Heather - Both Wimco and Sibarth are very trustworty as far as booking villas and hotels in St. Barth. Don't be afraid to ask questions because most of the travel reps have seen the different villas/hotels and can answer any questions you may have.

Its been my experience with Sibarth (Wimco) that the pictures don't do the villa justice. We were always more plesently suprised with the actual villa than we had expected from the pictures.

I would do a villa if you're trying to do St. Barts for less. We were there for our honeymoon in May, and stayed at Isle de France, and there and most of the nicer hotels are in the range of $500 a night. You can probably get a decent villa for less.

A few years ago we and another couple took a villa near St. Jean, from the Wimco catalog. It was wonderful. Much cheaper than a hotel, especially for 2 couples.

We just returned from 2 weeks in St Barts. Since it was our first trip we did decided to do both. Our first week we rented a villa in Flammands from St Barth Properties. It was much more beautiful than the pictures (which were also great) and our second week we stayed at Le Toiny. We loved both! St Barts was an experience!

We have stayed at Wimco villas for years. They are quite reliable. The few times we had difficulties, they sent people right up to fix the stove, and once we ran out of water and the truck was there in no time flat. We were really impressed. We have found the pictures really don't do the places justice. But just ask their resagents who have seen all the houses.

Heather,
Villas are the way to go. Check out the IPIX views from St. B Properties. Sometimes pictures don't reveal other villas right below, beside etc. Make sure beds, bathrooms, A/C, etc. are what you want...as well as type of view. Even 2 bedroom villas will rent as a single. Mid summer some restaurants begin closing.

I found the pictures often don't do the houses justice but I'd rather have it that way than the other way around. We rented a villa from St Barth Properties last year that was wonderful and reasonable. It's the way to go for privacy and cost. The person we talked to had seen all the properties and was really helpful in describing the house and the island. We're going back this year.

Villas are almost always the best deal when there are more than 2 people. When it's just 2 of you -especially during summer low season - you may be able to get a good off season rate from a hotel which may add up to less than a villa (excluding cost of meals). So if you want privacy & quiet, go for the villa. Otherwise, maybe not

Hi
there is a new very nice and romantic cottage to rent on St Bart
It's a new and typic construction, decorated in colonial style.
Look at the web site
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cottages-les-creolines/
Rates are with car rental