Secret Harbour vs Emerald Beach for 1 night?

[Bob & Anita]

We are contemplating trying Emerald Beach Resort (Best Western), instead of Secret Harbour Resort, for our one night on STT before heading to STJ. We've stayed at Secret Harbour for the single night a couple of times before and really enjoy it - decent rooms, nice views, good restaurant and conveniently located near grocery stores and the car barges at Red Hook. The Emerald Beach Resort option intrigue us; it is also on the water with an attached restaurant, it's right next to the airport so we might eliminate one day car rental (we can have Dependable pick us up in the AM) and Emerald Beach Resort room rate is less expensive then Secret Harbour. We figure that we likely save about $125+ by staying at Emerald Beach vs Secret Harbour between room rate and avoiding one day from our car rental.

We like to get your thoughts on these two 1-night options, especially from anyone that has stayed at both places.

[Pickle]

Hi Bob & Anita, may I ask you questions?
Is it worth staying at Secret Harbor for just one night? Would we have time to enjoy snorkeling?
We will have one night on STT after leaving STJ and have been wondering where to stay. We have stayed downtown many times and are thinking it would be nice to stay in RH this time.
I'm sorry if I've interrupted your questions...

[Bob & Anita]

Hi Bob & Anita, may I ask you questions?
Is it worth staying at Secret Harbor for just one night? Would we have time to enjoy snorkeling?
We will have one night on STT after leaving STJ and have been wondering where to stay. We have stayed downtown many times and are thinking it would be nice to stay in RH this time.

The 2 times we've stayed at Secret Harbour we've arrived around 3:00 - 3:30 and got in an 1+ hour snorkel session. Although, we have found the snorkeling at SH is not nearly as good as it is on STJ. If you plan to stay at SH mainly for the snorkeling then it might be a let down after snorkeling on STJ for the week. Staying at SH before going to STJ then the snorkeling can be a nice "warm up". SH is nice for other reasons, it has a very good restaurant on the beach:


great views:


a nice beach to hang out at:


and to relax:


Hope that helps.

[arenee]

Bob & Anita,
We too are contemplating exactly the same two hotels. We have not stayed at either one. In the past when we thought it would be nice to get to the islands but have not wanted to budget for a villa we have looked into Secret Harbour. We actually had a stay booked there in 2007 but ended up going with a villa each time. I would like to stay there to determine if it would be someplace we could spend a week at if we wanted to. The Best Western is appealing as it is so close to the airport and I believe they have a shuttle that goes to town. I was thinking we may be able to use the shuttle to get to the CA ferry the next morning (not sure if that is an option or not and if they even still offer the shuttle). If anyone has any thoughts I too would be interested in hearing them.

[JeanneB]

My husband and I have stayed at both, one night at each at the beginning and end of our St John stay and for us personally SH would always be our first choice. We had beachfront rooms at both hotels and we thought the beach at SH was much nicer, the snorkeling was much better (nothing to see at the BW), the balcony was much bigger and SH just seemed more peaceful and relaxing. Again, this is just our opinion.

We probably wouldn't stay at BW again unless we were arriving on a very late flight or leaving on an early morning flight because the proximity to the airport is certainly very convenient and it's cheaper than SH as the OP mentioned so that's certainly something to consider.

[Pickle]

Thank you very much for the helpful info with great photos, Bob & Anita. Love the "a nice beach to hang out at" photo!

We all try to make our vacation as perfect as possible, don't we? Hope you'll get the info you need to help you make a decision (sorry, I cannot be of help).

[Pia]

I have not stayed at either but the BW Emerald Beach gets very good reviews - all rooms have ocean view, a good restaurant and a nice beach

Personally I would stay there and save the additional car rental and $125.00 and treat myself to a nice dinner on STJ

Pia

[chrisn]

I've always wanted to stay at SH but our flight always gets in so late at night so we always stay at EB.

If I were to get in early, I might try SH, otherwise it's EB. Convenient, decent rooms, nice beach, pool & restaurant.

[patr]

We have stayed at both - it is a personal preference as to whether you want to be near the airport - or do you want to be near Red Hook?

