US Virgin Islands

Christopher Columbus is credited with “discovering” St. Thomas during his second voyage to the New World in 1493. His stay was short-lived, instead sailing on to Puerto Rico. The island was left unguarded by the Spanish and soon its sheltered bays were called on by ships from other nations, captained by men the Spanish would come to consider pirates. St. Thomas’ existence would continue as home to pirates and small settlements long before a European power decided to pursue a permanent settlement.

Today, the history, climate, white beaches, and natural beauty of St. Thomas attract visitors from all over the world. From world-class shopping, fine dining, to a wide variety of active outdoor adventures including kayaking, scuba diving, sailing, sport-fishing and more, the paradise of Saint Thomas offers tourists the finest holiday spot for families, lovers, and individuals alike.

Duty-Free Shopping

Saint Thomas is home to world-class shopping. Duty free shops line the Charlotte Amalie streets and alleyways. The best buys on St. Thomas include jewellery, perfumes, alcohol, china, crystal, art, watches and cameras. If you are in the market for something in particular, primarily jewellery and cameras, it is a good idea to know what the going price is in your home town; some items are better deals than others.

$1,600 Exemption (applies to US residents returning to the US mainland)

If you return directly or indirectly from a U.S. insular possession (which includes the U.S. Virgin Islands), you are allowed a $1,600 duty-free exemption. You may include 1,000 cigarettes as part of this exemption. You may also include five litres of alcoholic beverages in your duty-free exemption, but one of them must be a product of an insular possession.  Four may be products of other countries.  Duty free allowance on alcoholic beverages applies if you are 21 years old, it is for your own use or as a gift and it does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Climate

The weather in St. Thomas is extremely consistent. Sun and blue skies dominate the common weather forecast with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees Celsius during the day to 21 degrees Celsius at night. The trade winds almost always provide a pleasant breeze day and night.

Clothing

We respectfully request our guests to be neatly attired at all times in the public areas of the resort. Cotton or lightweight clothing is suitable for day and evening wear.

Passports

UK and European passport holders require a visa to travel to St. Thomas

US PASSPORTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TRAVEL BETWEEN US MAINLAND AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS

U.S. citizens are not required to have passports or proof of citizenship when ENTERING the U.S. Virgin Islands from a U.S. airport. All arrivals to the U.S. Virgin Islands from foreign airports are required to show proof of citizenship and pass through customs. All persons leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands, whether American citizens or not, must be prepared to show proof of citizenship upon leaving the islands to return to the mainland. Typically US drivers license is all you will need. However, official definitions are as follows:

Accepted documents for Proof of Citizenship for Americans:

1. A passport issued under competent authority,
2. An Alien Registration Card (this applies to U.S. permanent residents only)
3. A certified copy of a birth certificate and government issued photo identification
4. A Certificate of Naturalization, issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Citizens of any country other than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations and requirements for entry into the United States.

Health Requirements

There are no health requirements for travel to the US Virgin Islands.

Language

The national language of St. Thomas is English

GETTING AROUND SAINT THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS

Airports

Cyril E. King Airport is located approximately 30 minutes from everywhere. Your planning should include that you check-in at the airport no later than 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Airport transfers can be booked in advance here.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at the airport, cruise ship dock, and at popular attractions and beaches. Taxis charge per person and by destination. There are no metered taxis. Hotel staff at the front desk will usually be more than happy to provide you with information pertaining to taxi availability and costs.

Buses

VITRAN buses cover popular routes on Saint Thomas. Country buses run every hour from 5:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. between town and Red Hook. City buses travel between Schneider Regional Medical Center and town and run between 6:15 a.m. and 8 p.m. Country bus fare is $1 and City bus fare is $2.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Currency

* St. Thomas uses the U.S. Dollar
* A currency exchange service is available at most banks on the island
* You may also change your money or cash travellers checks at banks
* Remember to bring along your passport to help facilitate exchanges

Phone

* The area code in St. Thomas is 340

Electricity

* Electric outlets in the Virgin Islands take standard North American current, 120 volt / 60 cycles.

