lizap
TUG Member
Just returned from WSJ (first trip) and wanted to give my take.
St. John (in general): the beaches and water are the most beautiful I've ever seen (this coming from someone who grew up on the Gulf Coast). SJ is remote and run down in places. The roads are poorly maintained for the most part. The remoteness will appeal to some and not to others. There is a medical clinic, but if you have a medical emergency that requires urgent care, you will be taken by an ambulance boat to St. Thomas, which is about a 30 minute trip. This will be a cause for concern for some, especially those up in age, where things like heart attack and stroke chances are higher. We found the food very good to excellent (ate at Ocean Grill and Indigo Grill), although compared to places like Hawaii, the number of restaurants is much more limited. Found the people to be very friendly. Rented our car from Amalie (thanks David) and took the car ferry. Very, very impressed with Amalie. Amazingly easy, the best rental car experience ever. Met us at the airport and dropped us off at the airport. Highly recommend Amalie. Driving on the left was not a problem for us. Backing onto the car barge and fitting your car into the small space on the ferry takes a little getting use to, but coming back was much easier. Will definitely rent from Amalie again.
WSJ: We stayed in Coral Vista 2BR (center building), and having read some of the reviews here, I was a little concerned. However, I must say we really enjoyed this unit. The arrangement/design was somewhat different (angular) from most TSs, which I appreciated. We had a first floor unit, which was easily assessible. Very nicely decorated and appointed. I can see where the kitchen might be a problem for those who do alot of cooking. Loved the location. Close to restaurant, beach, dock, etc.. Really think it has one of the best locations there, except for perhaps the Villas currently being renovated. The Hilltop Villas have the view, but we would not want to be that far removed from the resort center (I know there are many here that prefer the Hilltop Villas; really a matter of preference). A little disappointed with the quality of the outside areas of the resort. Relative to some other beach resorts we've been to (e.g., WKORV and Marriott Ocean Pointe), the common areas; plantings/shrubs were not as nice/well kept. Not that they were bad, just not as nice. I would describe it as a little more natural-looking, which may appeal to some. Mosquitoes were definitely an issue. Saw no evidence that they spray at the resort. IMO, any woman of child-bearing age should be concerned about this. Concierges/front desk personnel were friendly but not very knowledgeable about area roads. Found other personnel to be friendly for the most part. Ate at Lemongrass twice. The food was very good, and the prices were reasonable for a resort. Highly recommend an outside table overlooking the bay. Definitely plan to return. Given where we live, this is a much easier trip for us than Hawaii.
St. John (in general): the beaches and water are the most beautiful I've ever seen (this coming from someone who grew up on the Gulf Coast). SJ is remote and run down in places. The roads are poorly maintained for the most part. The remoteness will appeal to some and not to others. There is a medical clinic, but if you have a medical emergency that requires urgent care, you will be taken by an ambulance boat to St. Thomas, which is about a 30 minute trip. This will be a cause for concern for some, especially those up in age, where things like heart attack and stroke chances are higher. We found the food very good to excellent (ate at Ocean Grill and Indigo Grill), although compared to places like Hawaii, the number of restaurants is much more limited. Found the people to be very friendly. Rented our car from Amalie (thanks David) and took the car ferry. Very, very impressed with Amalie. Amazingly easy, the best rental car experience ever. Met us at the airport and dropped us off at the airport. Highly recommend Amalie. Driving on the left was not a problem for us. Backing onto the car barge and fitting your car into the small space on the ferry takes a little getting use to, but coming back was much easier. Will definitely rent from Amalie again.
WSJ: We stayed in Coral Vista 2BR (center building), and having read some of the reviews here, I was a little concerned. However, I must say we really enjoyed this unit. The arrangement/design was somewhat different (angular) from most TSs, which I appreciated. We had a first floor unit, which was easily assessible. Very nicely decorated and appointed. I can see where the kitchen might be a problem for those who do alot of cooking. Loved the location. Close to restaurant, beach, dock, etc.. Really think it has one of the best locations there, except for perhaps the Villas currently being renovated. The Hilltop Villas have the view, but we would not want to be that far removed from the resort center (I know there are many here that prefer the Hilltop Villas; really a matter of preference). A little disappointed with the quality of the outside areas of the resort. Relative to some other beach resorts we've been to (e.g., WKORV and Marriott Ocean Pointe), the common areas; plantings/shrubs were not as nice/well kept. Not that they were bad, just not as nice. I would describe it as a little more natural-looking, which may appeal to some. Mosquitoes were definitely an issue. Saw no evidence that they spray at the resort. IMO, any woman of child-bearing age should be concerned about this. Concierges/front desk personnel were friendly but not very knowledgeable about area roads. Found other personnel to be friendly for the most part. Ate at Lemongrass twice. The food was very good, and the prices were reasonable for a resort. Highly recommend an outside table overlooking the bay. Definitely plan to return. Given where we live, this is a much easier trip for us than Hawaii.
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