St. Thomas hotel question

I will post this on the St. Thomas forum, too. The question is: do hotel's on St. Thomas all charge your card the full amount when you call to book a room in advance? Last year I called Windward Passage for a last night room about five month's in advance. The wife checked our on-line credit card account and they charged our card within minutes of me booking, five month's out. We just checked our card account a few minutes ago and Island Beachcomber has charged the full amount for a last night room in late May. Again, is this common or am I paying someone's salary?

I've only stayed at Emerald Beach, but they have never charged by card until we check out. I have booked as many as 5 rooms, but was not charged anything in advance.

Charlie - Same here, I just booked Island Beachcomber a couple days ago for our last night in June, and they charged my card right away. Was a little surprised as well...

I booked Emerald Beach for a mid-Jan 2017 stay and they stated that I would be charged "upon arrival". I haven't been charged as of yet, so I assume this to be true.

did you book through a travel website or directly with the hotel. In my experience if you book direct, you will not be charged until you get there

I booked direct with Island Beachcomber. Windward Passage last year was accidently through Expedia. And the weird thing about Expedia was that they charged me about $220. for the room and ten minutes later I was getting email's for rooms at Windward Psg. for less than $150. And, a TTOL'er forwarded me a pm with the Windward's web page and rooms at $124., so I called them direct and it was $218. plus tax. I just wish I could co-ordinate flight times and ferries... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I always ask first

We are cruising the BVI for the 3rd time on a friend's powercat the third week of February. Due to airline costs and ferry schedules, we are coming in a day early and we have a reservation for 2 couples at the Midtown Guest House. All we need is a bed to sleep in, no frills. Anyone stayed there before? Nice folks on the phone.

Midtown is a tough place to recommend for me -- my suggestion is to look farther down your list and find different accommodations for 1 night. [seriously.]
perhaps Bunker Hill, Green Iguana, Crystal Palace, Island View, Olgas Fancy,

Just returned from a land based STT stay. The Island Beachcomber charges half of the cost of the stay upon booking with the balance due at arrival UNLESS it is a 1 night stay. Then they charge the full amount right when booking!

In July 2016, booked 3 beachfront double rooms at Emerald Beach for one night at end of charter on June 22, 2017. No charge yet, and none unless not cancelled within 72 hours of arrival date.