PP here - you can rent timeshares off of redweek and there are a lot of good rentals on HomeAway or VRBO.

Just got back from St. John and I recommend it. We rented a timeshare at the Westin. Rented our car on St. Thomas and took the car barge over to St. John - that was interesting, don't know if we'd do that again. We bought staples and did our big grocery run on St. Thomas, because St. John is so much more expensive. But St. John is 60% national park, so it's so much more relaxing and pretty compared to St. Thomas.

Sorry that should have said "Battery" Hill

This was a few years ago, but I stayed in the Batter Hill condos on St John. It's a bit of a home up the hill from
Cruz Bay, but that meant nice breezes and views of Cruz Bay (this was before all the new condo construction down the hill was completed, however). There was also a pool. There were multiple options ranging from 1-3 BRs. You have to drive to the beaches but can walk to town. I believe the management company, Suite St John, has other properties elsewhere on the island as well if you want to be closer to the beach.

Not as big of a fan of St Thomas but we stayed at Secret Harbor once and it was nice- there is a small beach, pool, and restaurant on site, plus it's close to Red Hook, who ch I preferred over Charlotte Amalie.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone ever rented a condo or villa on St. Thomas or St. John?

Starting to research potential islands for a weeklong vacation for our family of six. It's probably cheaper for us to rent a condo than to get two hotel rooms. Tips for rental companies or specific resorts or areas?

Yes I have a place booked for 10 days in August, in St. John, Coral Bay side. There are tons of places listed on VRBO.

Anonymous wrote:

Crew wrote:I rented a wonderful condo last year in Cruz Bay. The place is called Gallows Point and it was close to the village but just far enough to retain some extreme privacy. Loved it. I had a 2 bdrm, not sure if they had anything bigger.
I also stayed at the Ritz in St. Thomas, which is also a great property. They have condos there as well that are adjacent to the hotel and part of their timeshare offering. I toured one and they are incredible.

Does Gallows Point have a pool? Nearby beach?

They have a great pool and hot tub overlooking the water. There is not a beach on their property, but they do have a dock of sorts with snorkeling gear for onsite use. There is a small beach about 100-200 yards away, but I've never used it. St. John's has some of the best beaches in the world scattered about the island. Rental cars are readily available and I'd suggest getting one for your duration and do some exploring.

Crew wrote:I rented a wonderful condo last year in Cruz Bay. The place is called Gallows Point and it was close to the village but just far enough to retain some extreme privacy. Loved it. I had a 2 bdrm, not sure if they had anything bigger.
I also stayed at the Ritz in St. Thomas, which is also a great property. They have condos there as well that are adjacent to the hotel and part of their timeshare offering. I toured one and they are incredible.

Does Gallows Point have a pool? Nearby beach?

I rented a wonderful condo last year in Cruz Bay. The place is called Gallows Point and it was close to the village but just far enough to retain some extreme privacy. Loved it. I had a 2 bdrm, not sure if they had anything bigger.
I also stayed at the Ritz in St. Thomas, which is also a great property. They have condos there as well that are adjacent to the hotel and part of their timeshare offering. I toured one and they are incredible.

We rent a villa on St. John almost every year. Never would I spend time on St Thomas, arm pit of the USVI.

Anonymous wrote:St John=great
St Thomas=avoid

100% agree

Anonymous wrote:How in the world is the extra 30-45 minutes to Aruba a deterrent, particularly when you are willing to fly to STT and take the ferry to STJ, making that trip even longer?

Aruba is only 45 mins past St. Thomas? Really? Why did I think it was much longer?

How in the world is the extra 30-45 minutes to Aruba a deterrent, particularly when you are willing to fly to STT and take the ferry to STJ, making that trip even longer?

Anonymous wrote:St John=great
St Thomas=avoid

OP here. I've been to St. Thomas before (Ritz Carlton). Why avoid it?

I've been to St. John as well (Caneel Bay). And Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Virgin Gorda and the Bahamas.

Zero interest in the long flight to Aruba.

St John=great
St Thomas=avoid

Anyone ever rented a condo or villa on St. Thomas or St. John?

Starting to research potential islands for a weeklong vacation for our family of six. It's probably cheaper for us to rent a condo than to get two hotel rooms. Tips for rental companies or specific resorts or areas?