Terri

Hello, <BR> <BR>I'm trying to plan a late spring vacation in the Virgin Islands (USVI or BVI). After reading many posts here I started thinking that St. John & St. Thomas sounded good. What we look for is great uncrowded beaches with soft sand and nice clear water. We aren't into big elegant dinners but instead enjoy finding casual local places (non touristy). We like to snorkel. We like to have a decent place to stay that is clean, quiet, right on the beach and walking distance to restaurants, bars, etc. We don't need anything too luxurious as we don't hang out at our room that much. <BR> <BR>Anyway, looking into properties on St. John I noticed that the prices are very expensive ($300 & up per night). St Thomas seems to have more hotels that are reasonably priced but I have no idea which one to choose that would fit our requirements. If we stayed in St. Thomas we'd like to stay somewhere near the ferry that goes to St Johns. Help. <BR> <BR>Also we are considering the following: Tortola & Virgin Gorda. Our price range is $100-$200 per night. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. -Terri <BR> <BR>

wallace

Definitely would not consider St. Thomas "non-touristy" or uncrowded. Lot's of cruise ships and shopping on St. Thomas, so it tends to be less quaint and more commericial than nearby St. John. Based on what you said, I think Tortola sounds like a great choice. Nice beaches (although not as good as St. John IMHO), very uncrowded and laid back, some good food, etc. Look into Long Bay, Prospect Reef, Frenchman's for lodging. Probably at teh top of your price range, but I've heard they are all great.

lisa

hi terri, <BR> <BR>my husband and i got married in st. thomas and honeymooned in tortola in january. i agree that st. thomas is WAY too touristy. you could go for the day to check out some of hte fabulous shopping - but Tortola is a lot nicer. <BR> <BR>we stayed at the villas at fort recovery on tortola (the honeymoon package was @2800 U.S. for a week). the beach is not hte best but it's not far to drive to smugglers cove or long bay. prospect reef seemed nice as well but there is no beach. i think long bay was quite expensive. i would stay at their frenchman's cay or fort recovery (where you can cook some meals) and rent a car to drive to some of the nicer beaches.

Terri

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like St. Thomas is not for us. I will look into Tortola and the places you suggested. And since St. Johns sounds so good I'll keep searching for a reasonably priced place there. We really aren't cheap but just hate spending an outrageous amount for a room we will mainly use just for sleeping and showering. Thanks again. -Terri <BR>

Erika

Have you looked into places like Gallows Point, Lavender Hill, COconut Coast or Battery Hill condos. You get some of the great features of a villa (kitchenette, living area) but at a lower cost and a closer proximity to Cruz Bay, which is neat. I am sure that I missed a few - but you can look them all up on the web! We stayed in Gallows Point last May and LOVED IT. Returning again in May with our families for our wedding!

larry

We stayed at Cruz Views condos, which we thought was "reasonable," given the prices in the caribbean in general and on STJ in particular. You can find my detailed trip report on fodors.

Carol

Hi. My info is eight years old but may be worth looking into. My husband and I spent a great week on Virgin Gorda staying in a hotel room at Leverick Bay. It wasn't expensive and was clean and comfortable. The beach there is not great but we rented a jeep for the week and used it to go to different beautiful beaches each day. We also rented a little boat one day at Leverick Bay and took it to all kinds of secluded, beautiful beaches. On other message boards, I have seen people commenting on Leverick Bay so I know it still exists. Just an idea. Have also been to St. Thomas, St. John (gorgeous!) and St. Croix (going for the second time next week). have fun!

Terri

Thanks for all the replies! We have decided to take a Windjammer cruise. We will be starting and ending in Tortola. We will be spending a few days before and after the cruise in Tortola. We are considering staying at Ole Works or Rhymers. They sound reasonably priced and on the beach. Any comments on these places? Or about the cruise? Thanks a lot. Terri

Debby

I go to Tortola 3-4 times a year & always stay at Ole Works Inn. They have several different room types. Since I don't want to cook on vacation, I don't need a kitchenette & therefore take a BeachView Room. The rooms are clean. The staff at OWI is warm & wonderful. There are several bars & restaurants all within walkng distance tight on the beach. Rhymers also has its loyal followers, but too often people check out of that place in search of nicer accomodations. Go with OWI. <BR>Debby

Andrea

Terri, just to let you know we havent been to either but we had planned our honeymoon on Tortolla at Frenchmans Cay this past October. With no more than 2 days they cancelled because of a "possible" hurricane which was 1800 miles away. We had to plan a whole new honeymoon with 1 1/2 days notice. From what I hear the owners are nice but that does not help their "poor customer service". We are planning a trip to BVI but not Frenchmans Cay!!!

