Stay at the Renaissance Grand...........I think Frenchman's is nice, but I have stayed at the Renaissance and I know it was very nice. During your stay, make sure you take the ferry to St. John! You will absolutely love it there! Have fun!

We spent a week at the Renaissance several years ago with another couple - two rooms. Have not been to Frenchman's.

We liked the Renaissance. I would recommend it. You won't regret it...but for all I know Frenchman's is even better... We had a pool/beach side room - less of a view than the hillside rooms, but also less of a hike up the hill - it's a tradeoff. Room was very nice, included a mini-fridge and everything else you would expect from an upscale resort hotel.

Beach is okay. We didn't hang out too much there. There are so many other things to see and do on the islands. They have water rentals etc. including a dive shop. Koki Beach is a short walk further down the road - good snorkling - just go early or late to avoid the cruise ship crowds. Coral World is also at Koki.

Hotel restaurants were fine, food good, but again, we didn't limit ourselves to the hotel.

We did not rent a car when we stayed at Renainssance. Taxi's worked fine for getting around. Easy to get to Red Hook for the ferry, to Magen's Bay for good beaching, and into town for shopping, etc. Not that there's anygthing wrong with having a car - except maybe parking downtown or at Red Hook.

I agree with Robin...certainly plan on a day or two on St. John. See my earlier post on the "Rental car or no rental car" thread for ideas for a day trip to St. John.

Since you will be there a couple of weeks, I would also suggest a visit to the British VI. We rented a power boat from Nauti Nymphs and visited Tortola, Sandy Cay (snorkling) and Jost Van Dyke (Foxy's and Soggy Dollar Bar). This is a fun trip. We had an experienced boater with us...but there are many similar trips offered. Also to The Baths, an interesting trip too.

Have fun.

Bob

Hi Neil,

Both are nice places to stay. I think that Frenchman's which shares the Morningstar beach has a much nicer beach than the one at the Ren. If you were staying at Morningstar, I would say that was the preferred place to stay, but between Frenchman's and the Ren, I would take the Renaissance. I'm not a big fan of high-rise, super AC'd hotels, much like you would find on the mainland...when you have more low-rise, 'island' type places like the Ren and Morningstar.

STT is a relatively small island so all places offer pretty easy access to the rest of the island. The Ren is further out on the east end which would put you closer to a lot of nice beaches and the Red Hook ferry to STJ. But Frenchman's is just across the harbor from downtown..and they have the Reefer which will take you across the harbor for $3 or $4 per trip making it really easy to get to and from downtown for the shopping and restaurants.

Either will be a good choice and a good base from which you can explore the other great beaches and the rest of the island.

Schultz

Stay at the Renaissance. My husband and I stayed there for 2 weeks and loved it! Frenchman's Reef has (or had) a wonderfulbrunch and Friday night dinner buffet. Also you have to try Agave Terrace restaurant, it's fabulous!