USVI-On-Line

Ok guys heres the deal:

My girlfriend of 6 years and I will be traveling to St. Thomas this July 3 - 10 for the first time. She just graduated from college in December and has been working her full time job since then. We've been dating since high school and taken many trips together, but only locally, not anything this serious. Also we have talked and planned to get engaged very soon. Well since we started planning this trip, I have decided to propose to her while in St. Thomas. But since we've never been there before, I'm walking into this blindly. I have a couple general questions about our trip, but then I have some more specific questions about popping the question.

- We are staying at the Marriot Frenchman's Reef. Has anyone ever been there? Is it nice?

- My girlfriend doesn't think we need to rent a vehicle, can anyone attest to that? Or would it be better to rent one?

- Being that we are going during the 4th of July, are there any celebrations on the islands? Anything we shouldnt miss?

- Is there any hotels or resorts with a spa nearby? My girlfriend would love it and it may buy me time to set up my plans for proposing?

- Are there any really nice restaurants on the island we could have dinner at the night I decide to ask?

- Any specials places or really romantic places I should check out?

- Any other day trips or sights we should definitely see while there?

- Can anyone give me a basic description of the difference between the islands?

Sorry guys (and ladies), I know this is a lot of questions, but since I decided this relaxing vacation turned into a source of stress, but for a good reason. Also, my girlfriend has been doing most of the research for this trip so I'm kind of in the dark on some things.

Thanks for all of your answers in advance, and now I just have to hope she doesn't stumble across this site and see my post!!

Zach

welcome! what excitement! ok, you totally need to get a car--really you do-- you want to e able to explore the island--
also at least take 1 day (or maybe more!) and hop over to ST john--it is simply gorgeous--take the car barge over (make sure your rental company lets you do this--dependable on STT does) --
i don't know tooo much about ST thomas, so i will etl others filll in on that--

yay congrats
my now husband proposed on our first trip to the islands back in 07. We loved it so much that we got married on STJ in 08 and now we are headed back in June. so perfect.
Yes, get a car and yes take the ferry over to stj.
We've stayed at Frenchmen's a few times
There are great celebrations for the 4th. STJ has a big parade and I think there is a big party on Jost.
http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event/1 ... works.html

My husband proposed to me on Jost on a day we did a day sail. You should def. do one of those. You get to see several islands and snorkel,etc. You should go see the Virgin Gorda Baths. There is a room there called the Cathedral room. http://helenmarygee.files.wordpress.com ... 24-502.jpg
my hubby almost proposed there

there is amazing snorkeling on STJ. I'm guessing you'll want to spend more than a day there. Go to the Northshore and drive and stop wherever you feel. Everywhere is romantic there. Honeymoon beach on the Caneel Bay property is great and secluded.

I don't know a ton about STT since we just stop there for a day before heading to STJ. Both of the island are a 45 min ferry ride apart so you are in a place to enjoy both. Frenchmens is nice, don't eat there though. The restaurant is very expensive and not that good. Grab some drinks and sit by the water.



sorry I'm rambling, but it's really an amazing place to become engaged.

There is a spa at the Marriott!

A couple of our favorite restaurants are

Virgilio's (Charlotte Amalie C-2) ...776-4920
Fine Italian dining in a romantic setting. Their veal dishes are excellent, as are the classic pasta entrées. Open for lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays.

Old Stone House
http://www.oldstonefarmhouse.com/

Havana Blue at the Marriott make a reservation for sunset and request a table by the rail

We've stayed at the Marriott several times...if you can splurge and stay on beach at Morningstar

Congratulations on your big plans. We will not tell her. If you haven't found a ring, there are some good deals to be found in STT.

I have not stayed at the Frenchman's Reef, but a lot of people like it. Perhaps someone here can tell you about what kinds of room to request.

