Charlotte Amalie West
Right across the street from the airport are three hotels with bar/restaurants, one of which also has a lovely beach. These are actually within walking distance of the terminal. It would probably take you more time to wait for a taxi driver to fill up his van with people and drive you 2 min down the road than it would to simply walk the short distance. Depending on how much luggage you have.
This area is definitely considered town. There is plenty of hustle and bustle. You are centrally-located enough on the island that no drive is too far and you can even use public transportation and/or private taxis if you would prefer not to rent a vehicle.
Lodging Type Available: traditional hotels (one beachfront), small inns/B&B, sailboats, yachts
Great For: convenience, close to Lindbergh Beach, Brewers Beach, budget-friendly
Not-So-Great-For: getting away from people, onshore luxury, vacationing like a local
View Possibilities: Emerald Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Charlotte Amalie and harbor
Vehicle Required:Â No.
Downtown Charlotte Amalie, including upper Solberg and Mafolie
Charlotte is built on steep hills and most places to stay should have glorious views of the harbor. At high noon on a sunny day, the water looks like a sparkling turquoise jewel.
Lodging Type Available: traditional hotel, budget hotel, small inns/B&B, condos, sailboats, yachts, vacation rentals, mid-range to luxury villas
Great For: being in the midst of the action, enjoying the stunning harbor view, people watching, getting a taste of the diverse cultures living together on St. Thomas, budget-friendly
Not-So-Great-For: getting away from it all, staying near the beach, resort amenities
View Possibilities: Charlotte Amalie harbor, the street in front of you
Vehicle Required:Â Nope!
Charlotte Amalie East, including Yacht Haven Grande, Havensight, Estate Thomas, and Raphune Hill
Lodging Type Available: vacation rentals, mid-range to luxury villas, yachts, sailboats
Great For: convenience to: downtown, Magen’s Bay, shopping in Tutu Valley, activities & attractions
Not-So-Great-For: vacationing like a local, resort amenities, getting away from it all
View Possibilities: the Eastern part of Charlotte Amalie harbor where most of the cruise ships dock
Vehicle Required:Â Not really, unless access to your villa requires four wheel drive.
The South Side of St. Thomas
St. Thomas Neighborhoods: Frenchman’s Reef, Bellevue, Bakkeroe, Green Cay Plantation and Bolongo
This is where the island starts to feel a little less like a big town on a rock. There are several different resorts, condos and villas in this part of St. Thomas. Most accommodations on the south side of St. Thomas are beachside resorts but there are also hillside villas nestled here and there.
Lodging Type Available: beachside resorts, condos, and timeshares, mid-range to luxury villas, vacation rentals
Great For: conveniently-located to everything, resort-style amenities, beachfront property
Not-So-Great-For: vacationing like a local, access to public transport, walking distance from restaurants/bars/shops other than those on hotel grounds
View Possibilities: hotel grounds, the bay and/or beach in front of you, St. Croix in the distance
Vehicle Required:Â Not necessarily. There is no access to public transportation, but taxis will gladly go to these areas.
The East End of St. Thomas
St. Thomas Neighborhoods: Cabrita Point, Cowpet, Secret Harbour, Tybor & Harmony, Nazareth and Red Hook
The boat-y side of the island! This is where the sailors and pirates hang. Several boat charters operate out of Red Hook and this side of the island is also where ferries to St. John and the British Virgin Islands are located. Red Hook is the major commerce area on this side of the island. There are numerous bars, restaurants and shops in a small space. Public transport is easily accessible and taxis are numerous.
Lodging Type Available: luxury resort, beachside condos, mid-range to luxury villas, vacation rentals, yachts, sailboats
Great For: being near dining, shopping, beaches, boats, and ferries to other islands
Not-So-Great-For: Getting away from it all
View Possibilities: St. John, the bay or beach in front of you
Vehicle Required:Â No, unless your private villa is inaccessible to a taxi
Smith Bay
Lodging Available: resorts and vacation condos (some of them beachside)
Great For: resort amenities, all-inclusive style travel, beachside property, close to marine activities and other things to do on the East End
Not-So-Great-For: getting away from it all, luxury amenities, vacationing like a local
View Possibilities: St. John, the bay or beach in front of you, the cays immediately off the Northeast coast of St. Thomas
Vehicle Required: No.
St. Thomas’ Northside
This is where St. Thomas starts to feel very residential with private family homes becoming the dominant landscape between overlooks. The elevation is higher here and the vegetation starts to feel more lush. Tons of condos are available for short-term rental on the Mahogany Run golf course, and there is one small hotel near Magen’s Bay, but most of the accommodations in these neighborhoods are going to be of the private home variety.
Lodging Available: mid-range to luxury villas, condos, small hotel, vacation rentals
Great For: proximity to Magen’s Bay and conveniently located to both the East End and town
Not-So-Great-For: resort-style amenities
View Possibilities: Magen’s Bay, cays of the North shore of St. Thomas, BVI, St. John, neighboring hills and valleys
Vehicle Required: Yes
Hull Bay, Barrett Hill, Four Corners, Mountaintop, Dorothea, Neltjeberg, Caret Bay, Pearl, Crown Mountain Rd.
Lodging Available:Â mid-range to luxury villas, vacation rentals
Great For: vacationing like a local, getting away from it all, breezes, rainforest-y, close to town and shopping
Not-So-Great-For: resort-style amenities, walking to shops and restaurants
View Possibilities:Â Northern cays of St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie harbor, West to Puerto Rico
Vehicle Required: Yes, and some villas may require four wheel drive
The West End of St. Thomas:
 Fortuna and Bourdeaux, Botany Bay
The West end is the most remote part of St. Thomas and, if you’re the type who likes scenic roadtrips, it’s definitely worth the jaunt. This side of the island is sparsely-populated, largely agriculture, and absolutely beautiful.
A tip for staying way out West: provision up before heading out if you don’t want to drive 15 minutes either way for your creamer.
Lodging Available: luxury villas
Great For: getting away from it all, complete and utter privacy
Not-So-Great-For: being conveniently located to anything
View Possibilities: Bays, Rocks and Cays off the Western coast of St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, St. Croix
Vehicle Required: Oh yes.
Water Island
Located a very short ferry ride away from Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas, Water Island is a little neighborhood unto itself. There are a couple restaurants on island with very limited hours of operation, a gorgeous beach, and a public lending library. Residents and guests of Water Island get around this little rock on golf carts. The ferry to Crown Bay operates daily.
Lodging Available: mid-range to luxury villas, vacation rentals, sailboats, yachts
Great For: getting away from it all
Not-So-Great-For: access to nightlife, convenient access to things on St. Thomas
View Possibilities: St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie harbor, Hassel Island, St. Croix
Vehicle Required: No. Your lodging may come with a golf cart.
More Resources for Booking the Best Virgin Islands Vacation Rental For You
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Vacation Rentals on St. John.
Or, take a stroll through our accommodations listings and see what we have right here!
Follow these 6 steps and you can’t go wrong.
Our local experts share 10 questions you should ask before booking.
Want some help? Contact Us. Maybe we can help or even get you a good deal.
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