CEK,
My wife and I stayed at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef a month ago. I like Morningstar better because it is smaller and directly on the beach yet is still a short walk over to Frenchmans Reef. The hotel is older but has been maintained well. The gym and spa are nice. We also stayed at the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas and it is glorious. You can use your Marriott points to stay there as well depending on how many points you want to dish out. I have never stayed at the Renaissance on St. Thomas but was aware of the change in ownership. I am not personally a big fan of all inclusive resorts but maybe someone will comment on the new Grand Bay Palace. Have a great vacation!

We are planning to stay at the " Grand Bay Palace" later this month. Reviews from other sites have been BAD.
I have not read one good review since the change in management.
Anyone have any good things to say.....or should I book another hotel?

I too booked the Ren many months ago using Marriott points. I picked it for the location, closeness to Coki and the size of the resort, none of that has changed with the new owners.
I had read many reviews prior to booking, some good, some bad.
I didn't pick FR, because of its size and up on a cliff; I didn't pick MS because I read the beach is small and becomes flooded with cruise ship passengers when the ships are in port.
I think you have to decide what you want out of a resort; no one likes interaction with Management when they are on vacation, but, I've found a smile and a kind word go a long way to resolve problems.
Good Luck!
Ellen

I would not go with an all-inclusive. One of the things I look forward to going to STT-dining at their fabulous restaurants!
If you have the points, I would choose the Ritz Carlton. You cannot compare that property to your other alternatives.

I have reservations for the month of Feb. for the new Grand Bay all-inclusive. I havn't read any good reviews so far. The reason that I chose this resort was because I bought into the Palace resorts in Mexico and wanted to try somewhere different. The palace resorts are incredible and I am hoping that I will not be disappointed at my stay in St. Thomas. Although, after reading all of the reviews I do not have my hopes up and will let the Palace Resorts know of how my stay is. Good luck to you.

Ellen,

I don't know who told you the beach at the Morning Star is small. It is probably the 2nd or 3rd biggest beach on the island, (with Sapphire and after Magen's Bay). It is probably at least 5 times the size of the beach at the old Ren.

<I don't know who told you the beach at the Morning Star is small. It is probably the 2nd or 3rd biggest beach on the island, (with Sapphire and after Magen's Bay). It is probably at least 5 times the size of the beach at the old Ren.

I read it on one of the reviews on Trip Advisor.
Can't do anything about it now, our trip is 30 days away, and I plan on having a good time, no matter what!
I've stayed in a suite at the Bellagio, and a room in the Motel 6 on the I-40, and everything in between. We had to wear our socks in Foo Jong China to take a shower, it was so bad!
I figure vacations are like haircuts, if you get a bad one, you make the best of it!! 🙂

Ellen

Hi There,

I have stayed at both properties and was on both last August. Morningstar is a much nicer resort. Closer to the beach and on a much nicer beach. The restaurants in the Marriotts are better. The layout and rooms at Morningstar are easier to get around than those at the old Ren. Other, than the landscaping (which may be a bit nicer at the old Ren, although that can be argued also) IMO, Morningstar is a much nicer place to stay.

I also would recommend that you not go AI on St. Thomas......too many great places to eat on the island.

Schultz

Ellen,

I'm sure you will have a great time. I certainly was not condeming the old Ren--actually we stayed there just about a year ago, before we moved here. We liked it alot. I was only referring to the beach, which is only fair at the Ren, and really quite great at MS. But the whole key to having fun here is to get out and about anyway. Even if you were staying on the best beach on the island, you should plan to see all the others too.

I would also agree with Schultz that all-inclusive here would be a negative. Just my opinion, but half the fun of dining here is going to a bunch of different places. Different strokes for different folks, I guess, but I wouldn't want to go to the same restaurant (or 2 or 3) for every meal.