Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Our son's Wedding on St. Thomas 4-15 was a spectacular success. Our observations, trip report, and recommendations are:
Lodging - Six couples (older) stayed at Pavillions & Pools and loved it. Approximately ten couples including the wedding party (younger) stayed at Pt. Pleasant and thought it was terrific. A small contingent stayed at Secret Harbor, and really enjoyed it. Conclusion: you can't go wrong with lodging on the STT East End.
Meals - Roberts American Grille needs a new name... like Roberts American "Gourmet" or something. Kevin and Stephanie and the gang at R.A.G. did a terrific job serving 42 delicious meals at the Rehearal Dinner --- food and service were awesome. While we had planned to have cocktails on the beach and dinner inside--- brief rain showers required relocation inside, which the staff handled without a hitch. Grade them A+.
The wedding ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Gazebo went by smooth as can be. Their highly efficient staff (especially Marlene), insured the wedding party was relaxed, and the 47 guests comfortable. The dining room opened onto the large deck overlooking the beach and STJ --- fabulous view and service. While the Ritz was pricey, the experienced wedding planning staff at the Ritz made an always anxious wedding experience a delightful and worry free experience. Grade the service A+; "surf & turf" meal = B; chicken entree = A.
The "morning after" Easter Sunday Brunch at the Wyndham Sugar Bay was "o.k.". Food, including buffet turkey, prime rib, lamb, etc. was plentiful but quality average to below average. Grade C+.
In betwixt and thereafter, we had a kickoff party at Duffys on arrival, a delicious dinner at Romano's (highly recommended) and a followup quiet dinner at Roberts A.G. (lobster was delicious). These restaurants are excellent and well worth a visit.
We also dined at "Off the Hook" and the "Blue Moon Cafe". Our group of 8 provided mixed reviews of their meals at both places---the grades would be a range from C+ to B+.
A special note on the Agave Terrace. While "highly recommended" in the tour guides and the net, the service was absolutely deplorable. Took 1 1/2 hours for meal to be served; medium rare lamb chops showed up as shoe leather. A "replacement" order took 45 minutes to arrive. The Agave was not busy that evening and we were a quiet, polite group. Inexcusable service, reflective of real management issues. Grade - Flunked.
While we have visited other islands in the Caribbean for years, this was our first visit to STT --- we really enjoyed it and are looking forward to a return next year.
JJH
Thanks for the report! I too was married in STT 8 years ago and ever since have gone back every year for our anniversary. I will have to try Roberts-All your likes and dislikes are exactly my thoughts. The Aggave use to be one of our favorites, but the last two years we went-it was aweful.
Love Romanos! Next time you go, try Room with a View. That's our new favorite
Thanks for your report! I am hoping to visit St. Thomas this summer with my boyfriend (both in our late 20's) and was thinking about staying at Pavillions and Pools. You said that the "older" couples stayed there while the younger couples stayed at Pt. Pleasant. Would you recommend Pavillions and Pools for a younger couple? Are there bars/restaurants that you can walk to? Did you rent a car or just take taxi's everywhere? Thanks, in advance, for your help!
There is really nothing within walking distance of Pavillion and Pools, well you could walk to Red Hook but it would be a solid walk, and would not recommend that walk at night.
In my honest opinion I think renting a car is the ONLY way to go if you want to explore. You can rent a sedan for $40 a day roughly. Well thats 2 roundtrip taxi fares to Magens Bay from P&P so you can see if you want to do something other than sit at your hotel a car is the best way. The driving on the left is not that hard to adjust too, and just go slow, take your time and allow tailgaters to pass.
Sounds like you had a great trip! We were on STT from 4/14 to 4/21. We stayed at Point Pleasant. 🙂 Had dinner at the Avage on Tuesday the 18 and we both really enjoyed it. Yes, it did take a long time, but we figured it was just the "island time" thing, as with everything else. We enjoyed hearing the local steel pan musician as well.
