Villa advice needed for November trip

lvbookworm

SBH Insider
Hello! I'm rather new here, and even though I'm only part way through posting trip reports from our recent trip, my husband and I are already starting to do some villa research for a return visit in November.

Before I ask my question, I do want to thank all who post on this site. Your insights and opinions are priceless, and while I don't yet feel qualified to jump into most discussions, I'm looking forward to giving back whenever the topic is something relevant to my experiences.

Some background: In past visits we've stayed in Pt. Milou (2008), the hillside of St Jean (2010), and most recently Corrosol. We'd like a quiet area, pool with a view of the ocean and a bedroom with A/C. (A living room with A/C or doors/windows with screens would be even better.) I've heard that the construction on Taiwana will begin soon, so we are a little concerned about staying in the Flamands area. In addition, we would prefer to avoid the areas of Toiny, Saline, Cul de Sac, etc.

I've searched but haven't found much recent information regarding the following villas, and I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions you may have. (All of these are currently available through St Barth Properties.)

Piment - Anse de Cayes
Colibris - Camaruche (i read a few negative reviews from years ago, but am wondering if ownership has since changed?)
Birdy - Pt Milou
Gros Islet - Lurin
Aloa - Flamands (assuming ongoing construction isn't an issue)

Thank you!
 
Gros Islets is outstanding, in my opinion. We have stayed there twice. Sunsets, nice pool, large rooms, off road parking, recent high quality construction. Just don't mess anything up, as we want to go back!
 
Gros Islets is outstanding, in my opinion. We have stayed there twice. Sunsets, nice pool, large rooms, off road parking, recent high quality construction. Just don't mess anything up, as we want to go back!

24 loar - That's great to hear! It appeals to us for proximity to Gustavia, but I was concerned about the proximity of other villas. One picture listed on the rental site shows what appears to be the roof of another car parked right below the pool area. Did you ever have any issues with privacy or noise?
 
Ok - now I'm starting to get confused. I'm seeing two villas with similar names, and am wondering which of these is the one with bad reviews. Perhaps Hawke or someone else can check out the links below and provide some insight?

The first is is a one bedroom villa listed as "Colibri" in Pt Milou with Marla Villas
http://us.marlavillas.com/catalogue/location/colibri.html#.XHrdTlNKjOQ

The second (and the one we are interested in) is a one-bedroom villa listed as "Colibris" in Camaruche with St Barth Properties
https://www.stbarth.com/villas/detail/colib/colibris
 
The villa we rented was in Camaruche. We rented directly through owner. You should not have problems with St. Barth Prop. I sent another PM. If you need any questions answered we could talk.
 
Lurin is a great location for its proximity to Gustavia. I see you’ve listed Gros Islets in Lurin. We stay at Villa Nirvana in Lurin and it’s very clean, comfortable and fully air conditioned. Lovely sunsets too. We will be there in April for 10 days. Not sure about noise level at this point in time there, maybe Amy or Phil can chime in on that point. We rent thru Saint Barth Properties and they’re excellent! It is a 3 bedroom villa, but as I’m sure you know, you pay by the number of bedrooms used, so you can rent a place with more space, if you wish. Happy villa shopping!
https://www.stbarth.com/villas/detail/nirva/nirvana
 
I have never stayed at Gros Islets before, but I have researched the villa from the States. I suppose my lack of experience does not prevent me from trying to make contributions to the site (it's just a joke).

I may be wrong, but Gros Islets should be circled in the attached photo. I'm not sure which specific picture you are looking at, but I believe the villa is made up of 2 different structures. The living area is closest to the main road the sleeping rooms are in another structure below the pool. Parking is above the living area adjacent to the main road.

Gros Islets.jpg

Hopefully this picture attached properly
 
The google earth picture gives a faithful representation of Gros Islets. There are three villas off the short driveway off the main road from Gustavia.
The parking 'lot' lies between the villa and the main road, and is now enclosed with a fence. There is little or no noise from the road, as the villa lies on the slope below the level of the road. Likewise, the next villa is 'downhill' from Gros Islets, so there is no noise, light or other visual pollution. We rarely saw/heard cars coming up from the two villas below us. The villa is constructed in two levels, with the upper level being the kitchen/dining and living rooms, porch and pool; the lower level contains the two bedrooms.
 
We stay in the sister villa to Gros Islets. The people in the middle home are elderly and make no noise whatsoever. The only noise you may hear at Islets are cars accelerating to go up the hill there. It’s an easy walk down into Gustavia and a steep, but doable one coming back. The owner takes great care of the properties. We’ve rented 4 years in a row from her, and will continue to do so.
 
Steelp - Your post is priceless! I was trying to look online for satellite images but just couldn't figure out which villa it was. Thank you!!

24loar and Tiffany - I had all but ruled this villa out due to my concerns about neighbor proximity and noise both behind and beside the villa. Your information is just what I needed.
 
You’re welcome.

I think I can do the other villas you listed too if you want.

For some reason my research has me figuring out where each villa is prior to rental. I spend hours looking at villa pictures and trying to figure out where they are exactly. I think its some sort of SBH disorder.
 
Hi Steelpe,
I suffer from same SBH disorder, Villa porn also. I have spent so many hours researching, I really enjoy searching.
 
ALMOST the best part of any trip is the research preceding it. Or, as Kurt Vonnegut said: Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.
 
ALMOST the best part of any trip is the research preceding it. Or, as Kurt Vonnegut said: Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.
Keep in mind the Select 70th anniversary is second week of November........book early.....
 
An update: After much research we finally put a deposit down on Villa Manon (Henson) for this November. Many thanks to everyone for all the information, suggestions, opinions, links, etc.
 
Yeah, closure.

The villa had me at heated pool. The villa we stayed in this past January had a heated pool, and it was amazing.
 
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