I just returned from St Thomas on Saturday. We went to Windows on the Harbor restaurant at Marriott-3x as we had great service and the food was excellent. Little pricey but so was everything else on STT. We did not stay at the Marriott-just came upon it and were hungry. We also ate at the Greenhouse Rest. on the waterfront-it was good also.

We've stayed on property twice (last time was 3 years ago) and enjoyed it very much.

It's a typical physical property for Marriott. Large meeting space on the lower level, a really nice exercise area, 3 well kept swimming pools with attractive landscaping and an open-air foyer leading out to a patio with a fantastic view of Charlotte Amalie. The rooms, too, are typical Marriott size and furnished. We had no issues on either stay, but did overhear several guests complaining about the A/C units being too noisy or not working at all. I'd just check that out before unpacking to make sure it's working to your satisfaction.

The hotel staff was always nice to us (and we were always nice to them - seems to go together if you ask me). They have a couple of events for t heir guests including a " bon voyage party" on the patio to sample various flavored rum in Pina Colados (try the vanilla and banana) and watch the cruise ships depart.

Morningstar Beach is below the hotel, and while it's somewhat of a walk down stairs, it's worth the effort. It's a nice beach.

There are multiple reviews on this site, as well. You might want to use the "search" tool and make sure to set the time frame to "all dates" to get a historical view. I don't remember any recent reviews - been a couple of years maybe.

I'd stay there again particularly if using points. Frankly - we stay at the Mafolie hotel when staying on STT and it has everything we need for half the money of the Marriott. But - we only really sleep on property - we're gone to the beach all day, come back to shower and dress for dinner then are gone to a restaurant until 9pm or so.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Try to get to Havana Blue for dinner one night.

We stayed in the Marriott Morningstar Resort in 2007 and loved it. There are two resorts located on the property: The Frenchman's Reef Resort is older and has more complaints. The Morningstar is a group of bungalow type buildings on the beach. I agree with VIlover's post above on how to find more reviews and also suggest you visit tripadvisor for more reviews.

I literally grew up at the Reef and saw it grow up as well. When I first went there it was a Holiday Inn. Morning Star Beach Resort was not built, nor do I think it was thought of, I remember it being being built. Over the years I was there and saw many changes some good an some bad in my opinion. Some highlights I remember from the Reef are: The smell of burgers cooking at the Lighthouse Grill as we sat on our balcony at10PM, Spending the week there in Nov. 1987 during Hurricane, then Tropical Storm, Klaus. Hanging out with the Sultan of Brunei's kids in the game room. We were all the same age, world affairs didn't matter only who had the most quarters, they did of course, and who got the highest score on the game we were playing.

Prior to the reconstruction, I can honestly say we stayed in every room on the 7th and 8th floors facing the ocean. I was fortunate through some misfortunes (see my Mafolie Hotel thread) to stay at the Reef again in May. Alot has changed and although I can say I don't care for all the changes, the Reef still holds alot of the same charms it always did. They people are just as freindly, the grounds are kept as well or even better now, view is still magnificent. One of the things I defiately felt that is gone is the family atmosphere. It feels more business like now.

I was glad to see Windows on the Harbor is still there and looks similar to what I remember. I was disappointed the Lighthouise is gone, but was replaced with another restaurant. The place were that new restaurant is used to be the 2nd floor of a two story building of rooms. Looks like they got rid of the second floor of rooms to make way for the new restaurant. The beach resturant, called Ceasar's at night when I was younger, is still there. Just a new name and littl bit of redecortion.

Now that we have purchased at Frenchman's Cove and will be going back at least yearly. I look forward to seeing the Reef progress with time.

Scott

laser10: responded to your post on Mafolie but it's always so neat to "talk" to people who knew the place before Morningstar came along at the Reef. It was such a gorgeous beach but as soon as they built what is now Havana Blue (and that building was WAY off code for building regulations but that's another story!) at the far end, the tide flow shifted and what used to be an easy sand entry into the water became a rocky adventure. Back in the mid 80s there was a volleyball court, us (now old) gals could go topless on that end of the beach, and it was simply what we all enjoyed on our "days off" in Paradise. Did you know that the lighthouse really was a lighthouse years ago?

Well, sad that so few really care about the past when they come to visit but I believe that's called "progress?" Thanks for the memories and I hope that your future trips will be much better than this last one. Cheers!

STT Resident: I do know that the Lighthouse was once a real lighthouse 🙂 Before Havanna Blue was there wasn't it a resturant called Tavern on the Beach? That was built with Morningstar Beach Resort. We ate there once or twice if I recall. The beach there has always been rough and I remember a few times during bad storms seeing all the sand get washed away.

We went to the beach there on the Friday before we left. We figured we would spend a quiet days hanging around the Marriott properties. After breakfast we got some chairs and settled in. The water was very rough and the becah was rocky. Then I had an epiphany 🙂 No ships in that day meant other beaches would be quieter. We packed up our stuff, hopped in the car and drove to Megans Bay. It dosn't get any better then a No ship day at Megan's. It was quiet, peaceful and just a joy to be there.

We were there the prior Tuesday when 3 ships were in - two Carnival and we watched 2 girls sitting near us stumble and fall they were so smashed as thier friends tried to get the ready to go back to the ship. It gave us a good laugh, but it was the first time I noticed a VI Police Officer there take notice and was about to intercede when they finally gathered enough wits to make it to the taxi. Gotta love the tourists 🙂

Scott