tbarrett

In January I won two 1st class/rnd trip tickets to St. Thomas for two weeks. My husband and I both have never been to the Virgin Islands and are very much looking forward to going. So far I have booked my first week at Point Pleasant resort, jr suite. what has drawn me to Pt Pleasant was the snorkeling at Coki Beach, Coral World and the Nature Preserve for hiking. Now I am trying to decide where I should go for my second week. We really enjoy snorkeling, being close to the beach, good dining, shopping and we are also interested in island hopping. We would like to stay fairly active. I was thinking of going close to Red Hook so we have easy access to the ferries. Any suggestions on nice hotels/resorts. I'm thinking around $200/night +/- a few dollars. How is Sapphire Village? What was your best experience? We will be going in January of 2005.

hamlet

Here's a thought: Do you have to stay in St. Thomas? Why not go to other islands entirely for the second week?

I've been to St. Thomas a few times, but just for the day as cruise ports and haven't stayed at any hotels there. I'm not a big beach person or a snorkler, but I think a week is enough time on St. Thomas if there's the possibility of going somewhere else.

tbarrett

Yes, we are open to just about anything. I hear St. John's is very nice. I would also like to see the Baths at Virgin Gorda. Any other suggestions on which islands to go to?

LPOWMACBACK

St. John isn't "very nice," it's UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL... in my opinion.

It's the most pristine, lush, unspoiled island we've ever seen (we've been to a lot!) in the Caribbean... 2/3 of the island is run by the US National Forrest Service. The beaches are magnificent - with crystal clear waters, beautiful sand... lots of life... sea turtles, stingrays, magnificent fish and coral. Shopping is not the main focus of this island! It's not a mecca like so many other islands. This island is not all about getting a "baaahgan" and GETTING STUFF... it's about beauty and nature!Cruz Bay is a small quaint, classy town that has some interesting boutiques and some lovely restaurant.

Having said that, we're staying at Gallows Point which is a 5 minute walk to Cruz Bay with spectacular views of the Bay and Caribbean. The reviews for this place are impeccable.

Definitely check it out!!

You mention The Baths in Virgin Gorda... DEFINITELY GO THERE for the day, from St. Thomas or St. John and make sure you walk over to Devil's Bay from there... it is one of the most truly awesome places I've ever been to.

Oh, by the way, Coki is a fantastic beach... GREAT SNORKELING (but nothing like the beaches on St. John (St. John beaches are like something straight out of National Geographic!!!!!)

Have a great time!!

Lisa

tbarrett

Thanks Lisa for the great advise. I will definitely check out Devil's Bay and the Baths. We have lots of time so I'm thinking of also snorkeling at Buck Island by St. Croix. I will check out Gallow's Point as well. Sounds like a great location. Have you heard anything about Point Pleasant on St. Thomas at all? I've read good and bad. Is that a good location to be at the first week? We are planning on renting a car for a day or two to go in to Charlotte Amalie for shopping and site seeing. Do you think we need to rent a car the entire time we are there? Sounds like there are lots of cabs in St. Thomas.

CaribbeanSoul

If I were you, I'd hop on the ferry in Charlotte Amalie Harbor on St. Thomas, and head to St. John for your stay. Or break it up and stay a couple of nights on St. Thomas at Morningstar or Blackbeard's Castle and a week on St. John at Gallows Point and a few days on Tortola at the Sugar Mill. Rent a car on STJ and Tortola and you'll experience some of the best the Caribbean has to offer and still get your shopping in on St. Thomas! From STJ you are short ferry rides to Tortola, Virgin Gorda and, my favorite, Jost Van Dyke!

LPOWMACBACK

tbarrett... no, I do not know much about Pt. Pleasant on STT, we had stayed at the Renaissance Grand which was owned by Marriott at that time - from what I understand, it is now closed. However, having stayed at the Renaissance, we'd walked over to Fungi's which is on Pt. Pleasant's property. We LOVED Fungi's! Right on the tranquil water, it had a great ambiance, great food and very good prices! I will say that Red Hook area was quite convenient. We'd used the $1 open air busses while there which we found very convenient although quite scarey (for me, not for my son or husband). We'd just walk to the road from our hotel and pick one up going to Red Hook, etc.
Why not check out Fodor's reveiew and Fodorite's reviews on Pt. Pleasant... as well as www.tripadvisor.com which has people's reviews as well!
Have a great trip!

Lisa

Maureen

Another idea is to take the ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands where you have magnificent views of other islands and would be able to easily spend time on other islands such a Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, Peter Island etc. We have stayed at Sugar Mill which was very nice and toured Fort Recovery Villas another nice property. You will need to rent a jeep to drive over the hills. Cane Garden Bay is a gorgeous tropical long stretch of curved white sand beach. I believe I have read the BVI website where ferry schedules were posted. We met a couple while in Tortola from the U.S. who had flown into and out of St. Thomas by using the ferry.