Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel-a review of our stay there

[lprof]

Front of Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel. Da Livio Restaurant is on lower level. Photo from hotel website... http://www.cruzbayhotel.com/hotel.html

We were well pleased with our short stay (2/5-2/8-2013) at the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel (hereafter aka CBBH). From start to finish the owners and staff there were very upbeat, efficient, and friendly.

By the time we finally figured out our dates, places to stay short term were very few. Talking with David at the CBBH resulted in reservations for two nights in room 5 and the last night in room 6; confirmation quickly followed by email. We touched base again as our trip began, and I called as the ferry left Charlotte Amalie heading for STJ. Before long we were rolling our bags those few feet down the street to CBBH.


Location of Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel. Photo from the hotel website. by lprof, on Flickr

We were warmly greeted at the stairs and my (large) bag was carried up the steps… there are several steps and a locked gate near the bottom.

Exterior. Locking gate in lower left. Photo from tripadvisor. CBBH by lprof, on Flickr

Room 5 is on the top level front. There was a portable AC and a fan, plus a ceiling fan. French doors and a window brought good light to the main room where there was a queen bed and a comfortable chair. Luggage stands, a small chest and hanging rack made unpacking easy; the walls, bath fixtures, and linens were all white, and the floors were tile; the wooden beamed ceilings and trims are a pickled finish. A small refrigerator held two bottles of water which were replaced each day. There were also a bathroom window, pedestal sink, and rain shower head, full length mirror, toiletries shelf and hairdryer. The wifi was easy to connect and worked well, and there is a TV. The showers were very small, but provided good water pressure and temperatures.


Side view of Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel. Photo from Tripadvisor. by lprof, on Flickr


Room 5. CBBH by lprof, on Flickr

Wednesday morning we found breakfast being served the second level, common area balcony. There was a baked sweet bread and fruit on the coffee table and yogurt cups, granola, orange juice, coffee and tea tucked in a corner. There is seating on the sofa, plus two chairs there, and two tables for two. Every thing was appropriately cold or hot and fresh.


Breakfast area on lower balcony. Photo from Tripadvisor. CBBH by lprof, on Flickr

Maid service is provided and all spaces were kept very clean and fresh.

Thursday morning we gathered up our belongings so the hotel staff could move them to Room 6. We learned that beach towels and chairs (and I would guess, coolers) are available if you ask for them. I do not recall reading or being told this when we arrived, but I may have missed it!

Room 6 had all the same amenities as Room 5; it is a smaller room, beside #5, but we actually liked it better. The AC there is a high on the wall type that seems more effective and much quieter.


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Wall art, room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr


Room 6 CBBH by lprof, on Flickr

This location, right in the heart of Cruz Bay, can not be beat for convenience and good price. We loved our first time staying in "town".
Our overall opinion of CBBH is very, very good. I do have a few comments that I do not mean in a negative way.

The pillow-top queen beds are super comfortable, but when one sleeper moves the other feels it. This does not happen at home, and I think that is why we noticed it. In Room 5, the bed is in an alcove with no room to easily walk to the far side of the bed.

Kleenex are not furnished, but soaps, shampoo and conditioner are.

When more than eight go to breakfast at the same time, there is not enough seating. The narrow balcony with one chair off the room is not suitable; so rather than wait, we elected to carry our food and coffee back to the room and get on with our day. This was not nearly as pleasant as sitting in the common area had been!

We left the hotel at 5:45 AM to catch the ferry. A coffee maker in the room would have been a plus for this early departure day. We appreciated the two bottles of water each day.

Street noises were not a bother; as we expected, we heard some music playing at night.

I forgot to ask if there is any parking available, but I do not think there is a place for it.

There is no safe… that was not a problem for us at all. We felt very safe here… the gate is locked at night and often during the day.

Although we did not have ST John questions or require concierge services, some printed information was in the room, and I heard Denise (an owner) making reservations for someone.

Would we stay here again? Would we recommend Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel? Yes! Absolutely!!!

(Please excuse our personal items in my photos... last minute decision to snap!)

[17th Hole]

We've stayed there a few times as well (in room #5) and we are going to spend a few nights there again in April. It really is a great place! Very convenient and very clean. We really enjoy the morning breakfast! The owners and staff are very nice and are always quick with a "hello" and "is there anything you need?". We didn't know about the beach chairs either. I had to send them an e-mail and ask. Don't remember seeing it on their website or being told about them. Never needed them in the past because usually we only spent 1 night there. Would definitely recommend them if you need a last-minute place or just need a short-term place to stay. They do have a Penthouse Suite on the top floor that is really quite nice! Haven't stayed in it but got a chance to take a quick tour of it.

[stjchica]

Thanks for taking the time to write the review..and the pics are appreciated.

[Caw954s]

Thanks I prof! Reading about the hotel was "very" interesting, thank you for posting.