We had a great stay at Elysian Beach Resort. We visited both restaurants and enjoyed the food and…read moredrinks at both places. The front desk was helpful and accommodating when we had issues. The rooms were clean and AC worked great. There is a laundry room available to use as well as a pool & hot tub for guests. It has its own beach front access & lounge chairs available to use free. Our favorite place was Rico's bar located next to the pool. He gave us the best recommendations and we had such a great time hanging at the bar with him. Definitely stop by for a drink at Rico's bar! Personally I wish it was located closer to the main road but we had a rental car so it wasn't a big deal. We stayed on the 3rd floor bldg Y. Our room had a fridge.

Booked through AirB&B so this experience might not be the same for members. We got to the resort…read moreeasily from the airport via taxi. We were allowed to check in 2 hours early, so that was a plus. The lobby is small but has cold water, a small lounge, a bathroom and an ATM. But no concierge (front desk person: "I don't know where she is--I haven't seen her in a long time.")--so had to figure out everything ourselves. They had a concierge contact us from one of their sister properties but she never texted back when I asked about a time to connect. Only one restaurant was open on Sunday when we arrived so we were barely in time to order before they closed. The dive shop was supposed to be open but was not. Even though we were advertised a late check-out, we only got 30 more minutes so stored our bags and went into town as they did not have guest showers on property to be able to enjoy the beach after we checked out. The room was nice, clean, and spacious for a studio king. The kitchenette had a blender, toaster, coffeemaker, small fridge, and cups/plates/silverware etc. Bathroom had towels, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, and lotion. Room had a safe. There was a dresser and end tables and a small table and chairs inside. On the balcony, there was a table and chairs and one chaise lounge chair. Each room has its own air conditioner. The property is built into a hill but relatively easily accessible (not ADA accessible but not crazy) despite the stairs. The grounds were well-maintained and the pool was a decent size and clean. At first I was not impressed with the beach because it was a bit rocky especially on one side and had lots of boats on the bay, but after touring four other properties on the island, I realized ours was the best we had seen. The lounge chairs are adequate and towels are provided both in your room and at the front desk. The shore is dotted with trees for natural shade if you want it. The water is clear but a bit rocky. The dive shop offers snorkels, boat rentals (kayaks, SUPs, and paddle boats), sand toys, sundries like sunscreen and tampons, and gear like hats and shirts and waterproof bags. They also offer snorkeling excursions departing from other nearby properties. Shout out to the attendant working the shop this week--he gave us great recommendations. No market or store on property--go into Red Hook (small nearby town) to the shops. Also, warning, you can't go to the glamorous property next door even to have lunch as they do not allow visitors on property. The two restaurants onsite were fine for our needs. One is pizza and sandwiches (Sangria's) and the other is more upscale (Caribbean Fish Market). But definitely recommend going into Red Hook to enjoy the local cuisine! I would recommend this hotel for a less expensive option than many competitors, especially if your party wants to go out and explore and do activities. The beach was the best we saw on the East End, and being close to Red Hook was a real plus. There are lots of options to take a boat road or the ferry to St. John and it's a pretty quick ride. If you want an immersive, pampered experience, this place isn't likely for you. But this is a good home base to enjoy all that USVI has to offer.

The service here is not equivalent to a 4-star property…read more The latte machine was broken every day during our stay. The servers act like they do not want to be here and the lobby and car service folks as well. Right now I've waited 45 mins to get room service on the line. I either get hung up on or no answer at all. Sent multiple food items back as they were either raw, or never showed up. When I told a server on our first day here the ceviche was big clumps of tuna with some mango pieces she just said ok. We waited 50 mins because our order was lost at the sea side BBQ restaurant. Balcony was never swept and bath gel was never delivered. It's a beautiful location with a lot of potential but i can't recommend this hotel as the service is absolutely non existent.

