We love St. John. Personally, I would never plan to stay on St. Thomas. We always rent a house with a great view on St. John. There are not many on a beach on St. John, but there are many with wonderful views on top of a hill or mountain. You could look at the Westin or Caneel Bay on St. John, but I believe they are quite pricey especially Caneel, and I wouldn't want to swim off the beach at the Westin (the bay is right there). What is your price range? If there is any way you can stay more than 6 days, I would highly recommend that . Depending on you price range, I can think of a few houses that were on their own small beach. Sometimes it is hard to find houses with air conditioning on St. John. We do without, but you might want it. It is pretty hot in June and July. Book-it Vi has 2 one-bedroom houses up above the small town of Coral Bay. Really nice, quite new. One actually belongs to the owner of Book-it Vi and the other to her brother. There are other one-bedroom houses we looked at this year during our May trip for next April's trip and they are on the website vrbo (vacation rental by owner) . If you would choose St. John I would be happy to give you my personal opinion of what I saw. The 2 bedroom house (with no air) that we have rented the last 4 years is available during June and July. The price is fantastic about $1700 for two and 2000 for 4. Look at it on vrbo; the name is Beas Maison and is up above John's Folly Bay. However, it is about a 45 min drive from the main town of Cruz Bay but close to Coral Bay. This upcoming year we just don't want to spend that much when we can get a one bedroom for less and we want to go in April to try and beat some of the heat and the house isn't available until mid May.

My daughter got married two years ago and even though she had been to St. John with us and knew how spectacular it was she and her husband chose all-inclusive resort on another island because she wanted to be able to pretty much step right out on the beach from her room and just totally relax and not have to drive to the beach which is what you do most of the time on St. John. They had a really relaxing and enjoyable trip with the option of some side trips. I believe the total cost air and all was about $5,000 for 7 nights, but I don't remember which island. If you want more info on this let me know, and can find out when she gets back from a weekend camping trip.

Hope this is helpful.

An alternative to staying in a resort or hotel is to do what many do - rent a condo. Sapphire is a very popular location on St Thomas, right on one of the most beautiful beaches on STT and easily accessible to other lovely beaches, the Red Hook ferry terminal for day trips to St John, restaurants and stores, etc. You might want to take a look at www.vrbo.com for condo rentals at Sapphire and other East End locations. One major advantage to going this route is that condo units have kitchens so you can save a lot of $$s on food costs by making your own breakfasts, packing your own lunches, etc. Enjoy your planning!

Consider Elysian (Wyndam property) in STT next to Ritz Carlton, Sugar Bay (Wyndam property) - these are on east end of STT. There is the Westin in St. John. All are on the beach and may fit your needs better.

Best Western Emerald Beach is OK if you are alright with 2-3 star rating. The beach is nice as well.

Before we lived here full time, we too rented a house on St. John for $1800 week - 3 bd, 3 bath. Was well worth the change from a hotel. Check out "homeaway.com" and VRBO.com You may find some other options you were not aware of.

Good luck!

Hi there,
Good luck on your marriage. For a first time to the islands, and honeymoon, go for a full service resort that has room service, a good concierge, and added resources at your disposal, especially if you get a rainy day or are tired. We've stayed at Frenchmans reef, and while it's not a place we liked the most, it certainly is worth a first trip of at least 6 days. Frenchmans is close to town and that's good for a couple hours to soak up some west indian atmosphere at the vendors plaza and get souvenirs, take a day trip to the BVI's, go to megans bay, and over to St John. Come back again for a longer stay. My first visit at your age was in the 80's and I stayed at Bluebeards and enjoyed watching the cruise ships from there, which is an amazing sight, you'll see great harbor views from Frenchmans. After all these years we still enjoy a night at Bluebeards dining at one of our favorite restaurants, The Banana Tree. We like staying on the east end of the island the best, we don't like to stay near town, and we like resorts over secluded villas, to each his own, but when visiting St Thomas you will find that you will want to visit a different beach every day, including on a different island, and when the day is done you might just want room service, or a short walk through the resort to dinner.
Enjoy!
LB

You would have a fine time at Emerald Beach unless you want full service resort amenities - then really the only choice is the Ritz Carlton on STT or Caneel on STJ.
At 25 and on nyour Honeymoon - if you rent a car , explore, and get out and about for other beach trips, a day sail, a STJ day, 6 days will fly by and Emerald is a great base and a lovely beach.

