We stayed there a few years ago, so I'm not sure how current my info is.

We were also not interested in blowing big bucks on meals, we had free nights through Marriott's Rewards program, and FF miles, this was an "extra" trip for us, and we didn't want to spend much $$$.

We ate a breakfast buffet and a dinner at the restaurant that overlooks the harbor. Don't recall the numbers, but I didn't think it was too bad price wise - it's not the high end restaurant, however. We loved the view! Those were our most expensive meals.

We ate at Coco Joe's a few times. It's a bar down on the beach at Morningstar. They had decent sandwiches and salads, more than just a burger. IIRC, meals ran around $10 +/-, sandwich might have been around $8-10, don't think anything was over $13-14, plus drinks. Again, this is about 4 years ago.

There's also a deli on-site where you can get sandwiches and pizza, various drinks, which we'd consume on our balcony. Yes, there was a small fridge in the room, we kept drinks as well as a couple of leftover items in there. We don't usually eat a big breakfast, but want something, we were able to find stuff at the deli that kept us happy.

Have a good trip! We enjoyed our stay, would go again, though for the retail price I would prefer a villa; I would opt for staying there when I get a deal of some sort.

Thanks for the info. We're like you, only staying there because of the deal I got. Otherwise we're at a villa on St John.

Hi! I stayed at Frenchman's Reef last April/May. It was a company deal through my husband's job, so we didn't have to pay for much :), but maybe I can offer a few bits of info for you. We did the breakfast buffet and it was pretty good, not too pricey. We never ate dinner in the main hotel, but we had several meals at Coco Joe's. It's a little pricey, but in my estimation, the food and the location made it worth it. It's right on the sand and the view is wonderful and the food is good. The deli in the hotel has a good selection of "munchies" so you won't go hungry. If I remember correctly they had stuff like fruit salad, cheesecake & chocolate cake. They also have a selection of crackers & cheese and a large cold case with beverages in it. The manager throws a reception about twice a week with free rum punch and pina coladas... good ones, too! There's a nice ferry that runs right from the hotel dock to Charlotte Amalie, so you don't have to get a taxi to go to town. My opinion of Marriott hotels is somewhat low for what they charge, so we were glad my husband's company was picking up the tab. When you check-in be sure you get the room you are supposed to get. They gave us the wrong room (and I've heard that from other people as well) so we made them change us. The rooms are average and have fridges and ice-makers. Our room was pretty plain and there were small issues with missing plaster on the patio/deck. We could see the rebar inside the roof. When it rained, the deck got SUPER SLIPPERY! Since it rained at night, we didn't realize how wet it actually got, so be careful not to slip and fall. We had the maid come with a lot of towels to put outside to soak up the water and make it safe to walk out there. All the water coming out of the tap is warm due to the fact that it is desalinated, but as long as you don't mind brushing your teeth with warm water, it's no problem. The gift shop is WAAAAY over-priced, so before you spend any money there, check out the same item downtown first 🙂 One neat thing was that our room was located on the side that faces the harbor and we could watch the cruise ships come and go every day. The "go" part was the best 🙂

I just returned from my first trip to St. Thomas on May 20th, stayed at Frenchman's Reef.

There is a 24 hour "convenience" type store there that sells cereals, crackers, milk, juice, etc... The restaurants aren't that great, definitely expensive! For example, breakfast at Coco Joe's for my husband & I was $50!! Two entrees, juice & coffee.

There is a small coffee maker & fridge in the room. We had a separate icemaker in the room! The fridge was really nice to have.

We didn't do this, but hindsight being 20/20 and all, buy booze & mixers from duty free and/or the deli and make your pool cocktails in the room (got that icemaker after all!!!). Next time I go, I'm planning on throwing a pack of plastic cups into my suitcase.

"California Girl" is right, the gift shop (separate from the deli) is way over priced. I bought the same pair of flip-flops for $6 less downtown than what they were selling for there.

Have a great time!!!

Thanks for the info....We're coffee drinkers for breakfast so we'll avoid Coco Joe's. Does the room supply coffee and coffee filters or should we pack some????

They supply the coffee & tea with the coffee maker, but if you like Starbuck's or something special, you might consider taking your own. 🙂

You get one pack each of decaf and regular coffee a day. The pot only brews 4 "cups" So, I would recommend bring your own.

