OT- Anyone been to St.Thomas and stayed at a hotel not a cruise?

[ampc3]

Looking for info on ST.Thomas hotels or condos... Planning on a quick get away in Nov.. Started to do some research on hotels, and seems pretty $$$ and lots of choices...

Where have you all stayed? Looking for something on the beach with a great pool but can't afford anything like the Ritz lol!

What beach did you like the best?
Any info would be great! TIA

oh I should add it will just be me and DH no kids!!

 

[ampc3]

bump anyone??

 

[RachaelA]

We did when I was in high school. 7 and 8 years ago. I honestly don't remember where the condos were though. I just remember they were by Red Hook. We went thanksgiving week and our condo complex had its own beach and the beach was always empty it was really nice.

Honestly I like St. Johns much better. Its less crowded since the cruise ships don't dock there. Plus its gorgeous there.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I'll see if brothers remember the name.

 

[Darcy03231]

Honestly, I found St. Thomas very expensive and wasn't too impressed. Its just too commercial for me. I didn't feel like I was in the islands at all. Felt more like Florida.

I agree with the PP. I would look at going to St. John's instead (or one of the other carribean islands).

For beaches, I like Magen's Bay or Coki Beach.

We rented a property through VBRO that had its own private beach that was really nice.

 

[australiankaren]

hey
we found st thomas a bit of a dive, not impressed at all.

didnt feel safe.

 

[MoniqueU]

I also wasn't impressed with St. thomas. We stayed at the Wyndham. The beach was rocky, the food icky and so were the drinks. The rest of the island was high end shopping, poverty and just not that interesting. We liked St. John a bit better. All in all I won't be back to either one.

 

[ampc3]

Thanks everyone so far!
Keep the info coming!!

We are actually going there for a Wedding on ST.John @Westin, but we can't afford to stay there
if anyone knows of an affordable condo on the beach there let me know!
I believe most people are being told to stay on ST.Thomas b/c it is cheaper...

 

[rockydek]

Have you tried this...You may be able to get a decent rate.

 

[TaraPA]

We've stayed on St. Thomas numerous times, anywhere from the Best Western by the airport to The Ritz. It's been at least 5 years though since our last stay, so I'm not even sure some of the properties are still there. The most budget we stayed at was the Carib Beach Best Western by the airport - nice accomodations, but it's on Lindbergh Bay so very little rocky beach. There was a hotel across the bay, Island Beachcomber that you could walk to for a better beach & more dining choices. There used to be Blazing Villas which was a great area (& much closer to East End where you want to be to get the ferry to St John) - back in the day they were only $125/night for a villa & they were on the grounds of a larger hotel (I can't think of which one right now) - gorgeous beach & lots of things within walking distance. We've stayed at The Ritz & the Wyndham Sugar Bay, too much $$ for any property in St Thomas. We stayed at Bolongo Beach Club years & years ago, not all that great back then but again, close to the end that you need to be at for the ferry. Bluebeard's Beach Club was very nice & secluded & on the end you need to be on.

Check out www.wheretostay.com - they have great info on accomdations for St. Thomas. I'd recommend Blazing Villas or Bluebeard's Beach Club mostly for the proximity to the ferry to St John.

 

[christygobar]

DH and I seriously looked at St. John for our honeymoon (went to St. Lucia instead though). But I will always recommend www.vrbo.com! You can probably find some great vacation rentals at good prices that will be better deals than a hotel We have stayed in several places we found on that website - Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Kona, Hawaii.

Not sure how well you know any others who may be going to the wedding, but maybe you can find a larger home and split the cost?

Good luck!

 

[polkadotminnie]

We stayed at the Westin on St. John and loved it! It was my favorite trip ever.

 

[shortbun]

Thanks everyone so far!
Keep the info coming!!

We are actually going there for a Wedding on ST.John @Westin, but we can't afford to stay there
if anyone knows of an affordable condo on the beach there let me know!
I believe most people are being told to stay on ST.Thomas b/c it is cheaper...

Sapphire Beach Hotel on St. thomas

or Villas of the Galleon on St. John. There are also some charming but rustic inns in Cruz Bay, St. John.

Also, very remote but beautiful eco-resorts Harmony and Estate Concordia in St. John. Been to both. Loved 'em! Lush surroundings, gorgeous settings, you MUSt HAVE A JEEP.

 

[ampc3]

Thanks everyone for the sugguestions..

 

[JusbKoz]

Frenchman Reef -Marriot
We stayed 7 days.Beach-small but nice. Pool- seversl and all nice. Eats-several good restaurants on site...have fun on your trip. Google the resot and Duffys Love shack restaurants-fun place and good food-look for the specials.

 

[tlh0726]

We stayed at the Frenchman's Reef Marriott in Feb. 2004

Loved St John's.
Memory has me thinking that there were cottage rentals at the Virgin Island State Park area.

 

[DCbride]

We got married on St John and all our guests stayed at the Wyndham Sugar Bay. They did the food plan and there was not one complaint. The beach is no where as nice as St John, but hey people around here love and swear by the Jersey Shore and I don't get that

The Wyndham was perfect for catching the ferry to St John and there are plenty of taxis when the ferry docks. There also was a really pretty pool area. But again for a beach day, definitely go to Cinnamon Bay or the more populated Trunk Bay on St. J.