The United States Virgin Islands consists of 4 islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island. St. Croix is the largest and known for its pastoral landscape, Danish architecture and historical landmarks. Diving enthusiasts enjoy the unbelievable beautiful underwater reefs and the off-shore wrecks. St. John is known for it’s pristine beaches and it’s National Park, which occupies at least 50% of the land. The island provides a rich mix of the culture and history of the USVI. St. Thomas is the busiest port in the Caribbean welcoming many cruise ships along the harbor and the new Veterans Drive that runs from the ships to the capital town of Charlotte Amalie. Water Island is the smallest, just off the coast of STT. It is mostly residential and is famous for Honeymoon Beach. You can take a ferry from the Crown Bay Marina.
The flight from JFK, (no passport required) is about 3 hrs and 15 minutes non-stop to Charlotte Amalie. Delta and American offer non-stops during the season. You can either rent a car at the airport or take a shuttle service to the Ritz, about 30 minutes.
The Ritz has the hotel on one side the property and the vacation residences. The residences are fractional ownership, 2 or 3 bedrooms, full living room, dining room, 2 or 3 bathrooms, several terraces. It’s at the end of the property.
Things to Do:
Go over to St. John one day/evening. The island has a peaceful, casual, yet fun vibe. Get into the bohemian lifestyle and bar hop during the day. The ferry is about 20 minutes from Red Hook.
Restaurant choices: Extra Virgin XO – you can walk to it from the ferry. They have a 3 course prix fixe menu for $100, small portions but excellent quality. You can also sit at the bar and enjoy a bar menu with cocktails. There are several fun bars walking distance from the ferry. Mongoose Junction is up the hill and is a cool shopping and bar/restaurant area. Morgan’s Mango is a great spot for lunch/dinner. Make a reservation and take a taxi to Zozo’s, located at the famous Caneel Bay Resort. Unfortunately, this celebrity resort is closed after being destroyed by back to back hurricanes. The food at Zozo’s is the best you will have in the USVI.
It's new location is down at the beach and is wonderful. Nice bar and fairly large dining area where you can order a la carte or a prix fixe menu for $140, 3 courses, no beverages.
Back at the Ritz, you may enjoy the beach and the pools by the residences or the beach, infinity pool and family pool with slide by the hotel. The cabana experience by the adult pool is quite relaxing, $700 for the day, with beverages, a fruit platter, cookies and other treats. There is a spa, tennis courts, gym, lunch pool bar and small marketplace on the hotel side. You can rent a hobie cat, snorkel equipment and other water toys by the hotel beach. Lady Lynsey is a luxury sailing catamaran offering a sunset cruise with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and other excursions exploring coral reefs, outer islands such as Jost van Dyke, Tortola, Peter Island and St. John. Lovely! Don’t miss the beautiful architectual building, which was a monastery and now serves as a lobby for the Ritz hotel with a few shops.
Iguanas are your friends at the beach
Pool Cabana
Kite sailing, jet skiing, hiring a boat with a captain are all available close by to the Ritz. The turquoise water of the Caribbean is clear and welcoming, very beautiful coves and pristine beaches in America’s paradise.
Charlotte Amalie is the downtown centerpiece of STT, home of many bars, good shops & restaurants. Be careful at night walking the dark alleys on the cobblestone streets.
Havensight is a newer area where the cruise ships come in. There are designer boutique shops and a many places to eat. You can buy a Gucci belt for yourself there, save the tax; there is little discount. Zip-lining is available close to town, try something new. Coral World located at Coki Beach, is a unique land and sea adventure, dive activities, aquariums for family enjoyment.
Magen’s Bay is a local beach on the North side, about 25 minutes from hotel. Rated one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. A great place to see, to get into the vibe of the islands, the St. Thomas lifestyle. You can rent beach chairs and floats and there is a snorkel trail with a lot of marine life to see. There is a snack bar with food and drink. Enjoy a cold beer while relaxing by the calm waters on the island.
Magens Bay
Duffy’s Love Shack is a very casual night spot in Red Hook. It’s literally in a parking lot. It sometimes gets wild (particularly during Spring break), but often has lots
of islanders and a very young crowd. You can eat, drink and dance till the wee hours; have fun, no one will ever see you again.
Restaurants:
Alloro, Sicilian cuisine at the Ritz is a beautiful restaurant with a good choice of pastas, pizza and fresh fish. The drink Bushwacker was created by Bert the bartender, he is about 90 years old. Bleuwater has a beautiful outdoor setting, with music and Asian cuisine. They offer an extensive buffet breakfast every morning. Sails is the restaurant/bar by the beach on the hotel side. The lunch is very good and the frozen cocktails are a treat. The marketplace serves coffee, egg sandwiches, snacks, ice cream and lunch items to go. Coconut Cove is the restaurant by the residence which serves lunch by the pool or beach and dinner in the evening. The bartender Charlesworth is great; he makes a mean martini. Xavier is a young adorable bartender too.
Red Hook has some bars and casual restaurants you may like. The concierge can assist you with reservations and menus. We go to the Elysian restaurant, The Caribbean Fish Market, (next door from the Ritz) on the beach for dinner, nice bar, good food. Easterly, also in town has an interesting menu with small bites and local fare.
Agave is a sushi place and Pesce is a popular Italian restaurant in the town of Red Hook. Between the two is a taco place that welcomes a lively crowd.
Prime at Paradise Point is a beautiful spot, quite difficult to get there, high elevation. Very good, steak, etc. There’s a Margaritaville hotel on the North side of the island, about 10 minutes from the Ritz. We never go, but it may be fun. Sea Salt is on the North side, at the Sapphire Beach Resort. Very cool vibe, great bar, good food, lovely atmosphere. The Fish Bar is another newer restaurant which has a great happy hour, small plates. Sit outside on the patio.
Oceana and Sealavie are two fine restaurants near the airport. Virgilio's is in Charlotte Amalie on a quiet side street. Good italian food and a very comfortable atmosphere.
Enjoy the Caribbean water, the fabulous weather and the relaxing feeling while in St. Thomas.
Made many memories.