laserghost

Hello! New to the forum here and planning a belated honeymoon / 5-year anniversary this upcoming January, on a budget of approximately $6000 USD (I realize that's high season). We are highly interested in St. John, but are open to anything really (also browsing Tortola, Virgin Gorda [love]). We are looking for easy access to gorgeous beaches, would probably do some island exploring/hiking, but I think priorities are beaches and a clean, non-dumpy, tastefully decorated and relaxing room. Several acquaintances have recommended St. John and we've never been, so why not? Also, it looks like we can get airfare for around $400 / person if we book soon, into St. Thomas, where other places are somewhat costlier. We are traveling out of BOS Logan.

Ideally we want to go for 2 weeks. Many of the villas seem to have 4 bedrooms and several baths, which is overkill. We would be open to a hotel room, a resort, or a bnb / house, but have been very discouraged by the appearances and cost based on what we've seen online. We've seen really nice hotel rooms (Caneel Bay) that are just way too expensive, 600–1100+ per night ... when I think we can really only afford 300 per night sort of range. Everything I've seen in that range looks like it hasn't been updated since the late 80s and is either tastelessly decorated (kitschy island decor) or a total dump. Oh, and a bathtub would be nice too.

Is there no middle ground? I realize I can't afford to stay at a high roller resort, but I'm getting really disheartened by the experience of looking online for a place to stay, and not finding ANYTHING decent. True, we will be spending lots of time out doors, but this is a belated honeymoon and we'll be spending plenty of time indoors and would love it to be romantic and relaxing.

Does anyone have any advice that doesn't entail winning the lottery or taking out a loan, or know a specific hotel or place that could work with our budget? Should we look at other countries instead of the Virgin Islands?

Thanks!

Jimmie

I would look at Mango Bay and Nail Bay on Virgin Gorda. For two weeks high season and your stated budget you may need to compromise a little on the furnishings.

laserghost

Thanks, Jimmie. I appreciate the honest reply here as I have no idea what I'm doing, really. Also curious about booking through a resort's website vs. Expedia type sites, but I'm sure there are many threads on that sort of thing.

Anyone else have any suggestions for places to stay? We are also open to rental homes and villas, but we don't need extra rooms or baths!

blamona

Since you want " non-dumpy " in high season, why not shorten your trip a little. Make it 10 nights instead of 14.

Really, because you'll be unhappy for longer if you cheapen yourself! ;-)

Or wait until low season where it costs half as much.

RoamsAround

Sometimes the owner/property mangers of larger villas (with what you describe as extra rooms or baths) will offer reduced rates if the property is being rented by a single couple. While this type of "discount" occurs more in Low Season it you can sometimes find a place that will give you a discount in High Season (which is when you are going). It doesn't hurt to inquire but you'll have to ask the rental agency directly as policies like that are rarely advertised on websites. I will say this, your budget of $6,000 for a 2 week stay during January is on the low side for a villa so you are probably going to have to make some concessions.

On St. John look at Gallows Point Resort, Estate Lindholm and Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel. On Virgin Gorda check out the two places mentioned by Jimmie as well as Fisher's Cove and Virgin Gorda Village. They may be close in price to your budget.

suze

USVI are known to be uber-expensive.

Yes I think you could get more for your money on other islands (Jamaica or Dominican republic) or on the Caribbean coast of Mexico (Playa del Carmen area). $300/night could get a very nice room any of those places.

How important is the bathtub? That requirement would really limit choices. I can't think when I've ever had anything but a shower in the Caribbean.

laserghost

thanks for the tips everyone!

ishkribbl

I have stayed at Mango Bay and would definitely recommend it. Also, you might try this (did not look at calendar to see if it is rented already)- great for 2 and beach front with privacy but resort amenities:
http://www.virgingordabvi.com/villainfo.php?vid=3
(Coffee and Tea Houses- Virgin Gorda)
Side note: My husband and I got married in SJ in 2001 (2nd marriage for both) but these days I would recommend VG for a nice laid back vacation like you are planning. You can get around and see other islands on day trips.
Have a wonderful time.

ejcrowe

I've been to St. John once, Virgin Gorda three times, and Tortola once. I'd return to all of them in a heartbeat for a beautiful and laid back vacation, but if I were new to driving on the left side of the road, I'd probably eliminate Tortola from consideration because some of the roads are super steep, narrow, and hard to squeeze two lanes onto.

