Just got back from spending nine nights at Sapphire Village condos near Sapphire Beach on east end of STT. Rented studio from Paradise Properties through Hotel-rates.com for $108 a night + taxes using AAA discount.

Studio was by no means new and polished but for two people it certainly served its purpose with small kitchen, comfortable bed, separate seating area w/satellite TV and balcony overlooking Sapphire Marina with gorgeous view of islands. Stayed on first floor of Sabba Building, first building you come to walking up from the marina, right across from pool and Azure restaurant.

Pool was small but not too small, nice and warm, clean, refreshing for dip after visiting beach, with nice seating around it for reading and sunning.

Azure had good food (try the fish chowder special each night, homemade, delicious, a steal for $4 a big bowl!), excellent burgers, with Thai night on Thursdays. Also, a very nice bar with great bartenders who know how to make a dry martini, and some interesting regulars (including a federal marshall who lives in the condos and told us some terrific war stories about hurricanes).

Azure not open on Mondays or for lunch during off-season.

Walk to Sapphire Beach took 5-10 minutes. Downhill to marina, walk around marina dock to Sapphire Beach Resort. Beach is beautiful white sand, crystal clear water, fantastic views, great snorkeling to the right side of beach where the coral is (Paradise Properties provided free snorkeling gear), with nice big bar making excellent tropical drinks for $6-$7 a pop. You can rent beach chairs from the resort but if you go in the afternoon, chairs (rented by others who have left the beach) are always available for free.

The restaurant at Sapphire Beach Resort (W'Indies) was okay but not nearly as good as Azure.

Location of Sapphire Village was perfect if you have a car (or even if you use taxis). Red Hook with its restaurants, grocery store (Marina Market, has excellent baked good and meats) and ferry to STJ is 5-10 minutes away. So is Coki Beach, which has best snorkeling on STT (near Coral World). You can sit on Coki Beach (umbrellas, $10 a day) and order drinks by waiters roaming the beach who'll deliver the drinks right to you, even in the water! Try the Mail Man's mango daquiri, it's the best.

Several day sails are available at the marina, also sunset cruises.

Warning: Don't lock you keys in your condo when the Paradise Properties office is closed. If you have to call maintenance after-hours to get back in, they charge you $50.