TOURIST INFORMATION

* U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (800) 372-USVI
* St. Thomas Tourist Information Office, Charlotte Amalie (340) 774-8784

St. Thomas Emergency Phone Numbers

* The local number for emergency services is 911.

St. Thomas Public Holidays

The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrate all major U.S. holidays. Banks and most stores are closed on these days.

Shopping Hours in St. Thomas

Most stores in downtown Charlotte Amalie are open both weekdays and weekends.

Tipping in St. Thomas

Service charges and gratuities are not typically included as part of your bill. It is customary to leave 15 to 20% gratuity on food and beverage services.

WEATHER INFORMATION

Seasonal Temperatures

Summer (June, July, August): High 89°F/31°C; Low 76°F/24°C
Fall (September, October, November): High 89°F/31°C; Low 76°F/24°C
Winter (December, January, February): High 85°F/29°C; Low 72°F/22°C
Spring (March, April, May): High 86°F/30°C; Low 71°F/21°C

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Each year, a large number of holidaymakers make their way to St. Thomas, and a large percentage of those individuals are golfers. Golf is about the most popular activity amongst tourists holidaying in St. Thomas. There are also an unlimited number of other activities to participate in, but the entire island of St. Thomas is a golfer’s paradise with some of the most beautifully located courses in the world.

Today, we golfers are spoilt for choice when we decide on a golfing holiday. With many stunning golf courses and resorts located all around the world, one might wonder what makes St. Thomas such a brilliant choice of golfing destination. Actually, there are many answers to that question, but the one that most springs to mind is the climate. Getting there from the UK is pretty easy too, but the climate and the whole relaxed ambiance of the place makes St. Thomas somewhat unique.

Located in the US Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas greets you with just the right kind of Caribbean weather that’s pleasantly warm and inviting. Temperatures remain pretty much the same throughout the year and are usually 28 degrees Celsius at the hottest times of the day, dropping to 20 degrees at night. Few of us ever get to experience golfing in such idyllic tropical weather – add the stunning island setting with awe inspiring blue vistas of sky and sea, romantic evening sunsets and fine Caribbean cuisine and you have the golfing holiday most us dream about.

St. Thomas enjoys low humidity and cooling sea breezes that keep the island cool during the hottest months. The weather alone is enough to bring in golf lovers from all around the world, but that is not the only reason why you, and many other golfers, would enjoy golfing in St. Thomas. This island is home to some of the best ocean views in the world, with many golf courses positioned so the ocean can be viewed from just about any angle.

When golfing in St. Thomas you can take your pick from a large number of golf courses. The island is home to a number of traditional golf courses and others that are built around stunning golf resorts. When planning your holiday and booking your accommodation, you may want to research each resorts offerings to make sure you select the perfect resort for you. Anyway, you won’t be restricted to a single golf course as you can play at most golf resorts and all the courses on the island.

Some experienced golfing travellers prefer to stay at a hotel without its own golf course and play several different courses while on holiday. Others looking more for a relaxed holiday and too fussed about the golf usually stick with one resort and sometimes even one course. Golf resorts are located all around the island and many along the coast, for those holidaying with family these resorts on the coast are perfect for splitting ones time between the family, beach and the golf course.

When on the island of St. Thomas, every golfer “must” play a round at Mahogany Run – This George & Tom Fazio-designed, par-70, 18-hole golf course overlooks the Atlantic ocean with a view of the neighbouring British Virgin Islands beyond. Most spectacular is the Devil’s Triangle – a trio of holes so challenging that golfers who play through them without a penalty shot earn a prize in the pro shop. Overall, the course is every golfers dream and if you miss playing on this wonderful course while in St. Thomas, you will have missed your chance of playing in golfing heaven.

Once you have made that decision to holiday in magnificent St. Thomas, you are encouraged to schedule your reservations well in advance. Depending on when you travel, you may find that many popular golf resorts, along the coast, are fully booked. You are advised and make your reservations early and avoid last minute disappointments.

Once you have started making travel plans and book your hotel accommodation you can begin to prepare for your golfing holiday of a lifetime, and once in St. Thomas you will surely be able to see why it is such a popular holiday destination amongst golfers.

