgin Gorda, just to see it. You will absolutely love St. John!

Yes, we were in Anguilla before the building boom began. They were building Cuisinart Resort at the time. I would not go back because we are not looking for large resorts etc.
I must add, before the dollar was so devalued, we really enjoyed St Barts, (in the off season). It was lay back, quiet, and the best food I ever ate on any island.! We had gone there 4 times until the last time when we realized that our dollars were not buying very much. When we first started going there, the dollar was on par with the then franc.
We tried St John and have been hooked. ever since. Admittedly, the food is not French, but the snorkeling is great and you can just relax which is what we like to do. I just hope that St John does not get completely overrun with construction. Right now it is not looking too good which is why we are staying on the Coral Bay side next year. I don't even know where to head next for a Caribbean island that has not been overrun by big money. Very sad.

Lane, what are you used to in Anguilla, what sort of place did you stay in? If you stayed in a villa, STJ will have lots of similar and more options. If you stayed in a resort, STJ will be very different, certainly with way fewer and nicer options. If you stayed in a smaller villa on Anguilla, STJ may have good options for you, but maybe not as obvious.

As always if you let us know what you like, forum members can help you alot. Otherwise you will get alot of "I stayed here once and loved it."

FYI-Anguilla and STJ are my favorite islands, and not in that order.