12 Best Resorts on St. Thomas

byCassandra Angelie
The most developed of the three main islands making up the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas is home to a range of excellent resorts that cater to luxury and budget travelers alike, as well as to families and couples.

St. Thomas is a popular cruise ship port and, as such, has more to do away from your resort than its sister islands of St. Croix and St. John — there are posh shopping malls here, as well as golf courses and gourmet restaurants.

Because the USVI is a U.S. territory, Americans do not need a passport to visit this part of the Caribbean. St. Thomas is also home to the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie, and a number of resorts are clustered around the town.

St. Thomas is also home to beautiful white-sand beaches, sparkling turquoise ocean, and underwater coral gardens to explore on a diving or snorkeling adventure. Let the stress melt away as you soak up the multi-faceted warmth of the Caribbean at one of the best resorts on St. Thomas.

1. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Photo Source: The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas


The only five-star resort on the island, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas recently underwent a $100 million renovation. The luxe property sits on 30 beachfront acres adjacent to Turquoise Bay. The rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with high-quality linens on comfy beds and all come with ocean views and terraces or balconies. There is also a club level with its own lounge and dining area.

The property works well for couples and families alike. If you are traveling with the children, the Ritz has a Kids Club that offers supervised activities for children ages 4-12 during the day and also in the evening so parents can have a romantic dinner or just some alone time. Babysitting is also available here.

The Ritz has a slew of amenities on offer as well. Book the Lady Lynsey II, the resort's 60-foot luxury catamaran that can accommodate up to 75 guests. It can be booked for sunset cruises, snorkeling tours, or island-hopping day trips.

There is also a new family swimming pool with a waterslide, ocean-view pool cabanas, a gym, and tennis courts. If you'd rather just sit on the beach, there is a private section for hotel guests with sun loungers and umbrellas.

Grab dinner at one of the four on-site restaurants. The signature dining spot here is Alloro, which serves good Sicilian fare. The resort is about a 30-minute drive from the international airport.

Address: Great Bay, 00802, St. Thomas

2. Marriott's Frenchman's Cove

Photo Source: Marriott's Frenchman's Cove


Part of the Marriott Vacation Club fractional ownership program, the Marriott Frenchman's Cove in Charlotte Amalie features luxe two-and three-bedroom villas that are available to the public when owners are not visiting. These all come with full kitchens and separate living and dining spaces. Many also have unobstructed beach and harbor views.

Amenities here include a giant swimming pool with a waterslide and hot tub. There is also a section of private beach with sun-loungers and umbrellas reserved for resort guests. You can arrange for all sorts of water sports or just pick up a mask, snorkel, and fins to explore underwater. For dining, you can grab a meal at the poolside grill and café or grab something to go from the marketplace convenience store in the lobby.

If you're traveling with the kids, this is a very family-friendly resort. There are organized activities for children and even a Kids' Night Out program that lets parents have some alone time while children are entertained in a group setting by resort staff.

Address: 7338 Estate Bakkeroe, Charlotte Amalie 00802-3011, St. Thomas

3. Secret Harbour Beach Resort

Photo Source: Secret Harbour Beach Resort


On the east end of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort sits on a lovely stretch of crescent-shaped white-sand beach protected by a bay that is deep enough for swimming.

Accommodations here are condo-style and come in studio, one-, or two-bedroom apartments. All are individually owned and resort-managed, so decor varies slightly, but they all feature full kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and a private patio or balcony. The 48 units are either right on the beach or set on the hillside behind it.

The property caters to families and couples alike and has plenty of resort amenities. There is an activity center on-site and non-motorized water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding are offered free to guests. You can also rent Jet Skis or Hobie cats here.

Other amenities include a concierge for island tours or restaurant bookings, two tennis courts, and a well-equipped gym. For dining, choose from the Sunset Grille, which is right on the beach and serves Caribbean fare, or Cruzan, the tiki-style beach lounge that serves Polynesian-influenced fare.

Address: 6280 Estate Nazareth, Nazareth Bay, Benner 00802-1113, St. Thomas

4. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort

Photo Source: Bolongo Bay Beach Resort


If you're looking for an all-inclusive resort, then check out Bolongo Bay Beach Resort. The property has an all-inclusive plan, as well as a room-only rate should you not wish to have meals here.