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Each year, thousands of Brits are attracted by the charm of a Caribbean holiday. The tropical weather, splendid beaches and warm waters are just some of the reasons why these individuals make the decision to holiday in the Caribbean. Throughout the last few years St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands has become an ever increasingly popular destination for British holidaymakers. If you too are thinking about scheduling your next holiday in St. Thomas, you may have a hard time choosing from a fantastic array of beautiful hotels, resorts, and other accommodations options.

With a wide variety of choices, many individuals have a difficult time narrowing down their resort choices to just one. When selecting a St. Thomas resort to holiday at, there is one important factor that you should consider, what is it you want to do while holidaying in St. Thomas?

While on the island, you may enjoy all the usual holiday activities such as relaxing by the beach, participating in underwater activities, playing golf, or spending the day at the spa. However if you have any special activities you’d like to involve yourself in while on holiday, you are advised to shop-around and select the perfect resort to match your requirements. If you like getting pampered, there is a range of health and beauty spa resorts ranging from three to five stars. Below is my choice of three top rated spa resorts in St. Thomas.

(1) The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa is one of St. Thomas’s most well-known resorts. In addition to being classified as a spa resort, the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa is also an all-inclusive resort.

Whether you are interested in enjoying a romantic getaway with your spouse or a holiday with the kids, you are sure to enjoy your stay at this resort. Adults will enjoy the numerous onsite restaurants, bars, and the gaming room. Children, of all ages are welcomed and are sure to enjoy the many onsite activities for kids. The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa is better known amongst American tourists for its excellent kid’s club.

This newly renovated Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa is a beach and water-sport lover’s paradise. With breathtaking mountain and ocean views – this St. Thomas resort is the perfect Caribbean island destination. Carved into a mountainside, Sugar Bay is the most spectacular location on St. Thomas. Relax in a guest room full of delightful touches including colonial furniture and those old ceiling fans. The resort’s location makes it ideal for all the popular water-sports and beach activities. PADI scuba diving is also available.

(2) Showcasing sweeping vistas of the Charlotte Amalie Harbour and overlooking a secluded beach, the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Resort in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, promises an unspoiled beach paradise. Guests are within three kilometres of the St. Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point, the cruise ship docks, Black beards castle and underwater tours at the Atlantis Submarine. The Marriott is an international hotel chain that aims to please individuals and families of all ages.

Perhaps, the Frenchman’s Ref and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort is best known for its onsite spa, the Reef Health Club. Aside from the spa, adults will enjoy playing golf, tennis, and volleyball. The rooms at this beach resort are absolutely beautiful and so too is the fine dining restaurants and trendy bars throughout the resort.

As the Frenchman’s Ref and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort is located on the beach, they offer a number of beach related activities including kayaking, snorkelling, and sailing.

(3) The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is located on the far eastern point of the island. It is considered one of St. Thomas’s most beautiful resorts reminiscent of an Italian villa with beautiful rose marble floors and magenta roof tiles. Facing the shimmering turquoise Great Bay, the resort showcases a quiet beach, a dive centre and water sports. The Red Hook provides ferry service to St. John and the British Virgin Islands less than two miles from the property. The resort is especially popular with couples but also caters to individuals of all ages, including children.

The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is home to the famous Boutique Spa, where guests receive first class pampering by highly experienced staff. In addition to the spa, most adults will make use of the fitness centre, salon, and onsite golf course. The resort also boasts a Kids Club offering fun and exciting activities arranged daily for children by an onsite childcare specialist.

The Ritz offers guests a scuba diving centre, snorkelling, a range of beach and water sports, and sailing.

The above listed spa resorts are just three of the islands favourites, but you are advised not to just take our word for it and explore further resorts here. Whichever St. Thomas spa resort you decide to stay at, you will be spending your holiday amidst the charm and tropical luxury of the enchanting Caribbean.

*Book your airport / resort transfers in St. Thomas here.

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Conceived by mega millionaire Laurence S. Rockefeller in 1956, the Caneel Bay, a Rosewood Resort, located on St. John Island, has long been one of the premier resorts in the Caribbean Sea. Guests come here to disconnect in the pristine, natural surroundings and low-key luxury. Seven white-sandy beaches border 170 acres where the hotel’s accommodations blend into the landscape.

