USVI-On-Line

Has anyone stayed at any of these places? I will be staying overnight prior to coming our villa on STJ. Mafolie Hotel, Galleon House, Hotel 1829. I don't need fancy, just a place to stay and would like to be walking distance to downtown. Thanks, Laura

We love the Mafolie - especially if you are there in the daylight-evening hours to watch the ships sail out of harbor from the pool deck. But - it is not really walking distance to town - sets high up on the hillside. Great view - nice family management. Simple but clean rooms. They also normally have a 3 night minimum during season.

For a single night, I recommend Island View Guesthouse. Also an excellent view and excellent owner. They do allow single night stays. It is not walking distance to town either though.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Check out Crystal Palace.

http://crystalpalaceusvi.com/

Might be perfect for you.

We'd recommend the Crystal Palace also. Ronnie the proprietor will pick you up at the airport and you can walk down the hill to the downtown ferry. No long cab rides and no cab fares.

Here's the view from the front porch.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billvt/3464702590/" title="Charlotte Amalie from Crystal Palace by nayr48, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/346 ... 7d9901.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Charlotte Amalie from Crystal Palace"></a>

Here's a pic of the parlor.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billvt/3463885613/" title="Main room at Crystal Palace by nayr48, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/346 ... c55856.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Main room at Crystal Palace"></a>

And the girls heading for the ferry.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billvt/3464706948/" title="Ann & Marcia walking to the ferry by nayr48, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/346 ... 2db7a0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Ann & Marcia walking to the ferry"></a>

It is all down hill. Except if you walk into town in the evening, than there is some up hill.

We stayed up above the Hotel 1829 at the Green Iguana for one night in June.

The Hotel 1829 looks nice (old, historic, cool front porch, cozy bar) from the outside. We had drinks at the bar and enjoyed the porch.

Like I said, we stayed up above, maybe a block or two and the managers told us to absolutely NOT walk home at night, no exceptions. I said something like "even at 8pm?" and was told no, don't do it. This really surprised me.

Just mentioning it as we thought we would walk downtown and back that night before going to STJ and it didn't work out that way.

I stayed at the Hotel 1829 last March for two nights. They were experiencing water problems the first day I was there, but I was assured this was not common. It kind of gave me a poor first impression, though.

The staff were very friendly and responsive.

There are a lot of stairs -- you go up stairs to get to the main porch. Reception is in the bar. Then up stairs around the pool to get to the rooms. Porch area in front of the bar is a nice place to sit in the breeze and watch what is going on down in the harbor.

I stayed in the "modest" room. I can't comment on the other levels of rooms. It was small and dated, but clean and functional.

This hotel would not be for everyone. But I will stay there one night on my next trip. It's not the nicest hotel I've stayed in, but I know what to expect. It is clean and safe.

I, too, was advised not to be out walking around after dark. I was told it was okay to walk to dinner, but to take a cab back.

We stay at the Green Iguana 2 years ago and you could walk down the famous 99 steps to town, back up not as fun, reasonable rate and friendly host. I like staying at Emerald Beach, walking distance from airport, good beach/pool/ bar for 1 or 2 nights but you would have to take a taxi to town.

We stayed at Green Iguana 2 years ago and Mafolie this past year. Both were nice for one night but I did perfer Mafolie. It also had a really nice restaruant/bar with a great view on the property.