St. Johns villas?
 

I'm doing a little early research for a trip for me and DH for possibly next year. We have never been to St. John or any where else out of the USA for that matter. Went to Cancun eons ago but would not go back.

I have been looking into some villas on St. John. I have somewhat narrowed it down to the following after looking into every villa there is numerous times...at least it seems. If any one has been to any of these or knows anything about them I would appreciate any info.

1. La Papaya-Chocolate hole North
2. La Encantada-Chocolate Hole
3. Calypso Del Sol-Chocolate hole
4. Villa Adeste-Coral Bay
5. Summer Wind-Bordeaux Mnt.

Things that are important in a villa to us are a pool, fully AC'd, nice view, nicely furnished, decent privacy. Don't want to be more then 15/20 mins. from Cruz Bay.

Thanks for any help.

Ann

While I can't give you any specifics about those particular villa I can tell you that during the last year much has been written about villas on St. John on this forum. If you use the search feature (type in "St. John Villas" of the villa "name" and you'll find loads of information. I am sure you'll gets lots of other responses as St. John is a popular destination on this forum.

I did notice that you mentioned you have not been out of the USA (except for Cancun eons ago) and you were planning your trip for "next year". If that's the case do not forget to apply for your passports. Anyone returning to the USA from the Caribbean after December 31, 2006 will need a passport to get back into the USA. One other hint, whatever you do don't start looking at weather websites a few weeks before your planned trip. Doing so will only get you upset as I guarantee they will predict rain showers. The fact is you are visiting the tropics and those showers are usually very brief and very localized. They rarely last longer than 10 or 15 minutes.

You'll love St. John. It's a beautiful island with plenty of attractive beaches, great snorkeling and good restautants. The only thing I have to warn you about is you and DH will probably catch a good dose of Dreaded Island Fever (DIF). The main sympton, which will manifest itself 2 to 5 days after your return, is an overwhelming desire to return to the island. The only known cure is to start planning your next trip but the symptons won't disappear until you get on island again. Have a great trip!

A Traveler: That is hysterical: "Dreaded Island Fever." I've had a terminal case for over 4 years now. Sick, sick, sick... suffer general subconscious urge most of the time. I'm afraid it will only be cured when I finally move there for good... alas, I foresee at least another decade of suffering before cure can be obtained.

Tuxedocat, my case is terminal as well. Perhaps I will see you there after another decade, lol.

Hmmm... I might have to rethink this trip. That sounds like a dreadful disease. Also sounds like I will need lots of money for treatment if I do catch it.

A_Traveller,
DIF – This explains it….both DH and I got infected. We got back from our first trip to STJ a couple weeks ago with horrible symptoms!
We are so sick, we’re already planning the next trip back :)

Wife and I caught DIF 20+ years ago and thought we had it cured several years ago when we built our caribbean dream home but we have relapses every time we travel off-island.

vatmark: I'm a huge proponent of getting a passport, but you do not seem to be a big traveler. So if you do decide on St. John (and you're not planning to go the nearby British islands) and do not plan to do any other international travels in the near future, don't get a passport. The U.S. Virgin Islands do not fall under the new rules.
St. John is one of my favorite islands. GREAT beaches. Enjoy if you do go.

From the State Dept. website:
Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.

If traveling outside the United States or a U.S. territory, a passport or other secure document will be required. For example, a person may travel to and from the United States to the U.S. Virgin islands without a passport or other secure document, but under proposed regulations, a passport or other secure document would be required to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or another country as of December 31, 2006.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

Seems like I'm not the only one who suffrs from DIF.

We got back about 3 weeks ago from St. John and stayed at Summer Wind. There were 4 adults and 2 kids.

