Reviews for Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Hotel in St Thomas?

Question

Planning to travel to St Thomas next Christmas.

We have been to Aruba and would like to try St Thomas but are not sure on reviews of the hotel. First-hand accounts are great, and for those who have been to both, would you recommend a certain one?

Answer 1

I too live in Charlotte Amalie..my wife and I have a membership to the gym at the Marriott so we go there daily....it is  an incredible place!! the food and the drinks are costly but the view and ambiance are great! We have gone there the past 5 yrs for Thanksgiving meal....ahhhh  so much like home...  at the same time...whenever we "island hop" we go to Aruba...the people of Aruba are so SO much nicer and the island there is so much cleaner...St Thomas is SO SO expensive compared to Aruba. The beaches are very small in St Thomas ....not like Aruba where the beaches surround the island...go back to Aruba...it is REALLY worth it.

Answer 2

I've only been to Aruba once, but I live in St. Thomas.  I can tell you that even after many years of being in operation the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel is considered one of the poshest hotels on the island (running a close second to the Ritz Carlton).  I've never had an opportunity to stay there but I have visited.  The rooms are very comfy.  They have lots of great restaurants in the hotel and more in the Morning Star right next door.  I'd definitely recommend it.

Answer 3

I went there (Frenchman's Reef) last Superbowl.  It's fantastic!  Everything that's pictured in that link above me, is accurate.  It has absolutely beautiful views, because it sets on a cliff on a penisula.  You can use both the Hotel facilities and the Morningstar Resort facilities (that's down along the beach).  The pool at the beach is magnificent to see.  So are the other pools up at the hotel.  I would go again.  Private ferry boat (about $6) is the way to get to Charlotte Amelie.  It's an excellent place, much closer to town than the Ritz (I wouldn't even consider going there - way out of the way compared to the Frenchman's.  The terraces overlooking the bay are beautiful, everything is just about perfect.  Well worth the trip.  You'll love it.  PS:  Bring sunburn lotion, because you'll need it.  And enjoy the breakfast buffett, best I've seen in the world.  One of the most friendly hotels I've ever been in, the staff will turn back flips to help you.  (Darn, I wish I was back there now!).  PS:  make sure to take the ferry over to St. John Island while you're there.  Leave from Charlotte Amelie dock and return via Red Hook ferry, as that one leaves a LOT later, thus giving you more time on St. John.  And you'll get to see St. Thomas both from the sea, and on the return (use a taxi to get back to hotel from Red Hook about $10 each), you'll see the "native land" and how the real islanders live (which is pretty poor).  The island is VERY safe, so don't worry about that.  But don't even bother trying to rent a car, the roads are treacherous, being as it's mostly mountainous, with sharp turns, narrow roads, blind spots, not to mention you drive on the left.  There's a lot to do in St. Thomas, you'll love it.  And the RESORT is TOP NOTCH.  Go.  (Take me with you !!!).