My wife and I recently stayed at the Buoy Haus Resort on St. Thomas, and we had such a great…read moreexperience overall. The resort is easy to get around, beautifully landscaped, and spotless -- from the rooms and grounds to the common areas. The staff couldn't have been nicer -- everyone we met was friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. Our room was right by the ocean and just steps from the private beach, which made it feel extra special. The infinity pool was large and never crowded, and the swim-up bar was a fun touch. There were always plenty of lounge chairs available, so we never had to rush out early to grab one. We also appreciated having access to the amenities at the sister property, The Westin, which added even more options during our stay. The bartenders at The Sandbar, Sean and Michael, really stood out -- super friendly, attentive, and just great to talk to. The food there was excellent (we especially loved the pizza and tacos), and the portions were just right. We also used the valet service, which was quick and very helpful with our luggage. Breakfast at Sugarfin was delicious, though a bit pricey -- the $25 French toast was hands-down the best I've ever had, and honestly, I'd order it again. The orange juice, bacon, and sausage were also excellent. We did run into a couple of small issues, but the staff handled them quickly and professionally. One thing to note -- the "king" beds are actually a bit narrower than a standard king (about six inches). Malika from Service Express explained that all rooms have this size to maximize space, and he was kind enough to offer a small resort credit for the inconvenience. We really appreciated how he handled it. The sunsets from the property were absolutely stunning -- some of the best we've ever seen. On our last night, we had dinner at Isla Blue, the fine dining restaurant on-site. Service was excellent, and most of the food was fantastic. I did have an issue with my filet that took a bit of follow-up to get resolved, but once upper management got involved, they handled it very professionally and made things right. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Buoy Haus. It's a beautiful, relaxing resort with a great atmosphere and amazing staff. We'd definitely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a laid-back, upscale getaway in St. Thomas.

This was our first time staying at Bluebeard's Castle Resort, and we spent a total of 4 days there…read more Overall, it was an okay experience with some clear pros and cons. On the downside, service was pretty slow when it came to replenishing towels and other basic items we needed during our stay. We also requested a late checkout, but unfortunately that request couldn't be accommodated, which was disappointing. Parking was another issue there's no assigned parking, and spots were pretty slim at times, which made coming and going a bit stressful. On a positive note, the views were definitely the highlight. We had a really beautiful view of the bay and the city, especially at sunrise and in the evenings it truly made the stay feel more special. If you're staying here mainly for the views and don't mind a few inconveniences, it may be worth it. However, better service and clearer parking arrangements would really elevate the overall experience.

My family and I recently took a cruise on Norwegian Jewel. One of our ports of call was St.Thomas…read morein the U.S Virgin Island. Although the port is filled with shops there is so much you can do by walking or taking a taxi. My family and I ventured out of the port on foot to explore St. Thomas historic landmark Bluebeard Castle-made by the Danish as a watchtower for the island in the late 1600's-it wasn't too far from the port, as my daughter said. My family and I felt safe walking the streets of St. Thomas, there were sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the island. I would say if you want to go see Bluebeard castle, which is free, I would recommend taking a taxi, because you have to walk up an extremely steep hill, I felt like I was going to fall backwards. However, if you are up to the adventure please bring proper shoes, water, and sunscreen because you are going to need it. Although I was exhausted, the walk was worth it. The castle is made out of stones with blue vibrant windows and the view is outrageous, definitely a picture perfect moment. I believe the castle is actually a resort, with rooms guests can stay in and there was also a restaurant, but my family and I just walked around and enjoyed the experience, no one asked us any questions. When visiting Bluebeard castle we were only able to see the outside of the castle, but it still was worth the walk, because my family and I were able to see more of the local side of St.Thomas. However, we did not see any restrooms, so please make sure you go beforehand. If you are ever in the cruise port of St.Thomas or just visiting the island I would recommend seeing Bluebeards castle or even stay at their results. The recommendation I would make is to take a taxi unless you are physically fit to walk up an extremely steep hill. Not sure the next time I will be back to St.Thomas, but when I return I would like to visit Bluebeards castle again.