$300 is definitely on the low end of the budget for midrange accommodations during high season, hard as that is to believe. However, many places offer weeklong packages that offer savings off of the nightly rate, so look into those. For example, Sugar Mill on Tortola (which was nice back in 2005 when we stayed there, don't know if it still is) has rooms that START at $350/night but offers a romance package for 7 nights for $2500 that includes a couples massage, a day sail, a bottle of champagne, and a three day car rental, all in high season.

If you like the idea of a villa, try looking at vrbo.com and find a place you like that is near your price range, then approach the owner directly about a possible discount for a 2-week stay.

If you can adjust to more modest accommodations, be sure to also check out Guavaberry Spring Bay on Virgin GOrda. They're $250/night in high season and in one of the best locations on the island.

FWIW, not many places in the Caribbean have bath tubs because it costs so darn much to pay for the water to fill one--and water is scarce on most islands. So you'll find bathtubs in high end places but not many other spots.

If luxury is truly important to you, than Blamona's idea of staying fewer nights is a good one. I happen to be of the camp of wanting to prolong vacation as long as possible and therefore am willing to compromise on luxury.

jlbowers7100

Can't say enough great things about St. John - great base and easy access to day trips! Definitely check VRBO and don't be afraid to try to negotiate w/ owners. We are coming up on our 5th trip and have never "paid retail".

Also, I've seen really great deals in January as well as it's kind of a "let down after the holiday" period.

One villa we've stayed at twice is Balance Villa on Fish Bay. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this villa - stunning, private, all the amenities you could ever need and absolutely amazing views. There's no tub but they have amazing outdoor showers that are absolutely magical under the stars. The only downside to Balance (if you want to call it that), is that it's a 5-10 minute drive from town. It doesn't feel far at all though.

On the flip side, another great option is Grande Bay. We will be staying at Grande Bay for a second time next month. These are very nicely equipped condos and centrally located to everything. Nice views, great pool/hot tub and the location is primo. You can walk nearly everywhere in town. It just depends on what you're looking for...

Gallows Point is a great location as well and I hear good things about it. There are a lot of villas near Coral Bay but keep in mind that's a good 30 min from Cruz Bay. We stayed at the Westin once and I'm honestly not the biggest fan of that place. Beautiful grounds and pool, but the rooms seemed dingy and run down to me. Also, their beach is nothing to write home about.

Anyway good luck!!!

eastenderusvi

What about a crewed charter yacht? You would have a chef and a captain with food and drink provided for the two of you. A new adventure every day. A great way to discover the more remote areas of the Virgins.

Fra_Diavolo

Gallows Point on St John is showing $575 a night, ocean view, lower level. We rented one of these a couple of years back -- the view is fine, lower or not! So simply cut your honeymoon/anniversary in half and you are good to go. Honestly, two weeks in "paradise" is one week too many for me.

Sherri1

check out condocruzbay.com

laserghost

Thanks everyone, for the helpful replies!

westonkamom

Definitely check out VRBO, and as stated before, ask about discounted rates. If their calendar looks wide open, I always ask if they will consider low-season or mid-season rates during high-season...most often they will give a discount. We also travel to St. John in January for 2 weeks and it is a wonderful time to visit. We actually prefer the Coral Bay side of the island bc of it's proximity to amazing snorkling, wonderful restaurants, and lack of day tourists. We travel with 2 kids, but here are some really cute places for 2 that still have significant openings in January. Another idea would be to split your time in half between islands.

Simply St. John http://www.vrbo.com/146033
Pure Joy http://www.vrbo.com/422535
Fish Bay estate http://www.vrbo.com/462042
Just For 2 http://www.vrbo.com/251915
Villa Bliss http://www.vrbo.com/187171ha
Sea Swan Suite http://www.vrbo.com/420136
The Cottage http://www.vrbo.com/317370