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With many thanks and gratitude for all the help we got here, I hope that in turn, my opinion will help somebody else.
Booked for Sapphire Village, ended with an upgrade at Sapphire Beach. Note for those who book at the Village - make sure you call your agent from the airport and ask where to meet. The Village doesn't have a reception desk, just a manager's office. He was kind enough to call our agent who met us very quickly and took us to our room.
The room we had was more than I hoped and dreamed. On the ground floor, stepped out on the patio and down (2 steps) onto the beach. The beach was very nice, but sunny only until around 2 pm. - after that we had to move on the main beach, around the corner. The snorkeling was pretty nice there, too, but going in the water there are lots of stones. I did scrape my ankle snorkeling and it got a bit infected - but I'll be ok I guess. 🙂
The good - all of the above. Beautiful view, even reflected in the large mirror placed above the headboard of the bed.
- the so called "Steakhouse" on the beach, by the pool. They have only burgers and sandwiches, but I have to say that's where I had the best grouper of my life so far. Too bad it was open only for lunch.
- New Horizons II. Although the most expensive day of our trip ($125 pp, plus lunch, plus tip, it came at about $200 pp), it was definitely worth it. Went to the Baths, on a little island for lunch, about an hour of (the best) snorkeling in a little bay (I wish I remembered the names of these 2 places) and then a little more than an hour on Jost at Soggy Dollar. I have to say that I loved that beach, absolutely the happy place of my dreams. Had a wonderful time, a day to remember.
The bad - customer service = 0.
We're not the kind that need concierge or call the reception desk every hour, but we were told by our agent that the snorkel equipment is complimentary and if we call the concierge it will be delivered to our door. 3 extensions - one for concierge and 2 for reception desk were busy for hours. So we went in person to the reception desk, sent to the dive shop, where we found out that the snorkel equipment is indeed complimentary but only for 2 hours. Oh, well. We needed only fins, anyway. But good to know.
Another thing: I placed the "Please make the room now" note on the door knob (our 3rd day there) and nobody came until the next day. Being on the beach I noticed them doing the rooms next to ours and above, so I thought that maybe, who knows, I placed the note with the "Please do not disturb" side. Nope, it was correct. No bother, we could wait until the next day, I always bring towels with me on trips. The sheets have not been changed the entire week, which is ok by us minding the water conservancy - but this is just a note for those who expect more.
The ugly - Feeling too tired to go to Foxy's and my husband not being crazy about the Indigo's setting for New Years (nothing wrong with the restaurant, absolutely lovely - just that we wanted something on the beach) we asked at the hotel if there's anything going on for New Year's Eve. They said yes, there's going to be a live band well after midnight at W'Indies restaurant.
So here we go to have dinner around 9:30 p.m. only to find some buffet leftovers at W'Indies. We ask the waiter (shirt half pulled out of pants, bored and tired) how much is the buffet.
"Uhm, $25 per person. No, wait, it's $50 pp with a bottle of champagne"
"We don't want champagne, we want only to eat"
"It's still $50 pp"
This is where my husband asks why there are no diners around (there were maybe 20 people at the bar, where the live band was playing) and the answer is "well, we're actually closing in 15 minutes".
We decided to leave. Ended up having an ok dinner at Molly Moloney in Red Hook, and stayed for the midnight toast (very nice), then we went home on time for the New York ball drop and opened our own bottle of champagne and celebrated again on NY time. This time just like I wished: on the beach, sarong and flip-flops. All's well when it ends well.
Random notes: the supermarket food IS expensive. At $5+ for a carton of OJ, $3 for soggy bread, $6/lb of tomatoes and food (yogurt, pesto only to name a couple) that has not been stored properly, I understand why people plan on going with coolers full of food.
Cuzzin's has great food (loved the oxtail stew) and is pretty innexpensive compared to other places.
Also ate at Duffy's love shack (good sesame crusted tuna), Glady's (very nice, Glady's sang along Sinatra, good food), Caribbean Saloon (ok baby back ribs), Fungi's (very good food and a very nice host, but alas, no live music that night).
(Ducking) I do not get Magens Bay, sorry. I tried really hard to understand it, but I can't - it must be a matter of taste. Crowded (even on a fairly cloudy day) it reminded me of a city pool. I love fine sand, but this sand is so fine that the water is murky. The view from above is nice, but no comparison to Hanauma Bay on Oahu. My apologies to National Geographic and to all those who love this beach, but I'd like to understand why would I want to go there (and pay an entrance fee) when there are so many wonderful beaches on St. Thomas.