This resort is unbeatable! Everything was perfect. We had our 25th anniversary here. We stayed for…read more5 nights, 6 days. Service was top notch. Starting with the Bellman JB, who was superb, he even brought us wine and fruit and a card to welcome us. Our guest experience supervisor Erika was absolutely amazing. She did more for us than anyone ever has at any resort, any place we've stayed. Top notch hospitality. Too much to mention here. Harrison in the club lounge always made us feel welcome and appreciated. We had a photographer (blue glass photography) Alain Brin, he was amazing for our photo shoot. Overall a 5 star experience. We will be back!

The Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas does not meet expectations of what you would expect staying at a…read moreRitz and in this price point. We came a few days early on our own and then the ladder half of the week we were part of a large group. The hotel was obviously empty when we got there. When we checked in, they told me I had a garden view room and I had been told I would get Ocean view. When I asked if they could accommodate because I knew the hotel was fairly empty they disagreed with me and told me oh that is far from the truth. I guess they're not allowed to tell you That they are at low capacity because for the next few days we barely saw anybody there. They did give us a different room, however, there was a card in the room, made out to someone else and a plate of fruit for them too that never got moved. The room appears older, but they tried to do some modern renovations. There was still dings on the walls, scratches in the paint and older looking flooring. The towels in the room were older, not very white anymore, and very rough to the touch. My oldest towels at home are far nicer than these, again, not what you expect staying at the Ritz. We went to one of the restaurants called Coconut Grove for lunch. We ordered a jerk seasoned fish sandwich. The fish was fresh and decent, however, there was no jerk seasoning on it as described. When the waitress came over and asked how everything was, we told her and she just laughed and said she would have to have a talk with the kitchen. There was no offer of fixing it or replacing it. I did share this information with one of the food and beverage managers walking around when she asked me how my lunch was. She did make the situation right by giving us a certificate for lunch on property the next day. That was very nice of her and we did appreciate that. The next day we had scheduled spa treatments. The spa facility was a huge disappointment. When going into the steam room, there are chipped and loose tiles all over the floor. I nearly cut my foot on a piece of broken tile. I then proceeded to pick up a whole handful of broken tiles that were loose on the floor. They need to warn their guests to make sure to wear their provided rubber flip-flops. This is extremely hazardous and unacceptable. In addition, the bathroom had no toilet paper. They were not cleaning up empty glasses that were left in the spa. The relaxation area was very basic and not even anywhere to put your feet up. The treatment rooms are Also really old and not up kept. The room I got my facial in had an air conditioning vent that was covered in black mold, and that is the first thing you notice while you're lying on your back, looking up. The door to the treatment room opened when I was not dressed and had to jump underneath the provided blanket. The aesthetician told me that door is broken and just keeps opening and scared the last customer because she also was undressed. Why has this not gotten fixed yet? Unacceptable! The gym facility looks nice. when you first walk in however the walls need paint and parts of the flooring in there are damaged. Housekeeping did not clean our room until 4 o'clock or later on most days. We would do activities during the day and either they had not been there yet or were there and we had to wait for them. Would be nice if they did that a little bit earlier in the day. Most of the people who work there are friendly and polite. Everyone greets you. As far as how the spa handled my situation, I would have hoped they would have taken care of our spa bill based on that, but they sent a lotion to my room and said thanks for understanding. The receptionist at the spa had asked for my contact number and told me someone would call or text me on it and they never did. Also, the spa will add a 25% gratuity to your treatment. I was told that can be adjusted based on preference. They never gave me that opportunity to even look at it just fully charged me without me even signing for my spa visit. The treatments themselves were decent, but I don't typically tip $50 on a 50 minute massage and was made to feel uncomfortable for questioning that. We decided to get some breakfast at the Bluewater restaurant on our list morning before heading to the airport. We ordered eggs, Benedict and a yogurt and waited over 20 minutes with no acknowledgment as to where our food was. After about 25 minutes, we asked the hostess and said we were getting concerned we would miss our transportation to the airport. She said she would go check, went into the kitchen, And never came out. We waited and waited with zero communication and then just ended up leaving because we had no time left. Sadly, the cons here added up and out weighed the pros and left a negative overall experience. We would not come back to this resort and it makes me question the integrity of the brand Ritz Carlton moving forward.

