I've been reading trip reports for DAYS, maybe that's the problem! Due to a health setback I am at the last minute seeking accommodation for 10 days in July for 2 real adults, a 20 year old, and 3 12-16 year olds. We are attending a wedding in St. Thomas so will be there for 5 nights and I think we'll want to be on St. John for the other 4 nights. We would like one of the locations to be on the beach however we are not really resort people, don't need crowds or shopping, do like good food but it doesn't have to be upscale. I expect the kids will want to do lots of soft adventuring: snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, kayak/rafting, surfing and so on. I'm most concerned about the 20 year old and think maybe he would benefit from having places of interest (such as mild nightlife scenes) within some kind of walking distance. Is there anywhere to stay that is not a resort but is in walking distance of interesting sights and sounds? Our ideal would be what I think would be described as a "funky" resort-type place on the beach but I'm guessing that isn't what we'll find on these islands. Coconut Coast Villas on St. John has a great location but the rooms/balconies/pool seem a bit basic although with a budget of $500/night maybe that's the best we'll find? Basically if you want beachfront you're going with resorts, is that right? Seems that all the private rentals are sky high (literally, not financially) which makes me think we'll spend all day away somewhere doing the kids activities rather than driving up and down so much so if that's the case why rent a nice place? We're also considering Magen's Fancy Villa for the time on St. Thomas. Aw geez, would anyone just like to tell me where to go? The other real adult would be so relieved!

Marriott on St. Thomas has a special which ends today, Morningstar Garden view, literally steps from the beach $290/night. My comments can be read in this forum, "St Thomas Marriott". Lots of watertoys, and surf, two pools. I was told by a local, that it was not safe to walk to night spots on St. Thomas. The resort area is very safe.

Best place to stay on St. John is Caneel Bay. Seven private beaches with excellent from the beach snorkling. Beaches are so private that some can be had almost to oneself. Kayak and other water toys in addition to kayak trips available.

In July there is a special offer, Rosewood Escapes. Oceanview rooms just steps away from the beach are $550/night. This includes breakfast for two, a $60/day value.
Some nightlife is available and would be just a short inexpensive taxi ride away

What about Cinnamon Bay, St John? That's not a resort and it is a beach front.

Cinnamon Bay is a campground. I think the posters want a real accommodation. A rustic but more resort-like environment would be the Harmony Studios at Maho Bay. It's a part of the Maho Bay Camps devlopment but not camping in a fixed tent. Estate Concordia Studios are also quite nice but pretty isolated. You will only find nightlife in Cruz Bay in St. John, so if you want to be close, I'd stay closer to Cruz Bay. There are a few options, but walking is not really recommended. Too many people have had problems with muggings late at night for me to recommend that.

In St. Thomas, Bolongo Bay might be perfect for you. While the Marriott is more of a resort, it also has more on-site amenities. Sadly, St. Thomas is just not safe enough for anyone to be walking anywhere at night. There are also some villas and condos within easy walking distance to Magens Bay, the island's most beautiful beach.



In St. John, I'd recommend a villa for this many people. The villa will probably not be on the beach, but that's not bad.

Yes I know it's a campground. A beautiful one. Just thought is might be a viable options for this group.

If they want to camp, then Maho Bay Camps has a much better set up that's rustic but doesn't require as many sacrifices to comfort as Cinnamon Bay.

However, one additional option that I'd recommend is to skip St. John entirely and go to Virgin Gorda instead after St. Thomas. They could stay at Guavaberry Spring Bay and have access to a fabulous unique beach as well as fairly easy access to town, though absolutely no nightlife.

Great information--thank you! I'm LESS confused....but still lost. I think I've decided that at this late date if I can find something on St Thomas we'll just stay there and do day trips everywhere else. The resorts are appealing because it gives the kids the ability to self-propel somewhere they want to be, and hopefully supplies some People (as we are not, yet) for the 20 year old's entertainment purposes, although he will be sat on after dark, thanks for that caution.

So, my next confusion: It seems that all the resorts can be booked through their own site or through private owners (vacationrentals.com, vrbo). Is that because the units are not all privately owned? Are the rates really as high as they look if going through the resort? If booking through one of the budget services (i.e. Expedia etc.) how do I know which building to request or is it even possible? Is it too risky to do it that way and just take what's offered upon arrival? A million thank you's in advance, how did we travel before forums?

Oops, I'll correct myself--I mean 'condo complex' not 'resort' although now that I've said that Secret Harbour for instance looks probably TOO quiet for teens? Aargh. Too many people to please!

where is the wedding?
you're going to need a rental car no matter where you stay.
re kids activities: you can snorkel from many places on st. thomas and pretty much any st.john beach. secret harbuor is very good, wyndham is pretty good, bolonogo idk? i don't think ppl snorkel from magens.
hiking would be fun on st. john - lots of trails in the park, but really none on st. t
there is no surfing.
magens beach is gorgeous, but there is absolutley nothing to do near it. no food, no entertainment. magens fancy does look like a nice house as long as you know you'll have to drive down to the beach.
20 yr old could be entertained sufficiently in evening on st. t at bolongo, secret harbour (has nice small beach bar) or wyndham sugar bay. he will be hard pressed on st. john as everything is a drive.
i'd quit worrying about entertaining the children. ideally they'll be active all day in the sun, get exhausted and Not be wired in evening. remind them they could have been left home with a sitter. secret harbour condo's all have living room area with cable tv and normally something to play movies on. i actually think a 2 bedroom condo in one of the beachfront bldings would be great for you.
if you book using expedia you get whatever
if you book through resort you have some say
if you book through an owner you may get cheaper price but obviously you take the unit they own in whichever blding. same unit will be offered by the resort as well.
there are several agencies that do this, the one you mentioned plus vrbo.com and homeaway.com they all cross list.
i agree with decision to stay on st.t and day trip to st. john or bvi. too much trouble to move for just a couple days.

you take a ferry from red hook to do ^ trips and secret harbour and sugar bay are both fairly close to that town.

gosh i hope this helps.

Oh Virginia, you are wonderful! You completely understand my situation, in fact I'm thinking of having your words tattoed on my forehead: "YOU could have been left at home with a sitter!". And thanks for explaining the owner/expedia-type/resort distinctions. Am having trouble actually finding a beachfront at SH which does sound the best! Did find something at Crystal Cove (vrbo 153908) but don't have a lot of info on it as of yet. I better rent something real quick here I think! The wedding is somewhere on/near Magen's Bay, and I don't need to sit right on top of it that's for sure!
Thank you so much!

hopefully you can find a press on tatoo rather than go for ink...
have you called secret harbour directly? i consider building 2-4 to be optimal. 1 is fine but closer to the rest/bar area. i have also stayed in blding 5 on 2nd floor. we had a lovely view of the bay & the walk to the beach is under 2 mins.

crystal cove condo looks good, but i'm not familiar with that complex. if you type crystal cove into the search box at top of this page you'll find a bunch of threads comparing cc with sh & other condos. be sure you don't read the barbados threads (has place with same name)