kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Hi everyone!
I am new to this board and have been reading all your wonderful posts, very informative! I have also been driving myself crazy on WIMCO's site looking for a perfect villa for my husband and I. I have been to St. Barths 2x,(both times in villas with 3 other couples) the last being over 8 years ago, and I had no hand in the planning so I really don't even remember where they were. I am planning to visit next spring and would like to find a villa and reserve it. After looking at most villas in WIMCO and researching all your recommendations I know what I want in a villa, but I need your recommendations. We need
-definately a pool (either a heated pool or sun all day) and a jacuzzi
-open living and dining
-not windy
-great views sunrise, sunset ot both
-king size bed
-privacy
This time it is just the 2 of us. I have been reading that you can rent a larger villa and pay for 1BR which would be perfect. I really liked the look of SIB BYZ but after doing a search, I found that the reviews were not that great. The villa itself has everything I am looking for but not sure about the wind! Thanks for any info you can give me, I really appreciate it.
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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I'm looking for the same thing, but I'm a first timer (I've got a lot of posts which helped me get to the decision to go the villa route on SBH).
I've been communicating with French Caribbean, who came really highly recommended. Are Wimco and St. Barth Properties as good? I'm down to a "short" list of about 20 choices, but only about a third of those are available from French Caribbean and a couple of the ones that look most promising are not (Atalante and Diaco), although the ones from French Caribbean do look very good (Sky Vista, Manon, Tiki, Vaio, Taniko, Kyody, Coeur de Vague, and La Mouina).
Any help is appreciated, although specific experience is what I'm mostly looking for. I'm looking for something under $5K for a week during Jan/Feb.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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jacque
Reged: 12/18/02
Posts: 105
Loc: Louisiana
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Kathleen,
For what it's worth, some friends of mine just got back from staying in BYZ and absolutely loved it. In fact, after looking at a few other villas while they were there, they decided to book BYZ again next year!
Jacque
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1394
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Kathleen -
I am not familiar with BYZ (I have only driven by it) but I do know the neighborhood (Bob and I have stayed in a neighboring villa a number of times which we love and would highly recommend but it doesn't have the open living area you are looking for). Pointe Colombier is a wonderful area - right above the lookout point on a private road. It is breezy most of the time which means no bugs (probably the most important thing to me). We have been on the islands when the tradewinds shift and things get HOT and you'll still have a gentle breeze out at Pointe Colombier. We have had a few wild windy days which were kind of fun. In my opinion, I would err on the side of having a breeze to no breeze and wouldn't write off BYZ because of concerns about the wind.
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Kara:
Breezy is good. Which villa(s) did you like in Pointe Colombier?
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Thanks so much for your replies. We have been travelling to other caribbean islands and have not been back to St. Barths in a while, so it is almost like a new place again:). There are so many villas to choose from and they each have their own personality! I have sat for hours on WIMCO and here reading recommendations then flipping to wimco to take a look - I have villa names written everywhere on all pieces of paper that I am going in a big circle. But its fun, I love reading this forum - Thanks.
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1394
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Steve -
We stayed at Haute Maison this past winter a couple of times. It has gotten a new infinity edge pool since our last visit which we have only seen in pictures (and it looks amazing) but I can give you some other first hand details.
The views -- surreal. The villa is above the lookout point that everyone goes to for the view. There are views of St. Maarten, Anguilla, Chevreau Bonhomme, Colombier and the entire length of the island. The water out at that part of the island is about a thousand different shades of blue (the first morning you wake up and the sun hits the water it is unbelievable).
It was completely redone by the owners (walls, ceilings, floors - everything) and is fantastic. I personally think it is one of the most beautifully decorated villas on the island -- it has stone floors with inlaid mahogany (the floors are stunning -- I know it is strange to get worked up about a floor but these are the touches that make this place so amazing). Beautiful sofas, dining tables (inside and out), sat tv, great sound system, really well equipped kitchen - subzero fridge (with champagne when you arrive), chantel cookware, La Canche stove, lovely stemware, outdoor gas grill, outdoor shower, teak four poster beds with netting and unreal ocean views, beautiful linens, beautiful bathrooms etc.
There is a large ionized (i.e. no chemicals) warm Jacuzzi and, as I mentioned, they just installed an infinity edge pool and a mahogany sun terrace .
An added bonus (in my opinion) are the owners (Steve and Libby Troyer). I corresponded back and forth with Libby for a few years because Bob and I kept trying to rent their other villa (they also own Villa Kercliff - also beautiful and also in Pointe Colombier) but it was never available for the dates we wanted. When Haute Maison came on the market in November (we were the first tenants) we booked a few trips right away and actually got a chance to meet Steve and Libby this past November and we again overlapped in January - and they are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. We always rent directly through them although the property is also available through St. Barths Properties.
