what part of St. John for a villa

We are 2 couples just beginning a search for a villa on St. John for next late April/early May, after doing villas together on Tortola and Virgin Gorda. We aren't familiar with St. John much at all - looking for input/opinions on where to be. Coral Bay area? above Cruz Bay - that end of the island? Thinking closer to Cruz Bay is better for grocery shopping. We tend to make a trip to the store every few days. Also wonder if AT&T coverage is better or worse anywhere. And what about mosquitos?

Any other considerations anyone wants to mention would be welcomed, as well as villa recommendations. We're looking for one with a pretty good layout in the kitchen, equal king bedrooms suites, and quiet (rooster are ok, but not kids or traffic! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />).

Thanks, everyone!

We've stayed on St. John once at the Westin. Almost every day, we took the rental car we had and headed out to a different beach. This worked out great and we had a great week!

So I don't think it matters too much. If you want to be close to restaurants..etc keep that in mind but otherwise its likely you'll take a trip somewhere each day anyway.

We prefer the south shore, specifically in the hills overlooking Chocolate Hole. Key villa criteria for us include a pool, that we have wide distant views (so we like to be a bit higher up) and a generally south to southwest facing villa orientation for uninterrupted view of the sunset to the horizon. Others might prefer to have sunrise views. From this area you're a 7-8 minute drive into Cruz Bay (very convenient if going to town for dinners) and less than 5 minutes to the market just outside the Westin Resort or to Starfish Market. It's about 25 minutes to Francis Bay and Annaberg Ruins on the north shore, and less time to Trunk Bay or Cinnamon Bay. There is also a pretty large selection of 2- and 3-bedroom villas at "reasonable" prices on the south shore. I've not researched it much, but it appears the villa rentals in the Coral Bay area tend on average to cost a bit less. If money were no object, I would love to stay in the upscale villas at Peter Bay. I suggest going to VRBO.com to start your search.

I second checking VRBO.com, we've been renting houses thru that site for years on various islands. We recently returned from a week's vacation on Bonaire, stayed at a great house I found on VRBO.com - we'll rent it again.

On St. John, we've stayed in villas on Maria's Bluff as well as a couple over in the Coral Bay neighborhood. We're sunset people, so we love Maria's Bluff/Contant Point areas for the south/southwest sunset views. However, I like Coral Bay, too.

It really depends on what you're looking for in a villa and what type of travelers you are. If you expect you'll dine out for dinner most evenings, I suggest staying on the west side of the island, but expect tight parking in Cruz Bay.

we have stayed all over the island and each area can feel completely different. As others have said we could use more info about what you like. Do you mind driving 20+minutes to the beach, restaurants or grocery stores? do you mind driving at night? would you prefer sunrise or sunset views? is there a price range for the villa?

Our favorite villa with equal masters is Villa Carolina, it's perched high up in Upper Carolina with amazing views of the BVI's and Coral Bay. I'm more of a sunrise person so I like it here! It's probably 5 minutes to Coral Bay, less than 10 minutes to the beach at Maho Bay and 20 minutes to Cruz Bay. I enjoy driving the island, especially the North Shore road, however driving Centerline Road at night from Cruz Bay is dark, curvy and boring! Check out the photo's in their website the big arched doorways open up the great room/kitchen to the infinity pool area, beautiful! www.villacarolina-stjohn.com and they are on VRBO.

We stayed in Chocolate Hole last year and when we go back in early July we are staying about 1/2 mile from Cruz Bay close to Great Cruz Bay. We are staying here...

http://www.vrbo.com/362820

We have always stayed overlooking Chocolate Hole. The villa has great sunsets over St.Thomas.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p240870

We also stayed at Blue Agave (p240870) in January 2013 - our group loved it and the owners were great to work with.

Clearblue - will you be writing up a trip report for your Bonaire vacation? I've been there once for diving and it was awesome. I'd love to read your report...

Thanks!

First visit I would recommend Cruz Bay side. And I agree with the post above – Maria’s Bluff is a beautiful location.

I would throw out Villa Maria for your consideration. Great Views, Nice Amenities, and Sun or Shade is easy to find poolside. We stayed their multiple times and look forward to returning. Not new and shiny, but it has been cared for well.

And definitely a great sunset location

I think we've at least decided on the Cruz Bay end of St. John. There are plenty of spectacular villas to choose from! Blue Agave isn't available for our time frame, Villa Carolina has only queen beds, and Villa Maria looks like too many stairs and different levels. Having stayed in other villas, we've gotten spoiled! One thing we like is proximity of the pool to the great room/living area. We do plan to do some dining out, and time at beaches, but will hang out at the villa and do our own meals more than most travelers.

I wish the websites would always specify pool depths and sizes, and floor plans would be helpful too! So our hunt goes on! Thank you all for your suggestions!!