I have never stayed at the BW Emerald Beach but hear it has a great beach and nice restaurant but just so you know the runway is just across the street and by that I mean 1 sidewalk, 1 x 2 lane road, a wire fence and the runway but the good thing is that there are not many flights in the evening and the busiest times are between probably noon and 5pm. I do not hear good things about the BW Caribe.

Pia

First, don't start getting nervous!!;) Sounds like you have been reading Trip Advisor, home to mean and unhappy travelers!!

Not sure how you came up with those three hotels, as they are *very* different in quality. The Reef is a full-service resort hotel- multiple restaurants, spa, shops, pools, swim up bars, etc. They have a water taxi that goes downtown, concierge service, a dock with dive/snorkel tours, jet skis, etc. If it is the price point you want, I would take it!

As STTResident says, there are other options...

You will like Emerald Beach. Beautiful beach and every room has a patio on the beach. if you request a 1st floor room. They do have a restaurant also your room has a wet bar. Sink and refrigerator. Good for keeping whatever you drink and snack stuff. Good location to everything. If you want to explore a little you will need a car. We stayed there 4 times for 2weeks ea. time and reallly enjoyed the beach and Hotel. Island Beachcomer is right next door. Would not stay there but they also have a resturant that you can walk
along the beach too. Dress is very casual even in dining room. You will fall lin love with STT. Enjoy.

marriott frenchmans reef would be a great place for you to stay on your first visit to the island. Try to get a room in Morning Star (part of marriott)and it will be a few steps from the beach. You will enjoy having the bars, restaurants, as well as pools and activities right there. You can surprise your new wife with a visit to the spa that is on site also. I have stayed there many times, most rooms have been recently renovated/updated. It's in a good location too, where you can make it to town, magen's, east end, etc within about 15 minutes or so either way you want to go. Good luck!

rose wrote:
We love St. John. Personally, I would never plan to stay on St. Thomas. We always rent a house with a great view on St. John. There are not many on a beach on St. John, but there are many with wonderful views on top of a hill or mountain. You could look at the Westin or Caneel Bay on St. John, but I believe they are quite pricey especially Caneel, and I wouldn't want to swim off the beach at the Westin (the bay is right there). What is your price range? If there is any way you can stay more than 6 days, I would highly recommend that . Depending on you price range, I can think of a few houses that were on their own small beach. Sometimes it is hard to find houses with air conditioning on St. John. We do without, but you might want it. It is pretty hot in June and July. Book-it Vi has 2 one-bedroom houses up above the small town of Coral Bay. Really nice, quite new. One actually belongs to the owner of Book-it Vi and the other to her brother. There are other one-bedroom houses we looked at this year during our May trip for next April's trip and they are on the website vrbo (vacation rental by owner) . If you would choose St. John I would be happy to give you my personal opinion of what I saw. The 2 bedroom house (with no air) that we have rented the last 4 years is available during June and July. The price is fantastic about $1700 for two and 2000 for 4. Look at it on vrbo; the name is Beas Maison and is up above John's Folly Bay. However, it is about a 45 min drive from the main town of Cruz Bay but close to Coral Bay. This upcoming year we just don't want to spend that much when we can get a one bedroom for less and we want to go in April to try and beat some of the heat and the house isn't available until mid May.

My daughter got married two years ago and even though she had been to St. John with us and knew how spectacular it was she and her husband chose all-inclusive resort on another island because she wanted to be able to pretty much step right out on the beach from her room and just totally relax and not have to drive to the beach which is what you do most of the time on St. John. They had a really relaxing and enjoyable trip with the option of some side trips. I believe the total cost air and all was about $5,000 for 7 nights, but I don't remember which island. If you want more info on this let me know, and can find out when she gets back from a weekend camping trip.

Hope this is helpful.

