St. John - Over the Rainbow or Round House?
Dec 27th, 2007 | 07:56 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
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St. John - Over the Rainbow or Round House?
Hello STJ junkies - need your expert opinions again!
My husband and I have narrowed our villa search down for our honeymoon to just a couple options. We're going in May 08, and thanks to some great posts here I think we've got most of our bases covered (okay, except for the actual house!).
First one we like: Over the Rainbow, situated hillside over Reef Bay. Beautiful location, prime snorkeling, house looks well-maintained, reasonable rates.
Next is Round House, between Round Bay and Haulover Bay. Another gorgeous spot out by the (more) remote East End. We're trying to stay away from Cruz Bay-type busy spots. Again - nice aesthetics, good price.
There are 3 sorta possibles, and maybe you can tell me if I'm ruling them out rightly or not. Do these belong in the running with our top 2?
Calypso by the Sea - beachfront on Johnson Bay, but looks like too much boat traffic? House looks a bit cutesy-kiddish, maybe not the best for a romantic honeymoon?
The Castle - hillside over Lameshur Bay. Too remote? It's pretty far up that hilltop. Like to be a bit closer to the water.
Honeymoon Cottage - hillside over Leinster Bay. The obvious choice from the name, but it seemed like the north shore is not the best for snorkeling (based partly on NOAA's reef maps, partly on other reports).
Sorry so long-winded. Any help, guys?
My husband and I have narrowed our villa search down for our honeymoon to just a couple options. We're going in May 08, and thanks to some great posts here I think we've got most of our bases covered (okay, except for the actual house!).
First one we like: Over the Rainbow, situated hillside over Reef Bay. Beautiful location, prime snorkeling, house looks well-maintained, reasonable rates.
Next is Round House, between Round Bay and Haulover Bay. Another gorgeous spot out by the (more) remote East End. We're trying to stay away from Cruz Bay-type busy spots. Again - nice aesthetics, good price.
There are 3 sorta possibles, and maybe you can tell me if I'm ruling them out rightly or not. Do these belong in the running with our top 2?
Calypso by the Sea - beachfront on Johnson Bay, but looks like too much boat traffic? House looks a bit cutesy-kiddish, maybe not the best for a romantic honeymoon?
The Castle - hillside over Lameshur Bay. Too remote? It's pretty far up that hilltop. Like to be a bit closer to the water.
Honeymoon Cottage - hillside over Leinster Bay. The obvious choice from the name, but it seemed like the north shore is not the best for snorkeling (based partly on NOAA's reef maps, partly on other reports).
Sorry so long-winded. Any help, guys?
Dec 28th, 2007 | 04:48 AM
#2
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 607
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There are reviews of Over the Rainbow and the Honeymoon Cottage on USVI on-line. The Castle looks intriguing....built like a castle. I love the Lameshur area of St. John but it is remote.
Round House is in an excellent snorkeling location near Haulover Bay and other East End spots. Appears to have great views over to the BVIs.It would be a hike to Cruz Bay but Coral Bay would be no big deal.
Keep in mind that St. John is a small island. We stayed near the location of Calypso and found it very easy to drive to any beach.
Hope this helps.
Round House is in an excellent snorkeling location near Haulover Bay and other East End spots. Appears to have great views over to the BVIs.It would be a hike to Cruz Bay but Coral Bay would be no big deal.
Keep in mind that St. John is a small island. We stayed near the location of Calypso and found it very easy to drive to any beach.
Hope this helps.
Dec 28th, 2007 | 07:23 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
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"...but it seemed like the north shore is not the best for snorkeling..."
Uh? I'm no St. John expert, but from my personal experience and from everything I had read before we went, the beaches along the north shore offer some of the best snorkeling on the island. That is what this area is known for.
We stayed at the Honeymoon Cottage near Francis Bay and loved the remote and quiet location. It was great being so close to Waterlemon Cay. We'd stay there again, but next time I'd like have some place with a pool.
Uh? I'm no St. John expert, but from my personal experience and from everything I had read before we went, the beaches along the north shore offer some of the best snorkeling on the island. That is what this area is known for.
We stayed at the Honeymoon Cottage near Francis Bay and loved the remote and quiet location. It was great being so close to Waterlemon Cay. We'd stay there again, but next time I'd like have some place with a pool.
Dec 28th, 2007 | 12:05 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 0
Maybe not an expert but definitely a junkie... anyway, we love Johnson Bay. It is not a perfect sandy beach type beach but the location is convenient to Coral Bay, and the southeastern corner which is great for snorkeling and hiking. Johnson Bay has dozens of small boats moored there but is not buzzing with activity except on Saturday mornings when kids as little as 8 years old have sailing lessons each with their own little sunfish boat... so adorable to watch. The only drawback to Calypso is that it is within a cluster of homes (all very nice mind you) and is not as private. But it's as private as you need it to be if you're indoors... if you know what I mean. 
The east end is as remote as Lameshur area. Both areas will take about 7-10 minute drive to get into Coral Bay and about 30 minutes to Cruz Bay, not because the island's large but because you have to drive at about 20-25 miles per hour. Have a wonderful time. You really can't loose with any of your choices.
The east end is as remote as Lameshur area. Both areas will take about 7-10 minute drive to get into Coral Bay and about 30 minutes to Cruz Bay, not because the island's large but because you have to drive at about 20-25 miles per hour. Have a wonderful time. You really can't loose with any of your choices.
