One Thing Youll Want To Decide Is Coral Bay Vs Cruz Bay
Cruz Bay is the islands economic hub. The ferry and taxis call it home. There are a large number of restaurants and bars to choose from. Youll find plenty of shops, several grocery stores and markets, a pharmacy and several gas stations. In contrast, Coral Bay has a handful of restaurants and bars. There are even fewer shops. And the time of writing, theres no gas station. So what makes Coral Bay so special? Many people are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of their every day lives. They want to escape to a simpler place. And for many, Coral Bay is that place. A short drive ot most North Shore beaches. A much shorter drive to beaches like Salt Pond, Little Lameshur, Hansen Bay and snorkeling meccas like Haulover North and Pelican Rock.
A Local’s Guide To St Thomas: Where To Stay
Options for where to stay on your vacation can determine how long youll visit your destination or even whether youll visit the destination at all. You want a place that will feel like a home away from home when youre travelling. When planning a St. Thomas vacation, youll most likely start with searching for island hotels, resorts, or rentals, and fortunately your options are plentiful to find a place to lay your head that fits your specific needs and desires. To simplify your search, Ive put together a local guide on where to stay in St. Thomas based on the type of temporary home youre looking for:
St. Thomas Airport Hotels- If youre looking to stay in St. Thomas for a short period of time and are searching for hotels near the airport, these locations are what youre searching for. Dont get the wrong idea though. These arent the enclosed, plain Jane hotels youre used to at airport locations. Both of these hotels are located on one of the most beautiful beaches in St. Thomas, Lindbergh Bay.
- Best Western Plus Emerald Beach Resort
St. Thomas Island Resorts & Larger Hotels- St. Thomas has many notable brands throughout the island if youre looking for a familiar name or to maintain brand loyalty with certain hotels. There are also larger hotel properties that arent brand affiliated that will offer the familiar hotel feel along with the million dollar views St. Thomas resorts have to offer.
How Many Days Do You Need In St Thomas
When planning your trip to the US Virgin Islands, we recommend allotting at least 7 days to visit all of St. Thomas and sections of nearby St. John. This allows enough time for hiking the best trails in Virgin Islands National Park, relaxing on beautiful beaches on St. Thomas, island hopping aboard a boat charter, and immersing yourself in the Caribbean culture.
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Waterfront Paradise On St Thomas The Beach House
Nestled on the quiet side of the island, this luxurious villa has its own private beach. Youll get to enjoy unspoiled views of the Caribbean Sea and yachts from the comfort of your deck chair on the private patio. There are also two small kayaks, so you can go explore the bay for yourself. It comes with a whopping eight bedrooms, making it perfect for larger families and groups. Theres even a swimming pool!
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Virgin Island Coffee Roasters Address: 9718 Estate Thomas Suite 5a St Thomas 00802 Us Virgin Islands
The Virgin Island Coffee Roasters is the only place on St. Thomas that roasts their own beans. If you look, most of the island actually use Virgin Island Coffee Roasters beans. I loved the light and fresh decor in their shop in Harborside. If you come here make sure to check out the times as most coffee shops seemed to close early on the island.
Save Money While Staying In St Thomas By Cooking
By no means is St. Thomas considered cheap. In all likelihood, food costs will be one of your greatest expenses. So consider booking a place to stay with an attached kitchen and dining area. Purchasing your own groceries at Cost-U-Less and cooking throughout your stay can save you hundreds.
Visiting St. John too? Check out my guide to where to stay in St. John.
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Is It Expensive In St Thomas
St. Thomas is expensive to visit. The US Virgin Islands are by no means considered budget-friendly destinations, they are expensive compared to other tropical hotspots. Most expenses cost more than average in St. Thomas, from going out to eat, finding a place to stay, renting a car, or booking a boat tour. See our US Virgin Islands budget guide for more information.
Have you decided where you want to stay while visiting St. Thomas yet?
If you have, let us know in a comment below which area sounds best! Or if youve stayed before, let us know where and how it was!
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Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
Best for: a younger crowd or people looking for a party atmosphere
Pros: Bolongo Bay is a ton of fun with things like their famous snorkel booze hunt where they hide bottles of rum for guests to snorkel and find, or trips to snorkel nearby locations on their private 53 catamaran. The resort is budget friendly and offers a swim up bar, and plenty of water activities.
Cons: They definitely cater to a crowd who likes to party, which may be a bit too lively for some people or families. The rooms are all traditional hotel style rooms without any suite or villa options.
Amenities: sailing on their private catamaran, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking, live entertainment, poolside games, beach fitness classes, a free intro to scuba diving course, and windsurfing or sailing lessons.