Thank you so much and i WOULD LOVE THAT INFO SO MUCH!!

East Ender wrote:
First, don't start getting nervous!!;) Sounds like you have been reading Trip Advisor, home to mean and unhappy travelers!!

Not sure how you came up with those three hotels, as they are *very* different in quality. The Reef is a full-service resort hotel- multiple restaurants, spa, shops, pools, swim up bars, etc. They have a water taxi that goes downtown, concierge service, a dock with dive/snorkel tours, jet skis, etc. If it is the price point you want, I would take it!

As STTResident says, there are other options...

Hi East Ender,
thanks for that info. Yes I am guilty of reading "trip advisor". Why are some of the comments so negative and scary? Where can I really go for prized, value info on suggestions on places to stay? I am really lost on where we should stay. I was just browsing and found the Best Western and Reef. I was reading about Crystal cove, the Palms, and Hibiscus. If I'm understanding correctly, they are on separate islands? I really appreciate your advice!

speedr1023 wrote:
marriott frenchmans reef would be a great place for you to stay on your first visit to the island. Try to get a room in Morning Star (part of marriott)and it will be a few steps from the beach. You will enjoy having the bars, restaurants, as well as pools and activities right there. You can surprise your new wife with a visit to the spa that is on site also. I have stayed there many times, most rooms have been recently renovated/updated. It's in a good location too, where you can make it to town, magen's, east end, etc within about 15 minutes or so either way you want to go. Good luck!

THIS INFO IS TRULY HELPFUL TO US! I just read so much negative about marriott frenchmans reef that I was like what's really goin on. I know I can not believe everything I read, however I do take pride in an honest opinion about something I am interested in. Are there any other places that you could suggest us to stay in during our visit? right around $200 a night. Thanks in advance!

Pia wrote:
I have never stayed at the BW Emerald Beach but hear it has a great beach and nice restaurant but just so you know the runway is just across the street and by that I mean 1 sidewalk, 1 x 2 lane road, a wire fence and the runway but the good thing is that there are not many flights in the evening and the busiest times are between probably noon and 5pm. I do not hear good things about the BW Caribe.

Pia

THANKS SO MUCH!

Hi,
My husband and I are also planning our 1st trip to St. John only for our 30th wedding anniversary. I have researched alot and thought that St John will be much more laid back and private. I would think maybe for your honeymoon you might want more privacy. you can always take a ferry to St. Thomas or St Croix. Any way, we rented a Villa for May 2011 called " Into the Mystic" and we were also very nervouse about picking a place to stay. However, after doing alot of research and talking to the owner of Into the Mystic I feel very satisfied it will be perfect. It was also featured on HGTV and I saw the special that ran again a couple of weeks ago. Check out the website for Into the Mystic I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. This is a villa and maybe you want to stay at a resort, but if would like more privacy check it out. It has all the amenaties and I mean all pool, hot tub ect.... you can e-mail Sharon Prosser( her and her husband own it )(you will find the email address on the website) and she will fill you in on anything you want to know. Good luck guys and congratulations, Holly.

sorry, didnt notice you wanted something for around 200 per night. We are staying for 7 nights (4 of us) at 3,500 for the week. It is cheaper for only 2. If only 2 they only open the top suite (which is where we are staying and our daughter (19) and her friend will be in the bottom suite. If you book early enough they may give you a discount but not sure of that. So all I can say is just check it out if you want, you may not even be interested, but I thought I would let you know. Again, best wishes and good luck.

HollyA wrote:
.. you can always take a ferry to St. Thomas or St Croix.

The ferry to St Thomas is a very short hop but the on-again off-again ferry to St Croix runs only from St Thomas, takes 3/4 of an hour and is affectionately called by locals either, "The Barf Barge" or "The Vomit Comet". They do provide barf bags in rough seas but the seaplane is a much more pleasant crossing!

LOOKIE HERE! The poor OP wants a. beachfront, b. hotel/resort accomodations and c. about $200/night.

Hi, I will get you more details about the info I mentioned. Just got back to my computer after a time away in the country without internet access.

why so mean; it's doable.