My husband & I are planning yet another trip to St John and have decided to try a villa this time. Any suggestions for a 2-3 bedroom with a pool that is closer to Cruz Bay and/or a beach? We will have my mother (85 - but fairly agile & spunky) so the easy proximity to restaurants & a beach would be preferable. I know that most are in the hills - Chocolate Hole may be our answer? We will be renting a car, undoubtedly, but do wish to stay on the South Side since we'll be trekking to St Thomas by ferry a few times. I have been under countless websites for places and have a list a mile long... Thanks to anyone who has stayed at a "Winner" - I know this comes up often - but I'm getting confused!

we go through "Private Homes for Private Vacations" (privatehomesvi.com) we like them because the agency is located right on st.john. There are many great agencies. Tesseract was beautiful. It is closer to town and chocolate hole than the northern beaches. This summer we will be staying at Viewtiful which is closer to the northern beaches but further from town.

Ali-I don't know what your budget is, but we recently stayed at Vida De MAr and I can tell you it is gorgeous. There are 5 bedrooms available, but you could use the 3 master suites that are really on the same level as the great room and pool. It is on Devers Bay, next to Chocolate Hole, so very handy to Cruz. Felt very remote and the view from large pool deck is fabulous!

Tamryn-
Vida de Mar looks lovely, but it's not in the budget since we will be footing the bill for only 3 people. Yet, maybe it would be a good choice since it's large enough to be able to hide from "Mom"!
I have dwindled it down to Time Out, The Retreat, Dream Catcher, or Sea Cruz.
Thanks for any additional input!

We're staying at Dream Come True (through caribbeanvilla.com) in October. It has three bedrooms and baths and is also on Devers Bay. It's fairly new (I believe it was completed in 2004) and has a pool, jacuzzi, outdoor garden shower, and is right on a pebble beach. I have heard a review from one person who has stayed there on another message board, and they were very happy with it. I think it's about a 5 minute drive from Cruz Bay.

Ali,
Check out "Splendore" at www.vacationvistas.com ; it's on Maria Bluff near Chocolate Hole. Two bedrooms, pool, spa, great view, minutes from Cruz Bay, all on one level (no steps for Mom!).

We stayed at Rendezvous by the Sea on Rendezvous Bay last summer. It was grand, easy commute to town, pool overlooking the water. we rented through CaribbeanVillas - they were attentive and helpful.

i agree with Lauren..Dream Come True Villa..this is a beautiful place.close to cruz bay/great for your st. thomas treks/ and right on Devers Bay.this is not a sandy beach but its right out your back door.check the site www.caribbeanvilla.com , we've used this company for many years and have been very happy with them and the villas.

Having been to St. John with the elderly.. make sure you get great air conditioning wherever you rent. My parents don't seem to remember anything except how hot it was!

Stayed at La Encantada recently through Caribbean Villas. Everything was great and we were especially glad to have had whole-house air conditioning!

After looking at hundereds of villas online, a few of our favorites were Lost Horizon, Splendore, and Sapphire Breeze. Then we saw Southern Cross (from seaview homes) and reserved that one for next May. It's in the Chocolate Hole area and has 4 BR. The pool looks great and sounds very private.

Good luck- it's fun searching but tough to decide!

I just returned from a stay at Dream Come True on Devers Bay. Someone recommended this to you, but I have a concern. Dream has a VERY steep driveway - a four wheel drive is a must. If it is raining, I wouldn't chance driving down the drive and it would be very difficult for an older person to walk down (or up). There are also stairs between the kitchen and great room and are very slippery when wet (pool, rain, etc.). I had a nasty fall. Also, ignore all of the comments about Dever's being a pebble beach - they are ROCKS and are very hard to walk on. However, Devers is my favorite place to stay.

Crazyabout: It was wonderful to read you report-- excatly what I wish more were like, viz. the very specific details that almost no one ever gives (and certainly not rental agents). We, too, love St John. Always stay half at Gallows Point, half at Caneel. Snorkeling is our main love. I so wish we could find a villa to rent that had terrific snorkeling right there-- but I have the sense that accommodations really are not on good snorkeling beaches on that island-- excpet for Caneel, which is why we keep returning, despite the fact that we think they're overpriced. If you have any other ideas, would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I haven't been back to this site since your request. There is decent snorkling on Devers Bay, but the entry into the bay is difficult. There is a sandy area to enter, but it is surrounded by rocks so if it is choppy, one is likely to be bounced into the rocks. We have also stayed on Rendezvous Bay and my sister snorkled there and said that it was good, but I didn't try it. Again, it is rocky there. We always rent a car and drive to various snorkling sites. I can't remember the name of the bay on the north shore that has excellent snorkling, but it is after Caneel but before Cinnamon Bay. There is a coral "forest" that is beautiful with lots of life. We also took a boat (Captain Rusty's trimaran) and went to Waterlemon Cay. There was not a ton of life, but we did see and follow several sea turtles, many starfish, and we think a shark! Coral Bay area also has good snorkling spots. Sunset Beach villa is right on Devers and has great access to the rocky beach. It is a little weathered, but has a fabulous outside area (big pool, wonderful lanai, wet bar by the pool and steps to the "beach".

Hi this question is for anyone but I did note that crest332 rented Southern Cross last May and would love to know his/her experience. We (three couples) are staying there this April and I am really curious about it's location, privacy, security etc.
Beckie

I'd check out wind spree violas or viva vaction villas...i had friends use both...they are great and have safe villas.

We've been going to St. John for 10 years - even got married there! I always use www.bookitvi.com Great to work with and lots of villas available. We always stay in Chocolate Hole. I have a friend who owns Villa Colorado www.villacolorado.com Beautiful house, right on great Cruz Bay Road. Her name is Drapes. It is a 4 bedroom, but tell Drapes that Cheryl from Chicago referred you. Maybe she can do something for you.

Islandgirl, can you tell me about the Chocolate Hole area please? We will be staying there this April, (Southern Cross) but none of us have been to St. John before so would be interested in any info we can get. e.g. how far from Cruz Bay (ferry), beach area, privacy of villa's ... I guess that would depend on the villa. Do you know Southern Cross Villa?
B