Thinking of Booking a week at St Thomas Frenchman's Cove

[JWWS]

I own in Aruba (Ocean Club) , but have not been since 2019 because of COVID. I am not willing to roll the dice on testing positive while there and having to spend time in the Covid quarantine hotel, wherever that may be. We are thinking of going to the Marriott Frenchman's Cove instead because it is a US territory and no test is needed to return home. Can anyone provide info on
1) the resort - how is it
2) the beach. We are beach lovers. I have a pool at home and don't need to travel to sit by a pool. Is is easy to get space/chairs/umbrella? How is the water?
3) Do we need a rental car? If so, where do you recommend we go for a day trip?
4) Restaurant recommendations please! We love seafood, but other options are welcome (outdoor dining only)
5) How is the onsite pool side restaurant for lunch? Any other recommendations for lunch without losing the day or taking too much effort ( I know the hotel next door will not be open)
6) Supermarkets for breakfast staples and snacks. We prefer to eat out for dinner (its vacation after all)

Thanks!!

 

[Mroze]

As per Travel.State.Gov US requires all travelers [US-Citizen or Not] to show a NEGATIVE COVID-19 Test prior to returning to the US.

COVID-19 Travel Information (state.gov)

There is no real beach at Frenchman's Cove. However, there are some nice beaches [driving distance] that you can go to [e.g. Magens Bay]. If you can make it to St. John [day trip via ferry that permits a rental car], you can enjoy some great water and beautiful beaches. There are a couple of big supermarkets [Pueblos near the Cruise-Ship docks] and Cost-U-Less [carries some Costco brands] in the center of the island.

 

[JWWS]

My understanding and research indicates that no test is required to return to the mainland US from the USVI

NO TEST REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL FROM THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS TO U.S. MAINLAND | Virgin Islands Department of Health

www.covid19usvi.com

I'm jabbed and boosted, but do not want to run the risk of a quarantine away from home. That is why I do not want to go to Aruba.

 

[SandyPGravel]

My understanding and research indicates that no test is required to return to the mainland US from the USVI

NO TEST REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL FROM THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS TO U.S. MAINLAND | Virgin Islands Department of Health

www.covid19usvi.com

I'm jabbed and boosted, but do not want to run the risk of a quarantine away from home. That is why I do not want to go to Aruba.

This is correct no test required for US citizens returning from USVI to take a covid test. Also, recently, USVI updated their entry requirements that if you are fully vaccinated you only have to provide proof of that to enter the USVI. In other words, no test required to enter if vaxxed. It changed a couple days after we entered the VI, so we still had to jump through hoops. All worked out though!

 

[Old Hickory]

This is correct no test required for US citizens returning from USVI to take a covid test. Also, recently, USVI updated their entry requirements that if you are fully vaccinated you only have to provide proof of that to enter the USVI. In other words, no test required to enter if vaxxed. It changed a couple days after we entered the VI, so we still had to jump through hoops. All worked out though!

What is fully vaccinated per the USVI?

 

[SandyPGravel]

What is fully vaccinated per the USVI?

Two weeks after first two shots(Or one if J&J), not the booster if I remember correctly. I think it's posted on the Travel Portal.

 

[dmbrand]

We stayed at Frenchmans Cove for the first time in Oct 2021. We have also stayed at Surf Club in Aruba…loved it. As exchangers into MFC, we had probably not the primo view, but we loved the unit, never the less. We found the two locations vastly different. One is mountainous and the other, mostly flat. I think that the Virgin Islands are best observed from the water; if you get the opportunity, book island cruise/excursions.

1) resort is Marriott quality; nothing to complain about.
2) beach is different from Aruba…not able to take long walks. BUT…if you snorkel, bring gear or buy some at the local store. We had the best snorkeling to the right of the resort as we entered the water. We saw rays, lion fish, turtles, and all the other caribbean sea life every day. It was soooo much better than the excursion trip we booked.
3) We chose to taxi to our restaurants and boat trip. We found a resort employee that moonlights as a driver, and used him for our side trips.
4) Restaurants we enjoyed: Cravin Crabs and Sugar Cane Grille
5) We did have one dinner at the resort. It was good, but expensive. We like sampling the local fare, instead.
6) Pueblo Supermarket was our grocery store of choice. It had all we needed. It is also where we found our driver for the remainder of the trip.

If we had to pick, I would be returning to the Virgin Islands again. There are so many different coves and islands yet to explore.

 

[normab]

We have been to Frenchmans Cove twice and to Surf club once. When we were at surf club it was so windy on the beach the sand was blowing everywhere. We had no choice but to stay at the pool, not that we’re complaining since it’s really wonderful. And we had no problems driving around Aruba at all.

