Ritz St Thomas Worth It?

[travelhacker]

It's a bit of a long story, but my wife's cousin booked 3 units at the Ritz in St. Thomas using Abound Points. He'll be there with his family, and one of his brother's is going to be able to make it, but a different brother backed out and he offered it to us (we've invited them to Ko'Olina and this year we'll also be going to Maui).

This would be during our kid's spring break. I think if we had more notice, we would have absolutely said yes, but flights aren't exactly cheap and we have decent plans already (skiing in Vail).

We don't have passports (which I realize we won't need, but it would have been nice to take a ferry to the British Virgin Islands while we're there).

The flights are either expensive, or ridiculously expensive, but we could make it work if we travel at really inconvenient times.

Should we try and make it work? It would be for 7 nights, but I may try to extend a couple of nights (it would be "free" with the fare difference).

How is the resort? How expensive is visiting the USVI vs say Maui (dining, activity cost, etc)? What are some things you would recommend doing?

Our kids are aged 8, 8, and 12 and in Hawaii we like hanging out at the beach, playing at the pool, hiking, snorkeling and doing any other adventures that are available in a particular area (i.e. we loved manta rays in the big island, and tubing in the sugar cane plantation canals in Kauai).

 

[Hindsite]

@ljmiii knows....

 

[ljmiii]

The RCC St Thomas is the nicest beach resort in the Abound Point system. Is St Thomas as wonderful as St John or Kauai, no. But the RCC simply can’t be beat for service or quality of the villas.

The beach isn’t as nice as Waiohai or KBC, but nicer than MOC or Ko Olina. And there are better beaches on St Thomas than those at the resort.

The number one thing I would recommend doing is getting out on the water. Either excursions from the RCC or Red Hook or (ideally) by making your way to St John. In fact, we’ve found private snorkel excursions from St John to be comparable in price to those for a family of four on St Thomas (and so much nicer). But there are other things to do on St Thomas as well.

I would say that in general St Thomas is about as expensive as Maui. One thing that is different is that taxis are ubiquitous on St Thomas and so many people don’t rent a vehicle. But the taxis do charge per person.

You mention adding days and while you could do so on St Thomas, I would strongly encourage you to do that on St John or (if you’re willing to add a pair of puddle jumper flights) St Croix.

 

[travelhacker]

Thanks @ljmiii! I really appreciate the info you gave. I'm leaning towards doing it. I know it's not impossible (heck my wife's cousin got three units), but it is a tricky reservation and would be a good opportunity for my kids to spend some time with extended family.

I love getting out on the water, so I would certainly plan on doing that. I'd love to do the extra nights at WSJ....we'll see if I can work that out.

I'd probably plan on renting a car -- I didn't realize until today that they drive on the left side of the road in the USVI....so that'll take some getting used to.

Is there any other information that may be useful? I know there's some equipment at the hotel side and it sounds like I may need to pay an extra fee to use them (like paddleboards).

Any other fees to be aware of?

Thanks so much!

 

[Hindsite]

I'd probably plan on renting a car -- I didn't realize until today that they drive on the left side of the road in the USVI....so that'll take some getting used to.

Possibly the worst of all combinations: driving on the left but using left hand drive cars, so having a passenger in the front right seat that can help spotter is worthwhile. Luckily the roads aren't great so getting speed up of more than 35mph is unusual.

 

[Marathoner]

have decent plans already (skiing in Vail).

I am biased but I would choose Ritz Vail during ski season over Ritz St Thomas every day of the week!

Ritz St Thomas - the beach and pool are very nice, nicer than most MVC resorts. Its almost like a US state, so you have high speed internet on your cellular plan, they only accept US dollars, and everyone speaks English. You should rent a car, and the local hole in the wall restaurants are really good - thats where you should try to get your food.

I would prefer to go to Aruba Surf Club over Ritz St Thomas because Aruba had the lazy river, better food, and its a happier island. But Ritz St Thomas is more upscale residences and its still good.

 

[5finny]

Possibly the worst of all combinations: driving on the left but using left hand drive cars, so having a passenger in the front right seat that can help spotter is worthwhile. Luckily the roads aren't great so getting speed up of more than 35mph is unusual.

And from a long ago trip to Ireland
Beware Manual Transmissions on rental cars

 

[travelhacker]

I am biased but I would choose Ritz Vail during ski season over Ritz St Thomas every day of the week!

We’re booked at Streamside, so the Ritz St Thomas would be quite an upgrade.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[ljmiii]

Possibly the worst of all combinations: driving on the left but using left hand drive cars, so having a passenger in the front right seat that can help spotter is worthwhile. Luckily the roads aren't great so getting speed up of more than 35mph is unusual.

Actually, I've found that on St Thomas (and even more so on St John) this is the best of all combinations - on most roads the uneven cliff edge is a far greater threat than oncoming vehicles ;-)

 

[ljmiii]

I'd probably plan on renting a car -- I didn't realize until today that they drive on the left side of the road in the USVI....so that'll take some getting used to.

We've stayed at the RCC St Thomas (and WSJ and Frenchman's Cove) both with and without a rental. As I mentioned, taxis charge per person (and bag) and are ubiquitous at the RCC and major tourist destinations like Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie and Magens Bay but if you're planning on exploring the rest of the island you'll definitely want your own vehicle. If you rent from a company that allows it, you can also take the car barge over to St John to explore the beaches and other sights of that island. On St Thomas I recommend Paradise Rental Car (I also recommend renting a 4WD/AWD vehicle).

