I don't really think it would be the local native St Johnians who would be putting up a 'fuss' if --- " we all stopped going there" - the non resident villa owners who depend on your rental dollars might have some mortgage payment problems and the stateside banks who hold them might be in a bit of a fuss.

Anyway, I hope that things improve in the Vi's. Crime is on the upswing and it can be scary going there now.

Everytime I hear somebody say things like this it really amazes me. How many places all over the world are there where you can't even walk out of your hotel room. You can't leave the resort or go out to dinner??? Think of Jamaica. The reason there are so many all inclusives in Jamaica is because you're safer in them. They cater to your every need, so you don't feel the need to go out, eat dinnner, or go out to a bar. Tours are done from your hotel so you're safe.

I'd rather go out in STT or STJ at night then go out in Philadelphia.

Crime is in an upswing everywhere, it's just the way the world is.

Thanks for a dose of reality, Connie. Cheers!

When my husband & I went to St Martin last year for our 25th aniv we stayed at an all inclusive. Were told not to walk to town from our hotel during the day ( we could see town from our balcony) because it was not safe. Don't carry a purse at day or night and if you rent a car be carefull they will hit you on purpose to rob you. It was a long week we met many nice people at the hotel mainly because we forced to stay there. We couldn't wait to get to Stt the next week and feel safe! St Martin was where we went on our honeymoon and thats why we went back, we won't be going back any time soon. Ive been going to STT since I was a kid and my dad use to teach summers at UVI. I now have my husband and son hooked and we love going back year after year. Still meet some of my dads old friends and now am meeting new friends from this forum who are hooked on STT & STJ like us. As with any place you must be watchfull of your surroundings and don't go wandering around at night where you don't belong. Can't wait to get back less than 2 weeks and counting!
Barb

"They police situation needs A LOT OF WORK. Not just because of my situation, but of others I've heard. They just don't give a crap about the tourists and visitors."

The degree to which the police "give a crap" about crime is the same for tourists as it is for locals.

"They police situation needs A LOT OF WORK. Not just because of my situation, but of others I've heard. They just don't give a crap about the tourists and visitors."

The degree to which the police "give a crap" about crime is the same for tourists as it is for locals.

It must be so frustrating for the locals. I'm sure there are some good cops and some bad cops, just like anywhere.

Wow, this was the condo we were getting ready to book for June. This sucks, looks like I'll be shopping for another place now 🙁

Livin4Real
Don't Fret....you'll find just as much negative as positive. Also check out Trip Advisor...there are some good RECENT trip reports there too. In my recent research, I have found that you might have a better experience renting directly from an owner.....we have found a good one, we think...and we are hopeful for a memorable stay. We'd LIKE the restaurants to be open, but since we will have a kitchen there, it's not imperative....but with small kids it would be nice to grab something quick if needed.

I'd still consider the resort.....just do your homework!

Take note all. The condo mentioned was C208. I've already had someone mix it up with mine on this thread. Each unit has it's own water heater. My manager would have had this taken care of right away. I'm not sure who owns or manages C208, but it's not my condo or my manager. I own C206. I've had nothing but great reviews. If anyone ever has a complaint about my unit I want to hear about it. I just don't want to be accountable for someone else's unit.

That would be me mixing it up with C206, sorry I was going by the picture on your website, it looks like it says C208. Good news for me. and yes katie I research as much as I can when trip planning and we have friends of friends that live on STT that took care of us, we were there last April and had the best vacation ever which is why were going back 🙂
Vacation is what you make of it for sure.

Brian

If you 'lost' your wallet in NYC, Chicago, LA, or anywhere else would you expect anyone to even try to return it - why blame the hotel staff or even the police - maybe a managed care retirement plan would be better than a VI plan.

I live in NJ left my wallet on the roof of my car putting groceries away. Of course forgot and drove away. I lost it about 20 minutes from my house. Made a couple stops on my way home-one of them needed some cash I realized my wallet was gone and left on the roof. Went back to the store to see if someone returned it...no luck. Went home and some car was pulling out of my driveway after returning my wallet! Hubbie offered some money-but they would not accept it.

Some good seeds out there!

Actually found the wallet on the highway and pulled over!

Livin4Real
Don't Fret....you'll find just as much negative as positive. Also check out Trip Advisor...there are some good RECENT trip reports there too. In my recent research, I have found that you might have a better experience renting directly from an owner.....we have found a good one, we think...and we are hopeful for a memorable stay. We'd LIKE the restaurants to be open, but since we will have a kitchen there, it's not imperative....but with small kids it would be nice to grab something quick if needed.