Last year we stayed one night at EB and then one night at SH- we could not get SH for both nights, which would have been our preference. We love the sunsets and the Blue Moon Restuarant at SH.

Since our flight was delayed and we missed sunset anyway - it was actually nice to go to EB - it is great not to have that nauseating cab ride across STT after a long travel day. It was our first stay at EB and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

The restaurant is right on the water - nice bar area, very islandy vibe - the staff was great and the rooms were clean, perhaps a little dated, but hey the price reflects that. After a quick dinner and a couple of cocktails - we retired. The next morning we enjoyed a waterfront breakfast and then took advantage of their beach (not as picturesque as SH), and the nice, large desserted pool (more conveniently located than SH) before checking out.

This year we have a 2-night stay on the front end of our vacation planned at Secret Harbour and then a 1-night at the end of vaca planned at Emerald Beach, as our flight leaves early Sunday morning.

[DCphoto]

Just made my reservations at the Best Western Emerald Beach, they told me they made a lot of changes to the Hotel and upgraded the rooms. The rate also went up, they quoted 199.00 a night for the end of Nov. We have stayed there before and been happy. The beach front bar is great and have good food.

Sandy

[traveler22]

Hi all,
I stayed at BW Emerald Beach this past June and it was fine for one night. I'm sure Secret Harbour is much nicer but for the price it can't be beat. The beach, pool and bar were nice and the restaurant was ok for dinner and they have a breakfast buffet. They also have a free shuttle that will take you to the other Best Western (carib) closer to the airport to use their bar or restaurant if you choose. I will say it was great to get you luggage and be on the beach about 1/2 hour later. We took the short taxi ride and the 11:00am ferry from CA the next morning after breakfast.

[Bob & Anita]

Thanks everyone for the informative reviews and thoughts on SH vs EB. You can always count on this forum to get your questions answered.

[SuefromMA]

Hi,

We, too, have stayed at both.

You know all of the PROS of Secret Harbour:

Better snorkeling (none at Best Western)
Gorgeous tree-lined beach
Great Restaurant
Beautiful condo suites with Private balcony's
Great beachfront bar/casual dining

FEATURES of Best Western:

Less Expensive
Very Nice Beach
Regular "Hotel" Rooms - Not suites (How is this a plus, you ask??) Well, the bed is in the "one" big room & you can "HEAR" the surf at night. In my opinion - that was one of the best features of Best Western.
Nice Balcony
So-so restaurant
FANTASTIC POOL - I remember us being in it at around 10 at night. Absolutely gorgeous.
Also, this might sound weird. But, I remember the water being really salty at BW. I think that I heard that there was/is a desalination plant near by. (I don't intentionally drink ocean water - I think I just remember laughing or something & getting some in my mouth or eyes or something.) Again, nothing horrible - just thought that I should mention it.

As you already know, guess it depends on how long you will have to "enjoy" the amenities (at the extra cost at SH). We really enjoyed BW - but, SH has our heart & we can't quite imagine a trip to the islands without at least one night being spent there.

Love all of these "tough" decisions in life!

Oh - if you'd like to see some photos of BW - just let me know. I have some on our computer, at home - (Yes - I am at work.) Don't tell anyone!

Sue

[Bob & Anita]

Love all of these "tough" decisions in life!

Sue, Thank you for the excellent pro/con of both options. We too really like SH. You are right, sometimes we dwelve over choices where either choice is a good one. Right now we are leaning towards the EB-BW to try something different.

Oh - if you'd like to see some photos of BW - just let me know.
Sue

We would love to see some photos of the BW; will send you a PM with our email address.

[MLS]

The reason I stay at BW-EB is so on the way in I can be in the water with a complimentary rum punch in hand well before sunset on the day I fly in. The reason I stay there on the way out is so I can spend until the early afternoon on the beach on the day I fly out.
It is like salvaging two vacation days from otherwise long travel days.
Be aware though rate is $285 night during high season. Friday night West Indian buffet is actually quite good (many locals show up)with an excellent callaloo.