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Marriott's St Thomas-which one?????
Marriott's St Thomas-which one?????
Well, sometime overnight my husband decided we are going to St Thomas on all points. Not St. John, but it's only a ferry ride away-right! Now, I have been reading lots of reviews about Morningside, Frenchmens Reef and Frenchmens Cove. Some good and some bad. Any help is appreciated. I have to decide by midnight tomorrow.
Thanks,
mr
Thanks,
mr
m ricco
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California Girl
Frenchmen's Cove wasn't built when we stayed at Frenchmen's Reef, so I can't comment on it, but I loved Morningstar Beach and those rooms right on the beach looked pretty awesome. I'd definitely do Morningstar over Frenchmen's Reef any day!
This is Morningstar Beach, it's really beautiful
There's a good restaurant right there too, Coco Joe's. A little pricey, but what isn't? The food was good when we ate there (several times!) about 5 yrs. ago.
This is Morningstar Beach, it's really beautiful
There's a good restaurant right there too, Coco Joe's. A little pricey, but what isn't? The food was good when we ate there (several times!) about 5 yrs. ago.
We stayed one night in 2008. We were lucky enough to get a room at the Morningstar (beach side). I think my very large Marriott Account helped us.
It was OK.
In 2 weeks, we'll do a night at the main resort. I can't say I'm thrilled, but free is free.
All in all, we didn't really like the hotel. It seemed too something...it was hard to describe. But, we're not hotel people in general so it was a HUGE change after a week on St John. We found the food options lacking if all you wanted was a simple meal.
That said..have fun!
It was OK.
In 2 weeks, we'll do a night at the main resort. I can't say I'm thrilled, but free is free.
All in all, we didn't really like the hotel. It seemed too something...it was hard to describe. But, we're not hotel people in general so it was a HUGE change after a week on St John. We found the food options lacking if all you wanted was a simple meal.
That said..have fun!
We stayed at the Reef for one night 2 weeks ago using Marriott elite points. While it did make the departure much more pleasant on the following morning, we were quite disappointed by the property.
The staff was very friendly and accomodating, however the issue was with the building itself. It seemed like it's best days were 5-10 years ago and that it wasn't being kept up. In fact, some of the halls had an overwhelming smell of mold. I met a few folks at the bar who were all in the same agreement. A couple of them had been there before and said it has definitely taken a turn for the worst.
Morningstar did seem very nice. I spent some time in their beach bar while the kids body surfed the waves, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. However, I did not see any of the rooms or other facilities.
For simple meals it was hard to find good choices. We found that the restaurant on top of the pool is good for a simple lunch, but at dinner becomes an entirely different restaraunt. We retreated to the bar for a burger at dinner.
Hope this helps!
The staff was very friendly and accomodating, however the issue was with the building itself. It seemed like it's best days were 5-10 years ago and that it wasn't being kept up. In fact, some of the halls had an overwhelming smell of mold. I met a few folks at the bar who were all in the same agreement. A couple of them had been there before and said it has definitely taken a turn for the worst.
Morningstar did seem very nice. I spent some time in their beach bar while the kids body surfed the waves, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. However, I did not see any of the rooms or other facilities.
For simple meals it was hard to find good choices. We found that the restaurant on top of the pool is good for a simple lunch, but at dinner becomes an entirely different restaraunt. We retreated to the bar for a burger at dinner.
Hope this helps!
My thoughts exactly. Dinner's gonna be a 5-star pain for us. In 2008, we ended at the little gift shop/market where we bought 2 bottles of Perrier, one hip flask of rum and a salad. We sat on the floor in or room and ate.
The rooms at the Morningstar were nice. The tower does not please me, it just seems old and you're spot on about the musty smell/mold.
But, again, the price is right and it makes the last 2 days SO much easier. The ability to use the fitness center for that last shower/change before heading out is nice.
The rooms at the Morningstar were nice. The tower does not please me, it just seems old and you're spot on about the musty smell/mold.
But, again, the price is right and it makes the last 2 days SO much easier. The ability to use the fitness center for that last shower/change before heading out is nice.
We're scheduled to stay at Marriott Frenchman's Reef (MFR) for one night in December, since our flight gets in after the last ferry to Jost.
