Hey Bob you are going to love St. John! I have stayed at Caneel Bay about 10 times. It's a wonderful place, very safe, three resaurants on property, 7 beaches, understated elegance (No TVs no phone in the room.) They have a great website (google it). It is also quite expensive. They have a "family" plan that allows you to get one room for the adults and a second room next door for the kids at half price. Year before last we took the kids, (similar in age to yours) and did this. Kids aren't into understated elegance, although they had a great time. The other resort is the Westin in Great Cruz Bay. I've never stayed there so I'll defer to Chris a frequent contributor to this board as he works there. This summer we are renting a villa for two weeks (can't wait). St. John is very safe. Petty theft mostly, if you use the same common sense you use at home you will have no problems. You can stay within walking distance of Cruz Bay but I would suggest a little farther away, renting a car (i recommend Conrad Sutton, free parking in the middle of CB at his lot) Pick a different beach every day. Cook in some (save money), explore the island. There are basically two roads so getting lost is hard to do. The two books at the upper left on this board are invaluable resources, as is this message board. As many times as I have been there I have learned a ton over the last two weeks perusing it. I would also suggest calling an on island villa rental company (look for a 340 area code) Tell them your situation, concerns etc. and they will steer you in the right direction. I have found the folks at Catered To very helful.

Hi there,
Congratulations on your first trip to STJ. We had 20 people stay at Gallows last year and they LOVED it. It is a great property, beautifully landscaped, good snorkeling off their dock, sunsets over STT, a fabulous restaurant (ZoZo's) and within walking distance from "town". I personally would not stay at the Westin as it tends to be more "kid friendly" than I like on a vacation and it sits on a man made beach, Gallows is so convenient to all the restaurants, shopping etc that I don't think you can go wrong. Enjoy and happy planning.

Hi Wes,

Thanks for the advice. I'll call a rental company and see what advice they give. We plan on renting a SUV in ST. Thomas and driving over to ST. John.

Thanks,
Bob-S

Hi Pia,

Thanks for the advice. From the reviews we think that Gallows Point is a good choice. We can't wait for summer and our trip!

Thanks Again,
Bob-S

Read further on these posts regarding renting on STT and taking the car ferry (limited space and schedule) to STJ. This isn't a huge boat. I'd also (personally) picked something smaller than a SUV. I have reserved a Suzuki Vitara, 4 Dr. The roads, and parking places are a little narrow by mainland standards. My big worry if I was doing what you are (might be) thinking would be showing up two hours ahead of time as the 9th auto on an 8 auto ferry, and missing your return flight. I want to come home relaxed not frayed! I defer to others on this point.

Hi Wes,

Good point, its something I will have to consider. Do you know if I rent from Budget could I just return it to there ST. John location and take a taxi from STT docks to the airport?

As far as an SUV I was thing of a comcapt SUV like an Escape.

Thanks Again,
Bob

Budget does not have a STJ office so you will have to return on STT. As long as you plan ahead and allocate enough time, you should not have an issue.

I've rented a Villa on St. John before from a company that was located on the East Coast. Wonderful people, did a great job. Only problem was, the people I dealt with didn't have a CLUE about the island. Here's how the conversations used to go.

Me: How is ______ Villa?

Them: I dunno. I can't remember if I visited that one or not????

Me: How steep is the driveway?

Them: Not sure.

Me: How far to Cruz Bay?

Them: I dunno.

It was totally pointless calling the booking agent for advice, they just couldn't give it.

I'm headed to St. John this summer, and this time I've used Windspree. Kay and Karen are locals and know the island well. Their office is in Coral Bay near Skinny's, so you can get local advice.

Hope this helps.

I have a party of six staying at a villa in St. John. My problem is I have talked to a few people and some say for me to rent a 4 wheel drive. If that is the case I will have to rent 3 vehicles. VERY $$$$.

Don't you think I can rent a mini van and a smaller car instead of 4 wheel drive? So we can all ride in the same van?

Hi there,
I definatley suggest you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. You can rent a Montero that seats up to 7. Check out St John car rental, they have them available. Hope this helps.

A four wheel drive vehicle is not necessary on St John. It does add the convenience of going down some rutted roads and helps when the roads are wet. But you can work around that with little effort.

So if it comes down to saving the money go with a van. If the added expense is no big deal, then rent 4 wheel drive vehicles.

True BUT..... find out how you access your villa. Some of the villas can only be accessed via steep rough terrain with dirt/gravel/uneven driveways. Others on this forum have posted that they would not have been able to access their villas if they did not have a 4 wheel drive.

TMax

Hi All,
Thanks for the advice. I have heard that some of the villas require a 4X4. I think we'll get 4x4 just to be on the safe side.

Thanks,
Bob

Do you know if St. John Car Rental will allow you to take your vehicle to St. Thomas on the ferry?

Bob -

I wouldn't think the safety issues would be any different in a villa versus a resort. Likewise in terms of your ability to get around.

We've been to St John a few times. Have stayed at the Westin and also rented villas. The advantage of a resort like the Westin (I've not stayed at Gallows Point) over a villa would be for your teenagers - our kids were about the same age last time we visited - they found the villa to be a bit tame... A resort offers pools, spas, beach rentals, the ability to meet other teens (possibly), the ability to roam around the property without you or your wife - all those things "may" make a resort more attractive to them than a villa. Also, a resort can offer more pampering and services - resturaunts/bars, excersise facilities, massage, etc - all the extra services that you don't get with a villa.

We rented our villas from Lisa Durgin at Vacation Villas http://vacationvistas.com/ or 340/776-6462
Lisa has lived on St John for quite a while and is very knowledgeable about the island and its activities. She represents a number of very nice villas. Her husband owns a moter yacht and offers a variety of island trips. Our experience with Lisa was excellent. From arranging the taxi from the St Thomas airport, meeting us coming off the ferry, arranging the rental of our jeep, helping us get settled in the villa and making sure we knew how to get around the island, best snorkling places, resturaunt info, etc.
Personally, for me, a villa is the only way to go. Others of course prefer the pampering of a resort.

FWIW

Hi Pat,
None of the car rental companies on St John allow you to take their vehicles off island...sorry

Bob B,

Actually it does matter which villa you are renting whether a 4-wheel drive is essential. There are some driveways which require high clearance and 4-wheel drive to negotiate. We are renting the Tree House on Mammy Peak and they told us to make sure and get a 4-wheel drive. Actually after our last visit watching vehicles slipping and sliding on wet pavement we were planning on it anyway.

Just packing for our 10th visit to St. John. When its just the
two of us, my husband and I stay at Gallows Point and love it-
location, units always spotless and the oceanfront rooms are
quiet with great sunset views. It's a good place for adults and
older children but not for the party-hearty types. We rented a
house from Lisa Durgin at Vacation Vistas and concur that her
company does a great job. We stayed in Ristaba, above the Westin,
and it was fabulous for our family of adult children and grand-
children-large pool, nice breezes and sunsets over St. Thomas. I
highly recommend using an on-island rental company staffed by
people who know the villas. They can usually get a price break on
car rentals. We always rent a Jeep Wrangler but needed a jeep and a Montero SUV for our group of 5 adults and 3 children.
Have a great time but don't tell anyone else about our favorite
place in the world.

Thanks, Everyone for your posts. Your giving me a lot of good advice, keep it comming.

THaks Again,
Bob S