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I am trying to decide whether renting a villa (if they rent for 5 or 6 nights) or a hotel in St. John. We have never been but friends tell us St. John is beautiful.
Anyone know of some beautiful villas that have a pool and access to a beautiful beach? I'm thinking this may be economical considering we can opt to stay home and eat some days and dine out others.
Or does anyone think staying at a hotel would be better in St. Thomas. I was recently was quoted a very nice all-inclusive price at the Wyndam Sugar Bay for 6 nights. Anyone know or have stayed at the Wyndam? Is it nice?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
I thoroughly check out my travel options before traveling. We just returned from St. John and it is very beautiful. We opted to rent a villa. Off season, it was just as economical, if not cheaper, than a hotel. We did the villa for several reasons. 1) privacy, no maid service, no interruptions, no hotel lobby, no sharing the pool with people, privacy, privacy.
I checked into several different rental companies, and it's all based on what your preference is either Coral Bay or Cruz Bay. We stayed in Coral Bay. It's close enough to the beaches, 20-30 minutes, and it's a beautiful drive up and down mountains, to the city of Cruz Bay and beaches. We used Windspree, and they were great and have lots of choices of villas. We had a villa with a pool and large deck. The view was breathtaking. We had an unobstructed view of Tortola island, Peter island. We were close to Salt Pond.
You will want to rent a cheap to get to the beaches for easy snorkleing. There are so many beaches, not enough days. The best ones were in my opinion, Hawksnest, Maho Bay, and Waterlemon Cay. Those are the must see. We saw wonderful sea life, baby octapus, clutterfish, rainbow fish, turtle and a small shark.
St John is very beautiful, however I was extremely disappointed in the restaurants and service at restaurants. Also, I found St. Thomas to be very seedy and dirty, graffitti greets you around the city, before you reach the dock. Just my opinion. The blighted city disappointed me. The area near the cruise ships are of course, super clean and friendly, but other places, not.
You'll enjoy St. John and it's natural beauty.
What was the name of the villa you stayed at?
Did you find it more economical to go the villa route cooking for yourself a few days and dining out other days?
Thanks
We stayed at Sun Moon and Stars, through www.windspree.com
I thought it was hard to find a place for breakfast, so that was easier and inexpensive to cook at the villa. We did grill out a few nights. Groceries are expensive on the highland. So I think it's a toss up, between eating out and cooking yourself. The villa had a nice new gas grill for bbq.
We stayed in Second Wind at Reef Bay (www.caribbeanvilla.com). The off season rates are better than a hotel and unless you want a daily maid the privacy can not be beat. Based upon previous comments from this board, we brought frozen steaks, chicken, etc. in a soft sided cooler with dry ice. These are the most expensive and buying fresh produce to complete the meals did not break the bank. Remember STJ is an island so everything is more than back home.
Car rental is essential if for no other reason than to reach all of the beaches. Closer to Cruz Bay (West end) is recommended for your first time since access to restaurants, goceries, etc. gets to be harder if out by Coral Bay (East end). Not sure where Donna had issues with reastaurants but Coral Bay area is more limited.
Reef Bay is on the South West side of the island and adjacent to the Park. Close enough to Cruz for convenience and far enough away for privacy. The beach out front is not a swimmers beach, but the views and sounds are fantastic and snorkel swimming beaches are a 10 minute walk East. All of the more famous beaches are on the North side and 20-30 minutes from Reef Bay.
Go with a villa. I just stayed in a villa for the first time two weeks ago and I doubt that I will ever use a hotel on STT/STJ again! Though, a beach access vill WILL be costly. Couldn't you go with a villa with a nice pool and drive to the beach? You can do that for under $300 a night.
I must have missed the graffiti on STT. Do you mean the murals? Someone please tell me where the graffiti is. STT is crowded now. Too many outsiders crowding the island trying to get a pice of the pie. I feel badly for the real St Thomians. I'm hopeful that the new ferry terminal being built in Red Hook will control some of the illegal influx on STT!!!
Steff
VILLA!!!
We rented The Retreat for 5 nights. Was wonderful!!
www.the-retreat.us
If you want a lengthy account of our stay, shoot me an email at [email protected]
