USVI-On-Line

My wife and I are already booked for 9-days on St. John in August. I am considering flying into STT a day early...Why not get a head start!!!

Any recommendations on a hotel near the shopping district/restaurants? Our flight probably won't arrive until 3:30PM.

I used the search feature and didn't get a response that was recent (with in two years).

Thanks,

~DRD

Since the stores in town and Havensight close at 5pm your shopping would be done the next day - unless you meant food shopping or kmart? - and unless you are renting your car on STT and taking the car barge you will be using taxis - the Windward Passage is on the waterfront - close to Frenchtown for restaurants that night and shopping on Main St the next day and the Charlotte Amalie--STJ ferry if it is running in Aug.
Mafolie Hotel is up above town - has a stunning view and nice restaurant so you wouldn't have to leave the 1st night and just take a taxi down the hill in the morning for shopping and ferry.
A few guest houses in and above town - Crystal Palace - Green Iguana - Galleon House - Hotel 1829 - or maybe Villa Olga in Frenchtown or Island View by Crown Bay might be a good fit for you - reading some reviews and descriptions from Tripadvisor might help you figure that out and most of them have some website presence.
A beach hotel near the airport like BW Emerald Beach or Island Beachcomber is another option but is neither near shopping or restaurants but almost all the choices involve taxis anyway so ocean view and swimming might be something worth having.

Curious why you will stay on STT? Why not head over to STJ?
(Sorry, just realized I am pretty darn partial to STJ and maybe you just want to explore STT a little??)

We had the same thought and are coming down a day early in April. Our flight gets in just after 9:00pm so we decided to try Mafolie Hotel. It gets great reviews and the restaurant will still be open when we arrive so we can have a nice dinner. Can't wait.

stjchica wrote:Curious why you will stay on STT? Why not head over to STJ?
(Sorry, just realized I am pretty darn partial to STJ and maybe you just want to explore STT a little??)

Figured we could explore STT a bit without missing a day on St John....and it would allow us to get over to St John eariler the next day then catching the ferry after we arrive at 3:30PM.

I will do anything to extend my vacation by a few days....!

~DRD

I wouldn't count on the restaurant being open after 9. I seem to recall a post where the folks were very disappointed that the place was not open as stated and no food was to be found as CA town was pretty much locked down too by the time they realized the place was not opened. Make alternative plans just in case.

Mafolie says dinner served until 10, bar open until 11. A 9:00 arrival at the airport seems dicey on getting a meal.

cocosmom wrote:Mafolie says dinner served until 10, bar open until 11. A 9:00 arrival at the airport seems dicey on getting a meal.

Good points Coco and Knolmom. Especially if we check a bag- which we hope not to do. I think I will give them a call early in the week we are arriving and let them know our arrival time and see if they think they will still be serving. It is a Friday night and it looks like a lovely spot so hopefully they will be. If not we'll figure something out.

Sib's on the Mountain is just a few minutes up the hill from Mafolie and serves good food way late - no worries.

We did an overnight on STT prior to a Caneel stay. We really enjoyed it. We got to see some thing on STT that interested us and it was very relaxing way to start our STJ vacation.

Here is a link to my trip report -

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... rip+report

Dinosaur issues aside, we did enjoy our tour that day.

I kind of agree with stjchica. Maybe a night at the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel??

Hands down, the BEST choice for a stay in Cruz bay...it is walking distance fromt he ferry...the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel....it was fantastic. They have an itlaian restaurant on the bottom level that was excellent. We are going to stay there again. Prices were very good...$125/night which included breakfast.

We ate dinner at Mafolie the trip we based in STT. Lovely view, good food. The area seemed sketchy to us as we drove there. Nervous parking and walking to and from the car. Just a gut feeling, nothing specific. I know I would not opt to spend the night there. Just my two cents.

cocosmom wrote:We ate dinner at Mafolie the trip we based in STT. Lovely view, good food. The area seemed sketchy to us as we drove there. Nervous parking and walking to and from the car. Just a gut feeling, nothing specific. I know I would not opt to spend the night there. Just my two cents.

We won't be renting a car until we get to STJ so we'll have to get a cab from the airport and I imagine they'll drop us at the door. I've read the reviews and they are mixed, like most places, but mostly positive.I like the vibe I get from the photos and it's just one night. I'll write a review after our stay on April 12. It seems so far away but it helps looking at the photos, reviews and this forum!

There are great places to eat and play in St Thoams as we have found out personally or hear of from our friends who live there. It depends on if you want fancy or casual or just a fun night out. I would suggest fun and casual! Loony Bien or Pie Whole in Frenchtown. Fish Tails in Red Hook is great and if you are lucky maybe Inner Visions will be playing at Latitudes 18!