St Thomas - Frenchman Cove or Ritz Carlton Suite

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

Background
- I have a Frenchman Cove 2 bedroom reserved using a 1 bedroom from Grand Chateau trade in II that I am confident I can retrade to a place we would enjoy. This will be in mid April and as of now will likely have an empty bedroom.
- I can get a suite at the Ritz Carlton for the exact dates preserving my airline tickets using rented DP’s. This is the first time since enrolling in DP program in 2011 that I am trying DP’s as an experiment.
-Next year is our 40th anniversary and we were planning a major trip. This isn’t going to be that trip but it doesn’t mean I can’t make it more special by doing a Ritz.

1- Considering overall experience taking into consideration location, Beach, pool, resort amenities, and proximity to off resort restaurants, which would you stay at and why?
2- This wasn’t intended to be a major cost celebration so would it be significantly more cost (cost of DP points included) to stay at Ritz
3- Can someone give me an idea of what a Suite is in terms of size since it shows suite, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom when you go to use points.
4- if I want to have a few meals in room, does a suite have amenities to do this?

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Mroze]

Background
- I have a Frenchman Cove 2 bedroom reserved using a 1 bedroom from Grand Chateau trade in II that I am confident I can retrade to a place we would enjoy. This will be in mid April and as of now will likely have an empty bedroom.
- I can get a suite at the Ritz Carlton for the exact dates preserving my airline tickets using rented DP’s. This is the first time since enrolling in DP program in 2011 that I am trying DP’s as an experiment.
-Next year is our 40th anniversary and we were planning a major trip. This isn’t going to be that trip but it doesn’t mean I can’t make it more special by doing a Ritz.

1- Considering overall experience taking into consideration location, Beach, pool, resort amenities, and proximity to off resort restaurants, which would you stay at and why?
[MR] The beach at the Ritz was infested with weeds last year and possibly still is. They try to clean it daily but I wouldn't swim in it.
2- This wasn’t intended to be a major cost celebration so would it be significantly more cost (cost of DP points included) to stay at Ritz
[MR] Costs a few more points but not significantly more.
3- Can someone give me an idea of what a Suite is in terms of size since it shows suite, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom when you go to use points.
[MR] A Suite at the Ritz is a SMALLER 2BR unit.
4- if I want to have a few meals in room, does a suite have amenities to do this?
[MR] The Suite has a smaller kitchen with all the facilities [Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher/Microwave/Oven/Small-Stove] of a regular Marriott 2BR.

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

Thank you.
We enjoy the pool and beach equally so that (weeds) Is a minus. Is the pool that much nicer at one over the other.
Size of unit aside, does the Ritz have more upscale feel and if the weeds wasn’t an issue, would you prefer Ritz over Cove or is it six of one, half dozen of the other.

 

[Fasttr]

@GregT is a STT Ritz fan. Perhaps he will chime in.

 

[Mroze]

Thank you.
We enjoy the pool and beach equally so that (weeds) Is a minus. Is the pool that much nicer at one over the other.
Size of unit aside, does the Ritz have more upscale feel and if the weeds wasn’t an issue, would you prefer Ritz over Cove or is it six of one, half dozen of the other.

Despite the weeds we prefer the Ritz.
Used to stay at MFC regularly, however, once we discovered the Ritz about 8 years back haven't been to MFC.

First 3-4 of our trips at the Ritz we were served free breakfast for all 6 of us.
This was a benefit that was only offered to guests of the Suite-Room [due to it having a smaller kitchen].
Thus, we always opted for the 2BR-Suite over the Regular-2BR.
Unfortunately, after the big hurricane hit STT, the Ritz stopped this benefit as the restaurant was closed for a while.
We visited a couple of times after that and stayed in the regular 2BR & 3BR units but still prefer the Ritz.

 

[GregT]

Despite the weeds we prefer the Ritz.
Used to stay at MFC regularly, however, once we discovered the Ritz about 8 years back haven't been to MFC.

