Advice on St. Thomas
Mar 20th, 1998 | 02:40 PM
#1
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Advice on St. Thomas
I am thinking of booking an all inclusive hotel in St. Thomas but I have heard that there are many fine restaurants on the island - what would you recommend? Can anyone tell me some neat things to do on my visit. I heard that I need to stay away from Charlotte Amalie when cruise ships are in.
Mar 21st, 1998 | 03:03 PM
#2
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Hello Ana,
My wife and I have vacationed on St. Thomas several times. Your question is a good one, but really depends on your preferences. If you stay right in Charlotte Amalie, I think you'll regret it. It's a very crowded island at any time, but when more than 2 cruise ships are in, the downtown shopping area is elbow to elbow and you have to walk in the streets because of lack of room on the sidewalks. Also, Charlotte Amalie is a hubbub that normal people can only take in small doses. So definitely stay out of town, the further the better.
The rest of the island is merely overcrowded as opposed to SRO. If you stay at an all-inclusive, you'll have a wide choice, but (and this is strictly an opinion) you might as well be anywhere in the world that has the same temperature as St. Thomas because you be living in a hotel environment, not the St. Thomas environment. St. Thomas is a good place to get out and about. My recommendation is to find a resort (all-inclusive or not) that provides guests with a car and has it's own little chunk of the island isolated from neighboring resorts. Also, I'd opt for a place in which you have your own villa or a duplex. One such place, but surely not the only one, is Point Pleasant Resort on the NE end of the island. You can ask for a half of one of their duplexes and get tremendous privacy. The place used to be a botanical garden so it is expertly landscaped with lots of private space between villas. They give you a car (or used to, I'd check) half a day every day on a first-come first-serve basis.
As to the restaurants... I haven't been impressed with the food on any of the islands so I question overall restaurant quality... and the restaurants are all expensive due to the cost of bringing in food and, frankly, because it's a big tourist destination. However, there are pick-up trucks that circulate the island going from resort to resort picking up those that want transportation to this or that restaurant. They are very convenient. They pick you up drop you off and pick you back up again. You can check out all the menus of all the restaurants, usually at the desk of your resort, take your pick, have the desk arrange transportation, and then hit a different restaurant every night. It's the best system I've ever seen and it was only about $5 per person last time I used it. It makes it irrelevant where you stay because everything is easily in your reach.
I recommend, though, that you rent a place with a kitchen (easy to find), use your car to hit the nearby market and take your lunches in your villa. You'l l save a bunch of money. I just checked my diary and find that 2 burgers with fries and cokes in 1988 cost $16.46.
Finally, I have to ask... why go to crowded St. Thomas? St. John is much less crowded and congested. Even better, try the BVI (British Virgin Islands). You can look down hundreds of yards of picturesque beach and see no one. There is no crime, whereas the last time I was in St. Thomas we had someone break into our villa while we were in bed.
If I can provide any further info, please contact me directly by e-mail. It's simpler.
My wife and I have vacationed on St. Thomas several times. Your question is a good one, but really depends on your preferences. If you stay right in Charlotte Amalie, I think you'll regret it. It's a very crowded island at any time, but when more than 2 cruise ships are in, the downtown shopping area is elbow to elbow and you have to walk in the streets because of lack of room on the sidewalks. Also, Charlotte Amalie is a hubbub that normal people can only take in small doses. So definitely stay out of town, the further the better.
The rest of the island is merely overcrowded as opposed to SRO. If you stay at an all-inclusive, you'll have a wide choice, but (and this is strictly an opinion) you might as well be anywhere in the world that has the same temperature as St. Thomas because you be living in a hotel environment, not the St. Thomas environment. St. Thomas is a good place to get out and about. My recommendation is to find a resort (all-inclusive or not) that provides guests with a car and has it's own little chunk of the island isolated from neighboring resorts. Also, I'd opt for a place in which you have your own villa or a duplex. One such place, but surely not the only one, is Point Pleasant Resort on the NE end of the island. You can ask for a half of one of their duplexes and get tremendous privacy. The place used to be a botanical garden so it is expertly landscaped with lots of private space between villas. They give you a car (or used to, I'd check) half a day every day on a first-come first-serve basis.