Caneel Bay in the Caribbean offers what every beach holiday should – beautiful surroundings, luxury service, and gourmet dining. The resort is located within the famous 5,000 acre Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John.

Ideal for beach lovers, Caneel Bay offers seven secluded beaches – Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Beach, Little Caneel Beach, Paradise Beach, Scott Beach, Turtle Bay Beach, and the Hawk’s Nest Beach. The resort is set on its own peninsula and is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

There are many different things to do here while on your beach holiday, including snorkelling, nature walks, hiking, sailing, sea kayaking, wind surfing, scuba diving, or just swimming and sun bathing. You can also have a private massage, while your kids take lessons in watercolour, or just sneak away for a picnic. The resort also offers you a fitness centre and 11 outdoor tennis courts that are floodlit.

The Rosewood Resort at Caneel Bay offers 166 guest rooms and cottages furnished with hand crafted furniture, woven fabrics, natural wood and native stone. The guest rooms also offer patios and balconies that overlook the beaches or resort gardens.

You can dine in several restaurants and bars that range from fine dining to casual meals. The restaurants include the Turtle Bay Estate House, Beach Terrace, The Equator, Starlight Terrace, and the Caneel Bay Bar.

For those who are looking to work on their beach holiday, Caneel Bay offers a business centre complete with computers, high speed internet access, printers, data ports, and even telephones that offer free local calling.

ACCOMMODATION

Garden view – One king or two twin beds. Near tennis courts. Garden-view ground-floor terrace with cushioned wrought-iron furniture. Upholstered and cushioned rattan and bamboo furniture in separate sitting area. Terrazzo or tile floor with straw-mat rug. Dressing tables. Tile walk-in shower (no tub.) Tile vanity in tile-floor bathroom. Wood louvers and ceiling fans if you prefer the trade wind-breezes, in addition to air conditioning. Bathrobes. Souvenir straw slippers. No TV, telephone, radio, clock. Complimentary bottle of Champagne. (Smoking not permitted indoors.)

Ocean view – One king or two twin beds. Close to swimming beach. Ocean-view second-floor balcony or ground-floor terrace with cushioned wrought-iron furniture. Upholstered and cushioned rattan and bamboo furniture in separate sitting area. Terrazzo or tile floor with straw-mat rug. Dressing table. Tile walk-in shower (no tub). Tile vanity in tile-floor bathroom. Wood louvers and ceiling fan in addition to air conditioning. Bathrobes. Souvenir straw slippers. No TV, telephone, radio, clock. Complimentary bottle of Champagne. (Smoking not permitted indoors.)

Courtside – One king or two twin beds. Near tennis courts and fitness centre. Garden-view ground-floor terrace with cushioned wrought-iron furniture. Upholstered and cushioned rattan and bamboo furniture in separate sitting area. Terrazzo or tile floor with straw-mat rug. Dressing table. Tile walk-in shower (no tub.) Tile vanity in tile-floor bathroom. Wood louvers and ceiling fan in addition to air conditioning. Bathrobes. Souvenir straw slippers. No TV, telephone, radio, clock. Complimentary bottle of Champagne. (Smoking not permitted indoors.)

Beach Front – One king bed or two twin beds. Furnished balcony or terrace with full ocean view. Located on beachfront either ground level or second floor. Exterior -corridor access. 380 – 460 square feet. Upholstered and cushioned rattan and bamboo furnishings in separate sitting area. Terrazzo or tile floor with straw-mat rugs. Dressing tables. Tile, walk-in shower (no tub.) Tile vanity in tile-floor bathroom. Wood louvers and ceiling fans in addition to air conditioning. Bathrobes. Souvenir straw slippers. No TV, telephone, radio, clock. Complimentary bottle of champagne. (Smoking not permitted indoors.)

