Frenchman’s Cove markets

[GregT]

Hello TUGgers,

Jonell is going to St. Thomas tomorrow with some girlfriends. Mo’s market appears to have a food market on site at Frenchmans Cove, is that correct?

And if so is it easy to shop there and then get the groceries back to your room? We’re trying to figure out if it’s worth the $65 delivery fee, which seems high if it’s on site. If we’re missing something basic, please do let us know where you get your groceries delivered to the unit.

any advice would be appreciated - thank you!

Best,

Greg

 

[Pamplemousse]

We were there a few years ago and the only thing on site was the typical Marriott marketplace. We shopped at the grocery nearby ( I think it was called Pueblo) you did need a vehicle to get there. Prices were very high, selection was limited- pack all you can and bring your own bags since they charge for those too.

I’m sure someone with more recent info will be of more help.

 

[jimf41]

Hello TUGgers,

Jonell is going to St. Thomas tomorrow with some girlfriends. Mo’s market appears to have a food market on site at Frenchmans Cove, is that correct?

And if so is it easy to shop there and then get the groceries back to your room? We’re trying to figure out if it’s worth the $65 delivery fee, which seems high if it’s on site. If we’re missing something basic, please do let us know where you get your groceries delivered to the unit.

any advice would be appreciated - thank you!

Best,

Greg

Can't comment on grocery delivery we've never tried it. Yes, groceries are more expensive in STT. How much do you think you can save by packing groceries? If you save a dollar on a quart of milk is it worth it? There's a Costco type of place at the Tutu mall and a big supermarket there with comparable prices. You need a car or a taxi to get there.

I paid almost $40,000 for presidents week, do you think I care if groceries cost $500 more than in the states? I don't and I don't come close to $500 on groceries for a week. Restaurants are comparable to NYC prices and I'm on vacation in a gorgeous Caribbean island. Eat out and enjoy. If you have to ask how much groceries cost try one of the Marriott's in Orlando. The prices are pretty reasonable there.

 

[GregT]

Can't comment on grocery delivery we've never tried it. Yes, groceries are more expensive in STT. How much do you think you can save by packing groceries? If you save a dollar on a quart of milk is it worth it? There's a Costco type of place at the Tutu mall and a big supermarket there with comparable prices. You need a car or a taxi to get there.

I paid almost $40,000 for presidents week, do you think I care if groceries cost $500 more than in the states? I don't and I don't come close to $500 on groceries for a week. Restaurants are comparable to NYC prices and I'm on vacation in a gorgeous Caribbean island. Eat out and enjoy. If you have to ask how much groceries cost try one of the Marriott's in Orlando. The prices are pretty reasonable there.

Thank you Jim!!!

My lovely wife is very cost conscious (for which I am grateful) and she is trying to find out the grocery delivery options for her group of six ladies. I will pass along your sentiments!!!

Best,

Greg

 

[mpizza]

I like your style! I am heading to MFC next week. Would love to have STT dinner recommendations.

That being said, DH likes to have his favorite foods, beer and snacks readily available in the unit and my tummy does cart wheels if I eat every meal in a restaurant!

I believe Moe’s charges $65 for “rush” deliveries (under 48 hours). There is a normal delivery charge for regular orders.

Maria

 

[Pamplemousse]

I actually always pack some groceries because there are many things that I don’t want to have to buy a whole package of just to use half of and the either throw out or try to fit in the suitcase back. And there are some things that we just prefer that we often can’t find in other locations. It’s not a novel idea. I just mentioned it here since if there’s room in the suitcase it will be a savings. And once you consume the food there is room to bring souvenirs back.

 

[Dean]

We often pack what we can easily take. It's a way to guarantee we have what we need, that we're not searching over a store we don't know for something that might be labeled differently and that they may not have at all. For us it's a much more convenient way to travel more than a cost saving measure. But if one doesn't care about costs they could just hire a private chef and let them do all the shopping.

 

[samara64]

My wife always takes some spices and minor items if we have space in our hand bags. Else we have to buy big packs of such items and just use little of it and discard the rest.

And if we are traveling with our SUV, we have our timeshare kitchen bag full of these unique items that I do not even know what it is used for.

If you only will eat in restaurants, no need for a timeshare then as a hotel will do. We had a bad experience with this as we were in Europe for 10 days and ate in restaurants most of the time but we also went to supermarkets for vegetables and fruits. My wife ended with a bad stomach ache that we ended up in an emergency room.

 

[samara64]

I paid almost $40,000 for presidents week, do you think I care if groceries cost $500 more than in the states?

Sorry but just to clarify. Is it 4,000 or $40,000 for a week. I see the ritz goes for up to 10K per week.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Coming from NY its easy and I do like to pack one of those freezer coolers with some things we like that would in fact save quite a lot over 1 or 2 weeks of vacation. We'll bring a big bag of frozen shrimp and some good steaks. Not only that but while we do like to eat out I can honestly say I prefer a well cooked home meal with cocktails in our room, of course always with great oceanviews. So for us Its easy to save $500 - $700+ on drinks and food especially now that my adult kids enjoy a beer or some wine and we go out and spend $200+ a meal.

 

[GrayFal]

I like your style! I am heading to MFC next week. Would love to have STT dinner recommendations.

That being said, DH likes to have his favorite foods, beer and snacks readily available in the unit and my tummy does cart wheels if I eat every meal in a restaurant!

