TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Can't believe this is happening!!! Need advice

As if the 70 inches of snow we have had in the past couple weeks isn't enough, the weather forecast for the morning of our flight has gone from a bit of snow to a basic windy hellish blizzard. We (2 adults, 2 teens) will use our original flights another time, and blew the wad and bought tickets to fly out tomorrow on Jet Blue (my favorite) 2/13 into STT. Meeting up with our captain at Road Town Sunday 2/15. Two nights somewhere... We arrive STT by noon so could go anywhere. Any island. I might prefer somewhere like St John ($$) or JVD just for the excitement since we spent a lot of money anyway. A big resort is out. Way to pricey. Do my TTOL friends know any "hidden" gems, even B & Bs (which my teens have probably never heard of). We are ending our trip with four days on VG, so that might be the only island I DON'T want to go to first. We were planning on sailing to Anagada but maybe we ferry there and spend a couple nights. Keeping our expenses as low as possible, but reality hits. I realize its Feb. break. My dad passed away two weeks ago, and I'm feeling like this trip is necessary for all of us on a lot of levels. So, any suggestions for hidden gems anywhere accessible by ferry that maybe isn't seen on kayak, expedia, etc.... It was an impulsive decision last night at midnight, but Boston weather has played head games with us for weeks. I'm not risking this trip...... HELP

You could probably find something here in CGB. Oleworks Inn,rhymers or. Sebastian's in Apple Bay. Wind shifted last night surf is up and overcast now.

St John Inn.

Jay

Send a PM to Manpot. His place may have a opening and would be great for two days. Jet blue should have let you rebook the tickets on the storm day with no cost. You might see about switching them.
G

You could try "Coconut Coast" apts on the water near Cruz Bay St John the prices are reasonable and the apts completely furnished.
http://www.coconutcoast.com/

@GeorgeC1- It was United and they were dreadful. I may never ever fly them again. Wouldn't make the call, and she said even if they did they had no flight availability. So we have a year to use the tickets, and will fly JetBlue (my personal favorite anyway). Offers us a great excuse to go down another time.

Thanks everyone. I am scrambling (while trying to look like I'm "working" to my boss. :-)

Sent you a PM but basically agree with Hillside Bruce..we are full here at CRC but thanks for the recommendation George!

What Jay and sail445 said on STJ, plus Tamarind Court, Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel, Hillcrest Guesthouse, Garden by the Sea, St. John Guest Suites, Estate Lindholm, Samuel Cottages, Cruz Views.

We've enjoyed our last minute stays at Rhymers and Sebastians on Tortola. There are a lot of fun places on St. Thomas as well, and there is a lot of inventory that is walkable to beach.

At this point you're dialing for dollars. Don't believe availability calendars. Ask if they know of any availability. With luck, you'll catch a cancellation

Cheers, RickG

I am emailing like crazy and totally appreciate this board and all the help. It's priceless. Thank you!!!

I realize some people here think STT is Miami south, but you said B & B, have you checked with Ronnie's Crystal Palace? Cool old place and not a lot of moving around after your flight lands! Ronnie picks up at the airport also. He's small, so he may not have room, but it's worth a shot!

A quick VRBO search shows.... crickets... a single unit at Crystal Cove on St. Thomas that might work.

Phone calls are going to be the best approach. Email may work, but I would definitely call your top 3.

...Jet Blue flys via San Juan, right? They have beaches, pools and a lot of inventory there.

We're pretty opportunistic travelers and my daughters are fans of serendipity and love St. John. In that spirit, I called Cinnamon Bay Campground on St. John and they have a tent available. This is literally the best deal on St. John. We love it, it's what we would do. (340) 776-6330

http://www.cinnamonbay.com/tents.html

Cheers, RickG

Try Ivan's on JVD. He just put up a new rental unit.

So sorry to hear about your dad. We had to cut short our BVI trip this year for the same reason.

It was posted that Scrub had a Feb. TTOL $249/night hotel room special; you might call them to see if they have availability. If you have Marriott points, Scrub also takes those.

You could also stay in Stt at best western Emerald beach. Call direct and try to get last minute room deal. Online sometimes has good rates less than 200 per night.

Ali Baba's on Jost - stayed two nights in October and loved it! Very quaint - great people - great breakfast.....and....well....it's JVD <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

But I also agree with just getting yourself to CGB and get your island on as soon as you can <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

That's another good idea! Cannot wait to see the "new" Ivan's too!