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Coastal Hotel In Red Hook Marina Vista St Thomas
This gorgeous hotel is among the most luxurious on the island! It comes with an oven, microwave and coffee machine. It also includes a swimming pool with year-round access. Its also just a short walk from Sapphire Beach. This beautiful Caribbean style hut with views of the Atlantic Ocean is just the perfect spot for your vacay.
Best Places To Eat On St Thomas
The food of the U.S. Virgin Islands is a result of history and, as such, a mix of the cuisines of the original Indian or native population, European conquerors, African slaves, and Asian immigrants. As far as drink is concerned, its rum, fruit smoothies, or a drink called sea moss, which is made with seaweed, milk, sweeteners, and spices. Popular dishes are stewed oxtail, goat, chicken, beef, salt fish, yams, fried plantains, dasheen , and cassava.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay On St Thomas
St Thomas is a gorgeous destination nestled in the heart of the Caribbean! Only a stones throw away from Puerto Rico, it offers much of the same scenery without the busy crowds of Boricua and enjoys some amazing weather. The cultural attractions are pretty low-key, and youll find some fantastic deals on villas and condos dotted around the island.
If we had to pick one destination that really stands out, it would be Downtown Charlotte Amalie. This neighbourhood is well connected to everywhere else mentioned in this guide and has an endless array of attractions on offer in its own right.
That being said, the best destination for you really depends on what you want to get out of your stay. We hope we have managed to help you narrow down your options for your upcoming trip to St Thomas.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
The Easterly Address: 6100 Red Hook Quarter Suite Gs 1 Red Hook Rd St Thomas 00802 Us Virgin Islands
The Easterly offers an amazing happy hour with great food, mocktails/cocktails, and the best vibes in Red Hook. With an open air concept and beautiful decor that will make you feel like your in Tulum. I loved the wings, lamb sliders, and loved everything I tried. Also, they had these swings that will definitely give you that instagram moment.
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Best Hotels In St Thomas
There are several St. Thomas boutique hotels to choose from, with most being near Charlotte Amalie. Something to keep in mind is that Charlotte Amalie is built into the mountainside, and therefore driving on the steep, tight roads with hairpin turns can get a bit stressful. Also, nearly all of these hotels arent great for people with limited mobility, as there are many stairs. Since St. Thomas is relatively small, you can choose to stay at one of these great hotels, and take day trips out to all of the fantastic beaches. Here are the top 3 St Thomas hotels.
Where To Stay In St Thomas
St. Thomas is a island of fun. Which offers a variety of unique hotel accommodations providing a rare combination of excitement, tranquility and personal service – all located on one of the most beautiful pieces of real estate in the world.The amenities abound within and near our island hotels, from spectacular beaches, freshwater swimming pools, to golf courses, tennis, restaurants and cafes.
Our St. Thomas Hotel Guide spans a wide variety of unique and interesting hotels including… Renting a privately owned home, villa, or condominium can be a fun, rewarding and cost effective way to enjoy your vacation or extended stay in St. Thomas. Various types of accommodations and locations are available.There are two ways to rent a beautiful and spacious privately owned property. Renting a privately owned home, villa, or condominium can be a fun, rewarding and cost effective way to enjoy your vacation or extended stay in St. Thomas.
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St John Vacation Rentals
The most popular type of accommodation is a rental villa. Ranging in size from a Caribbean-style cottage to lavish 6, 7, 8 or more bedroom compounds. And as youd imagine theres a range of prices that match the size and amenities of each property. Most offer privacy, ocean views and amenities like spas and pools. Many are convenient to St Johns popular beaches. Roughly half of the properties are owner managed. The other 1/2 of the properties are connected to on-island management companies. So how do you find a place to rent? Many turn to sites like VRBO, HomeAway, Flipkey and AirBnb. But before you do the same you should know that booking through these sites carries a penalty in the form of a guest service charge ranging from 4% 20%+ of your booking. Luckily you do have alternatives. You can research villas on the large rental sites. Then search for the owners web site. Or, you can use a St John community site like www.StJohn-VillaRentals.com . There youll find a huge selection of St John vacation rentals in all budgets and deal directly with owners and management.
Magens Bay Best Neighborhood For Families
Set on the north side of the island, Magens Bay is St. Thomas most popular and beautiful beach, stretched in a one-mile bay!
Thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and calm waters with no waves or currents, this is the perfect place to go with the family, where you can relax on the sand and let your kids swim .
No wonder why this is a favorite destination for residents You will notice many mothers walking, kids playing and men and women jogging, especially on weekends.
