YL--

Hibiscus: nice beach, decent restaurant, okay area
Gentle Winds: nice area, a bit far from everything
Cane Bay: I like the area, don't know about the lodging
Chenay Bay: i've heard bad reports

We usually stay at Tamarind. Good value, fun pool bar, laid back, small beach, can snorkel, not the kind of beach you can walk on very far. Some rooms have kitchenettes.

We like the location. Out of town, but easy access to 8-10 bars and restaurants. Hope this helps.

David

Redman,

Where is the location of Tamarind? What bars and rest. is it close to?

YL

Tamarind is just east of the Buccaneer. Nice location.

YL--

Tamarind is within fifteen minutes of Cheeseburgers, the Galleon, Tutto Bene, Duggans, Case Place, Cultured Pelican, Buccaneer, and has its own casual bar and dining at Deep End Bar.

David

I like Gentle Winds, and Cane Bay the best locales. You'll find more stuff at Gentle Winds and Cane Bay is more of a secluded type. They're both on the northshore road, and on the way to Cane/Davis Bay. Cane Bay gives you a much more cozier atmosphere while Genle Winds are condos. Enjoy and post a report ..

Well, just booked flight using AA miles. Now, on to the place....

Wow, Cane Bay Reef Club is about 1/2 the price from Chenay and Tamarind.

How is Cane Bay for swimming and lounging?

I know Tamarind is probably around most bars & rest., but is it worth twice the money?

Haven't got a rate on Gentle Winds or if they have vacancies, yet.
No kitchenettes at Hibiscus.

YL

Half price will more than pay for a rental car to go wherever you want!!

As I said, you give up some stuff at Cane Bay but gain the intimacy and seclusion. The plus is that you'd be within walking, or a very, very short drive, distance to two beautiful beaches: Cane Bay (can walk) and Davis Bay/Carambola (gotta' drive). And, once at Carambola, you can order from the beach rest.....you'll love Cane Bay if you like the seclusion. My guess is that Gentle Winds prices are going to be much more than that of Cane Bay. You can find a condo or two up for auction on eBay every so often. Check it out.......hah, here you go I've pasted the auction...I think it's Gentle Winds but not sure:
(do a search for St. Croix Condo on eBay). Current price is $999 for 7 days can be used from 9/4 to 10/02/04

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3257&item=2249588123&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

BTW, I'm by no means endorsing the auction I mentioned above just providing my "opinion" [;-)) !

I have not been in the rooms at Cane Bay Reef Club. But from looking at the exterior, my guess is it's a little run down. You have to ask yourself why the rates are so much lower. It's for sale and has been for some time.

If you are a first timer, I'd definitely recommend something closer to the action.

But you can't go too far wrong either way.

I saw the rooms at Cane Bay Reef Club a few years ago and thought they were fine, without being super luxurious. I do know that the owners are very "hands on" and that it consistently gets good reports. There is no beach at the hotel itself but, as has been mentioned, it is only a very short walk to Cane Bay (and the two great beach bars there) where there is a great beach for lying around, plus terrific swimming, snorkeling and diving. It is, however, pretty removed from either town and the wonderful restaurants there.

Hibiscus Beach is closer to Christiansted. I believe at least one of the units has a kitchenette and the beach is nice (not as nice as Cane Bay, though). It is walking distance to several condo units and their restaurants. The new restaurant, H2O, is THE happening place on island right now.

As stated, Chenay Bay does not get good reports - it's pretty basic, although I believe it has a nice beach area. Tamarind is nearby and a much nicer place. While people mention that it is close to restaurants, it is still pretty secluded and you would need to drive.

I don't know anything about Gentle Winds.

Just got back from The Big Virgin, Our favorite beach was Cane Bay Beach, BUT it is very secluded. You will need a car to go anywhere. Hibiscus is closer to town. You are on the right track by asking these folks, they do know whats happenin'. By the by, the Cultured Pelican is closed for the summer. Our FAVORITE place to eat was BREEZEZ at the St. Corix Club resort, I think they are condos and they have a beautiful beach and are close to town.

Thanks much for all your comments and opinions....
I've heard some good things about Hibiscus and Club St. Croix as far as the condition of the condos and the restaurants there, but negative comments about the water(grassy&sea weed) and the public housing being nearby.

Any thoughts on that?

YL

I have a two bedroom condo at Colony Cove. It has TV/VCR/DVD, washer/dryer, MWO and much more. It is in walking distance to Breezes (great food and drink) mentioned above. It is five minutes west of Christiensted, convenient to all shopping. When are you planning on visiting and how many people will be staying with you?

YL,
We stayed for 3 weeks on St. Croix this last April/May and had a great condo at Coakley Bay Condos. We had looked into staying at the Waves or the Cane Bay Reef Club. Both looked great in pictures online--- HOWEVER after we got there we saw that they are both run down and the Reef Club is for sale. We aren't picky people, we've stayed in some "quaint" spots here in the states on vacation, but I felt that I wouldn't have been as comfortable at those two places as I would have expected to be. We looked at all the places on the island that we've been hearing about on this website and we agree with what most everyone says about where to stay--- except Cane Bay. I just felt it was too isolated from everything. Coakley Bay has a great pool, and is close to Chenay Bay, the Reef, the Bucaneer, Tamarand, and on out to east end if that is where you'd want to go to the beach. We could have used any of those beaches to snorkel, but I wanted to go back to Pelican Cove and snorkel where I used to when I lived on St. Croix 30 years ago. Gentle Winds looked nice, very well kept up. Tamarind Reef looked good,too, and had alot of people staying there at that time. We had SUCH a wonderful trip and I'm already working on my husband on when we can go back! Email me with any questions if you want to. [email protected]

I am going on 6/12 and we are staying at the Colony Cove new Christiansted. They have condo's with full kitchens, all utensils, washer/dryer. I've read good comments about Colony Cove so I hope they are true but I can tell you better when I return.

Well, I ended up booking at Tamarind Reef. Got them to give me a pretty good rate. Since this is our first time, got somewhere pretty close to town, but on the beach. We'll check out all the other places I thought about staying for next time.
We do plan on getting a car. We arrive August 5th and looking forward to the get together on the 8th at wherever is decided to meet.
I guess Judy of St. Croix is a place to get a car rental for pretty cheap, huh?

Off and Running.......

Yvonne

We use Judy all the time and get great service. You can't go wrong with them. By the way, Judy is long gone, only her name survives. Chris and Christy run things these days. A great couple. My husband has one of their cars right now. His is in the shop, a condition which seems to be getting to be permanent -- but that's another story. LOL.

Thanks Linda.....thinking of renting a jeep.

Looking forward to meeting you and Ric at the get together as we have communicated before about places to stay. Tried to get Gentle Winds as you had previously recommended, but they were booked.

Does anyone know where there might be a deli or market near Tamarind Reef?