How Do Get the Best Rate at Emerald Beach??

[Diana2]

I have to book the 7:45AM flight out of STT on March 11th so we are going to have to overnight before our departure. We thought we'd book the Emerald Beach Resort next to the airport but the best rate I've been able to come up with is $260 plus tax. This sounds pretty high to me. I know that many of you have stayed there and wondered if you paid that much and if not how do I get a better rate?

[patr]

This is a funny (and drawn out) story. . .

First I looked on-line for a price and did not see a price that seemed that great.

So, since we've stayed before that makes us "returning guests" - therefore I called and inquired into the rate and asked for the "returning guest" rate and was given an even higher price than I found on-line. So I explained this to the reservationist and her reply was, "we can't give you the same rate as the internet" and she suggested I book on-line and in the comment section type in that I am a "returning guest" Well, OK - so back to the computer and I filled in all the boxes and typed in the comment AND THEN received a message that a reservationist would CALL me by telephone and finish up the booking.

So after looking on-line, then calling, then going back on-line and then they called me - I ended up with a great rate!
This could only happen on the island!

[Diana2]

Do you mind sharing what rate you paid. What I'm seeing is just too high, it seems to me. Did you go through the Best Western site?

[Sherrial]

Do you have any hotel points from freq stays ? Like
freq flier miles to use? I plan to use some some
priority club points and some Choice points for some
upcoming trips we have. Do you have freq flier points
you could use for hotel stays?

[nothintolose]

I did their on-line form and also asked if they had any AAA rates in the space available. They called me back that day with a rate better than any I had found on Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, etc.

[patr]

Sure Diana -
$179.00 + tax - for a Saturday night coming up in December. (in case time of year and day of week plays into the rate)

We are on the 8:30 a.m. flight out on Sunday morning.

[Diana2]

Has anyone stayed at the Best Western Carib Beach resort next to the airport? Their rates are cheaper but I don't think they have a restaurant and I'm thinking if the rates are less the rooms as not so nice. ?????

[cariblvr]

Diana,
We stayed at the Best Western Carib Beach about 18 months ago. I agree I would have a hard time spending that much for a one night stay. The BW Carib
Beach was fine for a one night stay, and wouldn't have a problem staying there again. It was clean and
fine for a one night stay. I believe that I spent 130.00 last March. They had a ice pool area with a restaurant on site. If you'd like you could always take a five minute walk to BW Emerald Beach. They have a nice outside bar and restaurant as well. Hope this helps.

Dave

[Pia]

How about staying with Ronnie at the Crystal Palace ??? - much cheaper with alot of histroy and a great host to boot - and I believe (if you ask him nicely ) he will take you to the airport as well

Pia

http://crystalpalaceusvi.com/

[cariblvr]

Diane,

We will be staying for 2 nights on STT @ Islandview
Guesthouse. Looks like a great place to stay and it consistently gets great reviews. I checked for my dates at BW Carib and they were 200.00 per night vs.
132.00 @ Islandview.

[Nic in KC]

We stayed there on our last night in October for 119.00. Travelocity had the cheapest rate on line for that time period. Every other site was 159.00 or up. It was a great hotel, our room was spotless, nice king bed, right on the beach, the pool looked great and the italian restaurant was pretty good. We felt like it was a bargain for that rate.

[traveler22]

Diana2,
Stayed at BW Emerald beach in June for 189.00 for 5
(extra $20 for a fold-out cot). Try all the sites and see who has the best price, travelocity.com, hotels.com,expedia.com, priceline. I got the best price on hotels.com but I couldn't book 5 in a room online but when I called Best Western's 1-800 # they said they could place 5 in a room and matched the price. If the carib beach is cheaper they have a free shuttle bus that runs between the two hotel if you want to use the restaurant at Emerald Beach. If that don't work I would also recommend Ronnie's CP or the Iguana Inn which is at the top of the 99 steps above downtown.

[philbetm]

Hi ! Hubby and I stayed over one night at
Emerald Beach upon arriving on STT.

Happened to be on a Monday...seems they
always had a Managers welcome party
on Mon's with all you can eat wings,
veggie and fruit trays and rum punch
or tea, we pigged out!

All of this cost us just $120 for a
king bedroom on the beach front.

I did book thru Best Western web-site.

Good Luck...and I know you can get a better
PRICE ...don't give up.

[MLS]

I have tried any number of ways to lower the rate during high season-none worked for me. $260/night in February/March is normal-phone, website, Traveler's Advantage, Travelocity, Orbitz, booked way in advance, booked closer in.

But, look at it this way, does $260/night sound high compared to your villa nightly rate?

[Diana2]

Very good point, MLS. I ended up changing my airline tickets by paying for the flights rather than using FF award miles this time. I actually got a fairly decent rate so I figured I'd spring for the tickets this time around and then I can choose my flights coming and going which lets me get to STT earlier and avoid having to take the midnight ferry to STJ because we arrive so late plus I can take a 10AMm flight on the return and avoid staying in STT overnight the last night Saving the $300 for that night helped me sell the deal to my DH (he's Dutch so money talks where he's concerned). Thanks again to everyone for your input.