5 Best Areas to Stay on St. Thomas 2024: Ironic, huh? A daunting undertaking for such a tiny island is choosing a place to stay in St. Thomas.
I mean, come on, how could it not? There are various resorts dispersed over a number of different districts, and these regions have very different atmospheres and amenities to offer.
We hope this guide will help you narrow down your St. Thomas lodging choices.
In fact, I put in my time as a boat Captain serving tourists, so I know what I’m talking about. The stories of my passengers are endless. These are the nice hotels. These subpar lodging options. The way to go. Avoiding places.
St. Thomas has seven different neighborhoods, however only the East End, Southside, Charlotte Amalie, Northside, and Water Island are tourist-friendly.
St. Thomas is a relatively tiny island, yet there is surprising diversity amongst the districts in terms of the hotels and tourist destinations that can be found there.
5 Best Areas to Stay on St Thomas 2024
1. East End & Red Hook
The East End of St. Thomas is the best bet for serious beachgoers in search of R&R and a variety of other activities. The East End is the most tourist-oriented part of the island, with the vast majority of the island’s resorts, beaches, and attractions located there.
Red Hook is the heart of the East End, a diverse neighborhood where seafarers, islanders, and mainlanders meet at waterfront taverns and eateries.
The marina is the starting point for most boat tours offering activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, and booze cruises. Additionally, there is hourly boat service to St. John, which brings adventurers to the unspoiled island.
The most stunning beaches in the USVI are located within easy driving distance of Red Hook. Coki Beach in particular is a popular destination for tourists on St. Thomas due to its proximity to world-class snorkeling spots, a variety of local shops, and fun rum bars.
Coral World Ocean Park, perched above Coki Beach, is a great place to take the kids because it has a plethora of family-friendly activities, including seeing dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life up close, as well as amazing views of the ocean floor.
Margaritaville and the Ritz-Carlton are always good bets when it comes to hotels. There is a broad variety of additional places to stay in the area, such as Crystal Cove Beach Resort, Point Pleasant Resort, Secret Harbor, and private condos within Sapphire Bay Resort. This is the finest part: There isn’t a bad option here; your toes can rest in the powdery white sand of any of them while you take in breathtaking scenery.
Pros of Staying on the East End of St. Thomas:
- Wide selection of the best resorts in the Virgin Islands including all-inclusive resorts with all the amenities including beach access, swimming pools, hot tub, and tennis courts.
- Easy access to marinas with popular boat charters, ferry service to Cruz Bay on St. John, and bars & restaurants in Red Hook
- Some of the best beaches in the Caribbean are steps outside your door
Cons of Staying on the East End of St. Thomas:
- Home to the most popular beaches in St. Thomas (& thus the busiest)
- Rental cars or taxis are a necessity to get anywhere outside of your resort
2. Southside ( Best Areas to Stay on St Thomas)
If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind away from the crowds, the Southside of St. Thomas is your best bet, as the majority of visitors head to the East End of the island, leaving the beaches on the Southside nearly entirely to hotel guests.
The Limetree Beach Resort, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, and the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove are the three most popular hotels, and they’re all located on their own private lengths of beach. There’s an outdoor pool, tiki bar, and upscale eatery at each. You could, in theory, spend the entire trip without leaving the resort.
But of course not! Compass Point Marina is conveniently located close to the island’s most frequented snorkeling destinations, including Buck Island, Christmas Cove, and the north shore of St. John. The historic city of Charlotte Amalie is just a short drive away. And if you’re looking for a night out on the town, you can easily reach Red Hook and its abundance of restaurants, pubs, and souvenir shops.
However, let’s not sugarcoat things. Nothing compares to the tranquility of lounging in the Caribbean sun with a rum cocktail in one hand and your toes on the sand as the waves smash (apparently) just for you.
Pros of Staying on the Southside of St. Thomas:
- Every hotel has an on-site restaurant and other resort amenities including private beach access, swimming pool, a fitness center, and tennis courts
- Best resorts for business travelers
- Quiet beaches with minimal foot traffic
Con of Staying on the Southside of St. Thomas:
- Everything worthy of visiting outside of your resort is a car ride away
- Hotels are some of the priciest on St. Thomas
3. Charlotte Amalie
There is a wide variety of Caribbean-inspired restaurants, as well as cultural attractions, convenient locations, and fun things to do and see.
