Brooke

Next year, many of my friends and I want to go to the Caribbean to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Does anyone have a recommendation for a large beach house (approx. 14 people)? I don't mean to be too general by not citing a specific island, but what we're looking for is something that's ON the beach, would be nice if it was a green, lush island (vs. desertish), would be good if there was at least one bar on the island we could go to, doesn't have to have a huge nightlife though. Fishing might be good for the guys. However, I must say now -- nothing in Mexico -- being from Texas, we've done that already. Thanks for any advice!

Jesse

St John USVI...I will be staying at the following villa: http://www.greatexpectationsusvi.com/index.htmlit is said to be one of the best on the island.

It will accomadte 14 people and the owners are great.

I have been doing reading on St. John and never ever have I found one single person that did not care for it. I have read literally 100's of reviews and none have been negative. You can also check out epinions.com and search for destinations and find St. John # 2 I think Bonaire is #1. Tons of info on this site if you do a search.

joan

Brooke, try this website: www.vacationspot.com
They have a search feature which allows you to search the whole Caribbean, while giving parameters, such as number of bedrooms, etc. I've found three villas using this site. BTW, if you do find a place, be sure to contact the agent/owner directly by telephone before sending any deposit, just to be sure they are legitimate.
Hope this helps!

Kate

This reply is for Jesse...While I too love St John and all it has to offer..Do not think that every villa there is incredible..
Last month I stayed in a villa on St John that was an absolute nightmare..We paid almost $2500 for a week and from the minute we got there we were disappointed. WE were eaten alive by mosquitos..I mean literally I had 60 mosquito bites on my body by the time I left..No matter how much bug spray we used!! We had a disgusting roach problem ( flying roaches no less)being from NYC we tried to ignore them but it's hard when you go to get into your bed and there is one right on your pillow..The house itself was a bit rundown (ripped couch cushions, lots of broken screens and doors)not as nice as the house we rented last year for $1900 a week. The view and location were incredible though and we did make the best of it and tried not to let these problems ruin our much needed vacation..Until our second to last night there..when I went into our bedroom to go to bed I noticed 3 piles of rat( way too big to be a mouse) droppings on the nightstand that had not been there an hour earlier.. well there was no way I was sleeping in that bed that night..My husband and I had had enough..we booked the next flight out and got the hell out of there...
Sorry but in my book I do not spend $350 a night to stay somewhere with roaches and rats..
So my point is no place is perfect and you really never know what you are getting until you get there...

Jesse

Was this villa Great Expectations? I have heard from different people on this board as well as villa rental managers that do not even offer G.E. as one of their vilas, that this is one of the best on the island. Would like to know which villa you are talking about.

jesse

One other thing, when did I say that every villa on ST. John was incredible?
I did say that I did much research on the island of St. John and it was all positive. As far as the villas are concerned, most of them suck for all I know. Not many villa recommendations are out there, so I really don’t know which are good and which are bad. This is the reason I did not comment on any other villa other than the one I got the most positive feedback on.

joan

Kate, This is not meant in any way to minimize your disappointment, or make light of it. But, living in Florida, we too get "flying roaches". they are actually Palmetto bugs, they are gross, I agree, but be assured they do not come from dirt or bad housekeeping. My mom has a wooden house, they love the wood walls, and as clean as she is, they never quite disappear. Not all fly, either! You just get used to them. They are most prevalent in the rainy season (they tend to come indoors then). Also, any property with fruit trees or watersdie gets fruit rats and water rats. Gross, but a fact of life here...

And you thought NYC had the most critters!

P.S. Please do tell the name of this villa. I still agree, for $2500, everything should be top of the line. Unless of course, it was a villa housing ten people...how many were you?

Kate

I apologize Jesse I read your post quickly and thought you were saying all villas on St JOhn were great hence my reply..As for the island itself.. yes it is amazing and I have never met anyone who did not love it so.. your comment was justified.
No my villa was not Great Expectations..I would rather not mention the name of the house I stayed at just because I was one of the first people to rent this home and I am hoping my complaints to the management would change a few things there..They were very understanding and did refund some of my money so I did not walk away bitter..I realize that "critters" do exist..I just don't want to see them..Last year we stayed at an amazing home, Orchid Hill, and I knew (from warnings from the owners and mngmt. co.) that it was possible for critters to visit us..but I never saw any evidence ..out of sight out of mind..
But nevertheless, STJ is a wonderful place with or without critters!!!

Jesse

No problem Kate, no harm done. Orchid Hill looks like a great villa. From the few villa reviews that I have read (belive me I have looked everywhere)this one was mentioned the most. I actually called and tried to book it but I was told it was taken off of the market 'cause the owners are selling or sold it. The layout looks awesome and the view must be great, too bad I will not be able to stay there due to the current situation.

Kate

Yes Orchid Hill is an amazing home..sad to hear what I thought confirmed that it is no longer on the rental market..Hopefully the new owners will share their beautiful home with the rest of us..I would hate to think I could never go back there again..We wanted to stay there this year too but it was already booked for the week we wanted..Actually our first night on STJ we were having dinner at The Lime Inn and we overheard a couple sitting near us tell the waitress where they were staying (Orchid Hill) and I must admit I was so jealous!!!

Brooke

Thanks so much for your house and web site recommedations...so, just to make clear, a Great Expectations rental is good or bad? Anyone else have any suggestions for a beach house they've stayed at?

Japper

will be there in a few weeks will let you know about G.E.

jesse

Check this out also
http://www.caribline.com/reviews/hotels-resorts/sj/