And last, sadly, we did not get to tour St. John as we wished. We took the people ferry on Jan. 1st because it rained and had nothing else to do, and walked around Cruz Bay for a while. I loved what I saw and wish we had time and energy to return.
I hope that I don't sound too much of a complainer - I just wanted to state the bad (that was not really-really bad) as well as the good. So I'll end this (maybe too) long report by saying that we did have a great time and the little things did not get to us, we laughed at them and enjoyed every single minute on the island. We were (and still are) very sad that we had to leave and it's really hard to get back to the NY rythm, it will probably take us a few days.
Hello Cherie,
Thank you for sharing your vacation with us. Glad you got to Cuzzins and Gladys and tried some local dishes.... and enjoyed them!
I am one of those people that really likes Magens Bay but I've been there when I was basically the only one on the beach and also been when I was one of hundreds... When its really busy you can walk towards the ends to somewhat get away from the crowds - as many cruise ship passengers pick a spot right around where the taxis drop them - by the concession area. Totally different beach when there is a crowd and when there isn't.
Start planning your next trip so you can get to St. John to explore :-).
--Islander
Cherie: Thanks for taking time to give a report on your visit. Sorry about your New Year's plan. I have always said the best restaurant on the Sapphire property is Azure up at Sapphire Village, sorry you didn't try them!! Yes, things are expensive here! Can't argue with you on that one. Which store did you use? I agree with Islander, I love Magen's. You do have to get away from the concession area, though. I am not sure that the murkiness wasn't caused by either run-off from rain or a north swell when you were here, but usually the water is crystal clear! It is a great beach to walk and ponder.
I have to laugh about returning to the rhythm of NY. Before I moved here, I loved to travel the Caribbean (well, I still do.) Each time I would return to the states, I would be in a funk for a week or so. I think it was too little sunshine, too many people and too much noise!!
Cherie wrote:
"The snorkeling was pretty nice there, too, but going in the water there are lots of stones. "
-For others traveling to Sapphire, I think you should know that the unit that Cherie was in faced East, while the majority of the hoitel faces North, so her section of the waterfront is not actually "Sapphire Beach". Sapphire Beach is very sandy and no stones. Ecept on the far right, as you look at the water It may not be sandy, but it is a reef and shouldn't be walked on anyway. "Unless it is sand, do not stand" applies here. Go in where it is sandy, and swim/float over the reefs.
"on a little island for lunch, about an hour of (the best) snorkeling in a little bay (I wish I remembered the names of these 2 places) "
-Luinch was on Marina Cay and snorkeling was at Guana
"but this is just a note for those who expect more."
-Since this is NOT New York, no one should expect it to be like NY. Your experience, IMHO, is the "nrom" here. It's part of ourculture. The room will be clean when it gets cleaned. No rush. "Soon come, mon."
"Indigo's setting for New Years (nothing wrong with the restaurant, absolutely lovely - just that we wanted something on the beach) we asked at the hotel if there's anything going on for New Year's Eve. They said yes, there's going to be a live band well after midnight at W'Indies restaurant"
-Did you go to INDiGO, at Magens Point Resort, or to W'Indies? If you asked the hotel about INDiGO, you may get the wrong info, as they are not affiliated, even though the restaurant is on the hotel's property. Where is W'Indies?
As far as food being expensive here, that's for sure, but I don't think I would want to bring food in a cooler with me. The hassle seems to be more than it's worth. Everything must be shipped here, so that has to factor in, so it's more expensive. Just like when I take liquor to the States...I charge a little extra to my friends for shipping! haha!
Magens Bay Beach: $3 stopped you from visiting one of Nat'l Geographic's "Top Ten Most Beatiful Beaches of the World?!? The $3 helps to pay for the lifeguards, cleaning of the beach (cuz tourist tend to leave trash on it!), electricity and water at the concession and in the bathrooms. I think that's a great deal. And I tend to agree that the clarity of the water was not up to par while you were here, as it is usally crystal clear. Must have been a strange swell or some serious rain runoff at that time.
