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We are planning our vacation for November and it will be our first time to the USVI. We are staying at the Ritz Carlton and need some info......it seems as though the East End is isolated, so do we rent a car or depend on taxi service..my husband likes to drive but I keep reading all the reports of the badly lite and curving roads...we would like to visit Meagans Bay and some of the resturants, please recommend some......and of course, places to visit on St. John...thanks
Cindy: Boy, did you come to the right place for info! The East End IS kind of isolated, which is why some of us like it! The taxi vs. car thing is a FAQ. The taxis have fixed rates per person, so for 2 people from the Ritz to town it would be $9 each, so one round trip would cost you $36...you can see why people rent cars to drive on the poorly lit an winding roads!. If you just stay on the East End it won't be so bad, but you might want to rent a car for a day or two to tour!
Restaurants on the East End: Blue Moon at Secret Harbour, Arthur's at the Anchorage, Bonnie's (casual) at the Elysian. In Red Hook: Duffy's, XO, Molly Molone's, Frigate East. For a great night out and a bit of a drive: Old Stone Farmhouse, Banana Tree Grill, Alexander's, Craig and Sally's, Randy's, Mafolie...I am getting hungry!
Other East End things: Take the Ritz boat (Lady Lindsey) for a sunset cruise, day trip from American Yacht Harbor on Pirate's Penny/Stormy Petrel to see the BVI, St. John trip is a given, Coral World...You will have plenty to do...make sure to spend some time just limin'!
Cindy,
I don't think the East End is isolate. It offers something different but is a busy area. You are far from Charlotte Amalie and Magens Bay and Northside. However everything else is fairly close. Ritz Carlton might feel far away - it is at the furthest tip, but that is part of its charm.
East End - has lots of restaurants, close access to the St. John ferry, lots of great beaches including Secret Harbor and Sapphire, some shopping in Red Hook, bars, charter operators, grocery stores..... All these things are primarily situated around Red Hook which is consided East End.
I would say rent a car. If you want to get out there and see things, beach hop, go to St. John, eat at several very very very good restaurant (lots of them here) - then you will want the freedom of jumping in your own car and going where you want to go when you want to go. The roads are curvy yes and steep - the island is hilly - that can not be helped - but just drive slow and you will be fine. Once you are on island driving for a day or two you will be used it. We drive on the left side of the road - that to you get used to quickly. Just keep thinking right is wrong!!! LOL Taxi service is availalble but will quickly add up. Roads are pretty well lit in commercial areas.
Magens Bay is about a 20 minute drive from East End. About 5-7 minutes to Coki Beach, about 18-20 minutes from down town.
Restaurants: Blue Moon Cafe will be close and its good, Banana Tree Grill, lunch at The Palms at Emerald Beach, Fagiolis, Greenhouse for lunch when shopping in town, Paradise Point for happy hour, sunset drinks... lots of great choices.
St. John - beach Trunk bay, Cinnamon, Hawksnest, Caneel - closer to Cruz Bay and all very nice.
I would recommend ordering a Vacation Planning Kit so you can read articles and look at pictures about the islands, decide where to go, where to eat, what to see - there are sections on beaches, attractions, restaurants. You can order it from http://www.vitraders.com and select Vacation Kit from the top navigation.
--Islander
