There have been lots of questions about this place and the opinions range from awful to great. I would suggest doing a search and read the posts for yourself.

We stayed there last Feb. for 2 wks. We have stayed in 5 star resorts and some dumps and this is not a dump. We are going again this Feb. 17 for 2 wks and will post when we get home. Would consider it a high 3 star. Beautiful calm beach. Rooms right on the beach. Only 90 rooms so it is never crowded in restaurants or beach bar. A lot of value for the money you pay. This message board has been a wealth of Info. thanks to ISLANDER and others who live on the island. Thanks Guys. You make my shopping easy. LOL

The Good:

Like you said, the price.
All rooms are beachfront.
Good restaurant and a little Caribbean beach bar on site.
Pool with waterfall...a little cooler than the ocean for a nice break.
Beach is white sand, and can walk out quite far into the bay.
Great staff and bartenders

The (maybe) not so good:

It's not a luxurious 5 star resort. Nice enough vacation beach place though.
It's very near the airport. Airport only gets "busy" a couple times a day, so it's not too bad.
Not really within walking distance to downtown, but they do offer one free shuttle in the morning (you have to taxi back). Taxis are readily available in the parking lot for any other time.

To me it was a good place to stay for the price and I'll probably stay there again. As long as you realize it's not a fancy resort and that you'll probably only sleep there since you'll be exploring the islands, it should be fine.

My husband and I stayed at Best Western Emerald Beach in September. We did not have any issues or problems at all (even though a "hurricane/tropical storm" delayed our arrival by one day). Our arrival day was a rough weather day but we managed to survive at the EMBW bar with a few bushwackers - which even my non-rum drinking spouse liked. Our room was clean, the bed was "new" and nice and firm, and there were plenty of towels and hot water. I had read reviews on other message boards prior to arriving and had some concerns. However, it was great and the price we paid was well worth it!

We had planned to do the taxi thing but decided to rent a vehicle (my husband was a great "STAY LEFTt" driver). We went to the most awesome beaches and totally enjoyed each one in different ways. Loved seeing the donkeys, chickens, roosters and other "farm" animals just walking along the roads. The road to Trunk Bay in STJ left me a little nervous but upon arrival decided it was well worth it.

I found this message board just a few days prior to our leaving to go to STT & STJ - I wish I had found it prior to planning the trip - the information I have gotten here will make my second (and not last) trip even better!!! I think Secret Harbor will be our next destination.

Back to On Topic - I don't think you will be dissapointed with Emerald Beach.

To All Pespondents,

Thanks for the responses. We are looking for a quite place not too far from town, and this may be the place. Apple Vacations gave it 4 apples out of 6, and called it a first class resort. Expedia gave it an overall rating of 4.0 out of a possible 5. 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. This has been good information, and thanks again for the feed back.

I would not call it a "first class" resort (as compared to a Sandals type resort) However, you won't be dissapointed with the view, terrace, beach, restaurant or room. Don't go expecting the Ritz Carlton though!

"Don't go expecting the Ritz Carlton though!"

That's exactly what I'm trying to say. To me, a blue collar guy from the midwest, it is a first class resort, but it differs greatly for what some world travellers might consider great. The closest "beach" I can go to is the Dunes on Lake Michigan...and although it's a decent beach it definately doesn't even come close to comparison to the USVI.

I was impressed with the EB and everything it offered.

Hoosier 469 where are you. We ditto everthing you said.

Carole

I'm in Ft Wayne, IN...hopefully only for a few more years (Islanderwannabe). I visited STT and STX once on a cruise ship that we saved up for for quite some time. Even with all of the perks and tours that the ship offered, we still ventured off on our own to explore without the "touristy" restrictions.

I was lucky enough to return to STT over a year ago because I'm a mechanic for a regional airline and get flight and vacation benefits. There's no way I could afford it otherwise. The interline travel agency put us up at the EB, and to us it was just great! Get me out of this vast landlocked flatness and cornfields and on to a white sand beach with turquoise clear blue water and I'm a happy camper. 🙂

Plus Sam and Rolston at the beach bar kicked butt...lol.