The house we rented, Hakuna Matata, was beautiful, if not a little dirty upon arrival. The view was…read moreamazing, kitchen and living space lovely. However, the bedroom we ended up staying in had dead bugs all over the floor, spider webs with dead bugs hanging in them, and clearly had not been properly cleaned for some time. I understand the house we stayed in was in the national park, but it should have been cleaned. One of the bedrooms was advertised as a king, but was really two twins pushed together with a huge dip in the middle. The outdoor shower, which faced the drive way, was not private at all!! Anyone in the drive way could plainly see whoever was showering. The furniture was dated and the lighting poor. Vicki, who showed us to our home and was meant to be our contact, was terrible. She took us up route 10, which was atrocious! She claimed it was the faster way to go, when really it was the less scenic way and she just wanted to get home as it was nearly 5:00 pm. She rushes through our house tour, constantly talked over us, rescheduled our mid-week linen change, and completely avoided/ignored us when we saw her around the island.

My family uses this place for all the times they spend weeks in the Virgin Islands. The houses for…read morerent really look like the pictures. I was here last summer and we stayed at Hawk's Nest. It was close to town and the beaches - I think I snorkled at a different beach every day that week. Each of the 4 bedrooms has its own bathroom, along with its own private outdoor shower! As this is a tropical location, bring mosquito repellent and insect bite relief. You'll definitely need it - especially if you stay at Hawk's Nest, where the huge Great Room is unscreened. Great views, but an open door for bugs.

During our most recent visit to the Virgin Islands my family and I arranged a full day charter with…read moreSimplicity Charters. This was the most incredible sailing trip ever! Captain Charlie and his first mate, Josh, were incredible, but it was Hinckley the dog who stole the show! Our sailing trip included sailing around the Virgin Islands, snorkeling in the cays, a BBQ chicken lunch on the boat, and a trip to one of the neighboring islands beaches for some swimming and frisbee time. The boat provided open bar for the entire trip... although they may rethink that option after sailing with our family! Definitely recommend Simplicity Charters. This was an adventure of a lifetime!

I can't say enough about the great experience that my husband and I had with Simplicity Charters…read more When Hurricane Irene threatened to ruin our plans, Charlie called us to reschedule the charter and allow us to change the day we were scheduled to sail. We arrived on the boat and were greeted by Hinckley, the sailing wonder-dog, and Josh, the first-mate. The entire crew did a wonderful job making us feel at home on this beautiful boat (which also is full service--read: has a bathroom on board!). The fact that Simplicity limits its charters to six ensures that you make quick friends and feel comfortable. In the morning we sailed to a secluded spot, enjoyed a snack of fresh local fruit along the way, and then had a guided snorkel with Josh, who is very knowledgable about the marine life. We reboarded the boat to a delicious lunch of barbequed chicken, rice pilaf, caesar salad, and fresh bread. The food was some of the best food we had during our stay in St. Thomas, and we couldn't believe that they prepared it on a boat. We continued our sail to St. John, and visited Honeymooner's Beach, a beautiful beach that can only be reached by boat. We enjoyed some more snorkeling and relaxed on the beach before sailing back to St. Thomas. The boat is beautiful, the food is wonderful, and Charlie, Josh, and Hinckley made us feel like old friends. You couldn't pick a better charter to sail with during your visit to St. Thomas!

They have a lot of experience and well maintained helicopters. The next best thing to seeing St…read more Thomas by boat is to see St. Thomas or St. John by air.

We had such a blast on our first helicopter ride! I was even in my second trimester of pregnancy…read moreand felt very safe and comfortable because our pilot put us at ease. It was definitely a highlight of our trip! I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to find a unique experience of visiting the islands! Many of the locals even had no idea of this cool opportunity. The views are outstanding!