4 Best Hotels in East End, St. Thomas

Hilltop villas give you an eagle's-eye view of the East End and beyond, and those in a building adjacent to the reception area offer incredible sea views, but the sea-level junior suites, where the sounds of lapping waves lull you to sleep, are smaller. The beach, a five minute walk away, is tiny, though some may call it wonderfully private. Three pools give you more swimming and sunning options. The property also has a labyrinth of well-marked nature trails to explore. The casual waterfront Sun and Sea Bar & Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Ocean 180, an elegant American-inspired eatery, offers fantastic views of the British Virgin Islands. If you prefer to self-cater, you can opt to buy groceries online in advance.

Everything sparkles at the island's most luxurious resort, from the in-room furnishings and amenities to the infinity pool, white-sand, eco-friendly Blue Flag–designated beach, and turquoise sea beyond. Spacious guest rooms, with private balconies and marble bathrooms that have deep soaking tubs, are in buildings fanning out from the main building. Six somewhat institutional-looking buildings, with two- and three-bedroom condos, sit on their own adjacent beach. The spa, salon, and fitness center serve adult bodies and souls; the Ritz Kids program packs in a full day of activities for young guests, including collecting seashells and feeding iguanas. A 60-foot catamaran is available for a day or sunset sail. There is an additional $85 per person per day resort fee that includes valet parking, use of tennis courts and the fitness center, internet, nonmotorized water sports, and resort garden tours.

There's not a bad view from these low-rise studio, one-, and two-bedroom condos, which are either beachfront or perched on a hill overlooking an inviting cove. All units, which have white-tile floors and tropical-print wood and wicker furnishings, are spacious; even the studios are more than 600 square feet and certainly big enough for a family with two children. The pool is small, but the beach is the real focal point here. Calm seas make for excellent swimming, and snorkeling is especially good near the small dock to the east of the cove, where coral outcroppings attract a bevy of marine life. Watch spectacular sunsets from your balcony or the Sunset Grille restaurant on the beach. Kids under 13 stay free, making this a good value for families.

This cozy bed-and-breakfast feels like a home away from home because of its casual ambience, picturesque setting overlooking Red Hook Harbor, and the friendliness of the owners. All rooms have air-conditioning and continental breakfast served on the balcony each morning. Just five minutes' drive to the beach, shopping, and ferries to St. John and the BVI, this is a great spot if you're looking for something intimate.