Julie -

We stayed at the Renaissance three years ago...

No clue about the parasail costs.

Rooms are very nice, comfortable...includes small fridge. But we didn't spend all that much time there.

Food at the main dining room was very good...but we only ate there for dinner once. There are many other nice restuarants around the island that should be visited - wish I remembered the names. Nice casual dive/lunch place a short walk down to the end of the beach - forget the name...

Service at the hotel was fine, but typical of the islands, not as "quick" as we're used to on the mainland. But that's okay for me - it's a vacation - what's the hurry...

Beach at the hotel is okay...but I wouldn't spend the entire visit hanging out there...Too many other "Gotta do's":
1) Visit Magen's Bay for a real day at the beach - find out what the upper crust does on vacation. Beautiful...and on top of that, as my group would say, it's a "full service" beach - rental chairs, food, tropcial drinks.
2) Coki Beach is a very short hike down the road from the hotel. Grab your snorkling gear (the hotel has a dive shop and let us use snorkling gear for the week at no additional charge) and walk down for an hour or so of very fun snorkling. Be sure to go early before the cruise ship crowd appears. After that it's far too crowded and "touristy". Don't plan to spend the day.
3) A day trip to St John for beaches and snorkling - maybe two. Wonderful. Grab the ferry at Red Hook and use taxi's around St. John for the day or rent a jeep if you're more adventurous. We've also spent a week at the Westin in St. John last year, and will spend a week at a villa in St. John in early April. Love it there. For beaches, Trunk Bay and Cinnamon are full service...all the others are even better, but you're on your own - bring water, etc.
4) We've rented a power boat in Red Hook and daytripped to Tortola and Jost van Dyke...totally fun. But one in our group is an experienced power boater. Couldn't have done that on my own. There are similar daysails available.
5) We have also taken one of the daysails to see "The Baths" in Virgin Gorda. Wasn't as wonderfull as we had hoped. Far too crowded when we were there to really enjoy. If you were there early before crowd it could be very cool...also snorkeled off the caves at Norman Island - totally cool. This year we've scheduled a daysail around St. John to snorkling locations that are not accesible via land.
6) Shopping in Charlotte Amalie. Not my thing, but my wife has a riot. Be sure to check the cruise ship schedule for a day when fewer ships are in port. We always top the day off with drinks around sunset at Bluebeard's Castle. Look across the way to Blackbeard's Castle and imagine lobbing cannonballs back and forth and down to the harbor...and to think I always thought it was only a ride at Disney.

If you dive (we don't) there are even more cool things to see.

Rent a car if you want...we like to have a few tropical drinks so we tend to allocate the car rental funds to taxi's instead. Works just fine in St. Thomas...a little tougher (but we did it) in St. John.

Oh yeah, you really asked about the Renaissance ... I guess the more I think about it, we really didn't spend that much time there other than sleeping ...

FWIW

BB

Bob:
Thanks for the great info. Much appreciated.
My husband and I went to St. John in 2000 and 2001 and loved it. Staying on St. Thomas at the Renaissance this time because it is free (Marriott Rewards). We plan on spending time on St. John and in the BVIs but don't want to miss out on anything good on St. Thomas either.
Thanks again!

Obviously then you know St. John...

We did the free stay (frequent travel has its rewards) at the Renaissance and the Westin in St. John. If you saw the Westin while you were in St John, you've got a very good idea of what the Renaissance is like. They are sister properties - similar but different. They were originally built around the same time (by Hyatt I believe). Both got blown apart by Hurrincane ???, it took a longer time to reopen the St. John property.

You'll find St Thomas a little less laid back...but, there are many more choices and options in the evening. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

BB

One more question:
As you know, when you stay at the Renaissance on Marriott Rewards points they only give you the standard room unless you use extra points to upgrade to a nicer room. Do you know if the resort will upgrade you anyway if they have rooms available? I just checked the room availability for the dates we will be there and there seem to be lots of nicer rooms left.
Thanks so much for your help.

When at the Renaissance try to get in Building 21 if your on the hill. building 21 provides a beautiful view and is not too far up the hill. Buildings 22 and 23 are nice too but your walking up more stairs Buildings 23, 25, and 26 are way up the hill. Use the extra points and get Building 21. I was just there. It is a beautiful property, the staff is very nice and helpful [they are on island time as stated above but you learn to love it]. There is a Marina Market in Red Hook right by the ferry where we purchased snacks for our room. Enjoy!

Julie -

I don't know the upgrade policy - it can't hurt to ask though 🙂

We had a standard room as far as I know. It was a very nice room...didn't ask about an upgrade at either location.

We were lower level near pool/beach - not such a great view as those on the hill, but we didn't have to climb the hill either every time we went in and out. Frankly, we just didn't spend that much time there so the room wasn't that big a deal...

Unless you plan to spend most of your time at the resort I would save my points for next year's trip!

BB

Hello Bob:
I was just reading your posts to Julie. My husband and I are going to St.Thomas on Saturday for a week. We are staying at BlueBeards. This is our first time in St.Thomas. We were on a cruise last year and stopped there for a day and we just loved it.
One thing has me somewhat concerned. As I am reading about the island it seems that some sites are telling you to be careful at night and stay in.
What is the story with that?
We enjoy the hopping to bars and enjoying different tastes. That is good for day however what about the night life?
Any suggestions?
I cannot wait to get the tan.

Loretta

Loretta -

I wouldn't get overly concerned about it...we've never had a problem. Just use common sense...like just about anywhere I've ever been, there are places you probably don't want to be alone at times. You wouldn't go to those areas at home, don't go there on vacation.

Going out to eat, moving from bar to bar you should be fine. We've always taken taxi's (rental car works too) rather than walking long distances at nite.

Have fun.

Thanks Bob for the response.
So any good suggestions where to go on the island?
Eating? Bar hop!

Loretta

Good Eating - well there are lots of great restaurants in St. Thomas... Bananna Tree Grill, Room with a View, Fagiolis, Craig and Sallies, Cuzzins, Agave Terrace.... so many.... Nightlife try Duffys in Red Hook, Greenhouse, try to hit some of the local Caribbean nights at the hotels -Bolongo usually has one... they are pretty neat to attend, Frenchtown has a couple watering holes, dance/bar places... Have a great time.

Thanks Islander for the tips.
Loretta