You do not "need" to rent a car. Taxis wil take you almost anywhere you want to go. The bad news is the cost will pile up fairly quickly. At $15, $20 or $25 each way for both of you, you might spend enough to get the car. Parking, particularly downtown, and traffic can be an issue.

We enjoyed a restaurant next to the Hotel 1829 a few years ago. I can't remember the name but I want to say it is Hugo's or something like that. The dining room was floor to ceiling glass with a great view of the city. The food was very good. It's a little upscale, but not too high. The hotel might also be able to help you select a place.

The view form Drake's Seat on the north side of STT is impressive. It is said to be the place where Sir Frances Drake posted himself to monitor ship traffic in the area.

I think the difference between STT and STJ is urban and rural. STT is a center of commerce, industry and transportation. STJ is a destiantion, the end of the line. Life there is subsitance not commercial.

If you do make the trip to STJ for even a day, you will be hooked. Both of you will be so hopelessly addicted that you will spend the rest of your lives looking forward to the next trip and backward at the last one. So get on that ferry. If you don't you'll regret it. Maybe not today but soon and for the rest of your lives.... Sorry wrong movie.

Have a great trip and don't let is stress you out.

JIM

Thanks for the replies everyone, Ill have to check out everything you said, and we definitely will end up renting a jeep, I figure the money we will spend in taxis will end up evening it out.

Congrats! Don't let it stress you out. Everything will turn out great! You will be in a beautiful place with the person you love, it doesn't get much better than that!!
We've only stayed on STJ so I can't really help much with St Thomas. A friend of mine stayed in STT and said they loved the sky lift. I'm not sure the name or where on STT it is but it's like a tram that takes you up to the top of a mountain and then back down. That could be a good, romantic place to propose.
Another suggestion would be Honeymoon beach on STJ. Get a car and take the ferry over and then stop by Deli Grotto in Mongoose Junction on the way out to the Northshore. Pick up some great sandwiches and go to Caneel Bay and walk on over to Honeymoon beach. Have a little picnic and maybe pop the question there! It's beautiful, secluded and appropriately named and neither of you will ever forget it!
So many great places you can't go wrong whatever you decide!!

Here's a new question for you. Im very fair skinned, my girlfriend is Chilean. She never gets sunburn at all. But she went to Aruba a couple of years ago and burned and she's saying I will burn terribly on the islands. Should I do something about this? Or is it not quite as bad as she's making it seem? Of course Ill bring sunscreen and everything else, but she suggested going artificial tanning in the meantime to build up my tolerance and quite frankly I'd rather not do that.

Reason Im asking is I was out in the sun all day yesterday and got burned up.

numero 50 for you!--
you'll be fine, you can find shade on all the beaches, wear a t shirt (or a rash guard) while you snorkel.... and reapply liberally!

I think there is a big party on Jost.

For the 4th??

Wow!
Such happy days soon come!
Wear a lot of sunscreen & allow your sweetie to apply it!(-don't forget to return the favor-!)
Visit STJ, you'll LOVE it!
Thrilled for you-
Smiles-
MJ

Congratulations! All of your questions have basically been answered, but yes do not miss STJ!

Congratulations!! I want to 2nd the sunscreen and rash guard shirts...kept us from burning. And, a trip to STJ is a must. Have fun!!

You need to visit Magens Bay & Sapphire Beach while on STT. Magens Bay is on the north side of the island and Sapphire Beach is on the east side of the island and faces STJ, Tortola and others, with a view to die for! You must eat at Herve's which is up on the hill right in the downtown area and at Oceana, which is in Frenchtown. STT is our preference so if you have any questions, I would be happy to try to answer them. We have been going there since 1999. Our daughter got married in 2007 right on Magen's Bay! Frenchman's Marriott is very nice and has great views of the town and the cruise ships pass every day coming and going. In my opinion a rental car is a must; that's the only way to see the island.

Thanks KMA27. Herve's is the name I was trying to recall. It was a great restaurant when we were there in 2007.

JIM