As you noticed, Morning Star is a Marriott hotel, with hotel amenities. It is also on a windward beach. The beach isn't always "rough"- and rough is subjective. Secret Harbour is a condominium community, so fewer hotel amenities, but you get your own kitchen. The beach is more protected from the typical wind, but that doesn't mean it can't get rough there, too. I say pick one and tell yourself you will have a great time!

I have stayed at both, and I prefer Secret Harbor. Much more quiant/topical beach, close to Red Hook, so you'll spend less on taxis, and the units are moe "homey"...not that I want to cook on vacation, but it's nice to have the option of buying a box of Corn Fakes and a gallon of milk...or heat up the leftover lobster thermidor at 2 a.m. and eat it on the patio. Just my HO.

This was helpful. Thanks! I just made a reservation at Secret Harbor after MUCH investigation. My son just moved to St Thomas a few months ago (he's a new chef at Bolongo) and has been searching for a perfect beach. He had a few..but did suggest the water & beach at Secret Harbor. It does sound quiet. AWESOME.

so right....great spot at secret harbour and nice to have that kitchen

hope you decided on sh...

Ginger and Others,
I haven't decided please say more on the behalf of your choice Secret Habor. Are all the room options good there ? I'm still uncertain-please say more.
Thanks all

Hi,

Don't really know what kind of info you are looking for. The resort beachfront is four buildings with the fifth housing the office, restaurant, shops, etc. We prefer a one-bedroom beachfront suite. Literally on the beach. The units are three stories tall so the entire resort is not that large…..I think maybe 70 or so units for the entire place. There are also condo units up the hill that you can stay in, while you still get a great location and spacious rooms, you lose the great beachfront location.

The suites are IMO very large for STT and well appointed. This past year ours had a new VCR as well as new patio furniture and wall hangings throughout the suite. You will have a fully functional kitchen that you can use. We always stock up with goodies and drinks when we first hit the island and make use of the facilities during our stays. It's great to have your morning coffee an a bit of pastry while you sit on the porch and watch the beach first thing in the morning or sitting in the evening having a drink while you watch the sun set. The suites have a nice dining area and a living room with color TV with cable. There are separate A/C units in the main area and bedrooms so you can chill the sleeping area and have the other area open to the outside if you like.

If you are looking for five-star pampering at a resort….this is not the place for you. If you want a nice, comfortable suite on a beach that is beautiful and not overly crowded; on water that is about the calmest you will find anywhere in the USVI and with very good snorkeling, this is a good choice. The resort is comparatively isolated (as much as you can be on the east end of STT) which reduces a lot of the traffic…….you'll find locals head there to use the beach as opposed to tourists. IMHO, it's one of the best kept secrets on St. Thomas…and many of the people who live on St. Thomas tell me the same thing.

As for watersports, there is not a lot here. There is a dive operation that you can use, but this is not the place to rent a lot of water equipment. Most here will be laying on the beach or snorkeling, although you will find a number of locals who will bring their boats in and tie them up while they come ashore and take advantage of the beach bar.

As for location on the island, SH is close to Red Hook and an easy drive into downtown CA or over to the north side if you want to head there. But, you will find that almost any resort on the east end offers the same….the island is not that large. The closeness to Red Hook makes heading back at night really easy….whether you are coming back from the day on St. John or after a tough evening of partaking the local concoctions at Duffy's or the Caribbean Steak House & Saloon. LOL.

I like the ten steps it takes to get from my room to the water at Secret Harbour…and I go to the island for the beach and snorkeling and SH gives me about the best of both on STT. Also, remember that it's really easy to go from one beach to another on different days so you can experience a lot of the nice beaches regardless of where you stay.

To me, SH offers the best combination of room quality, beach and water quality, nice staff, good food and drink and decent price of all the places I've stayed….but then I'm also partial to low-rise, beach properties as you probably could tell. Remember that you only spend so much time in your room…..to me it's the island that makes the trip.

Schultz

schultz....YOU AND I ARE ON THE SAME PAGE when it comes to SH!
for sure

i can elaborate but i did on my post in sept after our trip i will bump it up(sorry for those who already read it....lol)

also here are my pix from that time if it helps

http://share-dell.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAMnDZk5btGbfbg

Post Edited (11-18-04 20:22)

Ginger
I think the pictures have done it. So which building would you suggest and floor? Did you have a one bedroom or studio apartment? Lastly and I think I mean it, where is Noche?

