Karo

I know that the Ritz is the obvious choice between the two, but although I have a fairly good room rate scoped out, my boyfriend and I are a little concerned about the cost of food at the Ritz. I saw somewhere that the breakfast bar is $24 a person. Are there reasonably priced places to eat around the Ritz that don't require a $20 cab fare roundtrip? We're considering the Wyndham for its all-inclusive deal, but we're worried that it's going to be a little cheesy for our taste and too family oriented. We're thinking about going in July and would love any feedback about either resort. Thanks very much!

Karen

Not renting a car? There are a couple of places nearby in Red Hook at at other resorts where you can get breakfast. In Red Hook, Grateful Deli is great for breakfast and lunch and anything in between! Should be about $8 pp r/t to and from Red Hook ... so not sure it's saving you all that much. Really recommend a rental vehicle!

Karo

Thanks, Karen. What would be the best way to go about doing that? Should I try to reserve online before we go, or wait until we get there?

Karen

LOL ... I am so confused! If you post to a specific island, it still goes to the master list. I don't bother checking for specific islands but just scroll all the messages! LOL We at least got info on Ja! <BR>I find that Discount Car is usually the least expensive. They are on line at www.discountcar.vi (I think that's it - if not, I'll check for you!). They meet you on arrival, you go to the nearby office to do the paperwork and off you go. On departure they drop you off at the airport. Geraldinne and Al have always been terrific. They have Echos which is one of the popular choices and jeep-like vehicles, the other popular choice (the 2-door echo doesn't have power steering, the 4-door does). Driving is on the left which can take a day to get used to but it really isn't bad. Traffic doesn't go fast! I would definitely choose the Ritz over Whydham! You overlook St. John and it is a lovely property with great service! If you have a car you are free to explore on your own, eat at your leisure where you want to and enjoy exploring a bit! The first time thru Town is a bit of challenge when you get thru and are heading out to east end - there is one intersection that is a tuffie with a Y shaped merge! After that, it's really a piece of cake - most of the time! Just have the pax remind the driver, "stay left, stay left!" and the right hand turns are a little strange. I always have trouble readjusting when I come back!

Karo

Thanks for all the great information, Karen. Have you or anyone you know stayed at the Wyndham? I know that it won't be anything like the Ritz, but is it still a fairly nice place?

Karen

Never stayed there and been a long time since I've been on the property. Those who do stay enjoy. I did have one friend who chose to stay there and they did not like the all buffet "theme" dinners each nite - they didn't go to the Caribb to enjoy Italian nite, Chinese nite, etc. Don't know that they have a seperate sitdown dining room. St. Thomas, with its proximity to St. John and the BVI's and all the good dining choices, does not lend itself well to a/i because it is limiting. I would hate to have to hurry back or leave some place wonderful 'cause it's time for lunch, supper, whatever! Don't really know the beach there at all. But there are definate advantages if you are a big drinker or want to keep a lid on the expenses!

Emily

HI! I am the poster that listed the high cost of the breakfasts at the Ritz!! All you need to do is grab some stuff at the supermarket in Red Hook which is a 5 minute cab ride away. We ate in Red Hook and the surrounding area every nite and there are some great restaurants there. The cab ride for us in December to Red Hook was about $7 each way. <BR>It's very tough to find a parking space in town with a rental car.

Karo

Hi Emily! Thanks for the post. Which restaurants in Red Hook do you recommend? How much would you say that an average nice meal there costs? I'm REALLY excited about the prospect of staying at the Ritz, but I just want to make sure that we don't end up paying insane amounts for this vacation. We can get a room for $190 a night, which is a great deal (right?). Oh, and one more question for you all -- how much does alcohol run you at the Ritz, and then how much is it in St. Thomas in general? I live in DC, so I'm used to paying $5-$8 for a mixed drink. Thanks again in advance.

Gail

Hi Emily! <BR>We're the ones who changed from Morningstar to Ritz- Was there a refrig. in the room?

Emily

Yes, there is a refrigerator in the rooms as well as a coffeemaker and coffee setup daily. <BR>The cost of drinks at the Ritz - hmm..I think a mixed dring at the pool bar was around $5.00. <BR> <BR>The rooms at the Ritz generally run at $345 a day - so I think 190 is a good deal. <BR> <BR>My memory stinks with the names of restaurants, but in Red Hook there are several spots right at the marina and we ate at all of them. They were all good. We also ate in town one night at Cuzzins which was good. I'm sorry I can't be more specific...

Karo

Thanks for all of your helpful information, Emily. I think that we're definitely leaning towards the Ritz. I'm so excited! I think it's going to be a great vacation. Does anyone else have anything to add about the Ritz? Any hot tips?