I will try to figure out where I posted the pictures of HM from our November trip but a couple of the pictures in the header on the page where the forums are listed (the terrace and the yellow wall with flowers) are from Haute. And no - I donít have a financial interest in this property (I wish!!) - In fact, after our first stay we were tempted to keep it a secret (but that wouldnít be great form for the people who advocate the sharing of all things related to SBH).
If you have any specific questions - feel free to send me an email or PM.
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Kara Brooks
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1394
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Found the pictures that we took in November (really do not do it justice) - Haute Maison Pictures
There are also some pictures/contact information on POK's site: HM Info and, like I mentioned, it is also available through St. Barths Properties.
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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WOW!
Haute Maison looks perfect! Is it private with respect to Villa Kercliff, including the pool area?
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1394
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Steve -
It is very private -- they have planted gardens which block any views of Kercliff (and visa versa). All this talk of Haute Maison has got me feeling desperate to get back to SBH again soon!
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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In the picture captioned "View from Haute Maison" that shows a bay with a sailboat and part of a beach sticking out, what beach is that? Can you get to it?
I'm really hoping that my wife likes it and that it's available.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Kara
Just saw pictures of Haute maison, and read your trip report - so wonderful. I found it by doing a google search typing in the name of the villa. It looks beautiful, and I'm sure the pics do not do it justice.
Now you have really confused me! I am now thinking of Haute Maison and SIB NID. I am going by your recommendation of Columbier. The only thing I do not like about Haute Maison is the other villa right next door, as I was reading in the description that it can be rented for larger groups. I am thinking it is not as private as SIB NID. From all the research I am doing I am realizing the small details that are important, like a Sat TV if there is a TV there, it better be worth watching or it would drive my husband nuts - (all or nothing:) and a jacuzzi, and that a little wind can be a good thing!
The caribbean really amazes me. So many people say, "you're going to the caribbean again". Each island is so individual and so distinctive and alluring. When you visit an island as beautiful as St. Barths, it never leaves you. I have 3 favorite islands all different but equal - Anguilla, Virgin Gorda and St. Barths. I am hoping St. Barths has not changed very much in 8 years.
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Kathleen:
If I'd have known, I could have saved myself a lot of work by just waiting for you to do your homework and seeing what you found out! :)
We love Anguilla, Petit St. Vincent, Biras Creek, and Peter Island and I'm sure SBH will become a favorite as well. Where do you stay on Anguilla? We've stayed at Cap Juluca, but I've always wanted to try Covecastles.
Steve
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Steve L,
We have very similiar tastes! We love, love, love Cap Juluca. We are going back this November for 10 days and can't wait. This will be the first time that we are going back 2 years in a row, as we loved Cap that much. I have looked at Cove Castles, but I thought they are a bit stark and look like little R2D2's lined along the beach. IMHO, not as nice as Cap. Here is a website (if you don't know about it) so you can take a look at the rooms and beach: www.travelhop.com. This site always helps me out when I can't decide, plus its fun to look inside all the resort rooms! We also love Biras Creek - we were married there in Nov 2000 and are thinking of going back soon. Since I have been to St. Barths 2x, and my husband has not been yet (went b4 we knew each other). I would love to find the most private, beautiful villa with amazing views, pool, jacuzzzi and the "works". Since its just the 2 of us I don't need more than 2 BR's. I have narrowed it down to SIB NID(wimco) and Haute Maison. Since we have the same taste in vacation locations, I would appreciate you input - what do you think?
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1394
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Kathleen -
Although the two properties can be rented together they are actually separate properties and private. Renting both places would be an ideal set up for a couple of families traveling together that wanted to be walking distance from one another but I wouldn't suggest it for a family with a lot of kids because the houses are, in fact, separate (well - I guess it would depend how much someone wanted to see their kids :-)).
The gardens that have been planted have blocked views from Haute Maison (the higher of the two houses) of Kercliff and we have never even heard a sound from people staying in Kercliff (or Ladine - another neighbor) while staying at Haute this past winter.
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Kathleen:
Haute Maison looks as nice or nicer than Sib NID (not that Sib NID doesn't look great!) and it's less money for 1-bedroom use, so HM sounds better to me. I'm not as far along with narrowing as you are, but I'm also looking at about 20 others, including Sib MAG, Villa Diaco, Villa Mimosa, Villa Atalante, Villa Manon, Villa Kyody, Villa Vaio, etc.
