My wife and I just celebrated out 10th year anniversary in St Thomas. We spend 5 days on a sailboat and renewed our vows off the south side of St John. We stayed at Pavilion and Pools on our honeymoon as the attraction of a private pool was the selling point. The one thing I think we both decided on was it didn't matter where we stayed as long as we were together (we could have a great time together staying in a tent). If you post exactly what you are looking for I'm sure there will be many suggestions fired your way. But if you had already thought of it perhaps a surprise vow renewal would be romantic especially at sunset.

Thanks vi_bound - wonderful advice!

Here is exactly what we are looking for:

- beach front - on a nice big beach
- amazing view
- walk out of room and be on beach within a few steps
- amazing pool(s)
- beachfront restaurant would be nice
- not too far from town/airport
- room should be very nicely appointed (we have a fairly nice house and like our vacation housing to be a step up if possible) 🙂
- a suite or condo would be great (I don't like small hotel rooms)

Thanks for any advice!

Also - which island?

I take it. Lovely. Let me see I will be coming to the VI's as soon as I can.

Nick

Most people use the Best Western EB as a "filler" hotel to stay at the day they arrive or before that leave to be close to the airport. I think you will find that beach front property will be hard to find. Sapphire is a nice beach and has accommodations right on the beach. That is on STT. There are so many wonderful beaches on STT & STJ that you will find if you have a view and some nice trade winds that will do the trick because you will want to travel to all the wonderful beaches the islands has to offer.

vrbo.com and homeaway.com are great ways to find housing while you are on island. We prefer to stay in a villa opposed to hotels.

If you would like a quiet, beautiful non commercialized island--take a look at Water Island. It is a short ferry ride from Crown Bay Marina on St Thomas. Several nice houses available for rent. Most come with golf cart for use on Water Island. Not a night life island. But it is very beautiful. You can visit downtown St Thomas easily during the day. Then retreat to the privacy of Water Island. You can see homes available on www.vrbo.com

Houses are not "on the beach" they are up on the hill for views and breeze. Beaches are just a short cart ride away.

You might want to look at Bolongo Bay - we have had rooms there right out on to the beach and when you stay a week they did include a sunset sail and also a day sail on the Heavenly Days catamaran which was great. Just up the beach is Mim's plus they had their own restaurants which were ok. It isn't too far to town. Stayed there our first visit to STT so still have a soft spot for it. Now we go to STJ. Both islands have their own + -

While searching thru villas for a large group, I saw an adorable one for two people (I think it holds 4 or 6 actually) at Caribbean Villa website. It's called Limin' Time and it's $1750 per week for 2 in summer. The main floor is completely rennovated and looks quite nice (but don't care for the guest quarters downstairs) and it's one lot up from the water, so I believe you can walk to the water. In the photos, there seems to be another villa quite close, but for the price, it seems like it has all the things you want (a/c, pool, water access, etc.).
PS: I have no personal experience with this one - just saw it on the site.

Dan,
You say you've already "planned" your trip to USVI. And, it sounds like you've already picked St. Thomas for your stay since you'll be down the end of May. If I misunderstood, and are open to other islands, as you mentioned, and hotels/resorts/....then
......you need to check out Caneel Bay, St. John. There is no airport on St. John, but you can catch the ferry over from Red Hook, St. Thomas. St. John's totally void of the hustle and bustle of St. Thomas. Caneel's a lot different than Best Western.
Yet another alternative, if only looking at USVI

Another alternative would be either The Buccaneer or Carambola Resort St. Corix (again the ticket thing that sounds like you've already purchased to STT);

Personally, I try to avoid St. Thomas as much as I can. Don't like the crowds, and everything else that goes with that type of atmosphere.

Regardless though, enjoy your trip to The American Paradise.

DannyV, As Carolina said, If you're interested in a unique, quiet and secluded "home base" that's close enough to enjoy all the amenities that St. Thomas and St. John have to offer, you may consider staying on Water Island. We have a home on Water Island's southwesternmost point. Our home is on the water, cliff side - surrounded on 3 sides by the Caribbean including a westerly, unobstructed sunset view. We make available for no additional charge transportation for use on Water Island only.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p311390