But Magens Bay Beach is not all about enjoying some laziness: here you can choose from a wide range of fun water sports like a paddleboard, kayaking, sunfish, and snorkel, or you can even go hiking in the nearby area if one day you want to take a break from the sea .
The area also hosts many lovely restaurants by the sea, always preserving a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere than the ones in the capital!
| The Green Iguana Hotel |
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Red Hook And The East End
The area around Red Hook is the best part of St. Thomas to stay in because of the proximity to tours, the best beaches, nightlife and restaurants. Our 3 top picks for where to stay are all just outside of Red Hook.
The east end near Red Hook, with more of the popular beaches is the ideal place to be centrally located to all of the best snorkeling on the island. The ferry to St. John runs from Red Hook, and many boat charters do as well. The town of Red Hook itself is just a few blocks of shops, restaurants, and marina access, so there arent any places to stay within walking distance and cars or cabs will be required.
The East End is home to the majority of the phenomenal beaches such as Lindquist Beach, Sapphire Beach, Great Bay, and Secret Harbor Beach, which are all within a 10 minute drive from each other. This is our top pick for the best area to stay in St. Thomas for beach bums and snorkel lovers.
Secluded Resort In Magens Bay Flamboyan On The Bay
On a budget? No worries, Flamboyan on the Bay Resort & Villas is the perfect choice for families looking for something a little more affordable. Their suites can sleep anywhere from two to eight guests, so its one of the best hotels for families of all sizes. The quaint pool terrace comes with gorgeous views of the hills. Magens Bay Beach is within walking distance.
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Rustic Studio In Frenchtown Chateau Belle
This one is a little more basic but is a great choice for couples visiting on a budget. The studio is right in the heart of Frenchtown, so youre only a hop, skip, and a jump away from delectable restaurants and laid-back bars. Despite the low price, you still get your own private balcony with gorgeous views over central Frenchtown.
Calm Condo In Red Hook Ocean Front
Another great option in Sapphire Beach, this one is a little more affordable. It only has one bedroom, but theres a sofa bed in the lounge making it an affordable option both for couples and small families. The beach is right on your doorstep and the dining area comes with unparalleled views across Sapphire Bay. Theres also a great parasailing company a few steps away.
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Quaint Hotel In Frenchtown Windward Passage Hotel
This awesome hotel comes with a swimming pool and free breakfast. The luxurious bars and restaurants of Frenchtown are only a short walk away and you can also enjoy stunning sunset views across the bay from your front door. There is a small communal terrace where you can mingle with other guests, plus a garden for some peace and quiet and a casino if you want a bit more action!
Stylish Hideaway On St Thomas Villa Nautilus
Airbnb Plus properties are hand-picked for their stylish interiors and next-level guest service. Sandwiched between Sapphire Beach and Red Hook, Villa Nautilus is well placed for those who want both stunning beaches and vibrant city attractions. The interiors blend Caribbean style with modern design. Our favourite feature of this property is the luxurious whirlpool bath in the spa bathroom and the awesome swimming pool and beach access.
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Lanai Restaurant Address: St Thomas 7511 Frenchmans Heights St Thomas 00802 Us Virgin Islands
One of my favorite restaurants, especially for brunch, was Lanai Restaurant. Lanai is located at Limetree Beach Resort is an open air restaurant overlooking Limetree Beach. This resort and restaurant is dreamy. I could literally have stayed half a day here snorkeling, swimming, and eating. The food was very good and I could have sat here all day with the views.
Villas And Vacation Rentals On St Thomas
The concept of a villa dates to ancient Roman times and European upper-class country houses. Today, Caribbean destinations like the US Virgin Islands have run with the concept and offer a variety of vacation villas. There are intimate retreats for couples, family friendly homes with amenities for children, to luxury villas with infinity swimming pools, stunning views, modern professional kitchens, and more. Some St. Thomas villas are owner operated while others are managed by a villa agency.
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Go Shopping At Main Street Charlotte Amalie
Main Street, Charlotte Amalie is the perfect destination for all the shopaholics.
Saint Thomas is known as the best place to shop, so if you are looking to buy a few new clothes or gifts for your family and friends back home, then visit Main Street in Charlotte Amalie.
You can get different perfumes, expensive diamonds, top-notch electronics, different alcoholic drinks, and anything else that you can think of.
It is very popular and always bustling with life, especially during the late morning and early afternoons.
Many tourists and visitors suggest that it is best if you go early in the morning.
The street usually starts crowding up around late mornings. It is also better if you are on your feet because there are a few road constructions as well, which make the street even more cramped.
However, there are a few shops that close as soon as the sun sets, so keep that in mind as well.