So, you're going to Anguilla in November; did you say when you are going to SBH? My wife and I have been married a few years longer (about 27 actually) and we've been going to the Caribbean since 1990. Biras was the first place we went to and we were in one of the Grand Suites. We've yet to go back, but only because we love PSV, Anguilla, and Peter Island so much.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Thank you Kara And Steve!
Hey Steve, some of those sound familiar, I have to grab the cat and see the post-its stuck to her. We are probably the same age - as this is 2nd marriage for both of us - hence the caribbean wedding - LOL! My husband keeps his sanity by thinking that the marriage under British rule is not real, but I tell him since we were married on terra firma, its legal. Sometimes he wished we did the Mick Jaggar thing and got married on a boat, where it does not count! Anyway I think I looked at SIB MAG, CLO, BEB, ECU and BEN. They are all in the running and hey since I love to drive myself crazy whatever someone else suggests! We are going in May or November next year, I guess it depends on what we decide on and when it is available. We take 2 nice vacations per year at those times. Since we do not have children, we like to travel after spring recess and before the holiday crowds. Since we live in NY not far from the city, we enjoy the holidays here for now anyway, but I see no problem in decorating a palm tree.
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GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1200
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Hi there,
Here's my two cents worth... NID is a beautiful and very spacious house. MAG is really "cute". We saw it in April. It's very, very small, especially compared to NID. We have stayed in many, many villas, but really love BOR and BIJ. HM looks wonderful and we've considered staying there but it previously did not have a pool, which for us was an issue. We did correspond with the owners who seemed wonderful. Also, we generally find the gale force winds at Columbier a bit much, especially at night when trying to sleep.
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Lauren
Reged: 10/10/02
Posts: 1332
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Hi Gayle,
As always, you not only have criteria like mine, but provide details. Tell me, which did you enjoy the best:
BOR or BIJ? They both look magnificent. Did the concept of having to go down stairs to get to the BIJ pool bother you at all, as well as not being able to sit and stare out beyond the pool, it being below the main level?
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Gayle:
As I've said before, I particularly value your opinion. Mag looks huge for two people on speaking terms. :) Would you agree? Are there any privacy concerns?
Although they look terrific, BOR and BIJ seem too big for two people; have you stayed there with a bigger group?
Also, I'm curious about the perception of the breeze. Are we talking about winds that are steadily more than 25 mph or so? I like a breeze, but if it's overpowering, I suppose that could be too much.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Kathleen:
Those all look great, but seem like more villa (size) than we need with the exception of BEB, which I've now added to my list.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1200
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Hi Lauren,
BIJ and BOR are both fantastic. We like them both for different reasons.
BOR is very open, airy and bright. The living room has screens which I really like, notably at night. The location is wonderful, very high up overlooking St. Jean beach, but extremely private with no other villas above or adjacent. We also love the outdoor living room as the furniture is really comfortable and conducive to napping and reading. The bedroom is very large with great closet space as well as an armoire. The bed was high off the ground (a four poster) and the linens were wonderful.
BIJ is a different type of house with cool, somewhat contemporary furniture.It's more sophisticated than most of the houses we've stayed in. It's located very high in Vitet and is also extremely private. The living room/outdoor dining room of this house is spectacular, especially at night when lit. The master bedroom is very large with great closet space and the ensuite bathroom has double sinks which I prefer. This house is better appointed than BOR in some ways, with the exception of the kitchen which is better equippped at BOR.
As for going down the steps to the pool...my preference is always for the whole house to be on one level, as it is at BOR, but the pool area at BIJ is really lovely, as is the pretty pink Italian glass-tiled pool, so no, I wouldn't say it bothered us. In fact, upon reflection, I really enjoyed the view over the pool, again, especially at night when we turned the pool lights on. Lauren, I provided way more detail in my April trip report with tins of descriptions and details which is posted in the Trip Report section.
BOR has increased substantially in price over the last couple of years and we think BIJ is a much better value and the owners have been FANTASTIC to deal with.
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GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1200
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Hi Steve,
MAG is a very small villa in fact. It is NOT huge!! The living room only has those big bucket chairs, no sofa for napping. The pool is smallish too. The furnishings though are lovely, the sunset view is great and it's well located but it is VERY small. It is a private villa but it does look over a not so pretty industrial type yard (far below).
BOR and BIJ are both 3 bedroom houses. But we rent them as 1 bedrooms only. We always prefer to have a larger, more spacious, more luxurious villa, even if it is only for ourselves. We stayed alone in both BOR and BIJ. But we're hoping friends will join us at BIJ this December. We enjoy having a pool we can swim laps in and nice, airy, spacious common areas.
