My husband and I are planning a trip to the USVI next spring and would like some suggestions about where we should stay in St. Thomas and St. Croix. We've been doing our homework for a while, but posted opinions run hot and cold for most of the major resorts. We're looking for a nice, clean place that is moderately priced, so our research has turned to smaller resorts, villas, and condos, but have not ruled out any large resorts, either. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Not sure what you have looked at and eliminated but have you taken a look at Secret Harbour? Don't know if it meets your qualifications but there are beachfront rooms just footsteps from the sand and water, a nice beach, a good restaurant on site and out on East End convenient to Red Hook. Not Ritz prices but clean and comfortable. Condos are privately owned and rented by the hotel when the owner is not using it. No glitz, no glamour but it does remain a favorite with many returnees. Top of the line would be the Ritz and there's no debate there - it is lovely with impeccable service. What else you thinking about since you've already done some homework?

We have stayed twice at Gallows Point on St. John. The condos there are immaculate, the location is within walking distance to great resturants in Cruz Bay, the grounds are lush and tropical and very well kept....... I just can't say enough good things about this place! You have the choice of harborview units or oceanview..... definately go with the oceanview. Each unit is fully equipped with all that you would need even down to fresh beach towels everyday, coolers and beach chairs for excursions, iron and ironing board, full kitchen (not that I plan on cooking), and the garden showers are huge! Just a great place........ hope this helps!

If you want beachfront, Gallows has no beach.

Secret Harbour is the place. Once there you will never stay anywhere else on St Thomas. Quiet,clean,great food, friendly folks. Cook in or eat out. Villas, on hill, less expensive than beach front.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! We have been reading up on Secret Harbour and Gallows Point, and we like what we see (and read) about both. However, we did notice from Gallows Point's website that the beach is non-existent, which is a big minus. We've also been checking out Point Pleasant Resort on STT and Hibiscus Beach Hotel on STC - has anyone stayed at these places or know someone who has? One last note: we're debating on whether to stay in St. Thomas or St. John (we'll be visiting both) . According to the postings, St. John seems to be the place. Any opinions on this, too?

If you're interested in smaller properties, check out Bolongo Bay Beach Club (www.bolongobay.com). We stayed there in 1977 on our honeymoon and returned there in 1987 for our anniversary. It is a lovely spot with it's own beach...and the prices aren't outrageous.

St. John is definitely superior unless your major goal is great shopping and nightlife. The beaches are the best in the Virgin Islands. You are correct that Gallows Point doesn't have much of a beach, although it's a very nice place. In reality, you won't find too many options that are beachfront in St. John. Most villas are hillside. There are a few beachfront ones, but they tend to be a little pricier, and usually the beach they boast about is not a sandy one. Check out www.caribbeanvillas.com for a list of STJ villa rentals by location/amenities. If you're really serious about staying on the beach, you may want to pick a resort on St. Thomas, but the beaches there are a lot more crowded. If it was me, I'd stay at Gallows Point or in a villa and commute to the beaches. There are just too many wonderful spots on STJ to limit yourself anyway!

Yes, some of the beaches on STT can get crowded with cruise ship passengers, eg. Magen's, Sapphire (since they have a trip there from the Disney Cruise on Wednesdays), Coki but there are plenty of small beaches that are not crowded! I hear good things about Point Pleasant but there, again, it is not beachfront in the same sense of Secret Harbour's lovely beaches. Not that I am pushing SHBR but I just am using that as a benchmark for casual beachfront property. Oh! their beach may be a bit "busy" on a Sunday when some of the locals stop by or tie up there for an afternoon at the beach bar! There is a whole lot more to STT than nitelife and shopping and cruisers clogging the island. Did you check www.stjohnlinks.com for villas? They have a great selection! <BR>We stayed at Comorrant next door to Hibiscus several years ago and was glad that we didn't choose it. Of course, this was a couple of years back and it sadly needed work! There is supposedly good snorkling down off their beach to the left. I remember something about a "park" or "preserved waters" there.

