Just back from St. John
 

My family and I just returned from St John about 1:45 am ET on June 7th.

It was a very beautiful island.However,I would not recommend anyone with a 2 and 1/2 year old go there and rent a villa.Caneel Resort or the Westin are perfect for children.

Places we ate where:
Lime Inn..I had the lobster and did not care for it (I love Maine lobster)
Sun Dog Cafe..has a great Mahi-Mahi sandwich
Chilly Billy's...I just had bacon and toast,someone at the table beside us had a burrito that looked really good.
Pastry Gardens...its at the Mini Golf place had the best food that we had while there.I had a Thai Chicken salad that was wonderful.They also give you good portions for your money.

Places that we wanted to go to where Asolare,Le Chateau De Bordeaux,Tonys Kitchen,Miss Lucy's.Our 2 year old Ryan was acting up sooo much that we just ate dinner at the villa..most of the time.

Beaches that we enjoyed:
We did not get to do much exploring with the 2 yo..however these are the ones we did get to.

Hawksnest Beach was nice for the kids with some shaded areas.
Trunk Bay..(of course) the underwater snorkeling trail was really neat.We saw a ton of fish here.
Caneel Beach..was our favorite.The kids had other kids to play with.We saw the most snorkeling here starfish,stingrays,turtles,and alot of fish.We did have lunch at the Caneel Resort and the service was awesome.I think that I got my food maybe 5 to 10 minutes after I ordered it.( I had Calamari..which was good)If anyone is looking for quick service on St John..Caneel Resort is great.
Salt Pond Bay..we went here and regreted it once we got to it.It was a small hike..but alot for a young one.It was a rocky beach.I thought that it was pretty but just not a good place for young kids.A local lady at Crabbys Watersports recommended it.It did not have as much shade as some of the other beaches..so made it very hot.
Cinnamon Bay..we liked the beach there.My 10 and 7 year olds...rented their snorkeling gear here.

We heard some live local music on the walk to the car from the Lime Inn..the place was Freds beach bar ( I think)a band from STT was playing some cool music.The kids were entertained for a few minutes.

Unless I find my camera I will not have any pictures to share..except for the disposable underwater camera.I have called the ferry system,the villa we rented,rental car company and no one has found my camera.We had some really good pictures.I am so brokenhearted..with any luck I will find it.I will get the camera developed that I do have and share the pictures once I recop and get some rest.

I would NEVER recommend BAMBOO VILLA from VIVA to anyone.The bedrooms had A/C that was in need of some Freon,it was not in very good condition,dirty,beds were hard.I would highly recommend to anyone going to St John to get a fully Air Conditioned villa..if you rent a villa and if you are not use to the heat and humidity.The sunset views from the villa were wonderful as was the landscape.

St John is a beautiful island with alot of beautiful beaches,friendly locals.When I go back..I will stay at Caneel Resort or the Westin.I had a deep tissue massage at the Westin that was great and well needed the last night of our trip.I will never take my 2 year old anywhere like that until he is older.

I would love to go back and go to Waterlemon Cay,Little Lameshur Bay,Leinster Bay,and many more that I am sure that I missed out on.

I am sorry that my report is not real detailed and good as we had ALOT of bad luck while there.But it is one amazing place that I will return to oneday.

I might be back with more details as I get more rest.I am really wiped out right now.Thank you to all of you who gave me all the advice on St John.:)Will chat soon.

Dear Christiegr-Glad you sampled St. John. We were there just ahead of you and loved it. Just to let you know I can SO relate to the wonderful frustration of visiting somewhere with little ones. We took our 3 children at the ages of yours to a wedding in Ireland. I was really very positive until I broke down in Dublin when no one (of course!) would join me for tea at the lovely hotel I had read about! Now its another great memory I share with my very well traveled children (18,16 and 12)! Happy visits!

tamryn..I am glad that someone can relate.Don't get me wrong..I think that St John would have been wonderful under different circumstances.I will definately go back.

My mom went with us to help with the 2 yo but only made matters worst.She only complained when we wanted some alone time at night..to explore.We paid for her way under the agreement that she would babysit alittle..she will never go with us again.We spent around $6000 total and she did not even appreciate it.My husband and I both reached a breaking point while there.I am sure that the neighbors are glad that we left.LOL!!