OK INGRID......INSTEAD OF BUMPING UP the whole long thread i am copying my first report here

we had a one bedroom top floor in building two...ALL THE BUILDINGS on the beach are great....1 through 4....
can't go wrong with any of them
noche is in frenchtown near charlotte amailie .....you will love it also there are many great little restaurants in that area..

________________________________________________________

here is the post

Author: Ginger
Date: 09-14-04 14:26

TOP RATING! FIVE STARS!
couldn't have been more perfect!

PHOTOS HERE

http://share-dell.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAMnDZk5btGbfbg

I will write a much more detailed report but for now i have to say that everything was perfect!
american flight direct to st t was lovely! so quick you never realize it from new york...

budget rent a car was 169 for an automatic four door car(they gave us an upgrade...and well worth it for the full week....those taxis can add up if you want to get around and they are per person etc...
no problems with budget at all i highly recommed them

secret harbour is HEAVEN...we checked out almost every other hotel we could and we couldn't wait to get back to our new 'home' on nazareth bay!
all the rooms are great.....we preferred the top floor with lots of light and sun and central view of the bay! all the furniture was white wicker and the floors white tiles and the kitchen new white formica can't go wrong so clean and lovely...
who can beat it....just steps from your one bedroom condo is your beautiful clean beach .....the room had cable...so we were able to watch hurricane frances every day etc..and even catch a movie at night...

the front office is incredible the PEOPLE make the place for sure!
MARGARET is a doll at the front desk and she made sure every need was taken care of from the start! also JULIA TOO....two great ladies
earnest halliday the manager was great he always took time to check on us and kept everyone smiling..he is a great host!!!
SANDRA in reservations is THE BEST! she really knows her stuff and even helped us see some other rooms since we are thinking of having a family reunion in the near future and some of the two bedrooms were great for that! THANK YOU SANDRA! YOU GAVE US THE 'PERFECT ROOM' and your lovely personality made us feel so welcomed!

we were a three minute ride to red hook which has everything you need
THANKS TO ISLAND PAUL.....WE HAD ALL THE SCOOP AHEAD OF TIME..WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO! ETC....THANK YOU PAUL!
THIS BOARD WAS WONDERFUL ....IT IS HOW WE MET A GREAT NEW FRIEND AND HOPE TO MEET MORE OF YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE...sorry we missed the get together it was just after we left ....!!!

marina market is best for groceries and great deli items etc....

oh and NO BUGS...just one night with some ants that my husband got rid of realizing we had a hole in the terrace door......a littel duct tape solved that problem.....

the hotel was so much better than expected.....food in the restaurant was great i loved the peanut butter chocolate pie...

also we visited st john and enjoyed hawksnest THANK YOU TO WHOMEVER HERE TOLD US NOT TO BOTHER WITH TRUNK so we just took that pic on the overlook and went to hawksnest where it was way more quiet and free!

caneel was not worth bothering with...i stayed there many times in the past but it was not the same....seems like the people who work there don't care anymore and it is not a warm welcoming place...we couln't wait to get back to secret harbour

the ferry ride with the car was easy! you have to back in to the ferry..good thing i wasn't driving!

my favorite new restaurant hands down is in frenchtown
NOCHE....amazing southwestern food...and most of all the staff there was so great we made new friends there tooo...ate there three times in the week!

shopping was as usual fun but the outdoor market just near town had the best bargains and goodies to bring home for little gifts.....unless you need perfume or jewelry you might as well just get a fun item at the outdoor market..

PAUL AGAIN THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR 'FAMILY' AWAY FROM HOME! YOU WERE THE MOST GRACIOUS HOST ON YOUR ISLAND! THANKS FOR BEING OUR NEW FRIEND!......WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT TRIP ALREADY

now......pix wil be coming on part TWO so read on soon

Post Edited (09-25-04 12:26)

frenchtown is great

Post Edited (11-19-04 15:18)

Thanks to everyone who was so patient with my questions. Secret Habor it is. I've requested building two, second floor. I will definitely check out Noche.