Jennifer

Hello! <BR> <BR>I've stayed at Sebastian's on the beach in Tortola twice - and loved every minute of it! The accommodations were beautiful - although I would definitely suggest staying on the "ocean side". We stayed there with meals included - the food is wonderful! You could spit into the ocean from the restaurant. <BR> <BR>It is located right on the north shore in Little Apple Bay, right before Long Bay Beach Resort. At the end of the road, after Long Bay, there is a dirt road that winds down to this beautiful, secluded beach - I can't remember the name of it, but a four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to get there. It would be quite a walk. <BR> <BR>Anyway, there is an option to add your food in with your stay - called the MAP. It's about $40 per person per day and is so worth it! The food is great -also try a Bushwacker for an after dinner drink. Otherwise, there aren't that many selections for dinner that are close by. <BR> <BR>You will also be right down the street from the Bomba Shack - a little shack put together with literally driftwood and scraps of wood, where people come to drink and dance and every month they host a full-moon party! (Just stay away from the "mushroom tea")... <BR> <BR>Sebastian's has it all- a lovely beach (and more close by), excellent food, relaxing atmosphere. Just don't expect a wild nightlife. You can also take the day trip to Virgin Gorda or St. Thomas and enjoy the best that the Caribbean has to offer. <BR> <BR>Best of luck! <BR> <BR>- Jennifer

Ed

The beach you could not remember near Long Bay is Smugglers Cove, very nice spot. <BR>You can also walk from Sebastians to the Sugarmill for a nice dinner or breakfast. <BR>Have fun!

Geri

Relaxed on the Flying Cloud out of Tortola about three years ago and it was great! Sure not anything like a big cruuise ship. The stops as the other 'small' islands was most interesting, especially the Baths at Virgin Gorda. We stayed a couple nights after the cruise right in Road Town, but don't remember the name of the hotel. It was on the beach and within walking distance of the main street and some interesting places to eat. We also rented a little 4-wheel drive Suzuki and buzzed around the island. If you want non-touristy, Tortola is certainly a good choice.

terri

Well sounds like we made the right choice with the Flying Cloud and Tortola. I'm so excited! I like the idea of shorts and t-shirt as dinner wear rather than tie & jacket. Have done that before and had fun but this sounds like more our style. <BR> <BR>We're pretty sure we are going to stay at the Ole Works Inn for the 4 days after the cruise but haven't made reservations yet. What are the rates at Sebastians? That sounds good too. <BR> <BR>Thanks again to all. <BR>Terri <BR> <BR>

Jennifer

Hi, Terri - <BR> <BR>You can check out the rates and other facts about Sebastian's on their web site at http://www.sebastiansbvi.com/ <BR> <BR>The Ole' Works Inn sounds good, too. Have a great time! <BR> <BR>- Jennifer

CJ

Terri, <BR>For future reference -- if you do decide to go to St. John sometime, look into a place called Poi Pu (Seaview Vacation Homes: Mark & Nancy). You can just search Poi Pu on google and it'll come up. We stayed there last June and paid about $1000 for the week. It was larger than we needed but we loved it. it's about 5 minutes from Cruz Bay by car and has a lovely view. I don't know what their "on" season rates are, but you could check. (Rates go down arounf mid-May, I think.) We were there for Carnival (July 4th and it was so much fun!) Mark & Nancy were really great -- Nancy picked us up at the ferry, had fresh flowers waiting, and gave us a mini-tour along the way and then pointed out great snorkeling beaches on the local map. We were not looking for a place this large (3BR) for just the two of us, but the price was right. They had all the conveniences, an awesome shower, and a wonderful dip pool. <BR>

Karen

And, for the future, there are lots of options on St. Thomas, which is much more economical than the neighboring St. John, away from the hussle and bussle of Charlotte Amalie and the cruise ship crowds. There are quite a few small condo "resorts" each with their own beach in close proximity to Red Hook for the ferry to the BVI and St. John! You can get caught up in the "touisty" parts of St. Thomas or you can do some great limin' too! You just have to pick wisely!

Nanette

Terri,<BR>We are going to go on a similar vacation on the Flying Cloud (Windjammer)in December, and we also were considering the Olde Works Inn for a few days before the cruise. Would you let me know how it went (that's IF you've gone yet!) Also, are you staying anyplace after the cruise? We thought about St. John.....or Virgin Gorda. <BR>Thanks!<BR>Nanette & Mike

Brian

Check out Elm Beach Suites,right next to Rhymer's and much nicer. This is no Ritz,but I was very comfortable ther for 10 days last July.85 dollars a night,and the owner Elvet is one character. Best ribs I HAVE EVER EATEN.

Islander

The difference between the USVI and BVI is enormous. As others have already said as much on this thread, I'll make one point only. While on my honeymoon on St. Thomas, a man broke into our room while we were in bed not ten feet away. I was able to frighten him off.
Tortola, on the other hand, has been idyllic and we have returned 4 times, always staying at Frenchmans Cay. If you want luxury and lots of nightlife, then Tortola is not for you, but if peace and quiet sound nice try Tortola.