NYE holiday on STJ?!

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:59 pm

Anyone ever been on island for NYE? Our travel time slot this year dictated travel the week between Christmas and through New Years. Anyone have any NYE tips or tips for STJ that time of year? We fully understand it will be busy and it is what it is.

martini girl · Post by **martini girl** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:25 am

We were there this past NYE week, and yes, the island was packed! Make sure you get dinner reservations early, most places were taking reservations starting Dec 1st. Get up early to find parking at North shore beaches. Parking lots were filled up by 9:30-10:00 am. Also, parking in Cruz Bay was extremely difficult pre-dinner hour. Slimmans filled up quickly. If you haven't done so already, be sure to book your rental car asap. I waited until July and really struggled to find one. All in all, while we had a good week, I found that we had to start much earlier for most everything we did on island that week.

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:32 am

Our first two trips were over NYE. We didn't even try to go out on NYE but instead made dinner at the villa. Each time we celebrated with other families and were very happy to be at the house. Less expensive, no wait, more fun.

As martini girl said, it's more crowded. Villas are (much) more expensive too. But what a great way to start the new year!

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:08 pm

Not sure what we will do for actual NYE plans. Thought of staying in, but we are staying at STJ Guest Suites so not technically a "villa". Just the two of us so thought it was wasteful to spend all that money on a full villa.

Thanks for the info regarding North shore beaches and parking! I did contact jeep rental and have sent that paperwork back to them. We are picking it up on STT though and barging it over. Its L&L and they have a place on both STJ and STT. Nice, new and clean jeeps!

crasherino · Post by **crasherino** » Mon May 11, 2015 11:27 am

JMO, but I would definitely plan on going out on NYE. The beach in Cruz Bay is very festive and fun. The Beach Bar had a band playing and everyone was hanging out - families with kids, adults, etc.

As for it being crowded - that part is 100% true. We were on island from Xmas to New Year's this year and by the end of the week it was as crowded as I've ever seen it. I heard the same comments echoed from locals as well. on NYE, the parking lot at Maho was filled really early.

We decided to avoid Xmas - NYE this year but if you're already booked, you'll still (obviously) have a great time. Just make sure you plan accordingly. Get moving in the morning earlier, make rezzies in advance if you want a specific restaurant at certain time and be prepared for a few more people. Its still the same beautiful island - just a bit more crowded.

We always make a La Tapa rez before we get on island but we were still able to slip in to Asolare for sunset only a day or two in advance this past year.

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Tue May 12, 2015 1:39 pm

Thanks Crasherino. Good point on reservations, didn't really think about those this far in advance. Have to evaluate some dining options. We normally travel in November and/or May, but this year we have had some staffing changes at our business and the only full week we can travel is the xmas-nye week. That being said we have never actually stayed on STJ. Been daytrippers from STT from nearly a decade. So we have eaten at a few STJ places but not been on island that long to explore options.

And to be honest our go-to place period is beach bar, NYE or not!

crasherino · Post by **crasherino** » Fri May 15, 2015 5:25 pm

Schnell wrote:Thanks Crasherino. Good point on reservations, didn't really think about those this far in advance. Have to evaluate some dining options. We normally travel in November and/or May, but this year we have had some staffing changes at our business and the only full week we can travel is the xmas-nye week. That being said we have never actually stayed on STJ. Been daytrippers from STT from nearly a decade. So we have eaten at a few STJ places but not been on island that long to explore options.

And to be honest our go-to place period is beach bar, NYE or not!

Another thing to consider on the earlier side - if you are so inclined - is booking a day trip. Just like everything else, they book up quite early.

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