I found this site while looking at TTOl. Some posters there are advising me that I may have rented a villa that has some security/break in issues. Is there anyone here that is familiar with rentals in the dawn beach area and can either confirm or deny these "rumors". Thank you. My family will be traveling there in 2 weeks and would like to know what exactly I have gotten into.

Sorry, but didn't you know all islands have problems before you booked. Of cource there are breakins like everywhere else in the CARIB but you can't worry about it all the time.Most tourists do not experience crime problems during their vacation. Good luck.

Happy, you don't say where villa is. What is ttol?

Thanks for your concern Bob. Grumpy it is in Dawn Beach Estates. Some people on different forums, Travel Talk and Trip Advisor are telling me I need to either change my plans or hire a security guard. This is my first trip to the island, and yes I know every place I travel is not a utopia, however I am getting the impression that this particular house has had more than a few random break ins.

IMO, do not change your plans about staying on SXM. If you feel you now need a more secure place to stay book a large name hotel. I don't know if you will be able to get your deposit returned if cancelled.My opinion would be stay where you originally booked.Our check the Radisson, Westin, or call a travel agent. good luck....P.S. Please let us know how your vacation was with a short trip report.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2009 10:04AM by BobP.

I love the Dawn beach area. I agree you should not cancel. If you feel you need to change your reservation I would suggest the Westin which has a room rate of $200. per night or Oyster Bay resort.

what is the name of the villa?

After looking on another forum about "Happy" concerns and read some of the answer given to him/her, I believe that the Villa in questin is Villa 78 in Dawn Beach. The answers given on the other forum are typical... negative with an agenda, coming most of the time from people who don't know what they are talking about! This Villa had in the past (and like most of them in the area) a break in, and some people are still dragging the story behind... Villa 78 is in a gated community now. At the time when the break in occured (and I repeat not only in 78 but in most of the Villa there) it wasn't a gated and securised community. Anybody could drive up the hill at any time of the day or night. The Owner, John Callagher own also another Villa, La Perla, in the same community... I know many of home owners in this area, and some post here as well as on the otherforum, and I believe they will have a fair opinion of the situation... all the other posts, all of them coming from unregister user are IMO made without showing proof or fact of what they are assuming.

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Thanks Phillipe, you just made my day. I feel a lot better. I am not an overly paranoid person, but this is our first trip to the island and the first time we have rented from an individual for a place to stay. Look forward to eating at Capt Olivers when we come!.

Still use comon sense while visiting the island and staying at the private villa, same as you will certainly do at home, close, lock and secure all doors and windows when leaving, etc...

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Make sure you lock up at night while your inside.Do not leave any items in your rental car or in the trunk wherever you park.Even if its only for a minute!!!!Unfortunately car breakins are very common in recent yrs.Glad you decide not to change your plans. good luck.

and when they say lock up if the house has shutters use them ... have a great vacation .. i would take what Philippe said and go with it , let us know how you enjoyed it , nothing beats your first trip to the island



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2009 09:41PM by .Bruce.

Bruce is correct. If a house has security measures take advantage of them, they're there for a reason! And take Phillipe's advice, too. He knows the area and the players and speaks from his heart! Go, be 'street smart' and enjoy!!


Contessa

BTW, Phillipe, the owners' name is John Gallagher. I just think he put a 'C' instead of 'G' by error.

Thanks all for your advice.Just returned from a 2 week stay at 78 Dawn Beach.Had a wonderful stay. No problems what so ever. Best view I have ever had while on vacation. would definitely stay there again.

So happy you had a great vacation!

We also just returned and the Island was beautiful. I do feel for the locals because tourism is down dramically over our visit two years ago.