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I made reservations for my family to stay at Crystal Cove Beach Resort on St. Thomas for a week in June. On line brochures really made it look good. I made sure they understood that we were arriving late. Upon arrival and getting dumped off late at night it was apparent that the Antilles Resort Corp. had converted Crystal Cove to a condo community ( no mention of that when I made my reservations). We walked to the office and received our notice that Antilles had moved our reservation to Sapphire Beach, which was just next door. Antilles owns Sapphire also. No problems getting into our room at that point. It was apparent that at one time Sapphire Beach was a very nice place but it really was run down. I am not picky. Been places on jobs when a dry sandwich was great. Room was really a little run down but nice, large,and on beach. That was nice. The advertised steak house was a run down shack, that had been closed down for some time. The other place to eat was not very nice at all. One meal was a nice lady cooking hamburgers on a gas grill out under porch. Other meals not as good, and expensive. Could not get a good time table as to when meals were available, except you didn't get anything to eat unless it was on their time table. Staff there was not very friendly nor helpful and I get along with amost anyone. Checked in at desk about one of the resorts' activities and was advised that I was not a guest of Sapphire Beach so I was not allow to use accomodations. I looked at my room key, knew that I was going to have to pay them for being there, and wondered what they were talking about. Used the resorts' scuba shop, that is right there on the property. First time out not bad but had to go to St. JOhn to pick up their preferred group. I could tell that this family had used the dive shop before. I made reservations to use that dive shop again in two more days. Got to their dock early and they had already left. I thought the boat was running late and we waited for about 30 minutes until a really nice man there on dock ( lots of nice people there on St. Thomas) did some checking. Found out boat had left early to pickup up that bunch on St. JOhn. I guess they tip better. Had to go back and get money back. FOund a really good dive shop next little town and they did a wonderful job. Will not ever stay at any Antilles resort again but will be back to St. Thomas and VI because it is beautiful.
Antilles doesn't own the resorts, it is a rental management company. I agree that it is confusing. We had family stay at Sapphire with similar complaints. Also, there is *one* good restaurant on the Sapphire property, Azure at Sapphire Village. I hope you will come back, dive with Chris Sawyer (www.sawyerdive.vi) and stay somewhere with fewer managers! 😉
My husband & I stayed at Antilles Sapphire in July and had a wonderful time! The ladies at the front desk were always nice and very helpful. Our room was beautiful and well stocked. But yes, I do agree with the service at the "restaurants" but that has nothing to do with Antilles at all. We also stayed with Antilles Point Pleasant resort last year and also thought they were wonderful! We're looking forward to staying with them again next summer and many more summers to come!
Lots of new developments at Sapphire.
Antilles is now the rental agent for the entire property. This should eliminate a great deal of the confusion guests had in the past with multiple operators.
The restaurants are under new management and are currently being renovated. Cannot report yet if this will be a big improvement but it can't help but be better.