We rented at budget at the airport on st thomas. We were traveling with 5 people, so we ended up with a brand new explorer, very nice vehicle, worked out well, a bit more expensive than other off airport rentals - but heres the deal. My sister rented from an off airport rental agency, the agency had rented her car before they arrived, so there were no cars left when they arrived, and they were stuck at the airport with 3 children, 2 of them 1 year old twins. They then had to pony up $100 to the crook taxi drivers to red hook, and then rent a car on st john, with a $600 cash deposit on it. Take my advice, rent at the airport, and call and confirm that they are holding the car for you, or it could be a really big and expensive hassle.

For restaurants, the coral bay area has a couple places we tried, for burgers head to skinny legs, great local atmosphere, and the burgers are great. We also ate at shipwreck landing, out of coral bay heading toward salt pond. excellent food, and a great jazz band playing on wednesday evenings.

I agree with soboyle - rent your car at the St. Thomas airport. But make sure the rental company allows you to take the car to St. John - some don't.

The problem with renting the car in St Thomas is that you have to ride the car ferry to St John,and the ferry is on the opposite side of St Thomas from the airport.Also, the car ferries cost are much higher and also run less often.And you really do not want to drive yourself all the way across St Thomas to the St John Ferry after a long plane ride...there are several care rental co's on St John in Cruz Bay just a couple of hundreds yards from the ferry dock,,ck with Conrad Sutton..excellent cars and when in town you can park in his lot..and as cheap as the St Thomas lots..tell him burlison,lawyer from Memphis sent you..for more insights on Virgin Islands travel go to:
http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

Thanks for the great car rental and food tips! We're still in the planning stage, but appreciate all your input.

We love St John and prefer Coral Bay. We have friends that live there and have spent some wonderful vacations on St John. The beaches are the BEST and it is a quiet, relaxing place.

http://www.vrbo.com/162906 is where we stay. It is a perfect little cottage with everything you could need or want.

Here are some pictures:
http://www.vrbo.com/162906