First 3-4 of our trips at the Ritz we were served free breakfast for all 6 of us.
This was a benefit that was only offered to guests of the Suite-Room [due to it having a smaller kitchen].
Thus, we always opted for the 2BR-Suite over the Regular-2BR.
Unfortunately, after the big hurricane hit STT, the Ritz stopped this benefit as the restaurant was closed for a while.
We visited a couple of times after that and stayed in the regular 2BR & 3BR units but still prefer the Ritz.

I agree with Microze - I am a big Ritz fan even though I have enjoyed my stay at the Cove.

Even though it is the smaller 2BR, there is plenty of infrastructure for eating, and if you grill, that addresses part of the limitation. The patios are fantastic, better than the Villas, and a great place for appetizers or dinner.

Great Bay is beautiful with the view of St John in the distance. There are ocean toys available at Ritz, some of which you have to pay for (hobos cats). We love to snorkel there, paddle board and float. But there is snorkeling at Cove also - and the best snorkeling is off property.

Even if I felt the same way about the infrastructure (and I do prefer Ritz) I would also heavily value the Lady Lynsey, the on-site catamaran that can do snorkeling/sunset cruise/BVI trips/St John dinner trips. They pick you up at the property and away you go - and the service is terrific. We will do 2 or 3 excursions on the catamaran.

Cove does have better access to restaurants because of its central location so that’s a factor, and I would never hesitate to stay at Cove if I couldn’t get into Ritz.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Best,

Greg

 

[Fasttr]

I agree with Microze - I am a big Ritz fan even though I have enjoyed my stay at the Cove.

Even though it is the smaller 2BR, there is plenty of infrastructure for eating, and if you grill, that addresses part of the limitation. The patios are fantastic, better than the Villas, and a great place for appetizers or dinner.

Great Bay is beautiful with the view of St John in the distance. There are ocean toys available at Ritz, some of which you have to pay for (hobos cats). We love to snorkel there, paddle board and float. But there is snorkeling at Cove also - and the best snorkeling is off property.

Even if I felt the same way about the infrastructure (and I do prefer Ritz) I would also heavily value the Lady Lynsey, the on-site catamaran that can do snorkeling/sunset cruise/BVI trips/St John dinner trips. They pick you up at the property and away you go - and the service is terrific. We will do 2 or 3 excursions on the catamaran.

Cove does have better access to restaurants because of its central location so that’s a factor, and I would never hesitate to stay at Cove if I couldn’t get into Ritz.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Best,

Greg

Not sure how upscale it is when one of the amenities to play with are "Hobos cats". ;-)

And yes, I do know what you meant to say. Cheers!!!

 

[TravelTime]

