We just arrived home from our week's vacation on St. Thomas and it was one of our best vacations, in large part due to the information I learned from message boards.
We stayed at The Elysian, on the east end, and loved it. We had a studio, building F, 224, with a beautiful view of Cowpet Bay (loved using our binoculars to checkout the boats going by), full kitchen, bar and stools, dining table and living area with tv-dvd-vcr,.and a murphy bed that we loved. We called it the 007 bed. The Elysian personnel were very friendly and helpful, Robert's Grille was great and dinners were island reasonable . Beach towels were available whenever we needed new ones. Lobby personnel were a wealth of friendly information that helped us have a smooth vacation. Elysian has shuttles to Magen's Bay, trip to town and a trip to St. John, all for reasonable costs. We took advantage of the beach shuttle and Magen's Bay ended up our favorite beach.
We didn't rent a car so combined trips about the island to control taxi costs. We shopped at Marina Market in Red Hook, it had everything we needed.and then lunched at Molly Molone's.
Bugs weren't bad. I sprayed my feet, at dusk, with Cutter's Advance, and I had very few bites.
We designed our own historical walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, had a great lunch at Cuzzins Restaurant and then called for a Certified Taxi Tour (340-771-7876) of the island. Alvin picked us up at the restaurant in an a.c. van and we talked about everything from history of the islands to religion to housing prices as we viewed the beautiful island. Fabulous and reasonable tour, just the three of us, hands down beats out those safari shuttle tours.(we took a safari taxi tour of St. John and it was fine but not a personal tour as with Certified Taxi Tour.) We included a tour of St. Peter's Greathouse, it's amazing. After the tour, Alvin dropped us off at The Elysian.
Cingular works great, crystal clear reception.
New Horizons II- power boat day trip to British Virgin Islands. Well worth it. We had a great time. Soda, Painkillers, beer and finger foods available. We visited Virgin Gorda The Baths, snorkeled, ate lunch on Marina Cay and visited Jost Van Dyke and the Soggy Dollar. Bar, with plenty of time to relax on the beach. The crew was very helpful and friendly, pointing out islands and famous St. John homes as well as island trivia as we traveled about. It was apparent our safety was paramount. We had so much fun! We covered a lot of ground (and water) but we never felt rushed.
My only regret - the pictures I took can't do justice to the natural beauty of the islands. I never expected such outstanding scenery at every turn.
We found a smile and respect ( a 'Good Morning, afternoon, evening' are all that's needed) opened many 'doors' for us. Let the islanders know how beautiful their home is and give thanks for their sharing it with all of us. You won't regret it.
We traveled with only carry-on bags. I even had my snorkeling set in mine! It can be done! I buy beach cover-ups that look like dresses because I seem to live in bathing suits and cover-ups no matter how much else I pack. I found packets of Tide, at Walmart, to use for washing clothes. Avoiding luggage check-in and then having to find it when we arrive was priceless.
If you're heading to the islands have a great time. One love...