Charlotte Amalie has considerable advantages, while lacking the tranquility of some of the coastal destinations to the east.
Blackbeard’s Castle and Fort Christian are only two examples of constructions that have withstood the test of time and numerous hurricanes.
Authentic Caribbean food can be found at reasonable prices at local cafes. Farmers and fishermen sell their weekly harvests and catches at the Market Square every Saturday. To live here is to be surrounded by splendor and excitement, and fascinating activities.
Once you’ve had your fill of the city, taking a Safari (an open-air form of public transportation) to other parts of the island is a breeze. You may travel all across St. Thomas for under $4 per ride and visit popular destinations like Red Hook, Magens Bay, Sapphire Bay, and Coki Point Beach. Lindbergh Bay, home to Emerald Beach Resort, and Brewers Bay, St. Thomas’ top spot for snorkeling with sea turtles, are both within easy driving distance.
Pros of Staying in Downtown Charlotte Amalie:
- Walking distance to historic sites, gourmet restaurants in Frenchtown, cultural institutions, museums, and duty-free shopping
- Access to public transit around St. Thomas (Safari Taxis) and ferry service to other Virgin Islands – St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island
- Most affordable hotels on the island
- Conveniently located near St. Thomas Airport and the Cruise Port in Haven sight
Con of Staying in Downtown Charlotte Amalie:
- Unless you’re staying at Emerald Beach Resort, you won’t have immediate access to a beach
4. Northside ( Best Areas to Stay on St Thomas)
The Northside of St. Thomas is completely residential and villa-based. Many of the island’s permanent residents actually reside here.
There aren’t any five-star hotels or resorts nearby. That’s why the Northside is so appealing, to be honest. Few people around. There is a complete absence of traffic. Stunning natural scenery only.
Magens Bay, a popular stop for cruise passengers and tourists, is one beach, and Hull Bay Beach is a favorite among locals and surfers.
Magens Bay and Santa Maria Bay have several hiking trails, and there are also a few high-end restaurants and two tropical gardens to visit on the Northside. However, that is not a valid excuse to look elsewhere.
The breathtaking views from the private pools and patios of the villas for rent here include the Atlantic Ocean, verdant hills, and the glistening blue waters of the bays below.
To get around the rest of the island, a car rental is a must. Let’s be honest, though; for some, that’s a pretty minor sacrifice to make for the peace and quiet you’ll experience on your balcony as you take in the breathtaking ocean views.
Pros of Staying on the Northside of St. Thomas:
- Quiet with scenic views of Magens Bay and the Atlantic Ocean
- Private apartments, villas, and homes available for weekends, full weeks, or extended stays
Cons of Staying on the Northside of St. Thomas:
- No public transit is available. You’ll need to rent a car.
- Marinas, shopping, and other things to do are all in other regions of the island
5. Water Island (Best Areas to Stay on St Thomas)
Have you ever fantasized about retiring to your very own island paradise? Lacking the funds to reserve a secluded island all to yourself? Lucky you! Staying on Water Island might be as near as you can get without draining your kid’s college money.
While it is technically the fourth US Virgin Island, Water Island is easily accessible from Charlotte Amalie via ferry and is widely considered to be one of the best tourist destinations in the Virgin Islands.
As you might expect on an island with only a few hundred residents and a single form of transportation (golf carts), peace and quiet prevail. They typically come with rented villas so that guests may navigate the island’s winding roads and see sights like Honeymoon Beach and the World War II fort.
With water sports rentals, a beach bar, and volleyball courts, this stunning beach is among the greatest in the Caribbean. The beach is usually busiest in the mornings and afternoons, when many boat tours bring day trippers to enjoy the sun.
The finest place to get away from it all remains Water Island. At 6:15 PM, the last ferry leaves, sealing you off from the rest of St. Thomas while you recharge while watching the sun set over neighboring Puerto Rico.
Pros of Staying on Water Island:
- Secluded and quiet with beautiful views of the Caribbean and Charlotte Amalie
- Private villas, minimal people, and golf cart-only transit make for a unique Caribbean-style vacation
- Daily access to Honeymoon Beach, one of the top beaches in the USVI’s
Con of Staying on Water Island:
- No stores or amenities on the island so you’ll need to ferry into town for groceries, drinks, and restaurants
5 Best Areas to Stay on St. Thomas 2024 :Newshub360.net
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