We just decided to go back the week of July 4! I can't wait. I'll be packing my Solo cups and granola bars 🙂

Maybe a dumb question, but should we bring filters, too??? Cone or basket coffee maker??

The coffee packets they provide are already in a filter. Hmmm, wonder if you can get those in the store? I've honestly never looked.

If you buy filters, get the basket (flat bottomed) kind. Remember, it's a 4 cup coffee maker.

Not a stupid question. Coffee is a serious issue 😉

Coco Joes wasn't that unreasonable - (my wife and I usually ordered one sandwich for lunch and shared it - $16 later we both left full - of course the pina coladas help)

I would recommend bringing breakfast bars or something else quick and easy unless you're huge breakfast fans. Lunch and dinner I was happy with at the resort.

someone mentioned saving $6 buying flip flops downtown - but don't forget to get downtown you either spent $12 each way for the ferry ($6 for me $6 for wife EACH WAY) or $6 or $8 for a taxi

Dinner is the same way - on-site is a little pricey, but compared to the alternative, it isn't that crazy

Re: the "gift shop"...there is a shop at the Reef, one in the Morning Star lobby and also the Morning Star Beach Shop near CoCo Joe's. The Beach Shop is owned by the folks who own Local Color on the waterfront downtown. Their prices are the same at both places. Morning Star Beach Shop is not owned by the Marriott. 😉

My whole issue about not shopping in the gift shop at the hotel was not to keep anyone from shopping there (I actually bought a few things there myself), but to shop downtown first, or after perusing the hotel gift shop, so you can compare prices. I would hope that if you were going to pay for the ferry or a taxi to go into Charlotte Amalie, you would be going downtown for more reasons than just getting one little thing that you saw cheaper there. I also liked the shop at Morningstar Beach (next to Coco Joe's), I bought a hat there, out of desperation at not having brought one with me... a straw hat for $45! It's a nice little shop, but I still maintain that it's pricey.

I've been trying to figure out how much the meals cost at Frenchman's Reef Marriott. I'm planning to go to St. Thomas next month and will be staying there. I'm trying to budget how much meals and activities is going to cost. How much would you estimate is the minimum you'd have to spend a day on lunch and dinner at the hotel? I was thinking that you can probably go out somewhere and eat for cheaper than the hotel but then figuring transportation cost that might not really be worth it. Are there other restaurants within walking distance of the hote? Are there shops within walking distance of the hotel? Also, do the rooms have a microwave?

Nothing w/in walking distance, unless you are insane 😉 You are right transportation costs would offset any savings.

The room we stayed in last month (6th floor facing harbor) had a fridge, small coffee-maker, and separate ice-maker (good size one at that!). I think some rooms have microwaves.

My suggestion would be to call or e-mail the hotel and ask them to fax you a menu.

We are going back for a few days over July 4th. I am going to be a total tightwad when it comes to food so I can spend more money on jewelry!!!

How many of you folks that have stayed recently have been pestered to listen to their timeshare schpiel? I almost, ALMOST, went to work for them there, as the Marriott has a good reputation in timeshare, but, boy! I'm sure glad I didn't! I keep hearing horror story after horror story about how they are running it, what they are doing to the people that join, how they tell little 'fibs' to coerce people to join, and just on and on! For the seven years I was in timeshare here, I always prided myself on the fact that I never lied to people about what they were getting into...but apparently Marriott is teaching their people how to do it! Ugh! Caveat emptor! (just MY opinion, of course)

When I was there last year, there was a timeshare table set up just off the lobby and someone would always nod or say "hi" when we walked by, but no one ever "accosted" us or tried to strong-arm us into listening to their "schpiel"... thank God!

We'll be hearing the timeshare pitch for 90?? minutes the day before we checkout. We're getting 5D/4N for $299 for our trouble. Got this through an AmExp deal. I'll post an update on how the sales pitch goes.....
By the way, I called the hotel and microwaves are supplied for extra $$$...don't know how much, though.

5 days/4 nights for $299 on St. Thomas is worth 90 minutes of patience while someone tries to strong arm ya! 🙂 Remember... "Just say no."

Just heard that the Marriott has arranged for a 4th of July sail to St. John for fireworks. Leaving from the Marriott dock in the evening, no swimming.

Might just be for Marriott guests, but if you or anyone you know are staying there...