I am in the planning stages of an April vacation to St. John. The last time we visited the Caribbean we stayed in a villa on Virgin Gorda and LOVED it, but we were with another couple and had a blast exploring together. This time it'll just be my husband and myself.

I would love to hear about your experiences and which area you prefer to stay in while visiting St. John. Hopefully this will help me make my decision as I like shopping and restaurants, but also love peace and privacy!! We will rent a car, but love to walk too!! Thanks so much!

If you stay in Cruz Bay or Chocloate Hole, you will be closer to most restuarants and shops etc. Plus you will get sunset views for the most part. Coral Bay gets sunrises and you can probably find better deals in Coral Bay beacuse it is further out there. Another option might be Ajax/Mamey Peak. Right in the center of the island you get elevated, long distance views of the BVIs and Coral Bay and be close to the North Shore Beaches. We just booked a villa in Chocolate Hole as it is close to town but still quie. And for the sunsets. We almost booked Ajax peak and will definitely look into that for next time. Though I have heard it can get chilly/windy on the mountain at times.

Thank you for your reply Kristen! Great information especially about where to stay for sunsets!! Unfortunately, Cruz Bay and Chocolate Hole are more expensive! May I ask which condo you are staying at? Thanks again!!

We are staying at calypso del sol - http://www.calypsodelsol.com/

I always ask for a discount...some places will offer one and some not but never hurts to ask!

Since it is just you and your husband, take a look at Apito on Mamey Peak. We almost stayed there but heard it was a little cozy for 4 but it would be perfect for 2. And the price is right. Another in the same area which has a great price is Caribbean Jewels. As far as Coral Bay, Reef Madness get good reviews and the owner Of Calypso Del Sol also has a home in Corla Bay. There is a link to it on the CDS website.

I have been researching villas to death for the past 3 months, so please let me know if you have other questions!

Here are links to the vil;as I mentioned above

http://apito-stj.com/

http://www.destinationstjohn.com/hom...bbean%20Jewels

An affordable option if you want to stay in the Cruz bay area is to get a condo at Grande Bay or Lavendar Hill. And definitely check VRBO.com. I much prefer dealing with the owner vs a rental agency and you often get better deals. Grand Bay has a lot listed on VRBO.

Hi Kristen,

Thanks, but these villas are already booked for my dates!!! How about this one:
http://www.vrbo.com/115186
Looks nice, I think! Your villa looks great!!

Good choice! I considered that last year when I though just our family was traveking but it ended up that we booked a bigger villa with 2 other families on a different island The owner was great to deal with and we robably would have ended up staying there.

Well, it's back to the drawing board since this villa is now rented for the week I wanted! I am still interested in staying closer to Cruz Bay so I'm not too upset. Any other ideas?? Thanks!

What are your dates? Try Time Out Villa, Sopra Mare, Villa Belvedere and Hale Lani.

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for all the help!! These villas are all beautiful and available but not in my budget!! I don't want to spend more than 2000 for a week. I'm interested in 4/17-4/24/11. So many of the villas I like are already booked! I am beginning to think about renting a condo right in Cruz Bay although I'm not sure about the noise and construction!!

Jayneann

Kristen's suggestion of Ajax Peak is a good alternative to either Cruz Bay or Coral Bay.The North Shore is an easy drive, the drive to Cruz Bay is shorter than from Coral, and Coral Bay is just down the hill. We stayed at Creolla ( http://www.vrbo.com/93862 ) on Ajax Peak but there are several rentals in that area. The access road is easy which is not always the case on all St. John driveways. The VRBO listing that you considered, that was booked, is a great rental. I believe it's Coconut Hill. We looked at it while on St. John and a friend stayed there last December.

You could also try www.homeaway.com

We have used them and VRBO with great success.

I think I have one for you...we looked at this as well when looking at Coconut Hill . It's called Tree House...

http://www.privatehomesvi.com/treehouse.htm

Also, don't be afraid to ask for a discount...some places will give you 10% or a free night and that may drop a couple of the others into your price range.

Coral bay is worth considering as well. Over there you get sunrises! We have a place on Hurricane hole just past Coral Bay booked for next Feb. My sister stayed up on the hillside this past year overlooking Coral Bay (we were at Maho), a beautiful spot. Rentals tend to be cheaper in Coral bay as well. You do end up driving more if you want to get to the North Shore beaches, but the same applies to stays in Cruz Bay.

You are all SO helpful, thank you so much!!! I think we have decided to stay in Cruz Bay at Lavender Suites!!! Since it's just my hubby and myself, we are now thinking we would like to be closer to town and SUNSETS!! If we like St John as much as we think we will,then we'll come back with friends, staying in a villa!! I love villas, but for this trip, I am now thinking a condo within walking distance is better for us. Still, I do love the peace and tranquility, so next time... Kristen, you have been especially helpful, so much gratitude!!!

Sounds like a good plan Jayneann. We don't go until May so I look forward to hearing about your trip when you get back!

Last time I was there with my family, we stayed in Coral Bay. As far as Coral Bay itself goes, it's great - a number of good restaurants, quiet, and lots of villas with stunning views. The drawback comes in if you want to spend any significant number of evenings in Cruz Bay, which we did. It's a long drive - I'd say about 30 minutes - on a narrow road with lots of hills and curves, not to mention driving on the left. But if you really only plan to spend your time between the beach and the villa, Coral Bay is great. There is a road that goes across the island to the north side beaches, so it's as close or closer to many of them as is Cruz Bay.

Thanks for your reply Smetz!! As much as we love renting villas, I'm glad we're going to stay in a condo in Cruz Bay now that I've had time to process through all of this! I want to do at least one or two day trips to the BVI's so at least we'll be right there. Next time a villa though, lol!!

Kristen, I'll definitely post my trip experience!!!