As to the restaurants... I haven't been impressed with the food on any of the islands so I question overall restaurant quality... and the restaurants are all expensive due to the cost of bringing in food and, frankly, because it's a big tourist destination. However, there are pick-up trucks that circulate the island going from resort to resort picking up those that want transportation to this or that restaurant. They are very convenient. They pick you up drop you off and pick you back up again. You can check out all the menus of all the restaurants, usually at the desk of your resort, take your pick, have the desk arrange transportation, and then hit a different restaurant every night. It's the best system I've ever seen and it was only about $5 per person last time I used it. It makes it irrelevant where you stay because everything is easily in your reach.
I recommend, though, that you rent a place with a kitchen (easy to find), use your car to hit the nearby market and take your lunches in your villa. You'l l save a bunch of money. I just checked my diary and find that 2 burgers with fries and cokes in 1988 cost $16.46.
Finally, I have to ask... why go to crowded St. Thomas? St. John is much less crowded and congested. Even better, try the BVI (British Virgin Islands). You can look down hundreds of yards of picturesque beach and see no one. There is no crime, whereas the last time I was in St. Thomas we had someone break into our villa while we were in bed.
If I can provide any further info, please contact me directly by e-mail. It's simpler.
Mar 22nd, 1998 | 06:31 PM
#4
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Over the past 25 years my husband and I have made about 30 trips to St. Thomas. We have watched the island change greatly. I agree with the last writer that Charlotte Amalie is overcrowded on cruise ship days, but that the the major source of income for these shops. The shop keepers do spend a lot of time with the cruise passengers since this is a one shot sell. We prefer to shop on quieter days.
We have stayed in many of the resorts and rented condos and private homes on St. Thomas. We also have very close friends who reside there.
We can suggest that you stay, or spend most of your vacation time on St. John. The accomodations at Gallows Point were very nice. The beaches on St. John are much more beautiful and well worth the trip.
Some things to remember
Always watch your belongings!
Not everything is a bargain!
Stay out of Hard Rock Cafe in town
Driving at night on St. Thomas can be dangerous.
Restaurants suggested: St. Thomas
Chart House
Hotel 1829
L'escargot
Frigate at Mafolie (Great view)
Craig and Sallys in Frenchtown (next to Hotel 1829 the best food)
Stick to upscale stores only in town. Better shops are close to post office on NorreGade. Shops degenerate as you proceed down the street. Cardow's , H. Stern, Little Switzerland are all reputable. For liquor (a bargain) ,
go Grocery Store Pueblo, not Main Street prices. The bottles will be properly packaged for flight.
Have a terrific trip. Watch the SUN!
We have stayed in many of the resorts and rented condos and private homes on St. Thomas. We also have very close friends who reside there.
We can suggest that you stay, or spend most of your vacation time on St. John. The accomodations at Gallows Point were very nice. The beaches on St. John are much more beautiful and well worth the trip.
Some things to remember
Always watch your belongings!
Not everything is a bargain!
Stay out of Hard Rock Cafe in town
Driving at night on St. Thomas can be dangerous.
Restaurants suggested: St. Thomas
Chart House
Hotel 1829
L'escargot
Frigate at Mafolie (Great view)
Craig and Sallys in Frenchtown (next to Hotel 1829 the best food)
Stick to upscale stores only in town. Better shops are close to post office on NorreGade. Shops degenerate as you proceed down the street. Cardow's , H. Stern, Little Switzerland are all reputable. For liquor (a bargain) ,
go Grocery Store Pueblo, not Main Street prices. The bottles will be properly packaged for flight.