Is there any other information that may be useful? I know there's some equipment at the hotel side and it sounds like I may need to pay an extra fee to use them (like paddleboards).

We only really looked into sailing on the Lady Lynsey Catamaran which does excursions off the hotel beach. I know the RC hotel has things like paddleboards...but didn't inquire about details. I don't know how much you intend to cook, but there's a great grocery in Red Hook (Moe's) that not only delivers but you can arrange for necessities to be in your villa when you arrive. In general, the restaurants at the hotel are fine but nothing to write home about (there's much better across the street, in Red Hook, and in Charlotte Amalie), but the pool bar on the RCC side is somewhat extraordinary with much better food and drink than any pool bar has a right to.

Any other fees to be aware of?

The USVI has a Environmental Infrastructure Impact Fee of $25/night for accommodations. If you do get passports, the BVI has a $10/person Environmental & Tourism fee.

 

[Tia]

And from a long ago trip to Ireland
Beware Manual Transmissions on rental cars

All the rental vehicles we've gotten on St Thomas have been automatic so that's not a problem. It's not that bad getting used to driving on the left, experienced it , have the passenger in the front remind driver ''left '' and help with navigations.

 

[Shiba]

Can’t give you info on RCC, but St. Thomas is one of our favorite places. Don’t be intimidated by driving on the left its pretty straight forward. Speeds are 35 miles per hour. We rent from Paradise Car rental and they pick you up from the airport and allow you to take the car to St John. You return at the departure area and a representative will be there. Unload your bags and go check in. You will be going through customs upon leaving so plan for additional time.

No St. Thomas trip is complete unless you go to St John. Our favorite beach is Trunk Bay. The water is clear as can be. You can see the fish and sting rays swimming with you. They also rent snorkel gear and lawn chairs and have food to buy. We stop at North Shore Deli for sandwiches before heading out. We have taken both the car ferry and the traditional ferry.

Megan’s Bay is my favorite beach on St Thomas, but can be very crowded on cruise ship day. Stop at Drakes passage to get a good view before heading down to Megan’s Bay. They have concessions and beach chair rental.

If you want a special night out head to Prime for a Sunset Dinner with the significant other. Great views of the bay and awesome pictures to send home.

As for food its pricier, but we pre order from Cost U Less and pick up when we arrive. Whatever we forgot one of us shops while the other picks up the order. We at least cook breakfast in our unit to mitigate costs.

I forgot St Thomas is not flat island and each hotel has 1-2 restaurants on site; otherwise, you have to drive to other locations. I describe it as having to go from cove to cove. Download Waze and you’ll be fine.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Red elephant]

It's a bit of a long story, but my wife's cousin booked 3 units at the Ritz in St. Thomas using Abound Points. He'll be there with his family, and one of his brother's is going to be able to make it, but a different brother backed out and he offered it to us (we've invited them to Ko'Olina and this year we'll also be going to Maui).

This would be during our kid's spring break. I think if we had more notice, we would have absolutely said yes, but flights aren't exactly cheap and we have decent plans already (skiing in Vail).

We don't have passports (which I realize we won't need, but it would have been nice to take a ferry to the British Virgin Islands while we're there).

The flights are either expensive, or ridiculously expensive, but we could make it work if we travel at really inconvenient times.

Should we try and make it work? It would be for 7 nights, but I may try to extend a couple of nights (it would be "free" with the fare difference).

How is the resort? How expensive is visiting the USVI vs say Maui (dining, activity cost, etc)? What are some things you would recommend doing?

Our kids are aged 8, 8, and 12 and in Hawaii we like hanging out at the beach, playing at the pool, hiking, snorkeling and doing any other adventures that are available in a particular area (i.e. we loved manta rays in the big island, and tubing in the sugar cane plantation canals in Kauai).

We love the RCC in St Thomas if it was in St John then it would be perfect. We own at WSJ so we spend 7 days there in a studio and 5 or 7 days at RCC twice a year.
In St John we go to all the beaches and dinner downtown. Then We go to RCC and relax. The resort is just beautiful and you have access to the hotel it’s like one huge complex. The food at the pool bar in the timeshare section is actually pretty good. Hanging out at the bar is one of our favorite things to do. Snorkeling is great at that beach from what I hear but I have never actually gone in as we don’t go there for the beach.
We go to town once to Prime restaurant perched up on the hill.
The Caribbean fish market which is right next to the RCC is quite good and is walking distance.
We eat all the other meals at the resort as the Italian restaurant is also good as well as Sails both on the hotel side.
Going out on Lady Lindsey for an excursion is also fun as you board right there at the resort.
I believe the water sport equipment is included.
You get free coffee till 11am and cookies at 3 pm. I believe there is rum tasting in the evening.
We don’t rent a car as getting a taxi is pretty easy but then we don’t really leave the resort. I do morning walks around the resort as it sits on a hill so good exercise. Their gym is also nice and we play tennis.
Daily cleaning and turndown service.
The rooms were just renovated and the ocean view units with views of St John in the distance just makes it even better.
The balconies are huge as well.
Hope this helps you.