I would choose the Ritz over MFC. Here are some of my observations (my opinions only so I hope others do not get upset by my personal opinions):
1) Lady Linsey is one of the nicest catamarans I have ever taken public excursions on. We also did the catamaran excursion at MFC and it did not compare. Their boat looks like a cheap cattle boat.
2) The overall feel of the Ritz is so much nicer than MFC. MFC was a maze to get through the buildings. The look and feel was average, not the nicest MVC and not the worst. I have not stayed in MFC so I am just giving you my impression based on the grounds, catamaran excursion, navigation around the property and pool/beach area.
3) The pool at the Ritz is very nice. You can also use the pool on the hotel side.
4) You can swim in the ocean. I am not sure why people make it seem like the seaweed is everywhere. It was there when we visited last summer but it was only in select parts of the ocean. The beach at the Ritz has been eroded but there is still some sand and beach chairs. Unless you are a total beach bum, you will not care. The views from the beach and pool are gorgeous. The beach at MFC is very small. It did not look all that nice to me but people all have their own opinions.
5) I do not think snorkeling is good anywhere in the Virgin Islands. We went snorkeling all over on 3-4 excusions and I was not impressed with snorkeling anywhere. So if people are saying pick MFC for snorkeling, I would question that. If you want to see some nice reefs and more fish, go scuba diving. The Virgin Islands is not known for scuba diving either but it is head and shoulders above the snorkeling there.
6) Overall, the Ritz suites and villas are some of the nicest in all the timeshare systems I have visited. You should expect to get the lower floors. We got lucky our first time and were on the 5th floor villa with a panoramic view. The second time, we were in a 2nd floor suite with an ocean view through the trees. At first, I was not happy but after a day or two, I started to love the view through the palm trees. All the suites including 1st floor will have at least a partial ocean view. In the villas, you generally have to be a little higher up, perhaps 3rd floor+, to get a view. I am sure this varies but that was my impression from walking around. The kitchen in the suites is adequate. We cooked almost daily for a family of 4. The main issue for me was the refrigerator was small but we made it work.
7) The Ritz is a 5 minute drive by taxi to Red Hook. You can take many excursions from there with different companies. There are restaurants in the area and a decent grocery store. You can also walk to a couple of ocean side restaurants. The Ritz has a daily morning shuttle to the grocery store. They charge for it but it is inexpensive.
8) I loved Red Hook Diving. In all of my 300 or so dives, I felt Red Hook Diving ranked pretty high in terms of service in the shop and on the boat. Just amazing people.
9) I like that the Ritz is on the other side of the island away from the hustle and bustle yet near the nice beaches and many of St Thomas’s attractions. We did not visit downtown because it is not our cup of team.
10) St Thomas and St John are both rather run down. It seems to me that they never fully recovered from the hurricane. However, the moment you go through the security gate at the Ritz, you feel like you are in another world. The landscaping is just breathtaking. It looks like they were never hit by the hurricane yet they were hit pretty badly and the overall property took a long time to rebuild.
11) The Ritz timeshare side and the Ritz hotel properties are laid out wide along the ocean so it feels spread out. Also you can take an approx 1 mile walk around the property (within the gates) to get a little exercise. We did this nightly before sunset.
12) Overall, the taxis were the worst experience in the Virgin Islands. The taxi drivers did not seem happy, maybe because gas is so expensive so their profits are down. Overall, taxis are expensive if you need to go some distance and you pay by the person. You can rent an SUV if you book early for a really reasonable price but you must book early to get the deals. We had an SUV booked for $1100 for 15 days but we ended up canceling and using taxis because our flight was arriving late and the particular company I booked with would not leave the SUV at the airport for late arrivals. So if you book a car, be sure to ask about their airport policy. Frankly, I think next time we go we will still using taxis for the ease and convenience (in spite of the negatives I mentioned above). Also, driving in the Virgin Islands looks scary.
13) You get twice daily housekeeping at the Ritz. While this may seem like overkill (which is what I thought at first), they do your dishes in the morning and evening. For that reason, I loved it.

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

As mentioned I rented points and the first time using it. Doing it as an experiment. I rented 6150 points from two different people and still waiting on the funds moving into paypal to pay for half of them. In the meanwhile, the week at the Ritz (which was the same week I have for the Cove) is no longer open. I will keep looking but once the points are in, if the Ritz opens up, for when I want, I will grab it.

Question - Once I get the points moved in, I can go on a waitlist for the exact dates I want at the Ritz correct? I know there are many factors that go into it, do you think my chances of something coming from the waitlist is better that 50/50?

Thanks

 

[Steve Fatula]

1- Considering overall experience taking into consideration location, Beach, pool, resort amenities, and proximity to off resort restaurants, which would you stay at and why?

Was just at both this past summer. No question about it, all 3 of us would pick the Ritz. Service is fantastic, shuttle rides are easier as they are on site, great water activites on site like the Lady Lynsey and all day watersports rental, better pools, chocolates, housekeeping, nicer rooms, quieter, etc. etc.

 

[GregT]

As mentioned I rented points and the first time using it. Doing it as an experiment. I rented 6150 points from two different people and still waiting on the funds moving into paypal to pay for half of them. In the meanwhile, the week at the Ritz (which was the same week I have for the Cove) is no longer open. I will keep looking but once the points are in, if the Ritz opens up, for when I want, I will grab it.

