Mare525

Hello fellow travelers - my two sisters are turning 50 and have chosen St. Thomas as their destination choice! I am looking for feedback on St. Thomas for lodging, other islands to see, recommendations for dining and shopping... we are an adventurous group of sisters and want to have a great trip...we are looking at the end of May and have a week to stay there... any feedback is especially appreciated!

Jimmie

Before you commit to St. Thomas, I'd like to suggest that you consider renting a nice villa on St. John and going to St. Thomas for shopping day trip.

If you still want St. Thomas, I don't think you can beat the Ritz Carlton, if you can handle the price. Less expensive is Secret Harbour, also on the east end, or the Mariott closer to town.

virginia

secret harbour is wonderful. on perfect beach = gradual sandy entrance, plenty of shade when needed, really good snorkeling, calm water for swimming, fun small beachbar with sandwiches. sh has full service restaurant & all units are large condo style with full kitchen & good sized deck/patio.

ritz is gorgeous & well... ritzy. good beach with gorgeous view. they have their own catamaran the lady lynsey you can do excursions on. http://image62.webshots.com/562/8/46...6nvRigy_ph.jpg

marriott (frenchman's/morning star) is near charlotte amalie. has soso beach. has private ferry into char am. frenchmans section is up a hill from beach & highrise style hotel. morning star section close to beach with 2 story bldings.
marriott does have what i consider to be the best restaurant on the island - havana blue. this would be a dandy place for the big birthday dinner regardless of where you stay.

wyndham sugar bay is all inclusive. this might make things easy on everyone, particularly if you are thinking cocktails. has good beach with some snorkeling, parasailing, jet skies, nice pool with waterfall right off the beach. pool area has full service dining plus bar & a grill/snack bar.

re shopping. you could not go to every store if you worked at it daily. all duty free downtown char am is great fun. lots of jewelry stores, perfume. better prices when ships not in port. don't miss the locals market at the edge of town. island dresses, some arts & crafts, etc. check out havensight mall too.
take an empty suitcase if you 3 are serious shoppers.

a really good excursion is: http://newhorizonscharters.com/
fast boat, takes you to virgin gorda to the baths, snorkeling, lunch on marina cay & drinks at soggy dollar. you get to see most of the bvi. book this as soon as you have made your reservations - it's extremely popular & only takes a few ppl. they will pick you up on st. john should you decide to stay over there. (if you consider st. john look at caneel bay)

you might enjoy the tram ride across from havensight. nice to have a cocktail at sunset & watch view of harbor. small store up there has doubloons.

you should see magens beach. go very early am or later in the afternoon as ship excursions go there.

useful map: http://www.frommers.com/images/desti..._st.thomas.jpg

Mare525

thank you so much Jimmie and Virginia; I really really appreciate all of your information...it will be so helpful!

KVR

DH and I spent his 50th birthday in St. Thomas several years ago. We stayed at the Wyndham, but I would have preferred the Marriott. The Marriott did not have an AI plan when we went at that time.

We did the New Horizons excurions and it was fabulous. The lunch was not included and a little pricey, just as an FYI.

We enjoyed Paradise Point one night. Decent food/drinks, though pricey and a nice live band. We also did Island tours of St. Thomas and St. John that we booked directly with the Wyndham. We found really nice inexpensive linens. I bought several.