ive never stayed there but have been there a few times... but to answer your ques. its very nice however its close to town and if your looking for more of an island feel i would definately stay on the east end at the ritz or any of the fine resorts on that part of the island

going places won't be a problem and i am sure we will get the island feel anywhere will be going. We plan on spending most of our time in St. John. I think the drive to Red Hook from the Marriott is like what 10 minutes?

John

no more like 20 depending on trafic but can be up to an hour. im not saying frenchmans isnt nice. im just saying that that area of the island is much more congested w/ cruise ship day trippers and other tourists.

I've stayed at both Ritz and Marriott in the past 18 months.

Marriott is in a very nice residential community located out at the tip of a peninsula. Though you can see Charlotte Amalie from the resort, the area really isn't in or that close to town. Red Hook is about 10-15 min drive, depending on traffic. The Marriott location is good in that you can access both town and East End. Be warned: the road that connects Marriott with town is notoriously crowded and is one I avoid at all costs. I've seen traffic "sit" for too long and on my most recent trip a friend and I had to move our lunch plans from Charlotte Amalie to Bolongo because he couldn't get his car down the hill with all of the traffic. Red Hook is, however, in the opposite direction and away from the traffic jams.

The Marriott is a busy hotel.

Pools: I think there are 3 pools between Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar. Ritz has 2 between the Resort and the Club (timeshare). I've only visited the main Reef pool at Marriott. It's a large pool with a waterway leading to another pool with a voleyball net. There is a swim-up bar in the main pool. It was always crowded when I was there...kind of on the noisy side.Chairs surround the pool 2 and 3 deep...and some face the ocean. There is a sundeck over the ocean on a level below the pool's...down closer to the water. There is a little hut where you stop to get towels (not the greatest towels) and can sign out floats for the pool. The poolside food from the swim-up bar seemed just as pricey as Ritz food. The bar is small...not much room so you might not get a seat.
There's a tiny hot tub (one of those oblong dip deals). I never saw anyone taking poolside orders so I am not sure if this is an option for food and drinks.

I think there is adults only pool at Reef.

Ritz main pool is a tropical infinity pool overlooking the beach and is quiet. It's smaller than the Reef pool. Servers bring drinks and food to your seat. They also set-up your area upon your arrival (opening your umbrella, getting your fluffy towels, placing a new white terri cover over your lounger). It's all very pampered. People are mostly floating quietly, reading, sipping champagne or tropical drinks.There is a bar near the pool, but not in it. It's a large bar with more than one bartender. There are also patio tables and a waitress for service.

The beach at Marriott seems much nicer than the Ritz. The beach at the Ritz's Club seems better than the Resort beach (a 5 min stroll).
The Club's pool is larger and has more kids, usually. There is another full poolside bar/restaurant area down by that pool. It also has a hot tub, a kiddie pool and I think outdoor games like shuffleboard and pool tables(?)-or some kind of table game, memory fails me. Same service arrangement as the main pool - pampering.

Rooms: Ritz has nicer rooms, natch. But, Marriott also has nice rooms. If you're picky, you'll really notice the difference. One thing about Reef-there are various buildings with wildly varying views. You might get a view of a parking lot - so be caredul. Some of the Ritz rooms also don't have much view - especially those that sit behind the nature conservatory,which is basically a bunch of trees and bushes between you and the beach. Higher rooms are the answer to this. The Ritz is more quiet.

Front desk staff at Ritz was far better than Reef. Reef staff was a little disconnected and didn't do anything I would compliment (nothing bad, but nothing memorable). Ritz staff was fabulous...the entire desk staff greeted us and seemed to all be interested in my happiness...and they made over my children (always good!). Reef room service forgot something on my order (blueberries for pancakes), but returned immediately after I called.

Location: The Ritz is right there on a road just off of the main Red Hook throughway. You'll be 5 min from the ferry and restaurants,etc. But, you're farther from town, Megan's Bay, etc. Reef is at a nice midway point, but the traffic in that area offsets the convenience of going towards town. If,however, you are going from Reef to Red Hook, you'll already be beyond the traffic.

If the difference in cost of a Ritz room was more than $60 more per night, I personally would choose Reef. But, I travel with a child. For the best bet on tranquility and pampering, choose Ritz. I don't think most people (even picky people) would be disappointed with either.

Thank you so much for that review.

John

John,
We stayed at the Reef this summer and won't go back, we had a great room in the tower overlooking the water, the town and cruise ships. Having stayed at the Wyndham in the past,the Wyndham wins hands down! Also talked to other guests who said the same thing. The M has a much longer trek to the beach, the Ws' rooms are newer and much larger bathrooms. The restaurants at M don't have that much variety, and the on site grocery is VERY high! Also the W is closer to Red Hook, you do have some stairs down to the pool and the beach is near the pool, as are a bar and open air restaurant. There is a shuttle to take you back to the lobby(or down to the pool) and they are very prompt. Very important is the on-site jewelery store and a large gift shop!
I hope this helps!

The Ritz and the Marriott are both very nice. I would agree with Blue Water's description of the two. I also have stayed both places recently. Generally, I would also choose to stay at the Marriott. It has a much better location in relationship to St. Thomas in general, but the Ritz will offer easy access to Red Hook. I'm not sure what the price difference is, but I would agree that the service and rooms are a little bit nicer at the Ritz.

I'm not sure, if my room at the Wyndham wasn't that nice, but I don't think it is in the same category as the Marriott/Ritz. It would however, offer much easier access to Red Hook.

Thank you.

John