renovated Frenchman's Reef no longer Marriott.

[mariawolf]

Decided to see how renovations were going before looking into Frenchman's Cove next year--missed being able to go to the beach at Morning Star last time. Wonder if there will still be a shuttle there if not a Marriott? Anyone been recently to see how the renovations are going? Various news reports imply new hotel will open first quarter of 2020--seems to me without access that FC becomes less desireable

 

[Pamplemousse]

Decided to see how renovations were going before looking into Frenchman's Cove next year--missed being able to go to the beach at Morning Star last time. Wonder if there will still be a shuttle there if not a Marriott? Anyone been recently to see how the renovations are going? Various news reports imply new hotel will open first quarter of 2020--seems to me without access that FC becomes less desireable

Just curious, have you read that it is for sure the new hotel won’t be a Marriott?

 

[WBP]

Just curious, have you read that it is for sure the new hotel won’t be a Marriott?

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Marriott-not-managing-Frenchmans-Reef-Resort

This report (above) says that the new management company has not yet decided how they are going to brand the resort (Frenchman's Reef).

I suspect that however the resort is branded, the new owners/operators/brand will see income potential from the MVC Owners and guests, and will consider a "mutually beneficial relationship." Hopefully, it will be a better one than Host Marriott once came up with at the JW Marriott Desert Springs, when Host Marriott decided to end the Recreation Agreement with Desert Springs Villas 1 Owners and guests (which has since been repaired, not to its original strength, though). In my opinion, having once known how much revenue DSV1 owners generated at the JW Marriott Desert Springs (approximated, based only on "(hotel) charges back to villa (e.g. for food and beverage, spa, golf, etc.)), I think the owners/operators/brand of Frenchman's Reef would be short sided and pound foolish, to not arrive at a mutually beneficial relationship with Frenchman's Cove.

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

I agree that without access to the amenities of the hotel/resort a Frenchman’s Cove visit loses its value as FC is otherwise a small property without much to do.

 

[jimf41]

I agree that without access to the amenities of the hotel/resort a Frenchman’s Cove visit loses its value as FC is otherwise a small property without much to do.

I agree that FC is a small resort but to say that without the hotel affiliation there is not much to do is not accurate IMO. Next time you are there try boating, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, dining, exploring great mountain views and relaxing on world class beaches, visiting the BVI, great shopping and you can take a seaplane ride to St Croix.

 

[Fairwinds]

And don’t forget, all they can take away is the pools and charging to your room. All hotel restaurants and bars are open to the public as are the beaches in St. Thomas. I seldom use the pools and actually like the Cove beach but best beaches are not at either property. I would miss charging to room privilege a little bit. I suppose they could block of the walkway making it harder to get there but why would they?

 

[Nickfromct]

We were at Frenchman’s Cove in late May. We spoke to the GM and he said they were already negotiating the reciprocal agreement between FC and the hotel. He didn’t mention the branding on the hotel and I just assumed it was going to be a Marriott.

 

[suzannesimon]

I agree that it won't be a big disappointment. We wouldn't have access to their pools. It was nice to know we could go there, but we never did. Lack of tennis would disappoint my kids. Otherwise, we can use the beach, the bars/restaurants and the spa. They won't decline our business. I, for one, will be happy to have some restaurant choices that don't require an expensive round-trip cab fare.