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HI
To all those who helped me find a place to stay. I finally decided on Morningstar at Frenchmen's Reef. It is close to town which is what I was looking for and I know the place. I was going to book with Expedia or American Vacations or USAir Vacations but they could not guarantee me a non smoking due to medical reasons. A good thing that I checked with the hotel itself who told me they had none but to go through their 800 number & talkled to them which I did last night. I talked to a very nice lady who told me that they would hold a garden view & she would see what she could do to get it change to non smoking since it was due to medical reasons. I got a response from her today guarantee me a no smoking room! I just finish booking with USAIR for a flight the cheapest one they had $399.65 with one stop. For some strange reason living in the nation's capitol you can't get a non stop to St Thomas or to anywhere in the Caribbean but Philly or NYC you can, go figure. Now all I have to do is save more lol. Thanks Marty for your advice & all those answer my lokking for lol See what happens when you type something so early in the mornings. Barb
Barb,
United has non-stop service to St. Thomas on Saturday mornings (from IAD). I believe that in December, they will begin additional non-stop service from IAD on Mondays and Wednesdays (I may have the days mixed up, but it is two more days per week.)
With USAirways, Washington is not as big a hub as Philadelphia and NYC (or Charlotte, for that matter). So, I wouldn't expect as many nonstops from here. It's the same with American (you have to go to NYC or Miami first) and Delta (Atlanta, of course).
Hi Bill
Thanks for the information on United. I knew that they were going to start that up in December unless something changes. I have checked with United the other day & they didn't have a non stop as yet or it could have been the dates that I had to travel which is set. I appreciate you letting me know. You would think with being the national capital they would have more non stops. I rembember American having a non stop to the Grand Caymans but that was only one flight twice a week. Oh well I prefer going with USAIR as I like their connections. Until United start up with their non stop which will be soon I guess the next time we go next year it will be with United.Thanks again
Barb
Hi all,
First of all I have been lurking around for a few weeks soaking up the info and would like to say thanks to all those locals and not so locals who are so willing to help/share, it has been a big help. I had to respond to this post since I too am in the DC area and will be at the Morningstar for a week starting this Saturday. And yes United does have the non-stop going down there, that is what I am flying but not non-stop coming back.
Due to a delay in getting my forum registration activated it looks like others beat me to the punch with that info though. 😉
This will the first visit to the USVI for my wife and I so I expect to have a good time thanks in part to this forum.
Hi
Ok I knew there was a catch on the non stop but I can't use it as I am set on my days as hubby doesn't want to come to IAD late to pick me up so I have it Sunday to Thursday, yes that a work day for him but if he plays his cards right he can take off the next day or go in late.
As far as the Virgin Islands you will love it. My husband was in the Navy and stopped over in St Thomas & loved it. He talked me into going alone in 2002 & I fell in love with it. The only so far that we go to. Trust me & the others you will love it there. Have fun!
Barb
just got back from the Marriot and wanted to let you know everything was great. staff extremely helpful. only negative thing i can say is that no cold water for shower or sink. something about them making fresh water from saltwater. talked to other guests and they had same experience, hot water with a sunburn is tough.
Hi Ed
Yeah I remember that from this past June. I think they had a note saying it won't be cold due to something. I know bad on a sunburn. Of course I used the bottled water for brushing my teeth & rinsing as the tap water I got a rash in my mouth, so I had to use bottled water. Didn't bother hubby but I just had dental work done so that might have been the reason. I glad you like the Marriot. Which part did you stay in? The main building or Morningstar? We enjoyed ourselves when we go there & I have been solo once before to Frenchmen's but went alone 2 other times. This will be my second time to Frenchmen's, they should give me more of a discount lol. Thanks
stayed in the main building but spent alot of time down on morningstar beach. shuttle takes you from lobby to beach, very easy. nice bar and lunch on the beach was great. shopping downtown only good when cruise ships in port. booze cheap, cigs 15 a carton im sure you know the rest. taxi was 12 from airport to hotel, 11 hotel to magens or coki beach, 9 to redhook.
put STT in my farewatcher, cant wait to get back!
Hey Barb, you need to know someone who works for Marriott. THEN you can get more of a discount. 😉 The only thing repeat business seems to get you is a better (higher) floor, in the full serve Marriotts at least.
As for discounts, it looks like the Friends and Family Rate is $111 for Garden View at the Morningstar in October, didn't see anything available for November and $168 for December. If you want to check these rates yourself type in MMF in the corp/promo box. You may need to tinker with the alternate date finder at the bottom if it says no results, to get the calendar to pop up listing all the available days, it will list the prices for all of the rooms as well. Just the availability may not be there. ANYWAY, it is late and I ramble on, the ONLY way you can use this rate is to get an authorization form from a Marriott employee. This basically confirms that you are a friend or family and MUST be turned in when checking in.
Pat
