navi_jen

Thinking of a last minute travel vacation. Found a great deal on a house in Virgin Gorda, Saturday to Saturday.

Would prefer to maximize my time on the island, so didn't want to spend the entire first Saturday in transit. I would prefer not to take Friday's early flight to SJU (I have a brutal travel schedule for the 6 days prior). However, by not taking the early flight, I can't get to VG on Friday.

However, if I fly out fom BOS (B7) on Friday late afternoon, I can arrive in SJU at 8:30p. I can overnight in San Juan, then take an 9a morning flight from SJU direct to Virgin Gorda, so I could be on the beach by noon.

Is this reasonable? If so, what hotel is recommended? I would like a non-touristy dinner and don't care about casinos. I was thinking of staying in Old San Juan, and have plenty of Marriott, SPG or Hilton points to burn.

Recommendations and/or suggestions, Flyertalkers?

susanc

Enjoy VG, it is my favorite island. My preferred way to get there is to fly into STT and take a charter flight over to VG. Air Sunshine also flys from STT to VIJ, just make sure it is a direct flight. I do not care for SJU and avoid it if possible. YMMV

I have overnighted on the way home at the SJ Marriott Resort, it was fine. SJU does have a hotel in Terminal D, don't stay there!

Seat13F_AC_CRJ

I love Old San Juan, but if you are landing at 8:30 pm and departing at 9am, you won't have much of a chance to enjoy it. If you take a hotel in Isla Verde, which is only 5 mins from the airport, you will save 20-30 mins of taxi time back and forth to OSJ. In Isla Verde you can find an Embassy Suites, and a Hampton Inn, both with free breakfast, which will only cost $13-15 to get to by taxi. The Embassy Suites has co-located restaurant in case you need dinner when you arrive.
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13F

navi_jen

Thanks all. I wondered if Old San Juan was too far, thank you for confirming. I was debating about the airport hotel, but worried about the negative reviews..thank you Susan for confirming! Hampton still has availability, and I can use points, so that's great.

I can connect thru St Thomas on Friday, but it's more expensive (more points burned), plus the BOS>STT is a morning flights, so I'd only be home for 9 hours before leaving home to catch the flight. Not thrilled about that, but the good news is that the connections to VG are better than STT. However, if I stay overnight in STT, the Air Sunshine flight doesn't leave STT until noon, which sorta kills the day. I wish I could find a reasonable place to stay on VG Friday night, but everything is really expensive on a per night basis.

Am I crazy..do folks often start weeklong trips the night before? I just feel like it takes me 2/3 days to really unwind...then I immedately start thinking of having to go back. Usually I like vacations at least 2 weeks in length to combat this, but I can't take a lengthy vacation at this point.

mkt

This is completely reasonable - I've been going to Virgin Gorda every year since childhood, you'll enjoy it.

Old San Juan, without traffic, is 15 minutes from the airport, and even for one night, it's worth checking out.

Fly the SJU-VIJ nonstops on Air Sunshine, of if your group is large enough you might be able to charter a plane for cheaper.

flyupfrnt

I've not been to Vigin Gorda. Rather enjoy St John and Jost though. The BVI are great. My experience is that STT is preferable to SJU From a facilities standpoint. Having visited old town San Juan via cruise ship I will admit it's quite neat

vpf65

Hi there..i live on STT and do picks and would be happy to help you. the best way to VG is fly BOS to STT and take small charter flight or helicopter or if its calm water just take the ferry or boat charter.