Now, Brenda...you don't think you are going to get an unbiased view here, do you? I have not been to Nassau in many moons. But even 20 years ago, it was a big city with high rise hotels. St Thomas is somewhat smaller and much less chaotic. There is a nice variety of things to do from shopping to snorkeling to dining to sailing to relaxing to...okay, you get the picture, right? 😉

Brenda - this is true about getting an opinion on a USVI forum. However, I will give you my 2 cents. I have been researching a "special" get-away for my husband and I - (1st one in 15 years and 4 kids later). The last 6 months I have read and researched St. Lucia, Cayman, Bahamas, Punta Cana, Maya Riviera, Turks to name a few of the places as options. Of course, I then began to factor what I really wanted in an "island" vacation and what did we want to do on vacation. Very hard as all of these are indeed very nice. In addition, I also factored in Costs.

In the Bahamas, there are many all inclusive resorts that offer entertainment and can be booked thru applevacations. However, after reading some of the forums, trip advisor reviews, etc. I opted to move to some of the other islands. And, that we're going in Winter and wanted the temps a little warmer than the Bahamas. Then, I came across several different forums/websites talking about the USVI. I looked at pictures and pictures and decided that St. Thomas was it. Shopping, beaches, restaurants and also considered one of their two all inclusive resorts. Then, I started reading trip advisor reports and such and realized that maybe a hotel option wasn't for me.

Well I then changed my mind and wanted low-key with little "fun" at night and chose St. John. We rented a villa with a pool and hot tub. Very Private andu up in the montain area with incredible views. And, when I priced out the cost, it was very reasonable.

If cost is not a factor - check out Caneel Bay Resort - JUST INCREDIBLE - Somewhere I'll opt as soon as I finish paying College Tuitions I suppose ....Or win Lotto 🙂

Good Luck and hope this helps.

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thanks for this revue....can you tell me what other 'forums' you have found for usvi and other islands...would love to check them out...

as for nassau....i used to go there years ago and loved it but went recently and was suprised to see how it went downhill....you will not get the fabulous paradise that st thomas/st john has...

sandy thanks in advance for info on boards.

You are right, what was I thinking? 🙂 Thanks for the tip, it is just so overwhelming trying to pick where to go when there are so many great options... I think we have decided on the USVI, but do we stay on St. Thomas or St. John....oh, the decisions. Thanks again!

The decision between St. Thomas (STT) or St. John (STJ) will depend on your personal preferences.

If you like night life or shopping, you may prefer STT. STT also offers a few tourist attractions such as Coral World that might be of interest.

However, if you are looking for a quieter setting, you will probably choose STJ (2/3 of the island is national park).

Both islands have great beaches and snorkeling, however if you know where to look, you will find more untouched and isolated spots on STJ. As a rule, accommodations will be a bit more expensive on STJ.

Either way, island hopping between the two is just a 20 minute ferry ride so I would definitely make it a point to visit both during your stay.