Welcome home Christie....sorry you experienced bad luck in the Virgins. I can relate with the two year old....it is impacting the decision on our next destination greatly. Life isn't as simple anymore. I pulled up the satellite and radar for the VI on a couple of ocassions while you were down there. It looked like there were quite a few clouds and possibly rain. How was the weather? Anyway....hope you get back sometime and are able to do it a little different. My first trip to STJ was in 1990 and it was still a bit of a secret then. I called it the Jewel of the Caribbean....development has impacted that adjective today....but it still boasts two-thirds Nat'l Park which is virtually untouchable.

I just woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep right away. Thought I'd check in to the site and read your report. I sense that you appreciated the wonderful points of the island but wished the cirumstances were different. I can definitely sympathize with the 2 year old thing. I have one the same age and it's a nightmare everywhere! She is very high-spirited and now so physically capable, it can get a bit wild these days. No restaurant is a good idea with her in tow. I can definitely sympathize with the mother thing also. I've been on many trips with the parents or the in-laws (sometimes both) and even if you are footing the bill the dynamic just seems to produce disappointment. I once paid for my sister to go with us to Bermuda so that she might provide some baby-sitting and it was also just one complaint after another. Sorry you didn't have a better time. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing and I would definitely recommend the Westin or Caneel to others considering taking small kids. It's a beautiful environment and the kids have an array of entertainment. Less interesting for some who would rather get the feel of really living in the atmosphere by renting a villa. Good info. on Bamboo Villa. Never heard anything about that one before. Now I know not to recommend it. How was Gift Hill in general?

CaribbeanSoul..The weather was good.It rained the first two nights for a little while.The only time that we had rain during the day was the day that we were leaving and it was just a little.I think that a storm was moving in though.My son is very strong willed and very active so if yours is too..I would definately stay at a resort next go round.I usually like the privacy of a smaller hotel or villa but not with a toddler.Maybe you will have better luck than we did.I tried to stay positive..but after my mom,Ryan (the toddler)and my husband started complaining..I had a breaking point after a night at the little bar at the Mongoose Junction (Gecko something??)too many Painkillers.I lost my patience with the hangover.:)

tuxedocat..It was pretty and quiet in Gifft Hill.The views of Rendevous Bay were beautiful.It was a little drive to Cruz Bay..maybe about 15 to 20 minutes.My older sons enjoyed the geckos and hermet crabs that were in the yard.We enjoyed the Bananaquits that would come to the deck and eat sugar.We had tons of them.They are very cute little birds.

When we headed down to Coral Bay it was in the morning so we passed Miss Lucy's but did not go there.I wanted to go back for lunch but Ryan was so tired that we just went down to Caneel Beach after Coral bay and then back to the villa.

I would like to go back with just my husband...if I can talk him into it.He did not have much patience for the parking in Cruz bay.

Welcome back, Christie. I'm sorry to hear your trip was such a mixed bag, but glad to hear that it wasn't your island experience of St. John so much as your circumstances.

Hi Christie, can definately relate to your situation. We recently went to the Sands with our 21 month old and took both my parents. We stayed at a condo (sands) and I thought the kitchen and washer/dryer were very useful with the baby. I cant imagine staying with the baby in a hotel room. The way we made it work was the couples would take turns going to lunch/dinner. My mom is not much into the beach thing so did not mind staying at home while the three of us went snorkelling in the mornings. We tried going to a restaurant together one night and it was a disaster. The one thing that I found worked on the plane etc was a portable DVD player (talk about spoiled kid...) but my daughter is so active that we didnt have a choice. Anyway I totally agree that this trip (even though we liked the island) does not compare to other trips we have taken because of the kid stress factor. I hope you can convince your husband to go back to St John w/o the kids.