Have a terrific trip. Watch the SUN!
Mar 23rd, 1998 | 06:58 AM
#5
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Hi Ana. I agree that all-inclusive is not the way to go to St.Thomas, as there is so much to see.Don't miss Magen's Bay, Drakes Passage and Mountaintop.!There are several fine restaurants on the island, but definitely not places you would go to in a pick-up truck, to have burgers and fries.Dress up, get a taxi ( plenty available, and reasonable ) and go to : Romano's in Smith's Bay, the Agave Terrace at the Point Pleasant Resort, and Hotel 1829 in downtown Charlotte Amalie.We had heard about crime on the island but all the major hotels have excellent 24 hour hotel and ground security.Have a great trip,it's a real paradise!
Mar 23rd, 1998 | 04:00 PM
#6
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MB - is the Agave still there? We heard it had been hit by the most recent hurricane. It was wonderful! We have stayed at Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbour. Sapphire was right on the beach. I would not do all inclusive - too many good restaurants. Isecond the Chart House! Also, there was a wonderful little seafood place in Red Hook. I'll take the shopping no matter what the crowds! Enjoy!
Mar 23rd, 1998 | 06:04 PM
#7
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Certainly agree on a decision to go to BVI's over USVI---but not Tortola if you are a real beach person and want to swim from the beach where you are staying. Anyway, my second favorite place is St. John and then comes to eating on St. Thomas...I have a whole file of my "reviews" as we are frequent visitors...E-mail and I will happily send it to you. Just an update...Herve from Agarve is now in his own place for over a year (on Gov't Hill) and beats the heck out of Hotel 1829, next door (old tired menu that hasn't changed in years). (For you ol' timers, it's where FiddleLeaf was) . Try Blue Moon Cafe at Secret Harbour---just reopened in Dec. by Oasis manager and it is excellent. Romano's is the place to be seen (in a heavy sweater due to antiquated ac system) and has OK food but way over priced---6.50 for water, 9.00 for desert. Virgilio's is much better so I hear. I don't go to Caribb to eat Italian! Dottie's at Compass Point as well as Raffles...could go on but easier to send E-mail. If you read this wednesday nite, we'll be sitting in Blue Moon Cafe... 
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Mar 27th, 1998 | 09:32 AM
#8
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Can't disagree with anything said in these responses, but only one mentioned Sapphire Beach. Went to St Thomas for 6 years in a row, but this year opted to try something different (St. Lucia). For all the exploring we've done Sapphire is the best. The Sapphire Beach Resort is now run by Doubletree (I think), but no obvious chnages. We never stayed at this resort, as it is a bit on the high side, however, just up the hill is a complex called Sapphire Village. This place has studios and 1BR apartments for about $175/Day. Number 279 has a view of the marina and beyond is St. John. We never went out for happy hour as we could never pull ourselves away from the view of St John as it gradually lit up as nite fell. You can walk down to the beach from SV, but the walk back is slightly taxing. Drive down if you have a car. The beach is fantastic, and on Sundays there's a party with live music--great time!! STT is a good choice--enjoy!!
Apr 7th, 1998 | 09:51 PM
#9
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I've been to St Thomas before but I am getting married in November and would like to stay out in Red Hook area. I was thinking of Secret Harbour Beach Resort since I like cindo's right on the beach. did you like your stay their and do you have any other recommendations?
Apr 9th, 1998 | 05:03 PM
#10
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Latest update...Hotel 1829 has new "lighter" menu---haven't tried it but several reports indicate it is much improved. Had a lovely fun dinner at Randy's Bistro at Al Cohen Plaza---absolutely wonderful wine selection in retail section with great prices. They charge $1 to cork it for you for dinner. Marvelous creme bruele. Also tried Andiamo in Frenchtown (Normandie Bldg. down from Alexanders)---okay. Martini's next door was rocking and rolling and we had a wonderful time after dinner.
