STT Resident wrote:
[quote=gatwick]
To rent a car you may look into the latest deals offered by Carrentalscaribbean dot com. They offer quite reasonably priced car rental services.

Note, this website is preceded by a popup warning that the site contains malware which may damage your computer.

I have used this company's website and their services recently and didn't find any such sort of problem.

Got my trip all booked and ready to go! Can't wait only 21 more days! Thanks to everyone for the great advice and help.

My husband and I just returned from another visit there. You are definitely staying on the right end of the island. Close to Red Hook is a good choice!! I will say that we used Discount Car Rental and absolutely love them. Very good prices, great customer service. Having a 4-wheel drive jeep allowed us to go where we wanted, when we wanted and also allowed us to take the car barge over to St. John. Note that some of the St. John Roads -- while perfectly paved -- are dramatically steep. But the vistas are breathtaking. Plenty of scenic stops along the drive to take photos safely. My highest recommendation is to pay the parking fee at Caneel Bay and checking out the grounds and swimming/snorkeling there. It is a historic sugar planation and it is very beautiful.

Food -- definitely visit Pesce and the Cellar in Red Hook. Suprisingly delicious for a casual meal is the Caribbean Saloon and Maggie Malones. Very fun and affordable!! and all are in the Red Hook marina close to the hotels you mentioned. Check in to Horizons II for a snorkel or sailing charter or if you're interested in an all day trip to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. If you dive -- PATAGON out of St. John (Caneel Bay Beach Resort) and Red Hook (Ritz Carlton Resort) are ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH -- fantastic group of professionals there. If you are into snorkeling, we found that St. John continues to win first place in our books!!

Reserve at least a full day for shopping in Charlotte Amalie!!

Safe travels to you!!

Thanks for the advice. We are staying at Sapphire. We got a great deal from Tana. We will probably be renting a car from Discount also. I just have to call them and asked a few questions.

Restaurant at Saphire just reopened!

Would that be the restaurant up the hill at Sapphire Village Condominiums?? Or something on the Beach??

The name of the place is Sapphire Pub and it's in Sapphire Village. Initial reports are good. Jazz on Sunday evenings.

Where is that? Back towards the lobby? Or is it by the pool? Hopefully thats next to open. Very exciting and promising news.

sailing the VI

I don't think that this is the restaurant at Sapphire Beach. It is the restaurant at Sapphire Village! It just changed names for the nth time.

billd

It is not the restaurant at Sapphire but I believe it is at SAPPHIRE VILLAGE< up on the hill.

But I will let you know as I will be down on Tuesday for about three months.

Thank goodness I will be back in the sun and water and people..

Billd
.

Stayed at both, Wyndham and Sapphire.

IMO, you cannot beat the Sapphire beach location. Some call it the most beautiful beach on St Thomas, and I would find it hard to argue. I have also read that the condos were built too close to the water's edge (as in, "code violation" close)...but this makes it attractive to thsoe of us who want to sleep next to the surf. You cannot get closer in any other hotel. For this reason, some of us find it an obvious choice. Open the sliders and sleep to the sound of the tide. During the day, be right up on the water's edge. I especially like the D and E buildings, where there is very little in the way of foot traffic and you have the beach to yourself. Mind you, D and E have a rocky beach, while A, B, C have a powdery sand beach. But, the D and E buildings are closer to the water and I like the privacy there. You can units from private owners as opposed to Antilles. Check VRBO. Some have been recently redone - completely designer-ready.

Wyndham: nice hotel, no doubt...but not impressed with the tiny beach and the hotel is on the hill above the beach. More people hang at the pool here. Hey, I can hang at the pool in Florida, or PA for that matter right now. I dont need to fly to the islands to sit by a pool and enjoy a nice hotel in June! I wouldnt mind Wyndham...I enjoyed my stay there, but Sapphire would be my choice.....again, going with a private owner who has remodeled, The standard Antilles Resort rooms at Sapphire can be worn. IMO, more first time visitors stay at Wyndham and more seasoned visitors stay at Sapphire. If you are more likely to hang at the pool than the beach, you might like Wyndham more.

Car: yes, rent one. Get out and sample the different beaches and restaurants. Get up early, drive to an off-site beach. Stay thru lunch. Go back to your hotel.....make a pitcher of whatever (mojitos, painkillers, etc)....go sit out on YOUR resort's beach with your drink....then stoll in to change for dinner.