hwinokur

Thanks! Still looking at St. John. Looking at Gallows Point hotel... I understand it's not directly on a beach... How long is the walk to the closest beach and does that beach tend to get crowded? Do you get approached by vendors on any of the beaches there? The location sounds good with it being walking distance to restaurants.

hwinokur

My husband does not work for Hilton. He gets a discounted rate at Hiltons and Marriotts, etc, but I can't find any of those on the islands we'd like to visit. So we're thinking we may splurge to go somewhere special. We're celebrating... leaving the kids for the first time, and 10 year anniversary... so we don't mind spending a little extra for a bucket list type trip.

blamona

Just for fun, I put Hotel Christopher in April for 1 week. Only 1 poolside view room left, includes breakfast for 2, with taxes is $680.50 a night. The next room jumps to $200 more each night.

If willing to spend extra, go for it.

But there's no real snorkeling anywhere near St. Bart, it's pretty non-exisitent

RoamsAround

The nearest beach to Gallows Point Resort is only about 200 or 300 yards away and there's another beach about 400 or 500 yards away. Neither has great snorkeling so you'll need transportation to get to the many other beaches on the island that have better snorkeling. There's not a lot of "beach vendors" anywhere on the island so that's not a big issue.

Hint: When researching St. John (or any other island) go to Google Maps and type in the island you are researching. Using the "Maps" view you should be able to locate most resorts and other points of interest. Toggle between "Maps", "Satellite" and "Google Earth" views to get different perspectives and to help estimate distances between points.

steviegene

At Gallows there is a dock out over the water that has good snorkeling. Gallows really was nice. Not an all inclusive resort atmosphere, or ultra luxurious but really nice (and I can be pretty snobby about hotels). The units are really big with a sitting area, loft bedroom and kitchen. We loved having breakfast on our deck overlooking the ocean & bay. The furnishings were new and island style, the floors tile, there is maid service daily & it has a very good restaurant Zozo's with a stellar view of St Thomas.
.
the only tricky part is that each unit is different. ... We stayed in 13b to start and were very very disappointed with the bed which badly needed replacing. We were transferred to 11b which had a better bed and a better view.

St John has so many great beaches you'll really want transportation. We loved having the jeep -- riding around in the morning and then parking ourselves at a beach all afternoon. Our favorite is Maho Bay Beach. whenever I'm having a tough day with the kids I imagine myself there....ahh

sharona

You do realize that Gallows Point is basically right in Cruz Bay? To get to the best beaches you'll need to either rent a car or take a taxi.

St. Barts is very expensive. The only way to have a reasonably priced visit is to rent a villa so you can cook some of your own meals. Here's a good resource for all things SBH:

http://www.sbhonline.com

Have you considered Grand Cayman? I know it was mentioned up-thread. There's a Marriott and the island ticks about all of your boxes except for being hilly. It's got great snorkeling, good food, some shopping, gorgeous beaches, etc. The Caymans are also on the expensive side but if you can get a good deal on your lodging that should help with the costs. Plus there are some reasonably priced restaurants and a large, modern grocery store where you can pick up snacks and drinks.

hwinokur

Thanks so much for all the great advice! I've decided hilly is pretty important to me. I just enjoy looking up at the hills or mountains. I grew up in Florida and have lived in Colorado for over 20 yrs if that tells you something about my taste for "hills". So having an island that offers a little hiking and sweeping views is a priority. I loved that about Hawaii, Moorea (best snorkeling I've ever done), and St. Lucia. The Turks and Cancun had very pretty water but I didn't like being on a flat island/beach, and Cancun was way too cheesy & Americanized for me. So, I'm trying to decide btwn St. John, St. Barths & St. Martin. I started thinking seriously about St. Martin: more hotel and restaurant options within/close to our budget and we could day trip to Anguilla. Hard to decide (and, yes, I know you can't decide for me!)
St. John:
Pros: Now looking at Westin bc it's on a beach, undergoing renovations to be completed in January, best island for snorkeling, easy day trip to BVI, St. Thomas flights are not too expensive and lots of flight times to choose from. Won't have to go through Customs upon return in US airport: is that correct?
Cons: hotel is most expensive of my options.
St. Martin:
Pros: The Radisson on the French side looks gorgeous (not cheap but a lot of hotel for the money) and is on a nice beach, lots of great restaurants, can day trip to Anguilla or possibly do 4 nts St. Martin & 2 nts on St. Barths. More nightlife and shopping on St. Martin.
Cons: Flight times aren't as good. Snorkeling not great. Is there decent snorkeling anywhere on St. Martin? I don't need "the best", just want to see some colorful fish.
I'm back and forth but hope to make a decision soon.