We have stayed at the Villa Madeleine on St. Croix three times and it was terrific, but it is a little pricey. But you have a great view of the sea looking south and a private pool. We are going to stay at the Divi Carina in late October for 9 days. They had terrific prices until 12/14 that we couldn't pass up and I have seen excellent reviews on it. But in the spring it more than likely will be a little higher priced. If you can get a good price for either, they would be places I would highly recommend.We have been to St. Croix 3 times so if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail.

Brad, <BR>I spent my honeymoon at Villa Madeleine and had the best time..That was back in '98. Have you been there recently? <BR>Karen has mentioned it has changed hands and was not as nice as it once was. <BR>I can't imagine it has changed that much in short period of time as when we were there it was perfect. <BR>I would return every year if it weren't for the beaches on St. Croix. We've been going to ST. John the last couple of years and we are spoiled .But as an island St. Croix was so great..the restaurants were so amazing we ate in a different one every night and never had such fabulous food. <BR>Villa Madeleine was just such a great place to stay I felt like I lived on the island, it was so comfortable and clean and beautiful...

Kate: <BR>Have not heard of an ownership change. We went there in '90 not too long after Hugo blew thru, '92, & '96. We stopped at St. Croix in Nov. '99 while on a RCCL cruise and yearned to go back for a longer stay, although you are correct, the beaches are not like Megan's Bay at St. Thomas or Orient Beach in St. Maarten. We are hoping and from what we have read that the beach at Divi Carina is much better than most other beaches on the island. If not, the Divi at least has a couple of pools and also a kids pool. But we hope to go snorkeling. Glad to hear from a fellow Villa Madeleiner and if we get a chance will go the property to see and hear what it looks like and what peple are saying.

I would also whole-heartedly recommend Gallows Point (& St. John over St. Thomas). We were most impressed by the resort & really appreciated the fact that it was a smaller place with a cozy feel. They have good snorkeling from their rocky beach entrance & a swimming platform which was cool, too. The rooms were great, the view was incredible and I loved how the entire walls opened up into huge windows. They have recently signficantly increased their prices, but they do have a AAA discount. The restaurant at Gallows is great, too!

Sheryl - <BR>Personally, I think St. John is the best of the USVI. The beaches are unsurpassed. As others have stated, most of the villas are hillside but provide fantastic views of the BVI and USVI depending on where you are staying. Also, the best of the beaches are accessed by driving or boating to them. We have been going annually to STJ and find no comparison to STT or STX. You can rent villas for two or for ten with pools and hot tubs and what is unique about the rental policy is that you are charged according to the number of people and not to the size of the villa. The first villa my wife and I rented was 5,000 sq. feet, had five bedrooms, 5-1/2 baths, a huge pool and cost us $1,400 for the week. We went in November which is still considered "off season" but we were amazed at what we got for the price. Depending on what month of the spring season you are going, you may be in off season as well. It's just a thought, but do check out St. John and the USVI-on-line website for info on all of the Virgin Islands if you have not discovered this wonderful forum. Good luck.

Thanks to everyone who responded to this board. My husband and I decided to stay at Gallows Point in STJ and Hibiscus Beach in STX. Almost all the opinions we've read about on this board, as well as others, raved about Gallows, but there were a lot fewer opinions on Hibiscus. Has anyone stayed there? If so, what did you think? <BR> <BR>Also, is it necessary to rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle on STJ, or can we get away with a regular car? We plan on being pretty adventurous if possible.

Adventurous on St. John calls for a 4-wheel drive! Plus sometimes if it is rainy (heaven forbid) the jeep does stick to the road better! You haven't lived until the car starts sliding backwards down a slippery slope on the paved road. That kind of adventure you don't need!

Sheryl - <BR>For what it's worth, my mother-in-law, who owned a house on St. Croix for 15 years, has always stayed at the Hibiscus when visiting the island since selling her house several years ago. <BR>I don't think the beach is anything to rave about, but she likes the people who run the place. <BR>

Go to St. John and stay at Valley View suite if this is your 1st time on the island. The accommodations are fabulous and the owners are wonderful. They will help to acquaint you with all that is available on the island. Plenty of privacy and very quiet. The island has all that one could ask for. the web address is www.acharminghideaway.com