We stayed for a week at the Watergate condos which are next door to Bolongo Bay. We spent a lot of time at Bolongo Bay at night. Never did the beach...couldn't compare to others. We rented a car from Thrifty & it was cheap. Check this board becuz not everyone feels the same. We went to Red Hook for food shopping & eating. We used New Horizons II out of Sapphire ( search this board for that). I liked the atmosphere at Bolongo Bay at night. Always felt safe. We did go to their pool bar to get WIFI also. Maybe look into a condo at the Watergate if you are staying so long... Great pool on the beach that was empty most days.

We've gone to BB and their restaurant Iggy's many times. The area is safe and close to Red Hook. Iggy's is a fun beach bar. The food and service can be shaky at times. They do have sailboat trips from BB. We've not stayed there as we have friends that have a villa on the island, so I can't comment on the accommodations. Good luck!

Eugene,

After having visited both islands (St. Thomas more than St. John), my advice: Skip St. Thomas altogether and head to St. John for a month!

-Bimini

Well, I've only been to Bolongo Bay for one evening to eat at Iggies, and I was not impressed. It looked run-down to me, but I didn't see inside any units. If you want to be close to Red Hook, and want to be on the beach, try Secret Harbour instead. I thought it was WAY nicer, and the restaurant and bar is nicer - maybe not considered as "fun" as Iggies tho. Don't know what the price comparison is, but I think you'll not be disappointed at all with Secret Harbour.

From a local point of view Bolongo is a family own resort it is an older property.
The area is a quiet area it is approx about 10-15min drive to Red Hook. American Yacht
Harbour is located at Red Hook lots of shopping leisure and grocery and restaurants
in area. Quick boat trip to St.John and many day trippers in the area also. I know Bolongo offered
Day trips from their property not sure if they still do. Agree with many I have stayed at Secret Harbour and loved it
there St.John is a wonderful place to just relax. Also for rental cars check Budget they offer over $1,000.00
in coupons which is great if you plan on shopping and sightseeing. Have fun

We stayed there in 2002. It was a trade with friends timeshare. Only cost us $300 for 7 nts at the "hotel" not the condos on the hill. Staff was very pleasant. Beach front was a plus, even though a small beach. Mind you this was our 1st time there, so things have changed since. Iggies was fun. Rooms have kitchenette, small bathroom, bed wasn't too bad. It's dated, for sure. Would not have stayed there if we had to pay what they are asking. Since it was our first time, we treated the island like we do most travels, carefully.
The only crime we witnessed was a small wedding party getting off their catamaran one early evening and saw the bride drop her pack for pics and a guy on a bike rode through like lighting and picked it up and was gone, just like that. We all dropped our plans and searched the property, every bush, etc hoping he took the money and left her passport, but no luck. We felt bad for her, having to get new i.d. and the hassles with that. Lesson learned, lock i.d. in safe.
We had a good time for the 1st time to USVI and have been back several times since.

Eugene,
You asked about crime in the Bolongo Beach Resort area. I strongly encourage you to read a post from "Dr. Dave" from 2005. https://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/read.php?4,33407,36366#msg-36366 He describes in great detail how he was shot in the stomach by a robber at point-blank range in front of his wife and daughter while walking through the parking lot at Bolongo Bay Resort - only 2 years ago.

That came at a time when there was a rash of robberies at various resorts, restaurants and bars. Since then several resorts and condo complexes (e.g., Sapphire Village, Point Pleasant , and others) have added 24-hour security at their respective entrances - at significant additional cost. The last time we visited Bolongo in Feb. of this year, they still had no security whatsoever in the parking lot area - immediately adjacent to the roadway. The lighting is also poor. It presents the same perfect opportunity it did 2 years ago.

My advice to you is to make sure the place you're considering has 24-hour security. By the way, someone suggested Secret Harbor. Although it's a nice-enough place, as far as I know they are another one that continues to operate without 24-hour gated security (unless that has recently changed). Look at the same thread I referenced and you'll learn about a family that was robbed at gunpoint in the S.H. parking lot with other guests in close proximity only 2 years ago.

Last, but not least, beware of those who make comments like "I've never felt unsafe there (or wherever). Ask Dr. Dave or the family at S.H. They would tell you they didn't feel one bit unsafe right up to the second they were accosted. They weren't on a deserted beach doing a drug deal at 2 in the morning, or liquored up outside a bar after midnight in St. John. By any reasonable account, they were where they should be, at a reasonable time of the evening, minding their own business.

Robbers aren't rocket scientists. They simply look for the easiest opportunities. The resorts and complexes that added security in the aftermath of a rash of crimes 2 years ago make the ones that haven't even more vulnerable today.

Eugene:

We rent from Hertz using a AAA discount. For January-March 2008 we're paying approx. 830./month (including taxes & fees) for a mid-size. Other firms were much higher...we tried Thrifty (there must be a glitch in their system).....they wanted $9,900 for the 3 months. Off airport agencies wouldn't even talk to me about a "discount" and wouldn't even match the Hertz offer.

Bolongo is (IMHO) a safe area. We know 2 families that live there and they claim it's safe.

A better area, again IMHO, would be the East End. Close to Red Hook and nice beaches, dining, nightlife and shopping.

Look at the Point Pleasant Resort....there are some owners that rent monthly. It's a nice, quiet place that's close to everything. Also, a day sail leaves from Point Pleasant. You might also get a deal at Sapphire Beach on a monthly arrangement.

Meeting other people & boaters....Point Pleasant and almost anywhere else on the island. I generally sit in the lobby on-line (free wifi at Point Pleasant) and meet a lot of people.

Hope this helps.

F.I.