AboutSusie Rano Expertise I've lived in St.Thomas for nearly 20 years. I can answer tourist-related questions regarding this island and may be able to help with questions regarding St.John too.
Experience lived on St.Thomas for almost 20 years
Education/Credentials lived on St.Thomas for nearly 20 years
Expert: Susie Rano Date: 4/14/2008 Subject: St. Thomas vacation
Question Hi Susie,
I hope you can help! My sister and I are looking to take a much needed vacation from our families, just the two of us. We want to know where is the best place to stay on St.Thomas without the hassles of taking cabs. We would like to stay where we can easily get to restaurants, shopping and sight seeing, but yet lay back on a beautiful beach not crowded by loud children and family style hotels. Do you think you can help? I would love to hear from you soon, since we need to book within the next few days are plans are for the first week in May.
Sincerely,
Pam & Jeanne
Answer Hi Pam & Jeanne-
Unfortunately there are no hotels that has BOTH beach access AND walking distance to shopping, nightlife, etc. The Holiday Inn/Windward Passage Hotel is located downtown and would be well within walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. But no beaches would be within walking distance. There are tons of hotels on beaches such as The Marriott and Bolongo- but again, you would not be able to walk to shopping and activities outside of the complex.
We only have a handful of buses and local "safaris" but these do NOT cater to the tourist so they do not go to the beaches & hotels. The ONLY thing I could think of would be to stay at the Holiday Inn and take either a taxi or local safari to Crown Bay. From there you could get a water taxi to Honeymoon Beach. Honeymoon is BEAUTIFUL, quiet and pretty secluded since you can ONLY get there by boat. They do have a food stand and beach bar. I don't believe they have watersports or snorkel gear available there. Other hotels such as Marriott and Wyndham have all the water toys/activities.
You would also be able to take a ferry to St.John from downtown. I think it's about $8.00 each way and takes approx. 15 minutes to get there. Again, once there you could walk to shops and restaurants but I think you'd need a cab to get to the beaches. I highly recommend Trunk Bay which has the underwater snorkeling trail.
Well, I hope this helps some. Let me know if I can be of further help to you. Take care,
