USVI-On-Line

We've stayed at Frenchman's Reef 3 times. First two on points. In June we booked 3 nights following a trip to STJ. Were able to book a waterview at a substantial discount to the rack rate ($190 plus tax IIRC). Did it to line up a discounted villa booking with cheaper travel days for airfare.

Maybe I'm just easy to please, but I've read some of those reviews and wonder if they were staying at the same place I did. OK, it's just a hotel room and expensive, and you can book a Fairfield Inn on the interstate for $100, but as they say, location, location, location. We actually prefer the Reef to Morningside. Can walk down to the beach and Coco Joe's, but like the waterview balcony at night looking over the water, whether it's the ocean or the harbor. I'd probably give a nod to the lower pool, it's shaded some of the day.

Food. On our last trip, we were also there during the low pressure system that became Hurricane Alex, something like 8 inches of rain in 3 days, covered our first 2 days at the Marriott, so going out wasn't a consideration. We've eaten at Havana Blue once in the past. As mentioned, big $$$, and for me it was just too pretentious. I'm much more of a beer and a burger, fish sandwich, big salad, kinda guy. We like Coco Joe's. There are two casual places at the Reef, an outdoor place (Sunset Grill?), open 11-5 IIRC, and an indoor place is Captain's something open 5-?. With the weather they moved the outdoor menu and servers to the indoor location a couple of days. There's also a nicer place (more than CJ but not HB), we ate there once in the past but not this trip, but I don't recall details.

Another thing we do. This trip we came from STJ. I loaded up my suitcase with a case of beer, some pop, and some rum. If at the beginning of the trip buy rum at the airport. Avoid the Marriott's premo prices. When we travel we also carry cereal (buy yogurt to go with it - which was expensive but beat the buffet), crackers, tuna, smoked salmon, etc. There is a store at both places, I've used the one up the hill, we buy a salad for $11-12, split it, and combine with crackers and smoked salmon for dinner. That's plenty for us combined with a lunch out at CJ or Sunset.

We do this for a few reasons, price, quantity of food, no hassle going to a restaurant - we're happy sitting on the balcony for dinner. For comparison, during our 12 days on STJ we ate lunch out about half the time, ate the others in along with breakfast and dinner. We are also fairly private and tend to hang at the beach/pool/balcony reading and relaxing, so getting out and doing lots of things is not our style.

FWIW - you got my $.02. Questions, feel free to ask.

Gromit, don't know if you remember or read my 2009 trip report but we had a few luggage mishaps along the way and arrived at FR unraveled and unglued. The people were so unbelievably nice to us the room could have been a dump and we would not have cared. But it wasn't. The room was very nice with an ocean view and back to CA. It was just beautiful at night with the cruise ships all lit up like Christmas trees. I bet they are not booked this time of year and would upgrade your room if you ordered the standard room with points.

That said of the on site restaurants we much prefer Havana Blue. It is very beautiful open air with billowing gauze curtains and pillowed banquettes. Very Zen. The food is very good, too. To me it would be the perfect dinner after a harried day of traveling. Whatever you choose, have fun!

Appreciate the helpful hints and reassurance from those who have stayed there.

We are literally going to be at the hotel for a total of 16 hours so I should be able to manage anything for that long.

It's just amazing to me how so many people could review the place so differently.

The common theme though seems to be, if they paid top dollar or close to the full rate, they are generally not pleased. Those on the other hand who use points seem to feel its just fine.

We won't be using the pool (prob not anyway) or any of the facilities. Just the shower, the bed and a place to eat.

Keep the suggestions coming though!

We stayed at the Frenchman's Reef for 2 nights, I refered back to my pictures. Looks like we ate at Iggies @ Bolongo Bay. If memory serves it was like a 15 min taxi ride....it's open air, on the water. It was pretty good, but with the cost of the taxi Havana Blue's $$$ menu would be about the same. I think you'll have to dress to impress at Havana Blue though. The second night wouldn't really help you...we went to Duffies in Red Hook.

we've stayed at the Reef twice and would go back in a heartbeat. Coco Joes is good, they have a Wed. night seafood buffet. Didn't do Havana Blue, but heard its great. Take advantage of the hotel's water ferry to the and from the waterfront by the Greenhouse. They have decent food and drink specials some nights. Had room issues both stays but were taken care of both times. Can't beat the views.