When you think of Saint John you think of idyllic landscapes, crystal clear water, an amazing Caribbean paradise and . . . that it’s expensive, really expensive.  We at No Kids, Will Travel have taken that as a challenge, a challenge to find places to stay on a budget.

Here we go…

Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel is the home of small, simple guest rooms that give you the a classic Caribbean feel. The rooms all feature private bathrooms and queen-sized beds.  You don’t even have to worry about sweating it out since each room has air conditioning.  The best part, at least for wired travelers like us, is you will even get free WiFi. The Hotel draws 85% of its power from a bank of solar panels.  The hotel isn’t very far from the ferry dock and is near Frank Bay Beach, Cruz Bay Beach, and Honeymoon Beach. The guest rooms in low season (May 1 – Nov 21) are $180 and in high season (Nov 22 – Apr 30) they’re $230.

Saint John Inn is a small boutique hotel. The location in Cruz Bay makes it a centrally located for trips to restaurants or beaches.  The standard rooms come with a queen bed. The inn also has suites with bedrooms and sitting areas. The hotel even has a version that includes a kitchenette, which means it has a hotplate, toaster oven, and some pots and pans – for that night after you’ve had too much sun and can’t go out (cough – Amanda). You can even get a complimentary continental breakfast, if you wake up early enough. When you are charged up for your day the hotel offers beach towels, coolers, and chairs free of charge, either to use on the beach or on the deck around their private pool.  The standard room in low season runs $180 (May 1- Nov 30) and $230 during the high season (Dec 1 – Apr 30).  The suite with the kitchen runs $240 in low season and $290 in high.

The Inn at Tamarind Court boasts 20 non-smoking rooms with air-conditioning, TV and WiFi (available in the public areas of the hotel).  It’s conveniently located in the community of Cruz Bay and is in walking distance of the ferries and beach shuttles to all the beaches and all the bars and restaurants for after you’ve gotten back from you day frolicking in the sun. The standard room has a queen bed, private bathroom and a price tag ranging between $110 and $148 per night. We’ve found if you need a little more space to stretch out you can rent an apartment with a living room, kitchenette, and private bath for $240 per night.

Sea Cottage If you want to really get away from it all and hide away in the hills of Saint John with amazing Caribbean views, this is the best option for you.  The one bed, one bath cottage is in the heart of the Bordeaux Mountain Forest and has amazing views of Sir Francis Drake Channel.  The location will have you renting a car; it’s 15 minutes from Cruz Bay and 10 minutes from the closest beaches.  You are, however, very close to some of the best hiking trails on the island. The cottage has an open floor plan and vaulted ceilings, a queen bed, garden shower, and fully equipped kitchen. It is only cooled by ceiling fans, but the website says the trade winds keep the temperature down.  We recommend you talk with the landlord first to get an idea about what the temperature is truly like so you don’t have to sweat it out. You should also make sure that the windows have screens that fit well. You don’t want to be eaten by insects. The price is perfect for a nice getaway with amazing views of the BVIs at just $185.

A challenge accepted and a challenge accomplished. We have presented you with four charming, mid-budget places to stay on the amazing island of St. John —  all without spending an amount equal to the cost of getting there.