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Les Ondines Sur la Plage?
- Thread starter PJR
- Start date
I have done the latter. I don't know anything about Grand Cul de Sac, though. I usually stay in St. Jean, but usually in a condo. I was thinking of trying a hotel, but am concerned about the intersection of the price curve with the hit-or-miss quality curve -- which is how I got to Les Ondines.
tim
Moderator
If you're crazy about St. Jean, I think you would be disappointed with Les Ondines. Whereas there are three restos withing walking distance, Le Sereno, Gloriette, and O'Corail, there is also one of the island's largest construction projects immediately adjacent to Les Ondines on the site of the former St. Barth Beach Hotel. Construction currently appears stagnant but could restart at any time. I would also much rather swim off the beach in St. Jean than GcdS. If you're really into watching kite surfing, GcdS is the island's place for it. However, I wouldn't want to be swimming with the kite surfers zooming around me.
You must have discovered a price point you like at Les Ondines so it appears to be a matter of what you can afford versus what you might really like.
You must have discovered a price point you like at Les Ondines so it appears to be a matter of what you can afford versus what you might really like.
tim
Moderator
Here's a photo I took in Jan, 2009 of the construction project adjacent to Les Ondines. The structures you see are now under roof. I haven't been on the site this week, but the last time I was down there construction was stagnant. There was an unsightly plywood barrier running a couple of hundred yards between the project and the beach. Too bad the Google photos are out of date as that would be the best way to see it.
Keep in mind that I'm only talking about GcdS. I have a home in the hills above there, but I've never set foot inside Les Ondines.
Keep in mind that I'm only talking about GcdS. I have a home in the hills above there, but I've never set foot inside Les Ondines.
tim
Moderator
Okay, I just took this photo from my deck. The white roofs to the left are Les Ondines, and the construction to the right is part of the new hotel project. The construction project continues for a couple of hundred meters hidden to the right. I can see that there has been more completion since I was last down there; therefore, someone has to have been working on it at some point recently, if not right now. Whether that's a negative for you is your decision.
Attachments
DaveM
SBH Insider
PJR
If you like St Jean, have you looked at Les Ilets? It's about the same price and right where you already know you like.
www.lesilets.com
Also, you are right about the curious premium at Emeraude, and the rear units can be noisy from the road, as well. However, to be fair, its location, and the way it sits just a bit up, back, and square in the middle of the beach, makes for quite the St. Jean experience. Hard to explain, but very peaceful, yet right in the middle of the action . . .
If you like St Jean, have you looked at Les Ilets? It's about the same price and right where you already know you like.
www.lesilets.com
Also, you are right about the curious premium at Emeraude, and the rear units can be noisy from the road, as well. However, to be fair, its location, and the way it sits just a bit up, back, and square in the middle of the beach, makes for quite the St. Jean experience. Hard to explain, but very peaceful, yet right in the middle of the action . . .
I also would rather stay at Les Ilets.First, it has a pool.Also, there is often so much erosion in front of Emeraude Plage, that you can't walk the beach.Les Ilets has an actual garden and more trees.The rooms are more like cottages than hotel rooms.There are lovely views from all the rooms at Les Ilets, and the garden view rooms at Emeraude Plage have no views.
I've stayed at Village St. Jean.There is a variety of rooms, cottages or even villas to choose from.Some of the cottages don't have a good view of the water.The rooms are too small for me.We had a cottage with an ourdorr kitchenette, outside dining and seating and inside AC'd BR and bath. The view wasn't panoramic, but nice.The management are peachy people.The pool has a nice view.VSG is a steep walk from the beach, so we took our car everywhere.VSJ was fine when we nneded something reasonably affordable, but if I could choose, I would rather be at Les Ilets.There are 4 beach cottages with porches and hammocks, and some condos higher up with great views and a little more sophisticated decor than the beach cottages.All in all, it's a very cute place.
Eve
Senior Insider
With dollar a little stronger, I have been on this site more often. Have stayed at Les Islets many times, but havent in a few years. It is our favorite place and location. We prefer the rooms higher up the hill. The view when you come out of the bedroom in the morning is breathtaking. Literally.
