I am going to St John the first week of May and I am still trying to find somewhere to stay. Caneel Bay, the Westin and Gallows Point resort all seem to be booked already. So, my only options are:
1. Staying at a villa
2. Staying at one of the small inns or B&B
3. Staying in St Thomas instead and just visiting St John
Im leaning towards a villa, but Ive never really stayed in one before, so I dont know what they are like. Are there ones where you can still walk to the beach? Another question not really related, but do they serve alcohol on the beaches? If villas are the way to go, can anyone tell me more about them? Tips, recommendations? Which ones are the best and not too expensive? I also want to be as close to the beach as possible.
Thanks!

Hi TLK879, You will not find villas on the beach in STJ. Due to the topography of the island (volcanic) most of the villas are cliffside, and you can either hike down to, or drive to the beaches throughout the island. Also, you will not find food services or restaurants on the beaches in STJ. They are almost all part of the National Park System. They are beautiful and there's great snorkling. It is not a problem to bring your own cooler with beer & snacks as long as you carry out whatever you carry in.

We've rented a villa and also stayed in the eco-tents at Concordia. Both were good options for an economical stay.

You might also check into Lavender Hill Estates & Cruz Views for lodging options. We rented our villa through www.stjohnlinks.com We stayed at John's Folly Cottages.

Good luck with your trip plans. STJ is one of our favorites. Trish

Thanks, ok, I just checked Gallows Point resort again and now there is vacancy. But, the cheapest is $295 per night. Is it worth staying there or should I get my own villa?? I want to be close to everything too. What is the closest bar from GPR and from the beach? I need advice. Villa or GPR??

Gallows Point is in walking distance to everything in Cruz Bay. It's really $295 in May? Wow. With a Villa you'd have to drive to town.

Cruz Views & Lavender Hill Estates are walking distance to town too.

TLK879
I just replied to your other post before I saw this one. If you want to be close to restaurants, ample watersports, access to day trips from the ferry dock, I think Cruz Bay is the place for you. Lavender Hill is $225 per night for a one bedroom condo if you think Gallows is too expensive. Downside is the LH only has 10 units.

Oh, regarding beaches... For good beaches you're going to have to drive. IMO the best beaches in STJ are Salt Pond Bay, & Little Lamesur Bay,

North Shore beaches are all nice too, just tend to be more crowded. I personally prefer the area of the island out past Coral Bay.

Hi, where do I find Cruz Views and Lavendar Hill Estates online? Do you know anything about them? How do they compare to Gallows Point Resort?? The only room that is available in GPR is $295 and it is for a Harbor lower suite. Is it nice? The upper ones look awesome with the balconys. But, they are all booked and more expensive. So, any info on Cruz Views and Lavendar Hill estates would help. And which one is nicer and better to stay at?
Thanks! Sorry for all the questions. I just want to book asap cause its only 2 months away!

You could always check out Samuel's Cottages a short stroll from Cruz Bay. Basic cabins with A/C and $600/wk. Don't expect to be "pampered" though. You have posted at least 3 different inquiries....not sure if you are going to find exactly what you are looking for. I give the loyal "fodorites" plenty of kudos for addressing your inquiries on a multitude of different levels.

A quick google search on both Lavender Hill & Cruz Views yielded numerous links with info, rates & booking. I have not stayed in either, but have heard good things about both.

As I mentioned, we prefer a villa in a different area of the island.

You can check www.tripadvisor.com for reviews too.

Thank you so much Trish (TPattrico)! I checked out stjohnlinks.com and found great deals on really nice condos/villas/cottages. Some of them look amazing! I am looking for the ones that are in walking distance to Cruz Bay, if there are any available. If not, than I will probably just book one at another location. They all look really nice and for a great deal! Much better than GPR. Those are my two options, but if one of those villas close to Cruz Bay is available, i will definately take it! Thank you so much!
Im so excited...i cant wait two months..its way too far away.

Glad to be of help!

We stayed at a villa on St. Thomas last year. You will need a rental car as taxi are very expensive The villa was called Sea Veiw and was at the very upmost point beautiful view. we are going to St. John in March and are staying in a vills called Soft winds.
You can take ferry over and take taxi to beaches about 5.oo person.

Villa,villa,villa !!!

There are villas on the beach in St. John-these 7 are all beach front-
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/
3bbindex.html

We have had great success with
the folks at caribbean villas and resorts. We like to stay in <b>Aria</b> on Bordeaux Mtn.

Here's another one from VRBO we inquired about-the owner Cynthia was very nice to work with. Check it out-http://www.vrbo.com/32037

R5

Interesting to see you have stayed at Aria - I am considering Happy Moon. They are neighbors, right? Of course, it's alwasys the airfare that is the killer. I will probably go off season if I go - the prices are very reasonable then.

try coconutcoast.com
try mahoganytreevilla.com
batteryhill.com
do a search on donaldschnell, has a place within walking distance, just up
past Gallows point
there is also bed and breakfat withing
walking distance. www.gardenislandinn.com (not sure if that is correct web site)

TLK879, Try www.starvillas.com
We stayed in Star Villa and it was fabulous! Very roomy,clean and it has it's own private pool too! Very reasonably priced.
Good Luck,
Debbie

We loved Gallows Point, preferred the harbor view--the oceanfronts are very hot and sunny. But it can be expensive.

I am looking into Mahogany Villas to return in the Fall. They claim you can walk to Cruz Bay easily, and look very nice. You can Google them to check it out.

St. John is beautiful.

St. Thomas is pretty creepy in my opinion...crime, etc. We flew into there, then took the ferry to ST. John, and would not care to stay there. One thing I DON'T want, is to be afraid on my vacation! There is virtually no crime in St. John, and lovely local folks.

Good Luck!