We used Marriott points to pay for the night and like Pip said, free is free.
However, I did research reviews on TA and found the reviews to be, on the whole, very negative about the hotel.
Most complaints seem to stem from the idea that it's not like "other" Marriott Hotels and that the services and amenities are somewhow lacking. Clearly for many reviewers some expectation is not being met.
I'll be sure to give it an honest review in my trip report in December, but I'll be honest and say that I'm a bit anxious.
That being said, it's only one night and I'm sure that it will be satisfactory for our purposes -- which is basically a roof over our heads.
After all, we're headed to Ivan's Campground on Jost for a week and that's pretty spartan. So by those standards, I'm sure the MFR will be fine.
However, based on what I've read thus far I would be much more worried if we had planned to stay there for a week.
IMHO, nothing compares to having your own villa (on STJ or STT- though STJ is preferable to me for the slower pace), your own pool and a place to yourselves to spread out and feel at home.
But to each her (or his) own.
We used Marriott points to pay for the night and like Pip said, free is free.
However, I did research reviews on TA and found the reviews to be, on the whole, very negative about the hotel.
Most complaints seem to stem from the idea that it's not like "other" Marriott Hotels and that the services and amenities are somewhow lacking. Clearly for many reviewers some expectation is not being met.
I'll be sure to give it an honest review in my trip report in December, but I'll be honest and say that I'm a bit anxious.
That being said, it's only one night and I'm sure that it will be satisfactory for our purposes -- which is basically a roof over our heads.
After all, we're headed to Ivan's Campground on Jost for a week and that's pretty spartan. So by those standards, I'm sure the MFR will be fine.
However, based on what I've read thus far I would be much more worried if we had planned to stay there for a week.
IMHO, nothing compares to having your own villa (on STJ or STT- though STJ is preferable to me for the slower pace), your own pool and a place to yourselves to spread out and feel at home.
But to each her (or his) own.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
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California Girl
Gromit, the OP, mricco, said that they are going to STT all on points, so there's not much of a choice when it comes to "to each his own." Points is points!Gromit wrote:IMHO, nothing compares to having your own villa (on STJ or STT- though STJ is preferable to me for the slower pace), your own pool and a place to yourselves to spread out and feel at home.
But to each her (or his) own.
Marriotts-St Thomas
Do you ever get the feeling you are being pulled in all directions? I guess the jury is in and we are staying at Morningside. There is still just a small part of me that is in question even about that. But a decison had to be made today. DONE! I will be sure to let you all know about the experience, as well as I hope you all will. Can't be to smelly I am used to 2 dogs.
mr
mr
m ricco
Mricco,
It will be fine. We did a "cheap trip" 2 years ago & stayed in a condo next to Bolongo Bay. We rented a car we could take over to STJ. Did 2 day trips there. One boat trip to BVI's. Then one other day on the car ferry over to STJ so we could eat dinner and hang later than the car ferry...not ideal but better than not going!
It will be fine. We did a "cheap trip" 2 years ago & stayed in a condo next to Bolongo Bay. We rented a car we could take over to STJ. Did 2 day trips there. One boat trip to BVI's. Then one other day on the car ferry over to STJ so we could eat dinner and hang later than the car ferry...not ideal but better than not going!
Would definitely stay on the Morningstar Beach side. We have stayed there the last two times we were on STT before and after a cruise.
We definitely like the Morningstar side of the Marriott versus the Frenchman's Reef side.
The beach bar restaurant at Morningstar is on the expensive side but it sure beats the restaurant in Frechman's Reef.
We head down to STT (on points as well) next month and are giving the Ritz a try. We would love to rent a villa on STJ again but I can't find one that is as reasonable as the deal I was able to get at the Ritz.
We definitely like the Morningstar side of the Marriott versus the Frenchman's Reef side.
The beach bar restaurant at Morningstar is on the expensive side but it sure beats the restaurant in Frechman's Reef.
We head down to STT (on points as well) next month and are giving the Ritz a try. We would love to rent a villa on STJ again but I can't find one that is as reasonable as the deal I was able to get at the Ritz.
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Islandtripper
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California Girl