Welcome back. Like others have already said, I too have traveled with my kids since they were 2 1/2 and 5. I carried the little one throughout Disney, was exhausted, just one thing after another. But when we arrived at the beach and they had the pool, sand and some kids nearby, well bingo--it was magicly different. Since then, we have brought teens with us, or mature woman sitter for the nights out. Also, a trip just for us and leaving them home with family/sitter. But now looking back, they are 17 and 14, we leave in 5 weeks for a beach vacation to Grand Cayman,and it is had to tell who has the best time. We have learned alot through the years how to travel with/without them. You will long remember your trip to STJ, and I bet you will get back real soon just you and your hubby! Hope it makes you feel better to know that many of us have had things like this happen during our travels too, thank goodness we can share these times with our fodorite friends:)
My advice, get some rest and start planning a new trip!!! Carol

Glad to hear of others that have traveled with toddlers...my husband was so mad at me..for planning the trip to include our 2 y.o.He acted like I was the only one who has ever attempted this.

You live and you learn as I told him.He is not a very patient person.He better learn some though.;)

I better go for now.I am going to call the STJ police to see if they found my camera.(with any luck);)

Christie - Glad you are back. sorry you did not have an awesome time. I know tons of people who travel with kids! I just got back from 2 weeks in Nevis with my daughter, she is 8 months old. We go to St Barths with her in Nov. and she will be 14 months. My mom is meeting us there, but she will babysit as she does when she is up here...We will always stay in a villa as I dont really like to stay in hotels on vacations like this, I like to be able to have more space and be able to eat at home without going to a restaurant all the time. We always stay in villas, funny because my husband and I both work for a major hotel company! hehe

I am sure you would enjoy it more if you and DH were able to go more places. (not necessarily travel alone, but if you were able to get out by yourselves more)... well, I really hope you can find your camera! wow, that would be terrible if you could not. Keep us posted. I guess its time to work on planning the next trip! Where are you going this time?

Christie, I hope you find your camera!!

I saw that you commented in my post about Lime Inn - funny, I also had the lobster there. I think I was disappointed because I was expecting it to be more like Maine lobster. Oh well.

Sorry your trip had some low spots, and I hope you and your husband get back to St. John sometime!

I have had no luck finding the camera.I did find out that my mom took 9 rolls of film.That will help with the pictures but will not replace my digital camera.:(

Meredith..I agree Caribbean lobster does not compare to Maine.:)

Christie: You sound like one fun gal! I hope you can post some pictures! I love your honesty, excitement and enthusiasm. Thanks for "telling it like it is (or was)" and just being yourself. Will you marry me? ;)

CaribbeanSoul...LOL!!You are funny!!I did not want to lie about the trip.I would have loved St John under different circumstances.I will post some pictures as soon as I get the underwater camera developed.I totally forgot to take it yesterday when I went out.

Christie,

Holy Moly. What a bummer. Considering the way your mother and the little one behaved and the story you mentioned re: your husband on Aruba, I recommend a solo trip next time.

Good luck.

mm

christie,

So sorry to hear your St John trip didn't work out great, but it sounds like you'll be back some day.

I felt so bad for you when I read your post as I know you were really looking forward to St John. I have been wanting to try St John for several years now, and I'm hoping I will finally get there soon.

We have a 1 year old who is usually pretty easy to deal with where ever we take him. But, as far as big trips go, he'll be staying with his grandparents until he's old enough (maybe 6 or 7) to appreciate the islands.

I have been reading about St John for a long time now, and have read so many great tips. In reference to your husband's impatience for parking in Cruz Bay.....I know a lot of folks rent vehicles from certain rental agencies that allow you to use their parking lot while in town. This might help if you return.

I'm sure your next vacation will be a good one. Thank you for sharing your experience even though it wasn't all great.

mm..yes I have thought about a solo trip next time..if not..I just might loose my mind.:S-

My husband tends to act like an out of control teenager while on vacation.(He was very wild as a kid)I like to have a couple of ((D))'s but not alot.The second night in St John I had way to many Painkillers and had a massive hangover that was horrible the next day.It had been a while since I had hung loose and had fun.:)

Sorry to hear things did not go too well Christie. If its any consolation it has happened to us as well. We found out the hard way we can't travel with my mom. However there is always next time. :-)

Thanks Larry..maybe next trip will be alone!;)