Question - Once I get the points moved in, I can go on a waitlist for the exact dates I want at the Ritz correct? I know there are many factors that go into it, do you think my chances of something coming from the waitlist is better that 50/50?

Thanks

Ritz releases inventory 13 months out and then again at 6 months out (I don't think they do a 12 month release).

So if you are six months out or more, I think you have a good chance of the Waitlist clearing....

But if you don't get the Ritz, you will enjoy MFC -- I love St. Thomas and can't wait for next trip! (which is in June 2023....to Ritz...)

Best,

Greg

 

[Bodie]

Background
- I have a Frenchman Cove 2 bedroom reserved using a 1 bedroom from Grand Chateau trade in II that I am confident I can retrade to a place we would enjoy. This will be in mid April and as of now will likely have an empty bedroom.
- I can get a suite at the Ritz Carlton for the exact dates preserving my airline tickets using rented DP’s. This is the first time since enrolling in DP program in 2011 that I am trying DP’s as an experiment.
-Next year is our 40th anniversary and we were planning a major trip. This isn’t going to be that trip but it doesn’t mean I can’t make it more special by doing a Ritz.

1- Considering overall experience taking into consideration location, Beach, pool, resort amenities, and proximity to off resort restaurants, which would you stay at and why?
2- This wasn’t intended to be a major cost celebration so would it be significantly more cost (cost of DP points included) to stay at Ritz
3- Can someone give me an idea of what a Suite is in terms of size since it shows suite, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom when you go to use points.
4- if I want to have a few meals in room, does a suite have amenities to do this?

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

Have been to both and am returning to the Ritz next month. Had a better view at the MFC but not a bad one at the Ritz. I understand the difference between a suite and a 2 bedroom to be the former has a kitchenette the latter a full kitchen. The seaweed on the beach is worse in the summer, so I’m told. Last time there was in the winter before the hurricane and seaweed on the Ritz beach wasn’t bad. Service is exceptional. Near great restaurants and other beautiful beaches. Jewelry shopping if interested is mainly in Charlotte Amalie. Cafe Amalie there is a good restaurant. Have fun

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

Ritz releases inventory 13 months out and then again at 6 months out (I don't think they do a 12 month release).

So if you are six months out or more, I think you have a good chance of the Waitlist clearing....

But if you don't get the Ritz, you will enjoy MFC -- I love St. Thomas and can't wait for next trip! (which is in June 2023....to Ritz...)

Best,

Greg

looking to go in April so the availability I found to ask my question and see vanish might have been the 6 month release. Thanks for the info.

 

[William Seward]

As mentioned I rented points and the first time using it. Doing it as an experiment. I rented 6150 points from two different people and still waiting on the funds moving into paypal to pay for half of them. In the meanwhile, the week at the Ritz (which was the same week I have for the Cove) is no longer open. I will keep looking but once the points are in, if the Ritz opens up, for when I want, I will grab it.

Question - Once I get the points moved in, I can go on a waitlist for the exact dates I want at the Ritz correct? I know there are many factors that go into it, do you think my chances of something coming from the waitlist is better that 50/50?

Thanks

Background
- I have a Frenchman Cove 2 bedroom reserved using a 1 bedroom from Grand Chateau trade in II that I am confident I can retrade to a place we would enjoy. This will be in mid April and as of now will likely have an empty bedroom.
- I can get a suite at the Ritz Carlton for the exact dates preserving my airline tickets using rented DP’s. This is the first time since enrolling in DP program in 2011 that I am trying DP’s as an experiment.
-Next year is our 40th anniversary and we were planning a major trip. This isn’t going to be that trip but it doesn’t mean I can’t make it more special by doing a Ritz.

1- Considering overall experience taking into consideration location, Beach, pool, resort amenities, and proximity to off resort restaurants, which would you stay at and why?
2- This wasn’t intended to be a major cost celebration so would it be significantly more cost (cost of DP points included) to stay at Ritz
3- Can someone give me an idea of what a Suite is in terms of size since it shows suite, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom when you go to use points.
4- if I want to have a few meals in room, does a suite have amenities to do this?