And, please don't take this the wrong way, but I could tell while reading your post that you were from NY before I even got to the end of it. For other New Yorkers planning a trip here, you will feel just as Cherie did. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just that this is NOT NY and the people from that part of the Mainland tend to notice the differences and voice them more than others. If you are planning a trip here, you will love it, regardless of where you are from, but, remember, you are coming here to get away from "there", wherever that may be, so please don't expect it to be like "there" It is the way it is. Come and experience it for yourselves and you will be happy that you did. Right, Cherie?
Hello, Islander and East Ender!
Re: Azure, I guess I have to share the guilt with the hotel staff for not going to Azure . On the first night there we asked what restaurants are open on the property, as we were tired and didn't want to go far for dinner. W'Indies was closed (we thought they're getting ready for the next day celebrations, haha) and we were told that the Steakhouse is closed because of the slow business. No mention of Azure. I did see the name here and there but I didn't know it was located in the Village. Really, too bad.
We shopped for food at Marina Market in Red Hook and the Gourmet Gallery in Havensight. The day we went to K-Mart to buy snorkeling masks we looked for Price Smart but when we found it (it was right under our noses, duh!) we were tired and all we wanted was to go "home" and enjoy our liittle piece of heaven.
As for the NY rhythm, I have to say that we returned to a different city - much more quiet after the holidays, less people and less traffic, but yeah, still no sun, cold and grey. Still, I love NY. Just that it would be nice to hop on a plane for the islands more often. On my first day of work I found that I'm much more relaxed and nothing spoiled my mood all day. (Not even my infected ankle that's getting worse btw, I have to see a dr. tomorrow).
I have a q - is it because of the humidity on the island that all the bread was soggy? I had to pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes to crisp it up a bit.
Hi, Marty
Apparently you got me wrong and I'm really sorry about that.
You are correct about the beach in front of our condo. We did not step on coral, there is a relatively sandy entrance in the water in front of the last unit. Relatively meaning mostly sand and some stones.
As for the room service, I understand the "no rush, mon" - but then why have the note to hang on the door? 🙂
We actually went to Indigo and stayed for a drink as we wanted to see the restaurant before we decided what to do for New Year's. When we returned to our hotel we asked about their plans for next day. W'Indies is by the bar at Sapphire Beach (behind the reception desk).
Magens Bay - $3 did not stop me (and it was $7 btw) to see it. I guess I wouldn't know the water was murky if I weren't on the beach, right? We parked, walked the beach back and forth and agreed not to stay longer. I apologize again for not falling inlove with Magens
And Marty, I am very happy we went, as I said before it was a wonderful vacation. But with the comment about being a NY'er and having high expectations, you're wrong. I find that no matter where you're from, when you are offered services that you pay for (with hard earned money, you know 😉 ) and they are not delivered, you might have a right to complain, just a little bit (and this wasn't even a complaint, I just made a note for others to know, for have I known this before my expectations were lower) . I traveled the world a little bit and I love and cherish every culture I encountered - however, my expectations are different if I go to a hotel, an inn or somebody's countryside home.
Please don't hate me 🙂 I have the outmost respect for you and you were a great help and a pleasure to talk to.
Cherie Said:
"Apparently you got me wrong and I'm really sorry about that."
-No need to be sorry! It's sometimes kind of hard to "hear" the voive inflection when reading the written word! Haha!
"You are correct about the beach in front of our condo. We did not step on coral, there is a relatively sandy entrance in the water in front of the last unit. Relatively meaning mostly sand and some stones."
-Did you notice that the majority of "stones" were actually broken pieces of coral?
As for the room service, I understand the "no rush, mon" - but then why have the note to hang on the door? 🙂
-Haha! You are not the first person to wonder why! haha! But, after a few years here, most people tend to adapt than to try to change it. Herman Wouk's book "Dont Stop the Carnival" should be read by everyone thinking of visiting the islands. They haven't changed! haha!
"We actually went to Indigo and stayed for a drink as we wanted to see the restaurant before we decided what to do for New Year's."
-Ahh, I see. Did you happen to have any of theri food? It's dynamite.
"When we returned to our hotel we asked about their plans for next day. W'Indies is by the bar at Sapphire Beach (behind the reception desk)."
-Isn't that funny? The company that Just quit five days ago owns a timeshare club there called Paradise Found Vacation Club" and I have been there a million times, but I never knew that's what the bar was called! haha! I guess I just never paid any attention! My bad.
"Magens Bay - $3 did not stop me (and it was $7 btw) "
-$3 each + $1 for your car parking, right?
