I am going to St. Thomas for the first time in April and will be staying at the Wyndham. I would love any tips or suggestions for this trip. I heard that the trip to St. John's is a must. Are the beaches in St. Thomas still nice after the hurricane?

We stopped in St. Thomas last year on a cruise. On the advise of our travel agent, we took a ferry to St. Johns and spent the day at Cinnamon Bay. It was deserted and it was gorgeous. Other beaches on the way to Cinnamon Bay were just as picture perfect. Our taxi driver was very friendly and informative. Stop at Pusser's on the way back for a "Mind Eraser", and eat out on the balcony overlooking the bay!

I very much recommend a day cruise on the Stormy Petrel which leaves out of Red Hook. They run East past St. John, Yost Van Dyke, and Tortola to stop at Virgin Gorda, at The Baths, a snorkling site or two and lunch at a beach restaurant on a deserted island in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Bring a passport as your stops are in the British Virgin Islands. My wife and I took that trip when we were honeymooning on St. Thomas. The BVI seemed like such a beautiful and unpopulated place that we have been coming there ever since. Part of the reason is that crime (in my opinion) is rampant on the USVI. We had a burglar enter our room while we were in bed 10 feet away. Lock up tight!

planning a week in st. thomas at secret harbour. any suggestions for restaurants, shopping, etc. is a car a good idea or taxis better? is crime really a problem?

planning a week in st. thomas at secret harbour. any suggestions for restaurants, shopping, etc. is a car a good idea or taxis better? is crime really a problem?

You've picked a lovely place. Hope you are right on the beach as it looks wonderful. Blue Moon Cafe just reopened at Secret Harbour in December and food was super. Also close by there is Compass Point that has Raffles and Dotties. The other direction is Mimm's---great coconut/curry lobster. Lots of good eating on St. Thomas---if you would like my "list" of where to go and where not to go---would be happy to E-mail to you. Let me know. We prefer to take taxis and find we feel "safer" after downing a bottle of wine with dinner but then we're old fuddy duddies and chicken! If all you are going to use the car for is to go out to dinner, taxis are certainly more reasonable than renting a car just to have it sit all day. Parking is tough at Red Hook for the ferry to St. John and downtown Charolette Amalie.

I just came back from St. Thomas a week ago. It was absolutly amazing. The beaches were georgeous. I stayed st the Marriot's Frenchman's Reef. The hotel was beautiful, but the service sucked. The shopping was great...the weather was perfect, it didn't even rain one day. I suggest you go and eat at Virgilios and Romano's, those were the two restaurants with really delicious food. One suggestion though, if you plan on going out to eat and want to eat at 8, make sure you have reservations for 7:00, because at most of the restaurants the service is really (and I stress the really) slow.

Hi,
We're going to St Thomas on June 2nd. for 4 nites. Please forward your list of the best places to dine and any other helpful info.

Thanks,
Bridget

Karen:
Noted your response to a message on Fodor's BB about St. Thomas. I am retired Navy and visited there quite a few times quite a few years ago. My wife and I honeymooned at a place called the Pineapple Bay beach club in January of 1965. Haven't been back since. I remember the beach was terrific and they had white igloo-style huts near the beach where guests stayed...nice and quiet. There was a main building for eating overlooking the beach and had a place for dancing. Thought I'd like to surprise my wife with a birthday present of a trip back, but can't seem to locate the place. Could you help or foerward this message to someone who might be able to assist.
Thanks,
Don Galamaga
Capt Usn Ret

Do you still need info? The name has changed & can't remember to what off hand, but can find out & get contact info. Please e-mail me if you would like more info.

later

Hi,
Just read your note on fodors. You have a list for places to go and not to go to in St. Thomas. Would really appreciate any help there. Thanks. What was your best place, and worst place? Thanks again.
Karen