Marriott Frenchman Cove--We're leaving tomorrow Jan 17th!!!!

[icydog]

Tomorrow at 7 AM we are leaving Newark and flying into Puerto Rico on a CO flight, then from Puerto Rico to St Thomas on a Cape Air flight. Our friends are squeamish about that second flight already. I told them to take Bonaire or Xanax. Any suggestions about the Cape Air flight? I am really looking forward to the small Cessna as my hubby is a non-commercial pilot, although he hasn't flown a plane in 5 years now, and we both love the experience of a small plane.

We'll be using our first owner's week since being Marriott owners. Up till now, we only used our Manor Club weeks for trading in II (We used to own Summit Watch and Mountainside as well, also for trading)

We bought a Frenchman's Cove resale in 2008 and this will be our first time using our week there, or anywhere else for that matter, as owners. We are really psyched.

I have a few questions. We are renting a minivan from Hertz. What all should we make sure to do? We are not athletic at all. There are four seniors in our group of four- so that means I am a senior as well Anyway, any suggestions as to getting around? Is there a shuttle from the resort to the main shopping area. Our Concierge guy called and told us that the K-Mart is the best place to buy liquor. Any other suggestions? Any suggestions on navigating around the island? I do know they drive on the left.

 

[Bill4728]

Congrats on getting out of the cold NE and going to such a great (and warm) place.

 

[SpikeMauler]

We stayed at the Morning Star part of the Marriott in October of 08. We walked through the Gourmet Gallery(small supermarket) in Havensight and liked it very much(for stocking up for the week). The beer prices weren't much higher than the prices I pay in NY. They also had a very big wine selection, if I'm remembering correctly. Here's the link:

http://www.crownbay.com/dinghy/gourmet.html

 

[Latravel]

I haven't stayed at that resort but I think you can probably walk to the downtown area. When we stayed in St. Thomas, we took the open air buses around the area and we loved it. You just hop on and off and I think it was $1 per trip. It was nice to do as locals do.

There are lots of taxi cabs in the downtown area that will give you an island tour for a fee. Make sure to bargain. The more people in the van, the lower the price since it's per person. I would recommend taking some type of island tour to see everything, then spend the rest of your days there just relaxing.

We usually like to go to Megan's bay at least once. There is an entrance fee (I think $3) and there are not many facilities there, but it is beautiful. It was voted one of the best beaches in the world. Very calm water.

This last time, we took a catamaran boat tour to the British Virgin Islands through our hotel. Make sure you can swim well since the boat can't stop at all beaches. You'll need your passport and pay some tax or entry fee (over $100) but worth it.

With the children, we took the ferry from Red Hook to St. Johns for the day. It was about a 20min ride. It was one of the most memorable trips we took. We walked around the small city area then took a taxi to Trunk Bay - very natural and unspoiled. The water was just like bath water and you could see your feet clearly in the water which was waist deep.

It's a beautiful island, have a great time!

 

[crjask]

We stayed there last June on a trade through II. It is lovely but a work in progress. Construction is going on so try to get a room at the opposite end closer to the hotels. The noise wasn't an issue but the first unit they gave us looked right out over the work area. We were able to get that changed quick.
The pool at the timeshare is very nice but the beach is full of coral. The beach at Morningstar is wonderful and the chairs and umbrellas there are complimentary as long as you take your timeshare towels with you. We liked it better than Megan's Bay.
You can't walk to town but there is a boat shuttle that takes you across the bay to town Didn't do it as we had a car.
One note on your car rental. Hertz is the one car rental that won't let you take it to St. John's on the car ferry which is a great day trip. You can still take the passenger ferry but then will have to use a cab when you get there to go to the great beaches.
The timeshare has the most spectacular view looking out over the bay with Charlotte Amalie lit up at night. Also cruise ships come in most days and if they leave after dark they are lit up beautifully also.
Have a great trip! I envy you. I am still hoping to maybe but a unit there in the resale market.
Cathi

 

[icydog]

We stayed there last June on a trade through II. It is lovely but a work in progress. Construction is going on so try to get a room at the opposite end closer to the hotels. The noise wasn't an issue but the first unit they gave us looked right out over the work area. We were able to get that changed quick.
The pool at the timeshare is very nice but the beach is full of coral. The beach at Morningstar is wonderful and the chairs and umbrellas there are complimentary as long as you take your timeshare towels with you. We liked it better than Megan's Bay.
You can't walk to town but there is a boat shuttle that takes you across the bay to town Didn't do it as we had a car.
One note on your car rental. Hertz is the one car rental that won't let you take it to St. John's on the car ferry which is a great day trip. You can still take the passenger ferry but then will have to use a cab when you get there to go to the great beaches.
The timeshare has the most spectacular view looking out over the bay with Charlotte Amalie lit up at night. Also cruise ships come in most days and if they leave after dark they are lit up beautifully also.
Have a great trip! I envy you. I am still hoping to maybe but a unit there in the resale market.
Cathi

When I'm ready to sell I'll contact you!!

 

[icydog]

Thanks all for the great advice. I am so looking forward to this trip.

I am pretty blase when it comes to traveling, since we do it so much with all of the timeshares we own, but this is our first shot at being Marriott Owners using our own week and we are psyched.