On JVD in Great Harbor, Rudy George has built some nice little houses/apartments up on the hill. You could check and see if they have anything available. The view is spectacular and they are really nice places.

http://www.rudysjvd.com/accommodation.php

Also, the perfect pineapple on JVD. Greg has been our solution for more than one last minute lodging kerfuffle.

Villa Olga (340)-715-0900 in Frenchtown, St. Thomas is outta the way and who knows, may have space.
It's a walk-up with your bags, which discourages some, but we like the place. Bags you don't need can be stored at street level, making it a little easier on you.
There are a number of good restaurants in Frenchtown... Hook Line & Sinker, Bella Blue, Oceana...

sorry to hear about your Dad. I would say go for somewhere reasonable in CGB and then rent a car and hit landbased places you never get to when on a boat like Smugglers Cove, Brewers Bay Josiah's, hit Bomba's, Bananakeet for dinner one night, shop in Soper's or Nanny Cay. We have circumnavigated the island by car more than once just for the heck of it.

The teens will love CGB for the hangout factor and then you can skip it on the boat rotation. Spend a few days at Anegeda when you have your own ferry to get there
Thinking CGB also because your destination on Sunday is Road Town anyway so this cuts down on the time spent ferrying around, again my thought is visit the places you would have to ferry to when you have the boat.

and there is 2 more cents from the peanut gallery <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

RickG - your post about Cinnamon Bay made me misty eyed for Mahoe Bay tents. It was our first experience in the islands and we went back many, many times. So sad to see that place gone.

GettinBye - no suggestions here other than I think the whole TTOL "family" is rooting for you. That's gotta count for something!

Villa Olga is no more and the lease is for sale.

CottageGirl, we took the kids there and loved it. Cinnamon Bay has a better setting. But, Maho has better views. We would get A-17 on the point and we could look down on boats on moorings.

Cheers, RickG

RickG - it's the first place we took our kids in the Caribbean. Day sails on Tango and NoShoes, snorkel trips with SixPaq. I can still see them sharing a bed with mosquito netting covering them. And my son running up & down the stairs all day! They were little then - prob 5 and 8; now we're taking them to the BVI's and they're 19 and 22!

At some point, when you know and can breathe, let us know where you booked! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the heads up Rick.
Dang!
Guess I'll have to erase that contact file.
Too much of that going on.

Wow!!! What a day!!! I'm surprised I didn't get fired as I crazily made plans on office time. I soooo appreciate all the advice and suggestions. We ended up at Sebastians on the Beach and I think it'll be great. It's easy. I don't need to worry if we are delayed leaving Boston and worrying about catching certain ferries. We meet up with our charter Capt on Sunday in Road Town. We have never seen Tortola at all, so it will be fun to explore. This goes against every grain of my personality not to know the exact plan. i assume we will find a rental jeep for the few days and bomb around. i don't have time to peruse the Tortola sites and boards, so I guess we will just wing it. Snowing (again) here in Boston and I know that first STT breath of air is going to feel amazing. Thank you all!!!!!!!!!
Any MUST SEE (or drink) spots, feel free to write them down for me!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

You will LOVE Sebastian's!

Walk up to CRC from Seb's for a cold one when you decompress!

Sebastian's is a great place to land, on a lovely beach. Enjoy!!!

The best way to experience Tortola is without a plan. Nobody else has one so why should you? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Do call Denzil Cline or Jerry's and arange for one of them to meet you at the West End with a rental car. At about $65/day a taxi would cost almost that much just to get your crew over to Sebastians.

Agreed, do that, for sure. Seb's from West End is pretty close, but you will want to tool around some. I might think about trying to get to Bananakeet for sunset on Friday..

Yes. As I was reading the thread I was going to suggest the OP check with the Heritage Inn for accommodations. That said, sunset at Bananakeet is spectacular and was one of the highlights of our last trip..

Anyone have s contact number for Denzel cline so I can touch base on a jeep rental? Or another contact? Looks like we are escaping in the seemingly rare window where the weather in Boston is quiet. Yikes- did I just say that? Way to jinx myself!!! Thanks to this forum Kevin Campbell is picking us up at STT. YAY

Excellent, happy to hear. Really a great choice. Happy travels.

Cheers, RickG

Denzil Clyne is (284) 495-4900
Jerry's Car Rental is : (284) 495-4111
Either will meet you at the West End ferry terminal

You will love Kevin! He'll meet you at baggage claim and usher you straight into a cab. Avoiding the chaos. Easy peasy!

Excellent choice! Be sure to try Sebastians Rum, so yummy.