The small resort has 25 oceanfront rooms with direct access to the sea; 39 rooms with ocean views; and 10 rooms with no ocean views, which are a good choice if you want to experience the resort's amenities and beautiful location at a more budget price.

Bolongo Bay sits on a thousand-foot-long stretch of sand backed by sparkling turquoise sea in Charlotte Amalie. There are two restaurants to choose from with a la carte menus here. The poolside restaurant Iggie's Oasis is one choice that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The hotel offers a range of included beach water sports and has its own catamaran named Heavenly Days. It does half-day cruises that let you swim with sea turtles, as well as sunset cruises. Diving and island tours can also be arranged.

Address: 7150 Bolongo, 00802, St. Thomas

5. Emerald Beach Resort

Photo Source: Emerald Beach Resort

Accommodation: Emerald Beach Resort

Overlooking Lindbergh Bay, which is home to a gorgeous sandy white beach backed by turquoise sea, the Emerald Beach Resort is a laid-back beachfront property that works great for families and couples alike. Just a few minutes' drive from the shopping and dining options of downtown Charlotte Amalie, the location is convenient.

The hotel offers 90 clean and comfortable rooms with either double or king-sized beds. All come with balconies and ocean views. They also have free Wi-Fi, fridges, tile floors, flat-screen TVs, and Caribbean-style art on the walls. Amenities include an ocean-facing swimming pool with a waterfall, complimentary kayaks for guests to use, and a restaurant serving Caribbean fusion fare.

Address: 8070 Lindbergh Bay West, Charlotte Amalie 00802-5901 St. Thomas

6. Point Pleasant Resort

Photo Source: Point Pleasant Resort

Accommodation: Point Pleasant Resort

Point Pleasant Resort is an affordable 3-star property on a gorgeous 15-acre hillside reserve overlooking Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea. The property is lovely to wander through, with nature trails and stone pathways leading to stunning views. Just a five-minute drive from Red Hook village, which is where you can catch the ferry to St. John, the location is also good.

This all-villa resort has a number of different layouts and styles, but all units are bright and airy with tile floors, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors leading out to furnished balconies, and lots of space to move around. The villas sleep between two and six guests, and all come with full kitchens.

Amenities here include a restaurant by the water and three swimming pools, two of which have fantastic ocean views. The resort is technically on the beach, but the spot directly in front of it does not have sand. Still, there is a beachfront to one side of the property that guests can use.

Address: 6600 Estate Smith Bay, 00802 St. Thomas

7. Limetree Beach Resort by Club Wyndham

Photo Source: Limetree Beach Resort by Club Wyndham


After sustaining major damage from hurricanes in 2017, the former Bluebird's Beach Club and Villas have reopened as the Limetree Beach Resort and have been completely rebuilt. The beach here is gorgeous, and the location, about halfway between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, is also ideal.

Accommodations are in suites that are brand new and vibrantly decorated in Caribbean style — think bright blue patterned curtains and throw pillows, local art on walls, and enough space to sleep a family of four with a king bed and a queen sleeper sofa.

Amenities include beach access with sun loungers and beach cabanas, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. All sorts of activities can be arranged including Jet Ski rentals, fishing trips, and windsurfing. There is also a dive shop here should you wish to go scuba diving. A restaurant and a small market are also on the grounds.

Address: 7511 Frenchman Bay # 100, 00802-2810 St. Thomas

8. Crystal Cove Beach Resort on Sapphire Bay

Photo Source: Crystal Cove Beach Resort on Sapphire Bay


On gorgeous Sapphire Beach, which has water the color of its name and powdery white sand, Crystal Cove Beach Resort is a laid-back all-suite property.

Choose from studio or one-bedroom condo suites, which all come with full kitchens should you like to cook for yourself. The condos are set in a horseshoe around a small pond and fronted by the beach. They have a laid-back Caribbean vibe, with clay tile floors and wood and rattan furnishings.