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

AlmostRetired,
How did you get a reservation at the Ritz St. Thomas. When I look at the booking site and check every month for the nexy six months, nothing is available. Do the Ritz ever open up? What the trick? We do have a reservtion at Frenchman Cove, but would love to transfer it to the Ritz.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Thank you.
We enjoy the pool and beach equally so that (weeds) Is a minus. Is the pool that much nicer at one over the other.
Size of unit aside, does the Ritz have more upscale feel and if the weeds wasn’t an issue, would you prefer Ritz over Cove or is it six of one, half dozen of the other.

The Ritz is many levels above Frenchmans. We were so disappointed when we went from Ritz for part of our stay to Frenchmans. Should have gone the other way. There's nothing wrong with MFC mind you, if we had not stayed at the Ritz, esp first, would have been great I am sure.

To add to the list of Ritz advantages pointed out earlier in the thread, the taxis are also stationed at the Ritz. So, you never have to wait, we had to wait several times at MFC.

As far as how to get in, I was up at 9AM on inventory release day is how I got it. Inventory was gone in 5 minutes or so. I did the 13 months out release.

 

[jmmoultn]

We have been to both, and just got back from 5 days at FC along with two days at the newly re-opened Westin Frenchmen's Reef. We loved the Ritz 3 BR in Jan 2022 but also enjoyed FC and being close to Charlotte Amalie and the new Westin/Buoy House. One downside I would say of the Ritz was a $75/pp fee to use their sailboats, paddle boards, etc. We were disappointed that FC doesn't get use of the pools at the Westin or Buoy House -- like the Ritz Club has at the Ritz Carlton, but they welcome the revenue at the restaurants, which were OK but not remarkable. One plus for FC is that the new catamaran at the West (I think it is "The Flying Frenchmen") may be an upgrade over the "Cat" and the "Lady Lynsey". With all of that said, I'd highly recommend dinner at The Old Stone Farmhouse and a Bushwacker and shrimp tacos at the Sidestreet Grill in Charlotte Amalie!

 

[William Seward]

The Ritz is many levels above Frenchmans. We were so disappointed when we went from Ritz for part of our stay to Frenchmans. Should have gone the other way. There's nothing wrong with MFC mind you, if we had not stayed at the Ritz, esp first, would have been great I am sure.

To add to the list of Ritz advantages pointed out earlier in the thread, the taxis are also stationed at the Ritz. So, you never have to wait, we had to wait several times at MFC.

As far as how to get in, I was up at 9AM on inventory release day is how I got it. Inventory was gone in 5 minutes or so. I did the 13 months out release.

If I may ask. What are the inventory release days during th week? I know about Mondays but are their any others?

 

[Steve Fatula]

Not that I am aware of, the official dates are on the mvci website.

 

[ljmiii]

If I may ask. What are the inventory release days during th week? I know about Mondays but are their any others?

So...historically the RCC St Thomas released inventory on the official release dates (as @Steve Fatula wrote). But the 2023-2024 winter dates for which I was looking weren't released at 13 months (or 12 months) it was just some random day. I haven't been tracking winter 2024-2025 since we're going somewhere else that year.

 

[Venter]

I thought Ritz properties release at 6 months.

 

[ljmiii]

I thought Ritz properties release at 6 months.

Luxury Properties (including the RCC St Thomas) become available for Owner and Select level Abound owners at 6 months but Executive and above have been able to book at the RCC St Thomas at 13 months. I don't actually know if the RCCs release additional inventory at 6 months...I've never tried booking that close in.

 

[Steve Fatula]

So...historically the RCC St Thomas released inventory on the official release dates (as @Steve Fatula wrote). But the 2023-2024 winter dates for which I was looking weren't released at 13 months (or 12 months) it was just some random day. I haven't been tracking winter 2024-2025 since we're going somewhere else that year.

Maybe they didn't have any 13 month inventory on the release day? They don't seem to have a lot even when I got it.