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I love this forum, it has been great to get all the inside scoop.
My Fiancé and I will be heading to St Thomas in late April, it will be the first visit to St Thomas for both of us. We are getting married there as well. We have a condo rented from an individual which I hope means we'll not run into any issues that I have seen discussed here on some of the units at Sapphire Beach. We are in Building D, second floor.
I am just curious if anyone has been recently, and can update us on what's going on there ? Last I heard they had some sort of grill set up between buildings B & C I think, and some sort of bar.
Restaurants at Sapphire is not going to make or break our vacation, we'll have a car, and definitely want to get out anyways. Just curious what's been going on there before we go 🙂
We are planning on renting a power boat for a day from Pocket Yachts, anyone have any good or bad comments on this place ?
We are also planning on looking into the New Horizons day trip. I have heard nothing but good about them.
Anyone know where to get coupons for some of these activities without going to a timeshare presentation ?
Thanks in advance for your input.
C & S
Oklahoma City
Catmanok,
We just got back (on Tuesday) from a week-long stay at Sapphire Beach, building D (I did a 4-part trip report). First I will say the the view and location are great. Building D is right in front of the pool and a short walk to the beach. Building D is on the water, but the real beachy part is down by the lobby area. There are no restaurants, only the small grill cart that I will liken to a hot dog stand. I believe it closes around 3-3:30 each day. There is also a good-sized gift and sundry shop way on the other side of the lobby building.
We didn't spend too much time at Sapphire, but it was a great location to get to all of the places we wanted to visit. Ferry to STJ, New Horizons II tour, etc. You will also find that if you stay in the Red Hook area and don't want to venture too far for dinner, you will be visiting restaurants more than once- Caribbean Saloon, Duffy's, Molly Molone's, East End Cafe.
It seems to me that the Sapphire Beach area is a little run-down, but we really couldn't complain. The issues that we had with the condo just kind of happened- nothing really stood out as terrible, nor were they the fault of the owner (AC broke, phone stopped working, hot water knob in the shower came off). The next time we visit the USVI we will rent a villa on STJ- just our own personal preference. Sapphire Beach was great for the price and proximity.
We got a coupon booklet from Budget that had all sorts of discount coupons including one for NHII. See if you can get one before leaving the airport. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to answer them!
New Englander
New Englander,
Thanks, your trip report was great (and comical at times). We plan on doing most of the things you did while there as well. K-Mart - I heard that was a good place for liquor also ?
Do you have any scenic pictures you'd be willing to share ?
I have just finished going through all of our photos- just waiting on the ones from the disposable underwater camera- those have to be developed the old way. I'll let you know when/where they're posted.
We didn't end up getting liquor at KMart- we weren't thinking about it when we were shopping. We actually have TONS of Cruzan left from past trips and gifts so I wouldn't let Mike get too much anyway. 🙂
Hi, if you are looking for some pics of the property at sapphire I have some. There may be a few with my family in the background but if you want I can email them to you. I stay there every time I go. Leticia
April,
The accomodations and service are very, very bad at Sapphire Beach resort. No restauruant or bars were open in November and December when me and my girlfriend stayed there. The hospitality of the staff is the worst!
The good news is that the beach is the most beautiful on St. Thomas.
My advice is to eat in Redhook and at the Agave Terrace for wonderful but expensive dinner. Visit St. John often for the best beaches....
Maho
IMO, Sapphire Beach Resort doesn't deserve any business.
Catmanok - You asked about PocketYachts. My wife and I rented one of their small boats (16'/90 HP motor) just last Saturday. It's the boat they give you for their advertised $99 4-hour special rate. We rented it for 8 hours and had a great time. We went over to STJ, docked at Cruz Bay and ate breakfast, and then visited Maho, Trunk and Cinnamon Bays. In the afternoon we returned to STT, cruised around the east and south sides, and rode over to Havensight, Frenchtown and Water Island before returning.
This was the first time we ever rented a boat in the Virgin Islands and were a little nervous about it by the time Saturday rolled around. As it turned out there was absolutely nothing to worry about. The Pocket Yachts rep at the Marina was extremely helpful and courteous. He assured us that the 16 foot boat would easily and smoothly get us where we wanted to go and he was absolutely right. He told us that all their boats are 2005 and newer and not to expect any problems. They also have a nice supply of quality snorkeling equipment , which is included in the price. All in all, we had a great time and will definitely do it again. (By the way, in case you're curious we spent $47 on gas - not too bad considering where all we went and paying $4/ gal at Red Hook Marina.) Hope you have a great time!
