From Magens Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, to stunning mangroves to some of the Caribbean’s best shopping, St Thomas is a vibrant, energetic destination that has been among the most popular in the entire region since the onset of the pandemic.
And the island’s hotel product is diverse: a St. Thomas stay can feature anything from a tiny boutique hotel to five-star luxury; here are our picks for the top hotels and resorts on St. Thomas.
Located on Great Bay on the quieter east end of the island, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas comes off a $100-million renovation with a beautiful oceanfront infinity-edge pool lined with private cabanas, four restaurants that include Sicilian fine dining at Alloro, and a renovated lounge for Club-level guests. A spa and catamaran for private sailings round out the five-star amenities. And then there are those views of St John.
The legendary, family-owned Bolongo Bay is a no-stress hideaway just a few minutes drive outside of busy Charlotte Amalie. When the point of your Caribbean vacation is to just chill out over cocktails and lounge on the beach, this family run resort is the place to be. Rooms are right on the sand and steps from the shore, and the dining at the poolside Iggie’s restaurant makes the all-inclusive package well worthwhile. No visit is complete without a sunset cruise on the Heavenly Days catamaran and taking part in the weekly treasure hunt for sunken rum bottles.
Every room at Lindbergh Bay resort has an oceanfront balcony, and the laid-back garden setting embraces a swimming pool with a waterfall and the Caribbean Fusion restaurant, serving locally inspired cuisine. The Emerald Beach Bar is one of a few truly waterfront watering holes on the island.
This condo resort has one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas located hillside or beachside about a mile outside of Red Hook, the east end gateway to nearby St. John. The beach is tucked into the side of a quiet harbor, as is the restaurant and beach bar; up the hill is the swimming pool with a lovely view of Nazareth Bay. On-site activities are provided by a water sports center; there’s also tennis courts and a fitness center.
Boutique hotels are a rarity in St. Thomas; Two Sandals is not only that, but a bed & breakfast, too. Located in Red Hook just a short walk from Secret Harbor Beach, the hotel has a modest collection of guest rooms, villas, and a private condo unit. There’s no pool, but that’s what the beach is there for, and Two Sandals also is within easy walking distance of Red Hook’s bars and shops and the ferry to St. John — perfect for day-tripping.
Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham
This Jimmy Buffett themed resort is part of Wyndham Vacation Clubs, but condo units can be rented by non-Club members, too. One-bedroom villas are located hillside and poolside, and the resort sits on a stretch of east coast beach close to Red Hook.
The history of Bluebeard’s Castle (recently rebranded as simply “Bluebeard’s) dates back to the 1600s, when the stone tower was built by the Danish to protect Charlotte Amalie. Although there’s no evidence it was ever occupied by the pirate Bluebeard, the tower remains a prominent landmark on the city’s skyline, and the surrounding property has been renovated after 2017 hurricane damage to include a pair of lodging options: the Castle Villas and Pirate’s Pension. Guests have access to a trio of restaurants, a pool, and tennis.
The views don’t get much better than those from this hotel in the hills above Charlotte Amalie, where you can spend your days watching seaplanes take off and cruise ships sail in and out of the harbor below. The hotel has 22 rooms — including what’s billed as the tiniest room on St. Thomas — and stays include a full breakfast served by the pool. The fine-dining restaurant is magical after dark, with an open-air patio overlooking the lights of the city below.