As for the breezes, I know lots of people like the constant wind of Columbier, but it's not our preference. When I corresponded with the owners of HM and Kercliff (same owner), they acknowledged it is very windy. One year we stayed in Columbier facing SXM and I can tell you I hardly slept a wink due to the extremely loud whistling/howling of the wind. And no, it was not storm season. It was December. Another time we tried this area in March, again thinking it was the location and type of house and found the same thing, notably at night, while trying to sleep.
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Gayle:
I was being sort of cutesy when I said "huge" for MAG; I was just implying that 2 people like my wife and me may not need to separate all that much. The view doesn't sound so perfect though.
BIJ does lokk like it has possibilities too. It would be on the top end of my price range, but maybe it's worth it.
Do you know anything about the following:
Mimosa
Diaco
Manon
Taniko
Kyody
La Mouina
Atalante
SIB IKU
Oceana
SIB BEB
Steve
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Thank you Gayle for all your information. I think my choices are now NID and BOR, thanks to you:) My only question is, regarding wind at NID-- Does it get too windy, day or night to be outside? We would like to use the pool at night and dine outside, but if the wind is more than a breeze....well, I would hate to see white caps in the pool!
I like tho option of having a jacuzzi, but the pool at BOR is heated:) as per the wimco description. thanks again for all your informative posts!
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GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1200
Loc: Toronto, Canada
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Ok, ha, ha, I get it. It looks like BIJ is right in your price range for a 1 bedroom, if you're looking at MAG.
I don't know most of the houses you've just listed.I notice you've mostly selected 1 bedroom houses. There are great values to be had for THE SAME PRICE for a 1 bedroom rate in a larger house.
For what it's worth, here are a few thoughts of some of the houses on your list:
IKU - very small bungalow, very spartan and the bed looks really uncomfortable. It only has an outdoor shower, which would bother me.
BEB - This is NOT a new villa, but it is new to Wimco's roster. It is on the east side of Flamands and will be shaded until around noonish. It has new owners and has recently been updated. The pool is smallish. It used to be called Villa Cierdland.
Atlante - not uch of a living room, mostly outside, looks uncomfortable.
Kyody - is an older house according to the owner of SB Properties.
La Mouina - looks very nice too.
Taniko - this house goes by a bunch of different names depending on the rental agency. For this kind of money others are a better value and are nicer.
Manon - Teeny pool, furniture not too great.
Oceana - very uncomfortable built in concrete couch in living room. Afternoon shade here.
Edited by Kara Brooks (10/21/04 03:16 PM)
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Gayle:
Are you looking at the same MAG? For high season, it is under $4000 per week or nearly half BIJ.
I appreciate the other comments. I'll make sure to take those things under consideration. When I get down to only 2-4 choices (hopefully, by next week), I'll post again and see what you and others say.
Thanks,
Steve
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Gayle:
Also, I see from Fodor's that you liked SIB GEA. Still true? That's priced more like BIJ and possibly in our budget. Looks great on the Wimco site.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Kath
Reged: 02/19/03
Posts: 116
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I have good friends who rent Ladine every year and love it and the area. I believe that Ladine is right across the street from the Mayor's house near BYZ, NID and Haute Maison. I have never heard them complain about it being too windy and have never noticed it being a problem the few times I have visited them. Personally, I think Ladine is too expensive but it is very nice villa and a nice neighborhood. You would probably be happy with any of these villas.
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steve
Reged: 10/04/02
Posts: 112
Loc: delaware
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SteveL, we stayed in Atalante last november. It is a beautiful villa. The only rooms that are indoors are the bedroom and the bathroom but it is lovely sitting in the outside living room looking at the pool. It is not a large villa but it is a large and very private property. There is a five bedroom villa next door that rents for $35,000 a week at Christmas and a 3 bedroom villa on the other side that I believe isn't rented out and only used by the owners occasionally. It is a very exclusive area. The pool is small but definitely large enough for 2 people. It is right on the edge of a cliff. The views are amazing.
Steve
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Steve:
Is Atalante private? I ask only because of the reference to neighbors. What else have you really liked?
To all:
Anybody know anything about ZAZ?
Thanks
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Two more that I'd like anybody's personal experiences with - Villa Romana and Villa Ti-Wa.
Thanks.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Tom M
Reged: 02/03/03
Posts: 302
Loc: Cincinnati
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Steve
See Nick's thread in this forum. Also feel free to contact me with any specific questions.
Tom
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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