I'd still consider the resort.....just do your homework!

If you haven't been on VRBO yet you need to check it out, great deals on places to stay direct from owners. http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/caribbean

that's where we got our condo from! I highly recommend VRBO!

We also didn't have hot water for 2 days, kept calling the office & no one knew what to do, I told them the water heaters were behind padlocked doors and to look for a key. Finally a wonderful older man, Mr Turnbull, came in, opened the door to the fuse box and flipped the switch. DUH !they must do this when the condo is empty, makes sense to me .Had my husband been with us he could have fixed it. Sometimes I think certain employees like to mess with the tourists! Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!......Donna

How does the fact that your drunk husband lost his(yours) wallet/money make STT a bad place? Someone tried to return a wallet to hotel, the problem is there are no guests at hotel with that name, so why would they accept it? If the name matched, then they would have to accept, otherwise, its your problem. Do you honestly think that a tourist would try to find a police station? Would you like them to forgo their vacation and pay for a cab to take them to and from police or should they drive from the bar?
Sounds like the problem was being drunk and leaving wallet with $500 at a bar. I wouldn't write anything bad about STT or Sapphire Beach Resort but would try to not to place all money in one wallet and not to drink so much that you / your husband leave it.
BTW, not calling credit cards the same night was not the brightest idea as well.

I HOPE THAT YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU ENTER THE APARTMENTS FROM THE BACK IF YOU DO NOT GET A ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR!

BILLD

Did you and your husband have the same last name? Was the room booked under the last name on the missing wallet?

I went to Sapphire Beach Resort for four days last June. I know this is dated information, but I have been following this thread ever since it was posted, and I feel compelled to throw in my two cents.

First of all Sapphire Beach is beautiful and has many great amenities. If lounging on the beach with your door only steps away is your idea of paradise, this is definitely the place for you. There were hammocks hanging between palm trees, lounge chairs strategically placed by stands of sea grapes, volley ball nets hung, and a super watersports center. My friend and I spent a very enjoyable (and cost efficient) morning renting kayaks and paddling the bay. The beach bar pours outstanding Bushwhackers. Our unit, a condo on the beach, was graciously appointed and nicely decorated. Yeah, we saw palmetto bugs at night, but I chalk that up to some fruit juice spilled on the counter. I have been to the USVI before, and bugs are the rule, rather than the exception. Deal.

I will admit I did have a rather nasty head-to-head with a manager, but it was rectified in a responsible manner. I went to the free breakfast buffet and kind of harrassed by the manager, who accused me of "stealing" breakfast. I responded that I would return momentarily to pay, but had no money on me, as I had taken an early-morning swim and was still in my bathing suit. Whn I got back to the room, I called the front desk and explained the situation. I was still in the wrong, apparently. My friend who had booked the trip overheard my phone conversation and went to the front desk. She apparently cleared up the miscommunication I had with the manager. We left for the day, and that night, when we returned from our day's adventure, the management had sent a huge (three foot high) fruit basket to our unit!

I do not believe the hotel pool or restaurant were open during my stay, but I never missed either; I had access to plenty of other wonderful ways to occupy my time while on vacation in STT.

I would caution anyone who stays at Sapphire Bay that if you want to leave the resort, you will need a car. Don't count on being able to walk to even the closest establishment, as the road past the resort is busy and hilly.

Sapphire Beach Resort was a good choice for my vacation. I hope your experience is as positive!

Heather

I agree with that. I live here on St. Thomas and was robbed about a year ago. Filed a report and was certain nothing would be done by the attitude of the police. I had a good idea of who did it (someone who stayed at my short term rental) and in fact spotted her in Red Hook about three days later. Called the police and told them I was looking right at her and they said they could do nothing. When I first moved here 8 years ago I had my car window broken at a beach and things stolen from the car - made a police report and they just complete the paperwork, looking bored, and I am sure nothing will be done. All that to say the way the police handle the reporting of crime is an equal opportunity proposition - same with locals and toursits alike.

Sorry to give you bad news, but the Sapphire bar, store and restaurant are now closed. A war over too many tourist coming to the beach from the ships or some nonsense! You can not buy a bottle of water there now, and the beach party on Sunday's is no longer also. It is a shame, that everyone can not just enjoy the beach and not argue over who is enjoying it with you.