In MHO the best deal on St John is Dolphin Run on HArt Bay, two hills from Cruz bay as I say...far enough away though. I am staying there next month again. $1995 off season for 2-4 it is a 4 bedroom walk down to hart bay, two sliders in both master masters with views to die for. No air which is why I think it stays so reasonable. In 2005 we stayed in August and only one night were we hot, and only while we had to close the sliders due to rain. Just high enough for fab breezes. it is through caribbean villas.

I have to agree on toast's Dolphin Run comment. We've been there and had family there a number of times over the years. It is well maintained and has a very rare sunrise/sunset location on the ridge of Bovacoap Point.

My family, on average, prefers the West End of STJ for convenience to Cruz Bay - Great Cruz Bay to Hart Bay. I love East End and Salt Pond, but my lady does not like the drive to meet friends in Cruz Bay.

If you call the agencies they can answer your questions. Narrow it down to your top 3-5 and ask all of your questions. Do not be afraid to ask for discount or a free night. Many of the management companies get 25% of the booking and Caribbean Villas charges an additional 5% service charge.

Cheers, RickG

We went to STJ for the first time in March of 2013 and stayed on Mamey Peak. It was a little cooler (but not cold by any means though!) on the peak and there were no mosquitos. We felt it was very centrally located, just a bit off of Centerline Rd. We rented a jeep could get to all beaches within 10-20 minutes (we went to a new one every day). It took us 10 min to get to Coral Bay and 20 to Cruz. We went into one of the towns most evenings for dinner and had no issues driving to or from. We stayed in Apito, which was a 2br, 2ba. The bedrooms were equal size and had similar bathrooms. One br was on the upper floor near the kitchen and living room. The second br was on the lower level, looking over the pool. The entire villa is rather new, which is nice. It is very quiet there and has an amazing view of Coral Bay!!

http://apito-stj.com/WordPress331/

We have been to St John and stayed in Villa Colorado. Was very nice and the owner is nice, friendly and very helpful. It is a 4 BR and all BR's have a King bed and their own bathroom/showers. You can take 1 BR or up to all 4. First time 3 were 3 couples and second time 2 couples.

We have been looking into Island Time, Limin Time and Terrahawk. They look interesting for 2 couples.

Our friends are annual renters of Island Time. I love the views (it feels like you are falling into the ocean in a good way) and the outside areas. The inside is neat as a pin. The furniture was a bit dated last time we visited them (think 80s Florida condo with white wicker) but otherwise a lovely home.

We toured Terrahawk when we rented Kallaloo next door. Great location if you can go without a pool. (my husband will not)

You are right about Terrahawk. I missed the "no pool" fact.

take a look at www.kaleideoscopeusvi.com

We have stayed there twice. Gorgeuos. They do price by how many bedrooms you use. Email the owner, Jack and you may be able to negoiate off season rates.

Goozee

Next time we go we are going to stay in Coral Bay. Well, that all depends on the new Marina. If it gets busy over there, we'll re-evaluate.

We have stayed on the south end-Villa Claudia as well as Coral Bay-Estate Fortsberg. I LOVE Coral Bay.Views are to die for! This year we are staying on Bordeaux Mt-Drakes View Villa. I have used VRBO with great results as well as Windspree Vacation Homes, great group of ladies and fantastic service!
Have a great time!

Denise

I prefer to stay pretty close to Cruz Bay. Chocolate hole, devers bay, that area.

We stay at Caribbean Jewels - Ajax Peak a few years ago. We've traveled many times to STJ, and thought this had an ideal location. The house is beautiful and pretty much right in the middle of the island. Both bedrooms are gorgeous and there is a third powder room. It is very private, a dirt road off of centerline takes you to the house. Don't let the dirt road scare you, there are some beautiful views and the driveway is paved. There is another house below, but that was not an issue.
http://www.destinationstjohn.com/home.php/8/Caribbean+Jewels

Periwinkle, if you can see a photo of the pool, look at and count the tiles along the outside edge bordering the pool proper...they are approx. 1 ft. long and thus you can almost exactly know how long and wide they are. Can't help with the depth, though!
Enjoy St John. We started out renting in Cruz Bay but moved to Coral Bay for the peace and quiet once they started building that monolith that now overlooks the entire town. The most incredible villa we ever rented was Island Horizons in Coral Bay, esp. if you want to cook in. The view down island at night to all the other islands was lovely. The only thing I would have liked was a sunset view.

The 3 eateries I'd recommend in Coral Bay are Aqua Bistro, Shipwreck Landing and Miss Lucy's (esp. the jazz brunch on Sunday).

But wherever you rent, get out there and visit all the beaches.

Friends of ours often stay in Maho Bay, North Shore of STJ, but I could not tell you the name of the villa.