We really like going to St. Thomas and Frenchmans cove. Because:

1. Very little hassle going and coming back because it’s part of the US. With the exception of Covid where you had to do testing, there’s no requirement for passports, it’s so much easier not having to go through customs.
2. The rooms are really nice and I have to think that 90% of the rooms have a great view and 10% have a so so view. But they all face the water.
3. We have never been to the pool at Frenchmans cove. We mostly go to the beach there. It’s not huge, but there are plenty of chairs and umbrellas and it’s a really nice little cove there to swim in.
4. You’re fairly close to the town of Charlotte Amalie and Frenchtown. Both those areas have lots of dining options.
5. Like the previous poster said, Pueblo market is very close by, and it’s a great place to shop for all your basics. We also go to Moe’s which is now in Charlotte Amalie and it’s more upscale and has a lot more options in a smaller shop.
6. We have rented cars when we’ve gone to St. Thomas. We have used locals and we’ve used the American brand names like Avis and Hertz. We have not had problems with either, although the cars from Avis and hertz are in better condition. If you’re really worried about driving on the left-hand side of the road, with a car that’s meant to drive on the right, you might be better off with taxis. We’ve had no problem driving on the left-hand side of the road, but you have to be careful after dark because there’s lots of twists and turns in the hills in St. Thomas and he just have to be extra careful.

There are a few things that we don’t love about St. Thomas. The first is if you hit a year when they have a lot of sand fleas, and they eat you alive. It did happen to us one year it wasn’t so much fun.

The second is driving on the left-hand side of the road. Yes I just said that we do it but it would be easier if we were on the right hand side, I have to be honest!

The third is that we miss the Marriott hotel being open. They had a couple of nice restaurants and they had more beach area..we really liked the beach by morningstar. It would be nice if some hotel would reopen here that had a relationship with the cove, but even if we could just walk over there for dinner would be nice.

If you have the opportunity to try Frenchmans cove, I would definitely recommend it. Each island is different and has its pros and cons. It’s fun to stay at a different island.

 

[mdurette]

I love Aruba, but for the same reason as you (testing requirement to return to the states) I have avoided so far because I needed to ensure my kids return for school. I am also considering a trip to St. Thomas because of this. We have been to MVC's in Aruba many times and Frenchmans once in 2017 before the hurricane wiped out the hotel next door. We planned this trip only a few days before it started (caught a LM exchange for Feb presidents week).

Some random thoughts:
1. We didn't rent a car. There was an onsite tour company that offered MANY things to do right from the resort. Tour of the island, sunset sails, night kayaking, ferry to St. John, etc. Does anyone know if this tour group is still onsite? We did take a taxi once to aquarium type place. It was expensive as taxi's charged per person.
2. There is a beach at the resort, private to the resort. You can sit and enjoy the water. But no long walks. But, great snorkeling off to the right.
3. I looked into food delivery, insanely expensive. I traveled with frozen meat, dry goods and just used it for dairy type products.
4. The clarity of the water in USVI is superior to that of Aruba
5. Can't walk to much of anything. If you like dining out, then you will need a car or taxi. They did have a water taxi from the resort that took you into town. Just don't go to the area when a cruise ship is in.

I would suggest you go for it and try something new. It is different from Aruba, but an awesome alternative!

 

[craigc]

We stayed at Frenchmans Cove for the first time in Oct 2021. We have also stayed at Surf Club in Aruba…loved it. As exchangers into MFC, we had probably not the primo view, but we loved the unit, never the less. We found the two locations vastly different. One is mountainous and the other, mostly flat. I think that the Virgin Islands are best observed from the water; if you get the opportunity, book island cruise/excursions.

1) resort is Marriott quality; nothing to complain about.
2) beach is different from Aruba…not able to take long walks. BUT…if you snorkel, bring gear or buy some at the local store. We had the best snorkeling to the right of the resort as we entered the water. We saw rays, lion fish, turtles, and all the other caribbean sea life every day. It was soooo much better than the excursion trip we booked.
3) We chose to taxi to our restaurants and boat trip. We found a resort employee that moonlights as a driver, and used him for our side trips.
4) Restaurants we enjoyed: Cravin Crabs and Sugar Cane Grille
5) We did have one dinner at the resort. It was good, but expensive. We like sampling the local fare, instead.
6) Pueblo Supermarket was our grocery store of choice. It had all we needed. It is also where we found our driver for the remainder of the trip.

If we had to pick, I would be returning to the Virgin Islands again. There are so many different coves and islands yet to explore.

Do you by chance have the contact info for the employee that moonlights as a driver? I'm thinking of ditching the rental car we have for our upcoming trip and just relying on taxis. thanks.

 

[Fi2]

Do you by chance have the contact info for the employee that moonlights as a driver? I'm thinking of ditching the rental car we have for our upcoming trip and just relying on taxis. thanks.

I’m also looking for that info, as we’re checking in at the Frenchman’s Cove, for a first ever visit to St. Thomas next week. Thanks in advance!