STT Car Rental Suggestions

Hi All!

Headed down for a quick trip to St Thomas in early November...

Going to rent a car to see the island and ferry over to St John.

What rental companies allow the car over on the ferry?

We have been to VG for many many years so we know what island roads are like so I'm thinking jeep or equal?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Lisa

All the rental companies except - HERTZ - allow rentals to be taken to STJ, some companies do want you to rent a Jeep or equal if you are going to STJ - don't really need 4WD much except for wet weather on hills or very few dirt roads.
Amalie car rental gets good reviews on most forums.

I think I used Paradise on St.T last Jan, for 30 days, around $40/day or around $1300 for the month. They were cheaper than others at the time of reservation. I have no idea where people find the $10/day cars, never see them. It was a small car but seated 4 of us. As to a jeep or a small sedan - on St. J, I learned a jeep would have been better. l learned this trying to negotiate an unhill hairpin turn and the car just stopped. It had power enough to smoke the tires, but it wouldn't go forward on too steep a road. This meant the jeeps and cars behind us had to back down around the turn so that I could take a faster run at the hill. All went fine after that. The only other wonderful experience was backing up on to the ferry with 4 people in the car. That was interesting, but we made it. I'll be renting a 4 door sedan again this coming Jan, because the times we needed a jeep were rare, and it was nice being able to lock the car up. Most jeeps are always open air.

Thank you!

Any must hits on the island? First time to STT!

Lisa

You must have an enriched shake at Udder Delite on Magens Bay Road - you must have a pate from a food truck - you must have a picnic lunch on Lindqvist Beach - you must visit Main St in the morning before the cruise ship folks descend.
You must have a good time --- and You absolutely MUST Stay Left!!

Got it LocalSailor! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks

Are you staying on St Thomas? Must sees depend on your interests. There are beaches, water sports, liming, partying.

Yes Nutmeg, we are staying on island. Have never been to St Thomas before. We are Virgin Gorda lovers so our interests are beaches, laid back bars and good food!

Any suggestions on must spots would be appreciated!

Lisa

Update on Car Rental:
I went back to Paradise Rentals and as they were out of small 4 door sedans, we wound up with a Jeep Patriot for 5 weeks for $1500. As one never gets over 25-30 mph gas mileage is not an issue. The Partiot is a 4 dr jeep fully enclosed, which enables locking things up, as opposed to an open Jeep.

As to laid back bars, I offer the following:
Molly Malones - for Happy Hour in Red Hook ($5-6 cheeseburger w/fries), Elepant beer and others on HH prices.

Sunset Grill - Secret Harbor I believe, great tacos on HH prices.

Latitude 18 - near Red Hook, difficult to find the first time, open air across lagoon from RH marina area, what an secluded beach bar should be.

Off the Grid - Food truck on top of hill at entrance to Sapphire Beach area, great BBQ, fantastic sweet potatoes,beer, pop availabale - great view to St. J, not a beach bar, but definetely laid back, sit at tables along ridge overlooking islands.

Some other suggestions if you are going to be there for a while.

Groceries lower prices at Cost U Less, inland a bit between Charolette and Red Hook.

Cruzan rum was cheapest at of all places - Walgreens.

Strongest Pain Killers were on StJ at a small corner laid back bar - across the street from the Across The Street Bar.

Actually any of the beach bars on St.J along the beach down from ferry dock are laid back.

For an upscale atmosphere, and on the beach - Caneel Bay at the upscale resort on St.J was good with modest prices for lunch in cushy seating.

Thats a starter.

Beaches would include Smith Bay/Lindqvist (pack a picnic and BYOB), Hull Bay (great bar/restaurant), Sapphire and Coki for snorkeling, Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, etc. Beach bars: Iggie's at Bolongo, Hull Bay, Heidi's on Water Island. You might want to try Margaritaville, not sure if you would be subjected to a sales pitch or not. Good food all over: Red Hook has XO, Fish Tails, ITP (also under laid back bar category), Frenchtown for Hook, Line and Sinker, Bella Blu, Oceana. Above town- Bananatree Grill. I think I could go on for a bit, and I'm sure I have left some out.

My friend Pam works at Hull Bay.

Thank you everyone! Can't wait to get there and get a feel for the island.

Lisa