I stay there every year and it is perfect. The hotel is right on a beautiful beach.
The rooms are very nice. We get the one bedroom ocean front suite.
The kitchen has everything you need for cooking if you choose to. The staff is very friendly and accomadating.

So sorry to hear about your daughter. I'm going to secret harbour in 4 dsys..to stay for a week..i'll let you know as soon as i get back from paradise..it's my first time so i really don't know what to expect...hope it's nice...sincerely mary

Tammy, it really isn't a "hotel"...it is actually Secret harbour Beach Resort. We have stayed there twice and are going back again in July. It is probably the best location on St. Thomas for the type of vacation you are looking for. It is quiet, laid back, beautiful beach and wonderful snorkeling! If your boys like to swim, there is a swim platform not too far out in the water.

I wouldn't rely too heavily on the reviews you read on tripadvisor, or where ever you saw them. The first time we went to St. Thomas, we stayed at Sapphire Beach Resort....I din't even know about trip reports or travel boards...and a good thing. We had a wonderful time. You will too. If there's one thing I've learned over the years about going to the Virgins is, you really have to try hard not to have a good time! And it's almost impossible to take a bad picture!

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I would say Secret Harbour will be just the thing you all need for healing and getting it back together.

-Bert

Tammy: I read through some of the bad reviews and thought I would comment on a few things:
1. Secret Harbour is not a hotel. There are two condominium associations of 7 buildings between them. Not all of the units are in the hotel plan, so you might run into owners who live on property as well as some long term renters. The units are owned individually and decorated by their owners within guidelines set by the management. The restaurant is leased out.
2. Many people seem to think they are going to the Ritz or some place designed in Big America. Caribbean architecture tries to emphasize the outdoors. Buildings are designed to be open to the breeze, not closed up and air-conditioned. That design makes the a/c probably less effective than a house built in the states. Also, there is no "insulation" as the temperatures are moderate year around.
3. Secret Harbour has a gray water system to conserve water. The water from the sinks and showers go through a processing unit and are used for the toilets. This means you don't have to worry about the old "In these isles of sun and fun, we never flush for number one." Occasionally when the system is over taxed, etc. you may see "yellow water" in the toilet.
4. Bugs are a fact of life in the open spaces of the Caribbean. I don't know what to say... they were here before us and they will be here after we are gone! If you are in the tropics, you are going to experience bugs.
5. St Thomas is a hilly island. There are hills and steps everywhere. It is true, if you have difficulty walking, you should ask before you check-in. This is a characteristic of many of the accomodations on St Thomas.
6. If you are looking for fancy digs with all the bells and whistles, you probably should go elsewhere. If you are interested in a Caribbean experience, you might give it a try!

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my post!! You all have confirmed what we have been thinking. We are not looking for something that is a resort type. We are the type of family that enjoys just sitting on the beach or snorkling. We prefer being someplace quite and as long as it is clean, we do not need elaborate decorations. After traveling to India twice, to be united with our children at the orphanage, it takes a lot here in the US to shock me.................

Tammy