You may want to do a search on the site, since this was discussed in detail recently.

I have stayed at Crystal Cove in the past, and found it quite nice; however, that was quite a few years ago (1998).

Several of our friends have both visited and lived in Secret Harbor, and have spoken very highly of it. I like the beach, snorkeling and Blue Moon Cafe.

Max

Tons of reviews on tripadvisor.com

Jay & Tony:

Don't put much faith in Tripadvisor. I've read some of their reviews and find that the "poor" reviews usually relate to one or two little things that irked the author or that someone is just bad mouthing a property.

For example: On one review I read that someone had thought that their rental included a free car (complements of the property) and upon arrival was told that there was never such an offer....the person then wrote up a poor review based on that. Another review was titled "This is a dangerous place"...the person goes on to state that they slipped on a rock....so that makes the place "dangerous"? Of course most authors to Tripadvisor are annonymous (this speaks for itself).

I've been participating in this website for about two years...I believe that what you get on this website is accurate. There are many good people here including locals and vacationers.

Now my opinion......

Sapphire Beach is very good...nicely located....close to Red Hook (ferry to STJ & BVIs). Since we own another property on the East End, I have only "visited" the beach here (several times)....a business associate owns here, he and his family love the place.

Only visited the restaurant at Secret Harbor and viewed one of their units for purchase. Like Sapphire, Secret Harbor is very good...nicely located.

Crystal Cove....never visited.

Hope this helps.

F.I.

sapphire all the way. My mom owns a condo there and we love it. It is close to everything, redhook, restaurants, ferry to st. john. the beach is great, snorkeling right there is great. If your not expecting the Ritz, you will love it. Plus Sunday they have a big beach party, with a reggie band and the whole island comes, it is great.

I agree with you about Tripadviser and you just have to take the few who have problems with a grain of salt.

However, we've stayed at both Sapphire and Secret Harbor and will be going back to Secret Harbor again. Sapphire's beach, in my opinion, is not as nice as Secret Harbor and Sapphire's units have gone downhill in the past few years.

I think if you're looking for quiet and relaxing, go to Secret Harbor and if you want entertainment, go to Sapphire.

If you have kids, go to Sapphire or Crystal Cove (Sapphire and CC are on the same beach).

If you don't have kids, but don't mind being around kids, I agree with Nancy...Sapphire has more to do, more people, more "life" and SH has more seclusion and peace...and it is smaller.

If you don't like kids, go to SH.

In terms of the units and their condition, I find them to be about equal.

If youw ant to stay at one of them and have a really nice unit, rent privately from someone who owns the unit and has done a nice remodeling/decorating job.

I found this today...look at what someone did to their Sapphire House Condo!

http://www.jackiemarin.com/Nav.aspx/Page=%2fListNow%2fDefault.aspx%2flstFarmID%3d9270

Hmmm - I'm not too sure about the 'kids' at Secret Harbour versus Sapphire - I see about the same number of kids at both resorts - and I work on property of SH.

The beach at Sapphire is larger - but the snorkeling there can be tough at times, because of the way the bay faces East (east winds, anyone?).

Secret Harbour is actually closer to Red Hook than Sapphire - but I'm not sure that even makes a difference. The Sunday party with reggae band is always a good time - but there are other less...um....boisterous parties/events in Red Hook (Jazz at Latitude 18, for instance)

Either of the places you have named I think you will be happy with, but as was commented on earlier, Sapphire has gone down hill recently, where SH has gotten better (for the lodging, that is)

-k

duplicate

Manta, girlie, we'll have to agree to disagree 😉

If you see the same number of kids on SH as Sapphire then something has drastically changed recently. Sapphire is 3X the size of SH in units, plus there are three other resorts/condo complexes on the grounds that use Sapphire's beach. Sapphire is going to have more people/kids by sheer virtue of its size.

The Disney Cruise was routinely bringing passengers to Sapphire ---kids galore. People probably also like the "kids eat free" deal at Sapphire and the kids programs they run during the day and at night.

I would think that SH would prefer the quiet, tranquil reputation it has/had. Everyone I know who loves SH did so for just that.

I don't work for either and pay full fare when I stay, so I just hope they'll both continue to thrive and invest back into their business.

Based on the rates and the lack of availability at both resorts, neither is hurting.

Fair enough....I guess it all depends on day of the week/time of day I head over to Sapphire - and yes, the beach is much larger...although very few people actually venture over past the wrecked catamaran to the left side. (one of MY fav spots because it's quiet 😉 )

-k

Oh yeah you will get your fair share of axe grinders and unreasonable complainers on tripadvisor (just like real life!).

But when there is a real high number of reviews like there is for Secret Harbour, you can throw out those handful of over the top bad reviews (and likewise the over the top good reviews) and statistically speaking be left with a pretty good representation of what the place is like.

Whereas sometimes on a forum like this, if someone posts negative experiences or observations, they may get slammed by those who are quick to defend their beloved islands and that might prevent others with similar concerns from posting.

So carry around a big grain of salt and use multiple sources to get your travel information.