USVI-On-Line

Hello All - I am seeking suggestions (places to eat, things to do, beaches to hit) for my mom and one of her close friends who will be staying in STT next month.

I typically just head straight to STJ so though I've been through STT a lot I dont really know much about it other than the airport, how to get to the ferry and how to spend money in CA.

The ladies are fairly active, mid-50s and like to eat good, reasonable food, listen to live music, and generally just hang out on the beach. They (and I) are mostly concerned that they don't wonder into unsafe zones.

Areas to go? Areas to avoid? would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

where are they staying? I'd say to avoid CA after dark.

THey are staying at Absolute Paradise Villas.

we spent a day at Sapphire beach and enjoyed it. There are facilities there as well as food (at least when we were there)

Sadly, Sapphire no longer has any places to eat nor do they have a band playing on Sundays. There's some dispute re: an unpaid electric bill. Still a decent beach though with a view of STJ.

I'd recommend Magens Bay beach where you can rent chairs and floats, there are restrooms, food and drinks available, lifeguards and a gift shop/boutique. Also, the water is very calm there. There's a small fee but it's very safe. After Magens, go to Udder Delight for ice cream and adult milk shakes. Here's the Web cam for Magens: http://www.virgin-islands-hotels.com/cams/STT2cam.htm

Coki Beach can get crowded at times.

If they go downtown at night to eat, stick to the main areas but be careful.

If they use taxis, they'd never go into any bad areas.

There are good restaurants in Frenchtown, Bluebeards Castle has Room with a View and Banana Tree Grille, Herve's (French) is good, and Blue Moon Cafe (at Secret Harbor) is nice. A few other of my faves have closed within the last year or so.

Lunch at Cuzzin's, Glady's Cafe or the Greenhouse, or Molly Malone's in Red Hook.

There may be new restaurants at the new Yacht Haven but haven't been there yet.

Downtown will get very crowded, esp. when there are a lot of ships in. Check the schedule.

I second everything Jerseyboy said. Other than restaurants downtown closes at 5pm, when the ships leave.

Are they renting a car? If not, it will cost a small fortune to go back and forth between Absolute Paridise ( I've stayed there) and CA.

There is a beach right in front of Absolute, and Coki is within walking idstance to the left, and Fungui's is right there on the right, one could stumble there it's so close.

Sydney

Thanks to you all. Good suggestions! Yes, they will be renting a car. They already have a contact for that from their last trip.

WOW, hey flip flop. now i feel really out of place. i am fifty something and go all over stj and stt. being old does not stop me. wonder if there is places just for us oldies but goodies. try greenhouse, fantastic food. loving stj.

I didn't intend to imply that 50s is old ... just compared to me. KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING!

Reminds me of some of my first interactions with FlaGeorge. I was freaking (on the forum) about trying scuba diving and he was being supportive. Telling me all about his 30+ years of diving experience. I didn't have the heart to tell him he'd been diving longer than I had been alive. He found out soon enough

oh flip flop i know. no problem mon!!!!!!!....but i do wish i knew of a place to go to for us oldsters. we love to hang out at woodys or the beach bar and of course freds when inner visions are playing. hope to go in november for the girls gone wild trip if i can talk hubbie into it. he freaks out if i want to go without him. loving stj and homesick!!!!!!!!!!

Flip Flop - In May we have five "Divas" going to STT for a week at Diva Villa out on Peterborg - we are in our late 40's to mid-50's and one Diva is in her early 60's. We're not ready to get out the canes yet, tho. All are VI newbies except for me. The other Divas are talking about sea trekkin' at Coral World (don't worry, when DH and I did this a couple of years ago there was an 85 year old woman in our tour and she did fine). We are also considering a dinner cruise on the Elixir, a walk through St. Peter Greathouse and going to the butterfly farm (hopefully that will be open in Havensight when we are done there). On the flip side, we are also talking about parasailing out of the Sapphire Marina and a snorkel trip on one of the sailbots. We plan at least one full day in STJ and can't wait to try to back our honkin' big 7 passenger Explorer onto the ferry - lol. BTW, isn't Absolute Paradise on the grounds of the former Ren? With the Pineapple Village villas?? If so, Fungi's is always good for a snack and some cold ones. They can walk right through the Ren property and into Fungi's. If they want more of a meal they can go right up to Agave Terrace from Fungi's and avoid the parking mess up there. I second the recommendation for the Blue Moon - a nice day is to visit the Secret Harbour beach - there's pretty decent snorkeling on the right side of the beach and then have lunch at the Blue Moon. Don't forget to tell them about the loaded milkshakes at the Udder Delight dairy near Magens. BTW, if they are taking a cab to the property, I recently read a post that some cab drivers are not familiar with Absolute Paradise - they know the area by "Pineapple Village". You may want to check out the recent reviews of that area on Trip Advisor (search on Absolute Paradise Villas, Blazing Villas and Pineapple Village Villas). Let us know how they enjoy their trip!

Margy - that sounds like quite the trip! You gals are going to have a blast! Thanks for the tips I will be sure to share with my mom.

I know on her last trip they stayed at Bolongo Bay and enjoyed going to Izzys (I think that was the name, might have been Igggies).

Hi FF

I own a condo on Sapphire Beach in STT. Over the years when we sent friends and relatives down they asked us for a list of things to do and places to go. I therefore put together a document with trips, restaurants, activities, emergency information, and just about anything else I could think of. If anyone wants that list they can PM me and I will email it to them

Thanks Beachboy. I sent you a pm w/ my email address! Thanks!

We just returned from STT & I hired a massage therapist to come to our villa to give my wife a facial and massage on the patio overlooking Magen's. She really enjoyed it. Your realty company may be able to supply a list of reputable therapists if you're interested or PM me.