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Jumping over to STT from the Dominican Republic for 4 or 5 days to use up some Marriott rewards. Have the option of The Frenchman's Reef (stayed there in 2005), the Morningstar Beach villa's, or the Frenchaman's Cove. It'll be me, hubby, our 13yr boy, and 15 yr girl. It's our 3rd visit and our kids 1st. Which accomodation would you pick and why?
It's our 3rd visit and our kids 1st. We want to rent a jeep for our stay to explore STT on our own and also take the car barge to STJ for a day. What's my best rental deal for 4-5 days? I've emailed several and haven't heard back yet. If we do the car barge and buy round trip tickets are you guaranteed a spot on the barge back to STT?
We're going to try to budget ourselves on food, breakfast at the resort is included, but what are the best less pricey places to eat luch and dinners?
The next thing I'd like to arrange is a BVI day trip. We did the New Horizons II on our 1st trip and although we loved it, we would prefer to go with more of a private excursion that will let us choose the itinerary. Any recommendations or will the marinas charter out a power boat and captain for the day? Are you listening CapnJay?
Depending, on the length of our stay, would also like to ferry over to Jost for a day. How do we do this?
Well, I'll appreciate any feedback I can get. If anyone will be there same time as us and wants to get together(kids welcome) let us know! 1st drinks on us!
Thanks,
Tammy
Tammy,
If you have a choice of all three Marriott properties, you might want to consider the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, all units at Frenchman's Cove are 2 bedroom, where the Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar offer hotel rooms. The cove units are really condos, with two bathrooms and complete kitchens, two very nice features if you are travelling with teens.
We travelled with a 13 year old girl and 14 year old boy a couple of years ago. Dominick conducted a personal "burgers in Paradise" survey, having burgers at a variety of places. We found affordable meals (burgers included) at places like the Greenhouse, downtown on the waterfront, Shipwreck Tavern at Al Cohen mall across from Havensight, Delly Deck in Havensight, Iggies at Bolongo Bay on the southside, Molly Malones, Duffy's, Caribbean Saloon in Red Hook. Don't forget to take the kids for fantastic shakes at Udder Delight at the top of the road leading to Magen's Bay. Be careful with the costs of Cokes and other soft drinks. No free refills, and it seemed our kids' "bar bill" was bigger than their dinner bills.
Tammy,
I would have to agree that the Cove being new and condo style with kitchens may help with the budget. The Jost Ferry is run by Inter-Island Boat services. Here is the schedule http://www.hillcreststjohn.com/totolajostvandykevirgingordaferryschedule.html
As for a private charter for the day. My first choices would be Lion In Da Sun http://www.lionindasun.com/ or Palm Tree charters http://www.palmtreecharters.com/ . They both are St John based but will pick up in Red Hook. You also could get a boat with Nauti Nymph in Red Hook and hire one of there captains for the day.
Jay
Jay, thnx, just emailed LionindaSun.
Gerie, thnx to you too! I've been lead to believe I have a choice of the three properties but until I actually receive the Marriott reward certif and give them the code from it, I can't book anything, I have a feeling I may well have to pay an upcharge for the Cove. Also thnx for the list of restaurant suggestions, I remember Shipwreck having some pretty good burgers!
I do have a question for anyone who can answer, what's the policy on bringing coolers to the beaches with your own drinks/food? We missed Magen's on our 2 previous visits and plan on spending part of a day there.
Thnx and have a great day!
links to previous trip pics below, if anyone wants to check them out
http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=1f9958976a37b3d0c9f3edf1ebadc1fb
http://community.webshots.com/user/tamlyn63
No problems with coolers just make sure there isn't any glass in them like beer bottles cans are fine.
Hello tamlyn63,
Car Barge: Having a ticket doesn't guarantee you a spot for a certain time, you can take any return trip on that barge. It is get there and get in line for boarding (with business/delivery vehicles getting priority placement in line). Best bet is to get there about 15-20 minutes before departure time so you can get in line. Good idea not to wait until the last barge; take at least the 2nd to last just in case you miss it or something happens - you have that last one as a back up option. If you do buy a round trip ticket, ask the ticket person to confirm the return schedule (sometimes its printed on the ticket/receipt they give you).
You can grab picnic lunches at the deli in Gourmet Gallery in the Havensight shopping area. Bring one or two small collapsible coolers with you and you can take water/drinks with you and pack the picnic lunches for beach days.
Ferry to Jost is only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so keep that in mind. You can find the schedule on the Ferry Schedule page of this site.
--Islander