The house was beautiful (the pictures online don't do it justice). The house is split between 2 buildings with the pool & hot tub in between. All rooms have A/C. Kitchen/living areas on top of one building with a bedroom & laundry area on the bottom. The other building had a master bedroom (including an outdoor shower) on the top and two bedrooms on the bottom. All rooms are accessed from the surrounding decks and stairs. The kitchen was well supplied - even spices. And laundry supplies were also included. There is a phone w/ answering machine, CD player & CDs, TV, DVD player & DVDs, books, beach towels, paper supplies, floats, beach chairs, etc. We've not stayed anywhere this well supplied before.

We were hesitant about staying that "far" away from the beaches but now we are glad we did. It was quite a bit cooler up on the mountain, plus I think it was less buggy. It was on the edge of the park at one side, and very private. I'd say Cruz Bay was about 15-20 minutes, as were the north shore beaches (Francis Bay). Coral Bay was closer (10 minutes?).

This is the second time we've rented from Terry Witham(also Villa Serenity) and she was very friendly, helpful (and patient through all of our emails). I would have no hesitation renting from her again, and trusting her to give us the straight scoop about a house and also about sailing, etc.

I hope you enjoy St. John as much as we did!

Bobette

DIF-yup definately have it. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of STJ, and have a piece of it on me daily, ie; my hook bracelet, petroglyph ring, etc!
But about your question, I have not stayed at any of those villas, but Coral Bay is more than 15-20 minutes from Cruz Bay. Maybe 30, depending on the traffic, locals, donkeys, etc! But we always stay in Coral Bay and do not find much of a reason to go to Cruz Bay, except maybe groceries and Uncle Joe's BBQ!

4 points regarding DIH.
1) my symptoms begin as plane taxis off island. possibly a slightly different strain of the disease.
2) it's not just st.john
3) have noticed words like palapa slipping into my everyday speech. scary.
4)i find i'm frequently unable to recall how to drive on right after return home.

Oh, Virginia, you have at least a third stage progression. It's now... incurable. You're going to have to take sunshine injections and repeated doses of umbrella drinks, and of course, the frequent visits to the Limin' Doctor for the rest of your life. You thought that "Lime in the Coconut" song was a joke?

virginia,
#4 on your list is me when I return from vacation as I do all of the driving.

It just seems easier to drive on the left side. ;)

What does it mean when your symptoms start the minute you step foot on the ferry?

Regarding a passport to get home out of St. John, when I flew out of Hartford in Feb 2006, I happened to mention to ticket person that I was glad we didn't need a passport yet. Well, she & her coworkers freaked out & said as of 1/1/2006 you needed it to re-enter the US & their policy was that they couldn't let you leave the US if they knew you didn't have the proper documentation to return. I had them double check, I was crying, my DH was already en route on a different airline & they stood firm. I didn't have time to get home & make the only flight that day. The guy at the security check told me that was BS & to tell them that I would have my passport overnighted to me in STJ. I went back & that made them even more furious that the security guy was telling them how to do their job. In the end they did end up letting me go with the warning that STJ would not let me return to the US without it. It took 3 days to get to me via overnight USPS. They were telling everyone in STJ that they needed a passport now to re-enter US. Anyway, hate to have that happen to anyone else. They may have misunderstood the new rules but I personally wouldn't risk it. Get a passport!!!

St. John is a US Virgin Island, as in a US territory. You DO NOT need a passport to return from a US territory. The people in Hartford need a geography review!!!

That said, if you are going to the USVI and think you might day trip to the BVI, then you do need a passport.

Required or not, if you want to have an easier time going through customs I recommend you obtain and travel with a valid passport from the USVI to the Mainland US.

We have always stayed in villas in or around cholcolate hole. It is conventient and close to cruz bay. I wouldn't want to be in Coral Bay. Bordeaux Mnt is beautiful, but too far from water. Just my 2 cents.

Ann,

We have been to St. John about 10 times and love it , had timeshare at the Westin until we sold it this year. We've opted for homes with privates pools. We are leaning toward La Papaya for our next trip. The location is excellent, easy trip town. If like to dine out or go out for drinks I would avoid Bordeaux Mtn. & Coral Bay. That would be a helluva drive at night with a couple of cocktails on board. Let me what ya'll do.

Mike