Kate,
There are some excellent resorts all over the island in a variety of price ranges. Check out one of my favorites Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina. Or you could try renting a sailboat with Captain and Crew for the week .... total privacy and a new location every day if you like. Try our website at www.vicl.org to take a look ....

If you want something quiet and away from the cruise ships, I don't think St. Thomas should be your choice. Try St. Croix or St. John.

do you suggest anywhere to stay in st criox? is there a ferry that runs back and forth between the islands?

I've been to St. Thomas 7 times in 15 years! Love it! Favorite place to go in the Carib! For casual meals, breakfast lunch or dinner, find the "Green House" restaurant, on the water - Charlette Amalie. Stop at the Mountain Top for Bannana Daquiri's (strong-wheew) and a view. I've stayed in $30/night dives to exquisite Villas. You simply can not go wrong! Eat breakfast at the Stouffer's Grand Resort (if it is still there) , swim & snorkel at Megans bay and at Coki beach. (Bring ziplocks of dried catfood to feed the fish while you snorkel!) Bring your camera and a video cam...

Take the ferry to St. Johns for a one day beach trip...vist Trunk Bay. You can also rent a boat off the north shore St. Thomas and go exploring on Hans Lollick Island. Have fun!

Check w/ a travel agent...there are quite Villas up in the northeast corner of the island...suites...Saphire Beach Resort, far from the crowds, w/ beaches, pools, etc. For some fun, look up Kon Tiki Raft tour in the harbor. Its near the cruise ships...at first ya think your on a subway car w/ all these strangers, after 3 hours of steel band (live music) and free rum punch, you'll be swimming nude off the boat!!
🙂

Honestly, Ive been to St Croix. It is not 1/2 as pretty or exciting as St. thomas. St Johns is very isolated. I suggest a day trip there! Hope you go to St. Thomas.

St. Croix is like 100 miles from St. Thomas. You would fly there...St. Johns is like 3 miles. OK? Bye.

Thank You So Much!! Does anyone know anything about the Best Western Emerald Beach or the Frenchmans by Marriott? Thanks Again!

Well I live in St. Croix, and have seen all sides of all three islands, and can honestly say when comapred to St. Thomas, St. Croix gives you a more relaxing experience. St. Croix is a large island compared to the other islands, so it has many facets to it. It has its remote secluded areas (like the rainforest and East End), quaint towns (Christiansted and Frederiksted), and is also residential and industrial all at the same time. Now if you want an island that is quiet, but without the crowdedness and fast pace like St. Thomas, St. Croix is your pick. Or you could try all three islands! I see St. Thomas as more of a "party-tourist" or "shopper tourist" place, where St. Croix is the more "laid back" and "absorb the culture" kind of place.

Also, please get your facts straight, St. Croix is 40 miles from St. Thomas, NOT 100 miles. You could take the ferry ( http://www.virginislandsfastferry.com), Seaborne Airlines ( http://www.seaborneairlines), or Cape Air ( http://www.flycapeair.com). My personal favorite is Seaborne, because it's quick (18 mins vs. 75 mins on the ferry), and they fly from downtown Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas to downtown Christiansted on St. Croix, so you can easily access many attractions on both islands.

Best Western is really close to the airport on St. Thomas, I dont know if you would like it. Frenchman's Reef is nice, I've stayed there before. Again, you should do some research into all three islands, to find which island's flavor best suits your taste.

Oh, and the best hotels on St. Croix I would say are Buccaneer, Carambola, and Divi (which has the VI's only casino). There are others, but I'm not too familiar with them.

For the money (fairly cheap compared to the big resorts), I like the Emerald Beach Resort a lot. If you don't mind a little jet noise during the day since it's next to the airport then it's just fine. It's not the same as if you were staying near an airport in Atlanta that is very busy...the airport on STT isn't very busy and hardly any flights at all after dark.

All of the rooms are directly on and facing the beach and they all have patios/balconies, the Palms restaurant is pretty good, the beach bar is pretty fun and you'll meet Sam the bartender who is a little famous on these boards...hehe. The beach is very nice...of course all of the beaches in the VI are very nice. There's even a nice pool with a waterfall for a cooldown. If you're looking for a fantastic five star resort then maybe the EBR isn't for you...but it's a nice place to relax and it's not too bad.

http://emeraldbeach.com/

In the famous words of Islander...

Have fun!

Thank You so much for the info! I live not a mile away from DFW airport in Dallas so I am used to the noise so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks Again and I will look for the bartender!

Your day trip to St. John will ensure your visit back to St. John.
*wink wink*

Funny you mention that Chris. I was heading to STT last Sept for an extended weekend and only planned on staying on STT. On another VI message board folks were telling me I had to go to STJ for at least 1 day. *shrugs* but okay, I'll try it.

Next trip will be STJ exclusive! 🙂

STJ is paradise!

Hi, planning a honeymoon in the VI on 4/19-23.Was told about Sugar Bay Resort
on St.Thomas, any thoughts? Soon to be wife and I are early 40's,not real big
"partiers" but of course like fun. Would also love a little R&R. Is St.Thomas
for us,and any thoughts and afore mentioned rsort. Thanks!

Hello Chris,

Sugar Bay is a good choice. If you go all-inclusive which might be good if you plan to hang out at the resort a lot (honeymooning plus R&R 🙂 - but definately go out a few times and check out the some of the great restaurants around the island. Do some beach hopping too, the beach at Sugar Bay is not the best the island offers but nice for a few hours/a day of hanging out, nice pool too. PS- Congrats!!

--Islander

Thanks Islander I appreciate the input. What other choices would you
suggest? Thanks again.

R&R is great for St John, too.
We even have a beach named HONEYMOON, sooo yea

Kate,

Also, in St. Thomas, another nice thing to do is the sunset cruise on a sailboat...they basically serve wine and cheese and take you out for a few hours...look it up, there are quite a few on the north side of the island...and if you do visit St. Croix, I'd recomend a day trip to Buck Island. (snorkeling trip)...that is very relaxing.

Later.

Secret Harbor is a nice property and quiet/beautiful. Emerald Beach Resort is nice for a lower priced place but still you have a beach front property. You might also look at the Mariott Morningstar for a nice beach front property but the beach isn't a favorite but its ok. Good Luck with your travel plans.

--Islander

I worked in St Thomas tourism for 6 years. You picked a nice resort when you mentioned the Emerald resort. You will love it there. Rent a car from Budget. They are the best. Another place you would like is Maffolie resort. That is closser to town and Megans bay, but either way, you must rent a car. Don't forget to drive on the left! God bless your marriage...and have a wonderful vacation