Pre-cruise Hotel

[new_cruiser]

I'd like a hotel recommendation on St. Thomas. This is for a one night pre-cruise stay so it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

[The Islander]

Hello,

A B&B: [url]http://www.bellavista-bnb.com/[/url]
A hotel: [url]http://www.emeraldbeach.com[/url]
There is a Holiday Inn downtown; Holdiay Inn Windward Passage; and a couple of B&Bs. What price range are you looking for?

Curious - which ship has boarding in St. Thomas?

--Islander
Vinow.com

[new_cruiser]

The ship is Windsurf. I don't have a number in mind for the rate yet. As I'll be arriving late and then leaving the next day for the ship I won't have a lot of chance to use the hotel facilities beyond a nice comfy bed and perhaps some breakfast. I was thinking something around $100.

I was originally going to be traveling alone, but a friend is thinking of joining me so it would be nice if the room had two beds.

I like the quaint historic hotels, so I'd go a bit higher for a nice one of them, but I don't know if that is an option if my friend comes along. How is the Hotel 1829?

[zydecocruiser]

In a reasonable price range, I've stayed at the Holiday Inn and Carib Beach. Up to about 20% tax can be added so check if rates include taxes, service charges, etc.
Holiday Inn (I've always gotten cheaper rates from the normal Holiday Inn website):
[url="http://holidayinn.st-thomas.com/"]http://holidayinn.st-thomas.com/[/url]
[url="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/home"]http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/home[/url] {for rates} can be less than $100 depending on dates and two beds are the cheapest.

The Best Western Emerald Beach is nicer (and a few bucks more) than the Best Western Carib Beach. Both are at the airport, Carib being closer. Emerald has a beach and Carib doesn't. They are on opposite sides of a bay so you can see one from the other.

Both Holiday Inn and Best Western have frequesnt sleeper programs where you can get some frequent flier miles if you sign up and follow the rules.

If you have time and it is open, you can buy booze at the duty free store in the airport and take it with to whatever hotel and then the ship.

Haven't stayed at 1829. Or these (not historic that I know of)

[url="http://mafolie.com/"]http://mafolie.com/[/url] {new website - someone maybe bought?}
[url="http://www.bunkerhillhotel.com/"]http://www.bunkerhillhotel.com/[/url]
[url="http://www.st-thomas.com/islandbeachcomber"]http://www.st-thomas.com/islandbeachcomber[/url] {near airport}

[new_cruiser]

How is the Marriott Frenchman's Resort? Is it hard to get to? I can get that on points.

[richtersl]

It's awesome! We spent a week there last summer. If you can get it on points, then do it. Try to work a deal where you get the buffet breakfast included.

If you get a room that faces Charlotte Amalie, you can actually watch the ships come in. The sunsets from your balcony are lovely. If you get in early, you can grab one of their water taxis into town for some shopping. If you do that, you really get to see some of the cruise ships close up because you'll be passing right by them.

Proximity-wise it's close to Havensight, perhaps a 5 minute or so cab ride. Havensight is where your ship will most likely be docked. The hotel is very easy to get to from the airport and Havensight.

[The Islander]

Thanks for the info. on the ship. I agree if you can get Mariott on points its a good stay & choice. The B&B mentioned above is a nice one if you are going alone, I don't know if they have double bed rooms, their web site should have that info. Hotel 1829 is another nice choice for a historic b&b/inn; again would have to check on double beds.

--Islander
VInow.com