Any St. Thomas accomodations that...
 

are more intimate than a huge hotel. I would like beachfront with modern amenities (air conditioning, tv's in rooms, great food), but I am looking for a more intimate atmosphere.

I think Secret Harbour will fit your bill.http://secretharbourvi.com/
Ronnie

Hello,

I've been looking at Secret Harbour but was not sure about the quality of the beach. Comments?

Also, if anyone had feedback on the Sapphire Village Resort I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

MM

both secret harbour and sapphire have great beaches, diving, bar/restaurant, etc. the view is a little more sweeping at sapphire, and the beachside bar is really nice. the slope of the beach is steeper at sapphire than at s. harbour, and s. harbour is a bit more isolated from the main road than is sapphire. both are near the red hook area on the east end of st. thomas, where you can get away from some of the cruise ship hordes that overrun the downtown area of charlotte amalie.

Actually I was wondering (thinking about planning my next vacation for next year) how is the beach in front of the Ritz? Or is sapphire better?

The beach at Secret Harbour is very nice. Compared to Sapphire, it's quieter, more sheltered (smaller waves, usually), fewer people. However, there are some rocky areas where you enter the water. Sapphire Beach is a bit longer and had better snorkeling when we were there.

Sapphire Village Resort is on the hillside above Sapphire Beach. It's a fairly short walk down to the water - a bit harder coming back up. Last I knew, Sapphire Village guests had to pay for chairs on Sapphire Beach.

It's hard to find anything "intimate" on the beach on St. Thomas - but there are some neat small hotels in Charlotte Amalie. For beachfront, Secret Harbour (actually a condo complex) may come the closest.

Hi Sara,
Point Pleasant fits the honeymoon feel. It is right on the ocean, in a small bay with only one other resort, but then close to Coki (a five minute stroll) and close to Red Hook (8 miles) to take the ferry if you would like. The grounds are beautiful and ever since Antilles management took over about 1 1/2 years ago it has went through a transformation that is gorgeous with flowers, trails, and privacy.
Email me if you want more info.
Lisa

about 4 years ago my husband and I stayed at the Sapphire Beach Resort. We were totally unimpressed. The Beach was below par (compared to the beaches at Caneel Bay in St. John) and the resort had the feel of a nice Best Western. Magens Bay is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen but there are no hotels there. I hear the Ritz Carlton is nice and it's always on the best of list on Conde Naste.

The beach at the Ritz is super nice and very small and private-- way way off the road...Hotel is gorgeous..rooms are jr suites ( ie.large hotel room with small loveseat- baths are huge)....

Another option for an intimate experience is Morningstar Beach Club- the villas directly ON the beach just below Frenchmans Reef..has an outdoor restaurant and it is super nice..Make sure you ask for Oceanfront room or else your views will be the gardens...

We, too, were totally unimpressed w/the Sapphire Beach Resort. Our stay was in March 2000. We swore we'd never go back there--and we got engaged on the beach there one evening. I would look for something a little nicer.

I have stayed at both Morningstar and the Ritz. While the Ritz is lovely, ( I had an oceanside room) the grounds are hilly and require a good walk to the beach. Snorkeling is mediocre. I was there, restaurant food was o.k. but selections were limited. It was far away from Charlotte Amalie and the other restaurants and attractions that I wanted to visit; thus making taxi fares expensive.


Morningstar is also very lovely, but much more intimate. Beachfront rooms are directly on the beach, and gardenview rooms just a few steps away, much closer than the Ritz rooms. I have always stayed second floor gardenview and have been happy with this location.

Water there is pretty wavy, but fun. Best snorkeling can be done through day trips or other St. Thomas beaches. When
It is adjacent to Frenchman's Reef, Both resorts have lovely pools and the amenities of both are available to guests.

Morningstar has a wonderful gourmet restaurant, Tavern on the Beach, seaside, with live dinner music. It also has a beachside deli with great inexpensive snacksm sandwiches and desserts.

Frenchman's Reef, located on a cliff, with to die-for views from their poolside dining, or breakfast at Windows. Cruise ships pass so close, they feel almost touchable. Water taxi service from there to the shopping district in Charlotte Amalie is worth the trip for the view.

I have stayed there three times, and plan to make it my choice when in St. Thomas.

We stayed at Secret Harbour but also walked on the Sapphire beach just to compare and felt that ,other than the view from the beach, the Secret Harbour beach was preferable in every way.