"to see it. I guess I wouldn't know the water was murky if I weren't on the beach, right? We parked, walked the beach back and forth and agreed not to stay longer. I apologize again for not falling inlove with Magens"
-To each his (or her!) own, right? That's what keeps the world turning!
"And Marty, I am very happy we went, as I said before it was a wonderful vacation."
-So glad you did and we all hope you return!
"But with the comment about being a NY'er and having high expectations, you're wrong. I find that no matter where you're from, when you are offered services that you pay for (with hard earned money, you know 😉 ) and they are not delivered, you might have a right to complain, just a little bit "
-That may well be the case, but it doesn't change the fact that this island is the way it is and always will be! Haha! I worked at Bluebeard's Castle for 5.5 years, dealing with 284 new rooms each week, so I've met tons of people visiting here from every part of the country, and I can tell you with all honesty that people from different parts of the country deal with things differently. There is nothing wrong with that, it is just a fact. And, after a few years in that enviroment, you get a good feeling as to where people are from just by chatting with them. (aside from the accents! haha!)
"(and this wasn't even a complaint, I just made a note for others to know, for have I known this before my expectations were lower) . I traveled the world a little bit and I love and cherish every culture I encountered - however, my expectations are different if I go to a hotel, an inn or somebody's countryside home. "
-Oh, that's quite understandable. I was just trying to point out to others that may be reading, and benefitting from, your trip report that this place has it's own little, funky vibe, and try not to expect it to be like the States. It's not....as you now know! haha! She is a gem, though, isn't she?
"Please don't hate me 🙂 I have the utmost respect for you and you were a great help and a pleasure to talk to."
-Oh, not at all! I value your opinions and I (and many others) sincerely thank you for your trip report! Everyone's opinions help to make this wonderful board what it is. Please don't hesitate to post in the future, as everyone enjoys input!
Warmest regards,
~Marty
When my husband and I were at Magen's the end of the beach with the bar, concession stand and shop was very busy. We made our way to the other end of the beach because it was less crowded. In my pictures from there you would have thought the beach was deserted. We also don't like things when they are swarming with people.
I can tell you for all the differences in the island vs. the main land, I would hop on a plane and head back there in a heartbeat. I can't stop thinking about our trip and looking at our pictures (over and over)!! I think I may have caught island fever while I was there! HAHA!!!! I spent the afternoon on Friday looking at all the timeshare place that are offered on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. I think my husband is worried about me!! HAHA!!!
Cherie
Like any vacation, there are good and bad experiences...one only hopes the majority are good. I assume that was the case for you since your first days back were relatively stress free.
Under the 'woulda, coulda, shouda' banner I strongly recommend you make the effort to visit STJ next time even if the weather is not ideal. The funny thing about the islands is while it may be a cloudy day on one, the others don't know anything about it! The beaches there are everthing you read about.
Thanks for the report. Even the 'bad' reviews serve as a heads up for those debating between several choices on where to spend their money.
I would have to agree with Marty's comments. We stayed at Sapphire Beach Resort the end of November and loved it. No, it is not like the states, but we did not expect it to be. We adopted a "go with the flow" attitude and everything was fine. We went to St. Thomas to relax and celebrate our 25th anniversary with our 2 kids. Adjusting to "island time" is wonderful therapy and actually the only rudeness we encountered was another tourist treating an "islander" horribly.
Everything was so wonderful that we are planning another trip for this coming November. This time we are planning on staying on St. John and really getting into the "island time" routine. We enjoy the islands because the are NOT anything like the states - that is why we go, right?
I do appreciate everyone's opinions (everyone is entitled to their own) - we found a wealth of information on this message board. I also appreciate the opinions of Marty and Islander etc. who know the islands well.
Now, if we could just decide which villa to book on St. John for November ........
Carol
Choosing the right villa is easy. It is the one;
that is close enough but far away
big enough but intimate
exciting in a relaxing kind of way
360 degree view of STJ
available when you want it
priced to meet your first budget estimate
PS
When you find it...let me know since we plan on coming back this year.
Cherie: Azure is NOT part of Sapphire Beach, and staff there will not direct you there or probably even mention it! It is tucked away in Sapphire Village by the swimming pool. I am not sure about the soggy bread. Maybe I am just so used to the humidity here that I don't notice it??? It is tough keeping crackers fresh- a lot of stuff you have to put in the fridge!!!
I think you gave a good, honest report and I 'preciate it.
