Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
We are looking forward to our visit to STT in a few weeks. We will be staying at the Marriott Cove. I have done some research and still have a couple of questions and requests for recommendations.
We plan to go to STJ with our car one day.
- Is it better to go when there will be a lot of Cruise ships at STT or the other way around.
- I see there are 3 car ferrys and they all leave from Redhook. Is one better than the other?
We are planning to pick up groceries and miscellaneous items (beach chairs?). Cost-U-Less seems to be popular, as does Kmart. Is there a shopping center on the way from the Airport or close to the Marriott that would be a good one to go to?
Are chairs and umbrellas available at most beaches in STT?
Any issues with using a resorts bathrooms when at their beaches? Assume restaurants not an issue.
Restaurants. I realize this is a matter of preference, but thought I would throw this out there. Primarily interested in food quality. Atmosphere would be nice, but not looking for dancing or night life. I heard about these, Amalia Café, Havana Blue, East End Cafe, Herve, Cuzzin's. Comments on these or any others? I saw a post on Restaurants in STJ already so won't ask again.
Any input is appreciated.
Randy
Can't help with the STT local questions but we find it is best to visit STJ when the cruise traffic is low. Given the high season all is relative but just make sure you go with the right attitude. If you find one beach too busy for your liking, simply keep moving clockwise around the island until you find your slice of paradise. Trunk is the 'Hot Spot' for the cruise ships so if you want to go there get in early (before 9) or go later (after 4) to avoid the crowds.
Randy - congratulations on your upcoming trip!
All the car ferry's are fine. Some just bigger than others. Do remember that they don't share round trip tickets so either buy a one-way (each way) or you'll have to use the same barge each way (meaning that you might have to wait awhile for the correct one to be at the dock).
There is a K-Mart and Pueblos on the same street just a few blocks off the main road to Marriott. It was all under construction last time we were there, so you'll want local directions now.
Chairs are available at Magens Bay. I'm not sure about others. On STJ they are available at Cinnamon for sure. Maybe Trunk. Not at others.
On STT, we enjoy Craig & Sally's, and Banana Tree Grille. There are many choices out there and you'll have great meals all week, I'm sure. I've had the absolute best Lamb Shank at C&S and if you are a wine enthusiast, they have a major-league selection.
Good Luck! Have Fun!!
i find it easier to go to STJ on a sat or sun because then for the most part you avoid the locals/workers traffic back and forth. Not sure how many cruise ship people really rent a car, rather than catch a taxi and use the passenger ferry. Some beaches with a hotel will rent chairs/umbrellas to the public. Last time we looked for chairs down there, they were expensive, so if you plan on leaving them, it may be worth it just to sit on a towel instead, plus you will probably be enjoying the water so much that you'll never sit down in the chair anyways.
Restaurants that I try to go are Hook, Line and Sinker, Betsy's in Frenchtown; Portabello at bestwestern; Virgilio's downtown was pretty good; Molly Malone's in Red Hook, and Blue Moon at Secret Harbour was excellent for breakfast, I never had dinner there.
Randy: If you just want to pick up a few things on the way from the airport, you will go right by Gourmet Gallery in Havensight. It is kind of expensive, so you probably won't want to do all your provisioning there. There is a little K-Mart in Lockhart Gardens (see map when you get your car)- fairly close to the Marriott, but you have to turn left past Yacht Haven Grande, then loop back. The construction is mostly done and the traffic patterns are back to normal- well, almost! Cost-U-Less will be a bit off the path.
On your restaurant list- Cuzzin's is a definite for lunch when you are in town shopping. Havana Blue is convenient- fun when a cruise ship is in Havensight and you can watch it leave. East End Cafe is in Red Hook- I would suggest its neighbor (owned by the same people) The Cellar. The menu is just more interesting, IMHO. Closer to the Cove in Frenchtown: Bella Blu, Hook, Line and Craig and Sally's. In Havensight- Pizza Amore for a slice and a beer, Barefoot Buddha for hippie dippy organic type food. Robert's and Ainsley's at the Elysian if you feel like driving to the east end.
I suggest you go to St. John when the cruise ships are not in. Also, generally there are no chairs available on those beaches except the beach someone else has mentioned. But, I would be off the beaches, at least on St. John, by 4:00 or 5:00 due to the sand fleas coming out about that time. I think the last time we were there we stayed until about 5:00 and were ok. If you are not familiar with sand fleas, if they are there, you hardly feel them touch you. It is a very light touch, doesn't hurt; but the next day you are itching. Hope you have a great time. We are going in May and can't wait to get back to St. John. It's my favorite vacation place in the world.
All.
Thanks for the information everyone. This is very helpful.
I think I will make sure I buy chairs when I get there that way I won't need to pay the high rental price and will have them for STJ.
Definitely some new restaurant names to consider.
I assume Pueblos is a grocery store?
Thanks again
Randy
