yes, Janis is on top of things. She is not the managing agent, though. I haven't been able to figure out who the manager is by looking at the sites. Janis doesn't have low end villas on her site, so its a good sign that she lists this one. She's getting paid to market Hummingbird, which means that the owners are investing in the villa. I think it is safe to assume , then, that they would also invest in the upkeep, furnishings, etc. Another good sign!

I wonder about the direct view. The pics seems to show sideways views....and the water looks a little ways out. It's really just my personal preference, but I don't like much land between my villa and the water. I prefer to be perched over the water as much as possible. Look at the one pic of the bedroom of Hummingbird- you can see straight out over the pool deck and it looks like there's a lot of foilage in front - not a direct water view.

All of that being said, making finances match with plans is a challenge and I have often compromised something to get the price I want. Hummingbord looks like a lovely villa - expansive interior from what we see, lots of deck space with plenty of seating, tables, gated entry, popular Gift Hill neighborhood, etc....

If you don't have a need to be perched over the water, this seems like the perfect place for your family vacation. I hope you'll move on something this weekend. After all of this talk about these villas, someone may snatch one up!:)

Have a fantastic holiday on St John!!!!

Rented a lot in the islands a couple of good companies Island Getaways and Catered to. Know Getaways has some really good rates when it is less than 30 days out. Don't know about Catered to rates but they have the highest and biggest rentals.

lwbe,

We will be there the same time as your family. We'll have our son and his friend with us, both are 23 yrs old. Maybe we'll run into you all down there! We plan on doing a lot of hiking, swimming and vegetating at the villa and pool and just relaxing in general. Can't wait to eat at Sweet Plantains in Coral Bay...I've read many good reviews and the menu looks awesome.

Are you all planning any sort of day sails or boat trips to any of the other islands?

Coden,

Sounds like our plans are the same! Don't know about day sails yet...It will probably depend on whether my kids want to dive or not. If they do, I'll probably limit planned activities. They love to hike, so I know we'll be doing that and exploring all the beaches. Which sails were you considering? I think something going to the Baths is what I'd probably look for. It's different than what my kids have done. They're all experienced divers and have gone diving in much of the Caribbean. Taht's why I like to look for something different.

Bay House looks great..and what a fabulous location. Is your son in school, or has he graduated? If I can ever decide on a villa we'll be flying down on the 22nd and leaving on the 29th. I had to work around 2 kids' exam schedules, plus my daughter is a senior in HS with all that entails.

So, if you see a family with a VERY tall boy in the middle. that's us! I'm sure we'll be eating out every night, so we'll definitely be out and about in Cruz Bay.

It's only 5plus months now.....

Leslie

lwbe & bluwater,

bluwater is very preceptive about water views at hbhill villa. i went back to web site and looked at the view pictures. if they had the views of the other nearby villas (cloud 9, seawatch, palm, plumeria, coconuts, paloma blanco and ones on upper rockridge rd (temptress, lapapaya, ambiance etc) they would surely be on web site.
looks like there is view over hart bay to the sw toward stx but the views due west over cho hole and great cruz to mountain top on stt is obstructed. i guess i assumed the location provided the view i expected and i was looking more at floor plan, openness, covered deck (a necessity on west side), etc.

until i get further verification on hbhill water views due west, she's off my list. thanks blu! butttt, i still like the high UNobstructed west views. that said, a lower level west water view is better than a limited view. what charges my batteries & is always the talk of those who have visited stj with us, are the villas that give panoramic views across the beaches, bays, and channels below, where ever they are on stj; west side our preference due to bride's displeasure of drive to east end and our sleeping habits wasting sunrises; soooo, we settle for simple sunsets!

i've looked at lost hor and mayan sky info. ms looks great and only ques might be access drive to villa from centerline rd. lost hor looks great, probably will have great sunrise and sunset views in dec, has fantastic water views to white cliffs and i believe you can see rams head. ques for her is drive to and beware of major development construction on ditliff point which is the beautiful peninsular below that you see in picture over the pool. where were the environmentalist when we needed them to proctect one of the prettiest spots on the island?

i truly believe that if you select a villa that has great water views, is handled by a reputable agency, has the space/bedrooms you need, you will be floored when you walk in and you will know it's the best location on the island. hurry up and get your decision behind you. good luck.

papabou

lwbe,

How exciting is this??!! Going to STJ for Christmas!! We have always spent Christmas at home, so this will be a whole new experience for us. We've told both sides of our families that we will not be celebrating Christmas at home this year and that means that we will not be purchasing gifts for them so please do not purchase for us! They all bought it. Woo-hoo...no "commercial" shopping!! This will be our Christmas gifts to ourselves and to our son. I will haul stockings down to STJ, and get them filled with some local goodies, so we have something to open, what about you all? How will you handle Christmas?

If we do a boat trip or day sail it will be to the Baths. Our son is a geology major (he has one year left) so is very interested in seeing the huge granite boulders. This is our last big trip together, for a while, as he'll start Graduate school next year and no telling where he will end up and no telling what his schedule will be.

Thanks on the compliment on Bay House....I remember how tough of a decision it was to pick a villa...pictures can look fantastic but you just never know. I'm excited about Bay House and the proximity to restaurants and bars w/o it being so much in the thick of things. We'll have to try to meet up maybe for drinks or something like that. Do you all play cards? It gets dark so early so maybe we can get some poker games going or something like that, cribbage, dominoes. Our son is very tall as well, his friend, not so tall, so you'll see us out and about.

Oh, we are possibly thinking of renting a Dinghy as that looks like a really fun way to travel around and see the beaches from the waters.

Coden

Bluwater,
Which property management agencies do you distinguish as being the best on St. John? My family has a personal reason for coming to the island in the beginning of September.....Island Getaways and Private Homes For Private Vacations do not rent any of their villas during this time.
Thanks....mia

Mia,

I don't have a personal favorite. However, I would easily and assuredly rent from McLaughlin Anderson, Destination St John, Vivacations, Catered To, Windspree......and I'm sure I've forgotten a few. Carefree gets good reviews - I haven't tried them.

Do those other agents not rent in September because they plan maintenance during that time?

Bluewater,
Thanks for your reply.....I believe the reason they don't rent in Sept. is exactly as you guessed......an opportune time to take care of their properties, which I suppose is a good thing...right?