steviegene

I can only comment on St John -- Ive heard mixed reviews about the Westin. If you're really picky I don't know that you'll be happy with it. The beach is supposedly not nearly as nice as others on the island -- check Tripadvisor and search for it on this board.
Also,
Personally I don't thing I'd bother going to St John unless youre willing to rent a car and drive around. You'd be missing out on too much. I would either do Gallows and drive to beaches, or do a rental house. Also, there are daytrips to the British Virgin Islands if you're interested

hwinokur

Thanks, Steviegene! Yes, I would rent a jeep there. I was thinking of the Westin bc of the big renovations they are now doing. Thought it would be nice after it's completed.

hwinokur

And, yes, I would want to do a day trip to the BVI.

eastenderusvi

You do have to go through Customs leaving the USVI. It is considered a port of entry into the US. Just to open up some options: You could stay on St Thomas (less expensive, more units) and go to St John and the BVI for day trips.

St Maarten has bumps, not hills.

hwinokur

I don't mind going through customs when departing... It's waiting in those long customs lines during a layover in Miami/Houston, etc, and worrying about making a connection. Will I go through customs when I return to the US after arriving from St. Thomas?

hwinokur

From what I've read, St. Martin sounded more appealing than St. Thomas... more culture, less Americanized. Is that incorrect?

RoamsAround

St. Martin (Sint Maarten) has two vibes - French and Dutch - it's not "Americanized".

By the way, when you talk about "waiting in long lines" I think you are confusing Immigration with Customs. Immigration (aka Passport Control) tends to have long line. Customs is usually quick unless you are singled out for close inspection. Regardless, if departing from St. Thomas you'll clear customs there before you board the plane. You won't have to clear customs again when you arrive back on the mainland US and since St. Thomas is a US Territory you won't have to go through Immigration (Passport Control) upon arrival in mainland US.

eastenderusvi

IMHO, St Martin does have some French flair, mainly in the food and beach attire. St Maarten is overbuilt.

I am not sure how "Americanized" St Thomas and the rest of the USVI is. Sure, there are McDonald's and Wendy's, but I have seen more fast food spots in many other Caribbean islands. It sure doesn't feel like America sometimes.

Bassguy66

I will stick with my original suggestion. St John. It really has pretty much everything on your wishlist.

I've stayed at Gallows, and loved it. The units are not the Ritz, but they are nice comfortable condos with views to die for.

My favorite part of staying at Gallows was being able to walk into town to all of the great restaurants.

Renting a jeep is a must, so you can see different beaches, and get to all the wonderful snorkel spots that surround this great island.

There is really no snorkeling on St Barts or St Martin to speak of. Just pull the trigger on St John. By the way I did a massage at the Westin, and was glad we chose Gallows instead. The beach at the Westin is man-made, and not very nice. Gallows doesn't have much of a beach, but a nice small pool and incredible views & sunsets. Driving to the good north shore beaches is a breeze.

steviegene

I second all of Bassguys observations

brenandg

About St John, the island is 2/3 National Park, that is why there are only 2 resorts directly on the beach there. Caneel Bay is probably what you are looking for, but definitely not in your price range. There are 7 beaches at the resort. It also is more of an "old money" kind of place and the rooms I have heard are not really "luxurious". The remarks about Gallow's Point and the Westin are accurate. But, there are no true swimmable beaches nearby.The "closest" that is walking distance would be Solomon which is about a 45 minute hike and only accessable on foot. St John meets alot of your requirements but since you are a resort person, keep in mind that most beaches do not have facilities let alone chairs. You have to drag your stuff. I love Gallow's Point, but, it has become out of my price range. It has from what I understand updated most of the units. Grande Bay is a condo complex right in Cruz Bay and is only a few years old with very nice units. But is not a resort with maid service etc. Caneel Bay is no longer a Rosewood Property and when it re-opens, it will be under new management. Zo-Zo's is no longer at Gallow's Point for whoever mentioned that and is moving to Caneel Bay. A new high end restaurant is opening in the former Zo Zo's space. I love St John and have been many times but it is more of a self catering type of vacation destination. Definitely not resort oriented. Exactly what I love about it.

brenandg

Should have read more posts. I see you picked Jamaica.

hwinokur

Thank you for all the great tips and info. Yes, we decided to return to Jamaica for this upcoming trip. (Hard to refuse when saving so much money to stay at a wonderful resort. We'll be in a cottage on a private beach and the employees there are wonderful people. With the money saved I can hit the beautiful spa there without any guilt) I am determined to venture out next year to St. John, St. Barth and/or St. Martin. I do appreciate all the information. I had a hard time deciding but finally decided our priority this trip is relaxing (the second baby has been a non-sleeper). Hopefully next year we'll have more energy for exploring and seeing new places.... there is so much I want to see!