Hi There,

Morningstar is a very nice place to stay and the beach is pretty nice. I'll send you a few pictures so you can see for yourself.

Pesonally, I would never opt for a meal plan on St. Thomas. Unlike some other islands that have little to offer in the way of really nice restaurants, St. Thomas offers a wonderful variety of price ranges and types of food. I really wouldn't want to limit myself to one resort. There are way too many great options that you can get to easily....don't lock yourself into the Marriott properties. IMO, they don't have the best restaurants on the island.

Magens is one of those places that I absolutely have to spend a day at every time I am on the island. Head out there, camp on the beach, take advantage of the beverage delivery service right on the beach...they'll even bring you drinks in the water....have lunch at the bar/restaurant and veg out. A great way to spend a day.

Schultz

Hey, I am also having my honeymoon at the morning star in June. I have heard nothing but good things about the property. I agree with Schultz--Why limit your opportunities by eating all your meals at the hotel. From what I hear there are some really great places to eat in St.Thomas. Have fun and enjoy! I am certainly planning to.

Thanks for the info! As far as dining at the resort, the reason I plan to get a meal plan is because I don't want to have to spend $20 on a cab ride every time we got out to eat. Based on all the cab fares I have seen, it's between $5-$8 per person for a one way cab ride to almost all places on the island. Therefore, I figure I'll get the breakfast and dinner plan, and we can pay for a cab once when we go out during the day.

Additionally, I'm only 21 and my fiance 22, so I think it will be fairly expensive to rent a car. We are graduating from college in May, so I don't have a ton of money. Therefore, if the food at the resort is at least good, I think economically speaking it may be the best alternative. Please let me know if you think the food isn't all that good, because then I will reconsider. But, most of the reviews I've read say the food there is pretty good. Not great, but good.

I don't think that rental car companies rate differently because of just being 21--doesn't work that way. I agree--don't limit yourself to the meal plan, and don't rely on cabs. I know it's tough just graduating and having to be thrifty--been there, done that. But remember--this is your Honeymoon--hopefully the one and only--bite the bullet and enjoy it. It is a memory to cherish, and I learned the hard way. Live it up, for you know not what will happen tomorrow. Anyway, you will waste alot of valuable time waiting for taxis to arrive after calling them.

Eric: There is always more than one way to skin a cat...Frenchman's Reef offers a water ferry to the waterfront downtown it costs (correct me someone who is in the know) $4 one way. You can walk to breakfast and lunch places and even to Frenchtown. A lot of the younger folk places are a lot closer than a $20 ride- like Offshore and Shipwreck. You can also take the $1 safari if you and your bride are adventurous. Many of the places where you might go for dinner are much easier to get to by taxi- for example, Marisol, Cuzzin's and Craig and Sally's. This is because they forgot to put parking places around much of the island 😉 Don't limit yourself to Marriott food- there are too many great places to eat for much more reasonable rates!!

How much does a rental car run per day? In addition, will the Marriot resorts organize day trips and tours of various places in the Virgin Islands? Or, is the guest on their own to organize these trips and tours?

There is an entire area at the Reef for tours, info etc. LOTS of info!! Also the ladies at the front desk would be happy to help you.

Eric,
My boyfriend and I just returned from a weeklong stay at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef and I believe you have chosen a beautiful destination for yourself and your bride-to-be. I believe there is only one restaurant at the Morningstar property and to get up to Frenchman's you'd either have to hike it up the hill or catch the complimentary ride lobby-to-lobby. I was not overly impressed with their food, so I would not recommend the "all-inclusive" on the meals. Breakfast buffet at the Marriott ran $15.95 p/p but you can always eat cheaper off the menu..they also had a so-so friday night seafood buffett for $30 p/p....there are great little places all over town (and the east end) to eat and they won't break the bank. In town my favorites were Fagioli's (italian-opens for dinner at 5:30) and I loved the Greenhouse at Happy Hour..A local on St John recommended the "Lime Tree Inn" so if you get to St John, give it a try. Congratulations and I hope you have a great honeymoon!!!

I'm going to Morning Star next week. Upon looking into the place, I saw that it received an "honorary mention" in Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List. However, the score for Food was only 52.1, which ain't that great.

Personally, I'm a fine dining snob, so I wouldn't lock myself into a meal plan. But if dinner isn't a big deal for either of you, it might make sense to save the money and spend it on soemthing that is.

Martin