Hotels

Nearly every beach on St. Thomas has its own hotel, and the island also has more quaint inns than any other place in the Caribbean. The choice of hotels on St. Thomas divides almost evenly between places to stay in Charlotte Amalie, and grand resorts along the East End that front the fabulous beaches. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and your choice becomes a matter of personal taste.

Say you're in St. Thomas for shopping and you want to be near the best stores, the widest choice of restaurants and bars, and nearly all the historic attractions. Chances are you'll elect to stay in Charlotte Amalie. And if you're looking for budget accommodations, or a choice of moderately priced inns, you'll need to be in or near Charlotte Amalie. The downside to staying here is that you'll have to take a shuttle over to a good beach, a ride of no more than 10 to 15 minutes from most Charlotte Amalie properties. If you want the isolation of a resort along with proximity to Charlotte Amalie, with all the attractions and shops, you can book into the Marriott property directly to the east of Charlotte Amalie at Flamboyant Point.

If your dream is to arrive in St. Thomas and anchor yourself directly on a beach, then the East End is your best bet. All the properties here are grand, luxurious resorts with many attractions, including watersports and nightlife. The downside is that if you don't want to take expensive transportation, or drive along narrow, dark, and unfamiliar roads at night, you'll be resort-bound for the evening, as commutes to some of the island's best restaurants are difficult after sunset. You'll also have to spend time and money if you want to get into Charlotte Amalie for shopping. Almost without exception, the East End beachfront resorts are very expensive. In spite of the high costs, these hotels attract customers who want the decadent resort life that is impossible to find at the smaller inns of Charlotte Amalie.

Hotels in the Virgin Islands slash their prices in summer by 20% to 60%. Unless otherwise noted, the rates listed do not include the 8% government tax.

Renting a Condo, Apartment, or Villa

For those who don't care for the resort or hotel life, renting a condo, apartment, or villa is an excellent option. Sometimes you can get a great deal. We've found that Calypso Realty (tel. 800/747-4858 or 340/774-1620; www.calypsorealty.com) has the best offers, especially on rentals from April to mid-December. A condo goes for $2,400 per week, with a 7-day minimum stay.

Another source to check is McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Caribbean Villas (tel. 800/537-6246 or 340/776-0635; www.mclaughlinanderson.com), which has rentals not only on St. Thomas but also on St. John, St. Croix, and various other Caribbean isles. A two-bedroom villa begins at $2,700 per week in winter, with off-season rates beginning at $1,800.

You can also contact Paradise Properties (tel. 800/524-2038 or 340/779-1540; www.st-thomas.com/paradiseproperties), which currently represents five condo complexes. Rental units range from studio apartments to two-bedroom villas suitable for up to eight people; each has a fully equipped kitchen. A minimum stay of 3 days is required in any season, and 7 nights are required around Christmas. The prices range from $160 to $400 per day in winter and from $120 to $260 per day in the off season.

Antilles Resorts (tel. 800/874-7897 or 340/775-2600; www.antillesresorts.com) is a hit among habitual island-goers, enjoying a repeat business of some 60%. Among other offerings, it rents condo suites that are a short walk from the beach and feature private balconies with ocean views.