Amenities at Crystal Cove include access to a private beach, a large swimming pool (it is not on the beach, however), and tennis courts. There is no restaurant on the grounds, but guests have access to all the amenities at Sapphire Beach Resort next door, which has a restaurant.

There is also a beach shop and opportunities to book water sports or ferry trips to St. John and the Virgin Islands National Park.

Address: Estate Smith Bay, 00802 St. Thomas

9. Sapphire Beach Condominium Resort

Photo Source: Sapphire Beach Condominium Resort


Located right on pretty Sapphire Beach on the east end of St. Thomas near the village of Red Hook, this resort features colorfully decorated Caribbean-style suites and beachfront villas with pitched wooden ceilings and two floors. All come with full kitchens and large living spaces and balconies.

This resort caters to families and couples alike. Amenities here include a multi-level cascading swimming pool facing the ocean, as well as private beach access. There is a water sports center here, too, where activities like Jet Ski rentals and island snorkeling tours can be arranged. Scuba diving can be booked at the on-site dive shop. There is also a restaurant on the beach.

Address: Rte. 6 Smith Bay Smith Bay Road, 00802, St. Thomas

10. Flamboyan on the Bay Resort & Villas

Photo Source: Flamboyan on the Bay Resort & Villas


The laid-back Flamboyan on the Bay Resort & Villas is a great choice for budget-conscious travelers who don't need a super luxe resort to have a good time.

This property features clean and tidy studios and villas. These all come with kitchenettes should you wish to cook for yourself. The larger villas are popular with families. Kids under 11 also stay free. Most of the units here also have sweeping views of Magens Bay, and furnished private balconies.

There are two restaurants on-site: One serves Italian fare; the other cooks up burgers, pizza, and sandwiches by the swimming pool. There is also a coffee shop where you can grab breakfast. Other amenities include two hot tubs, a small fitness center that offers yoga and Zumba classes, massage services, and tennis courts.

Address: 6200 Magens Bay Road, 00802 St. Thomas

11. Bluebeards Resort

Photo Source: Bluebeards Resort

Accommodation: Bluebeards Resort

Recently renovated, Bluebeards Resort is set on a secluded hillside overlooking Charlotte Amalie and the harbor where the cruise ships dock. This three-star property is family-friendly, and kids stay free here.

Choose from accommodation in nicely decorated studios or one- and two-bedroom suites. All rooms have faux wooden floors, fun pops of color on bedspreads and curtains, and plenty of space to move around. Most also have furnished balconies with island views — the hillside location lends to panoramic views. They also come with kitchenettes.

There is a swimming pool on-site, as well as a hot tub. If you want to get in a workout, there is a fitness center on-site. Parking is free, and a car is recommended if you want to get around easily, but there are some restaurants within about a 10-minute walk down the hill.

In the morning, you can grab coffee at the shop on-site. There is also casual dining at the hotel's Sunnyside Cafe by the swimming pool.

Address: 1331 Estate Taarneberg, Charlotte Amalie 00802-4700 St. Thomas

12. Mafolie Hotel

Photo Source: Mafolie Hotel

Accommodation: Mafolie Hotel

The Mafolie Hotel is a landmark resort in St. Thomas that first opened in 1952. It is known for being reasonably priced, family-owned, and having some of the best views of any resort on the island.

Set on a cliff looking down at the town, harbor, and sea, the Mafolie does not offer direct beach access, but its panoramic views help alleviate that pain. The grounds are landscaped with tropical foliage and the rooms and public spaces have lots of character.

There are just 22 rooms and suites. All feature island-inspired décor and extra-comfy beds. If you want a microwave or refrigerator in your room, just request it. Rooms come in standard, deluxe, and junior suite configurations.

If you are traveling solo and just want a budget room with access to resort amenities, book the "island's tiniest room" here. It is just 120 square feet but comes with a full bed, air-conditioning, a mini fridge, and a microwave.

On a well-placed deck with views, the swimming pool is the top amenity here. The hotel's house restaurant is also well known on St. Thomas for its fine dining and, you guessed it, more views. It cooks up island fare including lots of locally caught fish.

Address: 7091 Estate Mafolie, Mafolie Hill, Charlotte Amalie 00802-3419 St. Thomas

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