Bumping this up..........Frenchman's Reef or Ritz Carlton? would love to hear from someone who has stayed at the Ritz.

Too rich for my blood! I've not stayed at the Ritz. I would say though, just from people that have talked about it in the past (you might do a search on this board for the Ritz), that if all things were equal that the Ritz would be the place to choose. Are you using Marriott Reward points? I didn't know you could use those at the Ritz...

Lucky you though! If you can't decide - - throw those points my way!! I have 3 nights worth for the Frenchman's Reef racked up. Almost there!

No slight to Frenchman's Reef, but if you can use your points at the Ritz, DO IT!!!

I haven't stayed at that Ritz, but I've stayed in enough to know, they are all wonderful. With the exception of the one on Amelia Island.

Tamlyn,
The Ritz Carlton is going through the process of a $45 million upgrade. The rooms, restaurants and bars will all be nicer when it re-opens and the goal is to have it up to Ritz Carlton standards. So if you can stay there, I think you would like it.
The questjion I would have for you is what type of 7 night certificate are you using? or are you just using points. Some 7 night Marriott reward certificates have limits. The Ritz is going to be a category five and requires more points or anytime points then Frenchmans Reef. Should have a number on the certificate to call and verify. Worse case you can use additional points or pay the difference to stay at the Ritz.
The Ritz will have limited availability and may have some blackouts. Especially since they are going to be missing a block of rooms for the next 3-4 months until the expansion is complete.

ECPirate, I'm not using Marriott Reward points. The certificates are thru an award program through one on my business' chemical vendors. I used a 3 night stay certif at the Frenchman's Reef in Jan 05 w/ no problem, but I kind of figured that the Ritz might require some upgrade to use it there. I'm waiting right now to get them so I can find out for sure.

I'm not a fan of the Ritz on STT. Frenchman's Reef is too much like any highrise on the mainland. I'd choose Morningstar next to Frenchman's. The units are in smaller, three story buildings and right off the beach.

Schultz

That's an idea, I'll have to check on whether I can use my certifs on them or buy upgrade to use them.

tamlyn i would stay at the ritz (funds permiting) I am partial to the east end, red hook, area... To me it has much more of an island feel to it than frenchmans, however frenchmans is very nice... thats just my 2 cents

What beach is the Ritz on exactly? And how far from Red Hook is it? Thnx!

Ritz Carlton is on Great Bay. It has two very nice beaches. One in front of the Hotel and the other right next door at the Ritz Carlton Club. Red Hook is an easy five minute taxi ride and the ferry docks to St. John are very easy to get to as well.

I've stayed at the Ritz and Reef in the last 3 yrs.

Morningstar beach is better than Ritz beach.
Ritz has 2 or 3 pools (they were supposed to be building a new one, last I heard). Pools are VERY nice - nicer than Reef.
Ritz has that extra-special service and luxury touches like someone to walk over to your pool chair and lay out a fresh, soft, white terry cover (not a towel, a fitted cover that goes over a dense cushion - ahhhhhh!) for you, plus a towel pillow and they'll bring you drinks and food by the pool, as well as someone walking around with a silver tray with iced cloths for your face, etc. People at the Ritz are sitting by the pool ordering pedestal ice-buckets of champagne. The food and drinks are expensive...but very good, IMO.

The rooms at Ritz WERE (after the renovation, I cannot speak for them) very nice. Not as large as some of the other Ritz's....but amenities were nice. Large marble baths, robes, large balconies, fluffy and comfy beds with soft sheets, doorbells at each room's entry, etc...

Staff at Ritz has always seemed ok. They go out of their way to greet guests...but I haven't found them to be exceptionally helpful....not worth the price yo pay. I've had to literally wave down a poolside bartender when he only had 3 customers and I was one - and I had patiently waited more than 5 mins to be recognized.

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The Reef has a decent pool - pretty large....but not luxe. Rooms at Reef vary - but most seem pretty nice. I have always enjoyed it. The Reef has more of a lobby scene than Ritz....more tropical entry and enjoy a cocktail kind of place.

In terms of children, I have found more toddle to 6 y/o aged children at Ritz and more tweens and teens at Reef.

Ritz is 5 min from Red Hook - Reef is 10 mins from town.

Nightlife is much better at Reef. It is a draw for people from other resorts and for locals out for a special evening - there is a very large terrace overlooking the twinkling lights of Charlotte Amalie, the harbor and the cruise ships...and you can have cocktails out there and sit in comfortable chairs - like an al fresco lounge. Very nice evening place. I recommend Godiva Martinis! 🙂 There is usually a sunset soire' to toast the departure of the cruise ships as they sail right past the pool deck - so close that you can see inside and check out the goings on in the ship.

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If it's free for you, go with Ritz...but plan to spend an evening at Reef for a meal and a night on the terrace.

Do a search of this forum. We have, in the recent past, compared the Reef and Ritz. I recall one thread wiht lotso f opinions. Try to find it - it should help you. Enjoy!!