I believe Moe’s charges $65 for “rush” deliveries (under 48 hours). There is a normal delivery charge for regular orders.

Maria

I think I paid $30 ish for delivery from Moe’s

Mim’s Seasides Bistro http://mimsseaside.com/
Lanai http://www.lanaivi.com/
Glady’s Cafe for lunch https://gladyscafe.com/

 

[Theiggy]

Can't comment on grocery delivery we've never tried it. Yes, groceries are more expensive in STT. How much do you think you can save by packing groceries? If you save a dollar on a quart of milk is it worth it? There's a Costco type of place at the Tutu mall and a big supermarket there with comparable prices. You need a car or a taxi to get there.

I paid almost $40,000 for presidents week, do you think I care if groceries cost $500 more than in the states? I don't and I don't come close to $500 on groceries for a week. Restaurants are comparable to NYC prices and I'm on vacation in a gorgeous Caribbean island. Eat out and enjoy. If you have to ask how much groceries cost try one of the Marriott's in Orlando. The prices are pretty reasonable there.

Wow I think that’s a pretty insulting comment to tell people who prefer to pack groceries to go to Orlando.

I personally paid $1500 for my week, and I timeshare to save money and I use credit card points to afford to fly my family of 4. And as others have described there are other reasons to pack your own stuff, and no one should have to justify it.

To @GregT there wasn’t a grocery store on site last time I was there (2018), only a small marketplace.


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[Theiggy]

@mpizza
Here is a list of restaurants I have saved but realize these were pre-covid so you will have to check if they survived.

St. Thomas Restaurants
Mims
Pesce
Pie Whole - pizza
Virgilios
Mafolie- view
Tap&Still (great burgers and fries)
Island Time Pub Redhook
Smoking Rooster bbq
Greengos
Pizza amore- delivery!
Old Stone Farmhouse
XO Bistro
Delly Deck - Havensight
Bella blue or Caribbean fish market possible brunch
Tickles - at the marina
Gladys


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[WanderlustAbuela]

If you decide to rent a car, do it as early as possible. Car rentals are expensive and scarce. If you want the cab driver's name and number that we use, I can share that with you as well.

Will you be on island for a week? If so, go over to St. John's and it's beautiful beaches. Very nice hiking in St. John's if you like that. We take the people ferry but they do have a car ferry also. Honeymoon Beach, Trunk Bay, Hawk's Nest ... all beautiful. If it's just two of you, maybe you won't want to bring any groceries with you but you might want to bring at least your favorite non-perishables (bars, chips or whatever suits you). I am a foodie from Miami and I find the food there ridiculously expensive and not great quality. Both of those reasons (and a large family) is why I think bringing groceries including frozen meat, etc. is the way to go. I have been told by several islanders that the nicer restaurants go to Miami and Ft Lauderdale and bring back good steaks, etc. We eat out two or three times for nice dinners but really enjoy some nice dinners in the timeshare as well.

Favorite restauarants in no particular order: Mim's Seaside Bistro, Hook, Line and Sinker, Gladys' Cafe (in town, Caribbean, West Indian food - only B and L), Sea La Vie. I will add others as I think of them.

Most liquor is cheaper here than in the states. Duty Free allowance is up to 5 liters per person as long as at least 4 liters were purchased here and at least one of them is a USVI product (such as Cruzan Rum).
Duty free allowance is $1,600 per person. There are some good prices on jewelry, watches, perfume, etc.; shop around and know what the price point is at home before you shop.

Happy and safe travels!

 

[Paumavista]

We had groceries delivered (it was at the beginning of 2020)....we didn't want to run out or stop on the way to the resort that first day (after flying in with 3 babies). So we ordered food for the first couple of days, had a chance to check on what was on hand for cooking, etc and get settled. We brought coffee and dry creamer....but didn't want to lug a lot of food items (we already had enough extra with baby food & diapers). After a day or two someone in the group went on a shopping trip (I think to Walmart). But it was VERY nice to have food delivered to the unit within an hour of our arrival with soda, something easy for dinner, milk, breakfast foods, some snacks, and sandwich stuff. We didn't find it terribly expensive and the convenience was worth it that first day.

 

[mpizza]

Thank you!

 

[donnaval]

We were there last month - just a Marriott Marketplace on site with very limited selection, if it was affiliated with Mo's we saw no indication. I packed one bag with food which made in-unit quick meals so easy and convenient. We did go out and enjoy some restaurants but after a long salty day at a beautiful beach we are usually pretty tired and not all that interested in spending more hours getting cleaned up and going out to eat. And sometimes picky eaters just "need" to have certain foods or they can put a damper on other people's experience. It's not always about cost. To each their own!

 

[jimf41]

Sorry but just to clarify. Is it 4,000 or $40,000 for a week. I see the ritz goes for up to 10K per week.

I was referring to the cost of buying a Plat and a Plat +. The week rental at MFC or the Ritz can vary depending on the week. I just cancelled 6 days in February at the Ritz. The rental price was astronomical but the 6 days on Bonvoy points was about 350k plus resort fee. If you have a wealth of Bonvoy points it was better than renting. if you go to the Ritz try to avoid the breakfast buffet. The food is delicious, the view is incredible and you don't want to leave. The price, about 3-5 lbs per day.