St. Thomas - Questions/Concerns

Re: St. Thomas - Questions/Concerns

• MrsJordanalmond

  January 2012

  redfish08:

  We are headed there in a few weeks and I have some questions/concerns:

  1. We got a free room at Frenchmen's Reef Morningstar Marriott property.  It's supposed to be a really nice resort, but after reading some recent reviews on Tripadvisor, it sounds terrible!  I'm really concerned now, but we have no other options.  Anyone have experience at this property?

  - no experience, but how bad can free be?

  2.  It sounds like we need to go off-property for meals.  Any restaurant recommendations?  Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that won't be crowded with cruise passengers.

  - red hook has great places to eat that is not near the cruise port

  3.  Is it worth it to go over to St. John?  If so, should we take the ferry?  Do I need to take a beach bag with me to bring towels/stuff?

  - absolutely!  st john is fantastic.  yes, bring all your beach stuff.

  4.  Any other suggestions on what to do, what to see or what to avoid?

  - while st. thomas is not my usual 'off the beaten path' type of vacation, with kids, it's a great location and we have gone several times.  i enjoy the convenience and the beaches are lovely.  enjoy.

  
  

  Thank you!!! 

  
  
  

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• redfish08

  January 2012

  MrsJordanalmond:

  redfish08:

  We are headed there in a few weeks and I have some questions/concerns:

  1. We got a free room at Frenchmen's Reef Morningstar Marriott property.  It's supposed to be a really nice resort, but after reading some recent reviews on Tripadvisor, it sounds terrible!  I'm really concerned now, but we have no other options.  Anyone have experience at this property?

  - no experience, but how bad can free be?

  2.  It sounds like we need to go off-property for meals.  Any restaurant recommendations?  Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that won't be crowded with cruise passengers.

  - red hook has great places to eat that is not near the cruise port

  3.  Is it worth it to go over to St. John?  If so, should we take the ferry?  Do I need to take a beach bag with me to bring towels/stuff?

  - absolutely!  st john is fantastic.  yes, bring all your beach stuff.

  4.  Any other suggestions on what to do, what to see or what to avoid?

  - while st. thomas is not my usual 'off the beaten path' type of vacation, with kids, it's a great location and we have gone several times.  i enjoy the convenience and the beaches are lovely.  enjoy.

  
  

  Thank you!!! 

  Thanks for your reply.  By "free", I meant that we used Marriott Reward points, so I guess it's not technically free.  I think I panicked today when I read the reviews.  I don't know why I didn't check them before booking.  I never not do that.  I guess I assumed that since it was a pricey Marriott property, I didn't need to be concerned.  Crossing my fingers!

  
  

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• lyndausvi member

  

  January 2012

  I was just at Frenchmen's Cove with is the timeshare to Frenchmen's reef.  The Reef just went through a large reno which they badly needed.  I didn't get a chance to check out the rooms, but I hear they are nice.  I like the Spa and the new pool. 

  While I like the food at the Cove, I was not impressed with Coco Joe's.  Food was okay but service was very slow.  I've always enjoyed Havana Blue (not owned by the resort), but it can be pricey.  I do not think I've ever been to the other restaurants on property.

   

  Restaurants - Virgilo's, Old Stone Farmhouse, Shipwreck, Romano's, Oceana, Craig and Sally's.  XO, Havana Blue, Bella Blue, Mahogany Run

  Things to do - go to St John (they have some great restaurants over there).  Take a boat trip, if you have your passports go to the BVI's, rent a car drive around, go to Lindquest Beach on the East End.

   

  

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• ECUPirate04

  January 2012

  redfish08:

  We are headed there in a few weeks and I have some questions/concerns:

  1. We got a free room at Frenchmen's Reef Morningstar Marriott property.  It's supposed to be a really nice resort, but after reading some recent reviews on Tripadvisor, it sounds terrible!  I'm really concerned now, but we have no other options.  Anyone have experience at this property?

  We had our rehearsal dinner at the restaurant there.  The hotel looked fine.  There are some bad reviews but really it is free.  You will survive.

  2.  It sounds like we need to go off-property for meals.  Any restaurant recommendations?  Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that won't be crowded with cruise passengers.

  We were there for a week and didn't have issues with the cruise groups.  There is an excellent restaurant at your hotel.  Havana Blue.  It was great for our group of 30 at the rehearsal dinner.

  3.  Is it worth it to go over to St. John?  If so, should we take the ferry?  Do I need to take a beach bag with me to bring towels/stuff? 

  Yes, yes, and yes.  Take the ferry with all your beach stuff.

  4.  Any other suggestions on what to do, what to see or what to avoid?

  Just go and relax.  St. Thomas is an island.  People live there.  They are poor.  It is still a beautiful place.

  My wedding planner has lived there for year.  She is from Indiana.  Here is her blog:

   

  http://marleyandmaya.typepad.com/raising_beach_beauties/

  
  

  Thank you!!! 

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• dalm0m member

  

  January 2012

  The cruise passangers leave in the afternoon so schedule your visits to town for later in the day. 

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• frezza_no_mo

  January 2012

  redfish08:

  We are headed there in a few weeks and I have some questions/concerns:

  1. We got a free room at Frenchmen's Reef Morningstar Marriott property.  It's supposed to be a really nice resort, but after reading some recent reviews on Tripadvisor, it sounds terrible!  I'm really concerned now, but we have no other options.  Anyone have experience at this property?

  We stayed at the Morningstar for part of our last trip (we are moving to stt next month).  The resort is nice and the rooms on the beach are great. You will have a nice time.  The towers were just redone and I have heard good things.

  2.  It sounds like we need to go off-property for meals.  Any restaurant recommendations?  Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that won't be crowded with cruise passengers.

  Go into Red Hook for dinner.  There are a lot of nice restuarants.  You can also go to Frenchtown (which is towards the airport) for some nice meals.  Cruise passengers don't tend to leave Charlotte Amalie so you will be fine in RH or FT.  My one restauarant recommendation is 13.  Take a cab to get there bc i still get lost getting there.  Their desserts are amazing (preztel bacon brownie!)

  3.  Is it worth it to go over to St. John?  If so, should we take the ferry?  Do I need to take a beach bag with me to bring towels/stuff? 

   Yes go to St John.

   4.  Any other suggestions on what to do, what to see or what to avoid?

  Also, if you have time do a BVI day trip cruise.  That was the best siteseeing trip we have done down there. 
  

  Thank you!!! 

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