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Virgin Islands National Park Visitors Centre 2 Miles
Cruz Bay Town / Shopping / Dining 2 Miles
Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum 2 Miles
Trunk Bay / Underwater Snorkelling 3 Miles
Coral Bay 9 Miles
Annaberg Sugar Mill 5 Miles
Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas 45 minutes by Ferry

HOTEL FACILITIES

ATM/Banking, Dry Cleaning Service, Health Club, Swimming pool – outdoor, Supervised child care/activities, Bar/lounge, Fitness equipment, Restaurant(s) in hotel, Gift shops or newsstand, Number of rooms: 166, Number of floors: 2, Airport transportation (surcharge), Conference room(s), Event catering, Audio-visual equipment, Business services, Tour assistance, Arcade/game room, Complimentary breakfast, Parking (free), Self parking, Room service (24 hours), Safe-deposit box – front desk, Complimentary newspapers in lobby, Front desk (limited hours), Business center, Porter/bellhop, Doorman/doorwoman, Security guard, Banquet facilities, Medical assistance available, Private beach, Internet access – wireless, Concierge desk, Internet access in public areas – high speed, Internet access in public areas – complimentary, Massage – treatment room(s), Meeting rooms (small groups), Umbrella, Wedding services

Offering you everything for vacation bliss, Caneel Bay is one place you’ll be glad you found.

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COMPARE PRICES, READ REVIEWS AND BOOK CANEEL BAY RESORT FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

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If you are interested in taking a summer holiday on St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands, you will have to start making your travel plans early this year. St. Thomas is a popular holiday destination, and this huge popularity means that each year, a large number of tourists flock to the area. To ensure that you are able to obtain accommodations in St. Thomas, you are urged to make your holiday or hotel reservations well ahead of time.

St. Thomas is a small island just 80SqKM in size and therefore the best way to book your holiday to St. Thomas is to avoid travel agents and book your flights and hotels direct. Once you are on the island you can book all variety of excursions, tours and activities from your hotels tour desk. There is absolutely no reason to spend more money with travel agents, as all types of sightseeing or special interest tours can be booked from any hotel. If however, you are unsure about booking everything by yourself, it maybe better for you to call a travel agent. Once you know the advantages and disadvantages of using a travel agent, you may feel more reassured the next time you book a holiday to St. Thomas.

Discount travel websites are rapidly increasing in popularity. Each day, more individuals make the decision to book their holidays through an online offer or website. Today however we see a new breed of website called ‘Cashback’, which allows the buyer to earn cashback on all purchases. Cashback websites operate similar to price comparison websites, with the difference being that cashback sites pays you for your custom and purchases.

When using a discount travel website to book your next St. Thomas holiday, you are urged to proceed with caution. A number of discount travel websites advertise that their site is free, but then they charge hidden fees. As long as you are able to find a discount travel website that does not charge these hidden fees, booking your holiday reservations online is the ideal way of getting the best deal. Many travellers have reported saving large amount of money on their St. Thomas holidays by using discount travel websites and then receiving cashback on top.

Many individuals prefer to use our discount hotel booking service because they are able to select the accommodation that is right for them. In addition to the convenience we provide through our award winning hotel price comparison and reservations website, we also have the most popular St. Thomas beach resorts and hotels which allow for direct online booking. With a simple click of the mouse, you could make your reservations on a secure website within minutes.

While we have a large number of St. Thomas resorts having online reservations, not all allow the ability to make your reservations online. If you are interested in a particular holiday resort and you cannot make online arrangements, you may want to send us an email using the ‘Contact’ tab in the main menu.

As previously mentioned, this website is designed for individuals who enjoy planning their own holidays and making their own reservations, like we do. The only downside to doing so is that it can become a time consuming process. If you do not know how to book your reservations online or you just don’t want to, you should use the services of a professional travel agent and accept that you are not an indie traveller. Furthermore if you find it hard or tiresome to research your holiday destination online, you may need a travel agent who will be able to provide you with a St. Thomas holiday travel guides.

It is easy to see that you have a number of different ways to book your holiday to St. Thomas. No matter which booking method you select, it is important that you make your reservations early. Note that without proper reservations, you may find yourself without a hotel and in a bit of a tight spot in St. Thomas.

COMPARE PRICE AND BOOK HOTELS IN ST. THOMAS FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

EARN CASHBACK ON YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVEL PURCHASES – HERE!