When we did our trip to St. Thomas we picked the Wyndham Sugar Bay and their AI plan. Their location is not convenient to resturants or shopping so you'll need a taxi or a car. We didn't have any problems with taxi's. We went to Paradise Point and Red Hook. We took a full day St. Thomas tour to see most everything else.

The main thing I didn't like at the Wyndham is the 99 wooden steps to get to the beach, bar, buffet resturant and pools. It was a pain. The nicer rooms are located very far from the lobby and the stairs. They do have golf carts that will shuttle you around if your patient enough to wait for them.

After being there, I wouldn't pick the Wyndham again. At that time, we wanted AI and the Marriott wasn't offering an AI plan yet, so it was between the Wyndham and Bolongo Bay. We regretted not going with Bolongo Bay.

Based on reviews, the Marriott and Secret Harbor gets the most recommendations.

Secret Harbour has nice, spacious condo-style accommodations on a good beach, excellent on-site restaurant and beach bar, short taxi ride to Red Hook (for restaurants, small supermarket, basic stores and ferries to St. John or the BVI)-- the only downside is small pool up the hill. We liked it much more than the Marriott Frenchman's Reef hotel rooms -- we did not stay at Morningstar, which I have heard is nice if you want regular hotel room.

agree with kvr re sugar bay, but it does have a lot of activities.
secret harbour is a great, but very quiet resort. good snorkeling and restaurant, but not walking distance to anything.
bolongo is a lots of fun resort. family operated. closer to charlotte amalie than above 2.
marriott is closer still to town.
the restaurants on st. thomas are spread out all over, but there are quite a few in charlotte amalie, particularly the frenchtown section. all the shopping is in ca.
i suggest you look at the holiday inn, which is downtown - you could walk to shopping and food: http://www.windwardpassage.com/
another nice ca option is: http://www.mafolie.com/ up on a hill with excellent view and shuttle into town.

click on the location tab on the windward passage site. they have an outstanding map. and here's another: http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/maps/jpg-2006/97_st.thomas.jpg

I would not recommend Saphire Beach.

We got a great deal from the Wyndham and the property was very nice. We rented a car so we weren't stranded as many of the guests were... and I would highly recommend doing it if you don't fear driving on the'wrong' side of the road. One of the nicest beaches was next door at Sapphire beach, great snorkeling, we even saw a giant turtle feeding on the turtle grass about 200 yds off the beach. Although, they say don't go on a day when there is a cruise boat in because it can be a mess. Meghans bay is also very nice; however, its a sandy bottom so not much to see snorkeling, just the beautiful water and views. I would go back in a heartbeat. One bad note though, DO NOT charter from Waters Edge Sports... its bad news and bad service.

Do any of these resorts compare to some of the AI resorts in Playa Del Carmen area of Mexico?

We found Wyndham Sugar Bay to be perfect in most ways. Lots of places to curlup and read a good book or just to let your thoughts drift. We were there with friends and got a cab for things like going to Carlotte Amalie to go through the shops, visit Red Hook and try various restaurants. The nightclub was vibrant, they did a fun game night and most of the food was tempting. Outstanding service and we had a great room. You can explore no matter where you stay, it's just that the Wyndham is not within walking distance to anything. If your husband is interested in STT as a two day destination, he'll be happy there. BTW, there is a shuttle that does nothing but go up and down to the beach and back to the main building. You don't have to do the steps unless you want to. We did actually choose to walk down them every morning. They have big landings all through them. I was pending back surgery when I went home, so I can assure you they are not a big deal.