First time visitor over Christmas
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:33 am
I didn't find the USVI to quite match Hawaii for beauty, but it's closer, cheaper and more convenient and I'd go back again tomorrow. I ended up going to St. Croix looking for a quiet place to go with a bar close to my room.
I ended up at the Palms at Pelican Cove for 6 nights after reading numerous reviews. This place isn't a 5 star hotel, but I'm giving it 5 stars. The people were great, the views were great, the food was great and the drinks were beyond great. I can't say enough nice things about the place. It was exactly what I wanted. It's not a huge place you get lost in or you're constantly battling crowds. Not every amenity is right there, but enough that the hotel stay was the highlight for me, and I'm never one to say that. Props to Willy and Jovon (sp) behind the bar and Diti (sp) at the front desk. And I should mention kudos to Conan, the kitchen and bar manager.
We did the Salt River Bay kayak tour which was pretty good. Scenery wasn't all I had hoped for, but it was informative and the guide, Ty, was very good. We took the CSA boat out to Buck Island which was a cool thing for a first time snorkeler. I'm not very good with water, but they were very good in helping me get on my way. Other than that, we didn't do a whole lot besides check out the island and stop north of Fredericksted to find a beach where the water was calmer. The waves made the beautiful beach at the Palms unswimmable this time of year. I'd go back to Croix just because of the Palms, but I think I want to check out St John's first.
The band playing island Christmas music over Christmas lunch at the Palms:
View from our room:
The beach at the Palms:
A sight from Christiansted's boardwalk:
Christiansted's Boardwalk:
The coast near Point Udall on the east end:
A pelican at sunset near Rainbow Beach (I think)
The south end of the island
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I ended up at the Palms at Pelican Cove for 6 nights after reading numerous reviews. This place isn't a 5 star hotel, but I'm giving it 5 stars. The people were great, the views were great, the food was great and the drinks were beyond great. I can't say enough nice things about the place. It was exactly what I wanted. It's not a huge place you get lost in or you're constantly battling crowds. Not every amenity is right there, but enough that the hotel stay was the highlight for me, and I'm never one to say that. Props to Willy and Jovon (sp) behind the bar and Diti (sp) at the front desk. And I should mention kudos to Conan, the kitchen and bar manager.
We did the Salt River Bay kayak tour which was pretty good. Scenery wasn't all I had hoped for, but it was informative and the guide, Ty, was very good. We took the CSA boat out to Buck Island which was a cool thing for a first time snorkeler. I'm not very good with water, but they were very good in helping me get on my way. Other than that, we didn't do a whole lot besides check out the island and stop north of Fredericksted to find a beach where the water was calmer. The waves made the beautiful beach at the Palms unswimmable this time of year. I'd go back to Croix just because of the Palms, but I think I want to check out St John's first.
The band playing island Christmas music over Christmas lunch at the Palms:
View from our room:
The beach at the Palms:
A sight from Christiansted's boardwalk:
Christiansted's Boardwalk:
The coast near Point Udall on the east end:
A pelican at sunset near Rainbow Beach (I think)
The south end of the island
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