BW Emerald v. Marriott Frechmans Cove

I'm trying to decide between the two for one night on ST enroute to Tortola. I have a room booked at each for our Nov. trip, but I can cancel either without penalty until Ocober. We're a party of four on a "gentlemen's retreat" due to my wife having a conflicting BOD meeting that was scheduled after the fact.

From what I can tell, and have read, the BW is pretty much at the airport and on a nice beach. Marriott is, according to the web, 5-6 miles from the airport on the other side of town and from what I can tell looks nice and gets great online reviews.

I'm a Marriott rewards member and was able to secure a rate on a villa that is slightly less expensive than 2 rooms at the BW. The villa has plenty of rooms and beds for everyone. We're scheduled to arrive at 4:00 on a Saturday and will make our way to Tortola the next day where we have a sleep aboard.

Given the above I'm leaning towards the Marriott, even though we could get a beer in hand somewhat quicker at the BW. Any reason not to go this route? Issues with Frenchman's Cove I'm not aware of?

Thanks in advance for anyone's thought: <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I've stayed at EB four times now. I love the beach view from the rooms But most of all, I love the open beach bar and happy hour. Always been a great way to start our trip when I know we won't make the last ferry. And being a repeat customer, I have been able to dicker on the rates.

A few years ago, we visited with another couple that insisted on using their M points. Arriving on different days, we stayed at EB for a night and they arrived the next day to stay at the Marriott. After visiting us at EB, they said they made a mistake. They felt like EB was more an island hotel with the laid back atmosphere that they wanted. Although they had a nice villa at Marriott, they said it could be anywhere, Miami, LA
The bar is on the beach and has great food and drinks. What more do you want??

I stayed at the Marriott in June on our return trip and was very dissatisfied with the service. We had to wait almost 2 hours past the check in time for our rooms to be made ready. We were supposed to get adjoining rooms (the reservation was made 6 months prior) No adjoining rooms. The rooms were paid for before arrival but were charged a $25.00 per room "Resort Service Charge" our total stay was less than 24 hours. Next time I'll stay someplace else.

For one night the BW is much more convenient to the ferry dock.

One night the BW is the best choice, gets you on island time. You will be at the hotel less than 24 hours.

I like them both, & agree with ski2play that if you're only staying one night the BWEB is probably the way to go.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the info.

For one night, if the cost of the hotel and taxi to the ferry are lower with the Marriott option that would make sense just based on cost and you're still close to the Havensight area and town for the evening. But the BWEB or even the Island Beachcomber in Lindbergh are good choices to be a little closer to the ferry.

Island Beachcomber is "musty". Good beach bar. Check tripadvisor.

Cheers, RickG

Yes, the rooms at both are iffy but the price point at IB is about 1/2 that of BW. We also like the IB beach bar, casual vibe and local flavor. But the BW is a nicer property and the room reviews are better today, and the OP can walk over to the IB the one afternoon/evening they're there.

Gave up on the Emerald Beach after the rooms hit $300plus serice tax plus room tax ( I know it depends on time of year etc..) Not a fan of the big Marriott and would definitely recommend EB at the right rate..we now stay at Windward Passage with very nice rooms and a bad hotel layout and spend our $$ on dinner at Oceana!To be honest our home here at CRC has the most amazing ocean view so we dont really need it in STT..

I had to do a room this past trip on my return and agree with everyone above... nice spot, but $275+ a night for EB was steep for the condition of the place as we paid less than 1/2 that for a room next door at the Island Beachcomber. If you are cashing points... enjoy.

Windward Passage does not suck with walking access to French Town. We're cheap. If Crystal Palace has room we love the elegance at a value. Best Western Caribe is okay for less than 12 hours and an 8AM flight.

Cheers, RickG

Rooms at Windward Passge are very nice indeed..the layout of the hotel is horrible but fine for sleeping and, as said, getting to and from the ferry and into Frenchtown..love lunches at " Hook, Lime and Sinker" and dinners at "Oceana", "Bella Blue" etc...

I was a little confused since we stayed at Frenchman's Reef/Morningstar last month.

Forgot there was a frenchman Cove.

All I can say is AVOID FR/MS. Terrible layout, can be EXTREMELY busy with conventions. long taxi drive, not close to anything, Typical "shipped in" hotel food, nothing local on the menu. lots of construction, jack hammers, saws and hammers, yuck!!etc...etc...

Everything is a Taxi ride away from the Marriot...BW you could walk to if you had to from the airport and no resort fee and cheaper bar...Beachcomber is fine for a night and normally a friendlier and even cheaper bar...Windward Passage always reminded me of the Holiday in Sarajevo in the late 90's when it was the Holiday Inn and I have been in both...but like said it really is convenient and a walk to the ferry and looks like we may stay there on the way to Catfight next October.

Dave..the old WP was a dump...the rooms have been completely made over and are seriously nice..