We are looking into Beit Hawa or Bongo Bongo - anyone use either of these villas or companies? Beit Hawa is through Island Hideaways and Bongo Bongo is through Carefree Getaways.

I've see all the promotion on Bongo Bongo and know it's beautiful but how about Beit Hawa? Also, does anyone know how far Beit Hawa is from the beach?

We've never been to St. John and don't know how important it is to be on the North Shore (Bongo Bongo is, Beit Hawa is in Rendezvous Bay)

Thanks!

I've seen Beit Hawa from the water, (it is very close but up on a cliff so I don't know if there is a walkway/stairs to the water. You can easily ask the rental agency about the particulars) and on websites. It is an older villa. It has spectacular views. No pool that I recall, but you are very close to the water. It is in a very quiet part of the island but is still close to town. I have been following the hysterical blog by the owners of Bongo Bongo and that place looks awesome. They do not have the close, panoramic views that Beit Hawa has, but it does have a beautiful pool and spa. IMO, and it's only my opinion, I would consider Bongo Bongo for a honeymoon spot. It is not on the northshore, by the way. It faces south and is up on a hill above Chocolate Hole/Hart Bay area which is the south. It's actually inbetween the north and south shores. IMO, I don't think the proximity to the northshore is a significant factor. The island is so small, it really doesn't take too long to get anywhere. Also, I feel the drives are so scenic that I don't mind. Both villas are pretty close to Cruz Bay which is the center of activities.

I haven't stayed at either villa, but I have read the blog and a lot about Bongo Bongo on another forum. It is not on the North Shore. It's more on the south side, in the area above the Westin I think. Did you notice that Beit Hawa has a caretaker living on site?

We have stayed on Gifft Hill and a couple of locations around Coral Bay. Personally, I don't think that it is important to be on the North Shore. The island isn't that big!

thanks for the info - i saw on the map that bongo bongo was more inland than what i would call north shore but i thought on it's website it said it was north shore. is having a caretaker on the property a bad thing? it made it seem like they were separted and we would still have privacy.

I didn't mean to imply that having a caretaker on the property was a bad thing. For some people it could be a benefit as I have read others post that they enjoyed having someone nearby that they could ask questions of. On the other hand, my husband and I prefer to be totally alone and would not like to have someone on the property no matter how discreet they were. Just our own personal choice