USVI w/ little kids - TravelTalkOnline

Posted By: Matt W

USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 03:54 PM

Hi all!

Never been to USVI. Considering a quick, land-based trip for ~4 full days. Two families with kids between 6 months and 5 years. Want to stay at a vacation rental instead of a resort.

What should we be thinking about when deciding between St Thomas and St John? Any areas in particular? Will a ferry to St John be too much trouble?

Thanks in advance!!

Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 04:28 PM

What are your air connections to STT? I assume, without knowing, that you can get a nonstop flight to STT? To me, with two little kids, for such a short trip, I would recommend you stay on STT, as, even if you have a nonstop flight to STT, I can't imagine adding the extra step of a ferry, for that short a time.

If you can't do a nonstop flight, I wouldn't bother..

Posted By: Matt W

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Carol_Hill

What are your air connections to STT? I assume, without knowing, that you can get a nonstop flight to STT? To me, with two little kids, for such a short trip, I would recommend you stay on STT, as, even if you have a nonstop flight to STT, I can't imagine adding the extra step of a ferry, for that short a time.

If you can't do a nonstop flight, I wouldn't bother..

Yes - nonstop flight from Houston. Thanks Carol.

Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 04:51 PM

OK, good luck. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Posted By: louismcc

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 05:00 PM

(from a fellow Houstonian...)

I know you said you didn't want a resort but I'd still suggest you take a look at Secret Harbour. We stayed their a couple of times when our kids were younger and it was great. The beach is right outside your door (if you have a beachfront condo) with great snorkeling right off the beach.

It is also just around the corner from Red Hook which makes it easy to take a ferry over to St. John.

Posted By: Matt W

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by louismcc

(from a fellow Houstonian...)

I know you said you didn't want a resort but I'd still suggest you take a look at Secret Harbour. We stayed their a couple of times when our kids were younger and it was great. The beach is right outside your door (if you have a beachfront condo) with great snorkeling right off the beach.

It is also just around the corner from Red Hook which makes it easy to take a ferry over to St. John.

Thanks for the tip Louis, we'll check it out!

Posted By: Cleobeach

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 07:14 PM

If renting a house, be prepared to rent a vehicle and drive to the beach. True beach front house rentals are rare and pricey.

I love STJ but with such a short trip, I would stick to STT. Continuing on to STJ will add another 2-3 hours to your travel day each way.

I second the Secret Harbor recommendation.

Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 08:36 PM

Today, we just started considering a week on STJ early summer, fairly last minute as usual! Couple things to think about..I believe most villas might have a 5 night minimum? If you can find a place you will need to reserve a car/jeep rental? unless you rely on the taxi's? Vehicles book up fast, the 2 week window we are considering I found one car rental is already booked up and need to call others now. If I were to try a 4 day trip with 2 families with kids I would probably stay at Gallows Point (walking to restaurants/shops) or the Westin for the beach and other amenities. Not sure I would try it, staying on St Thomas sounds more stress free and you could always pick a sunny day to ferry over to STJ, taxi to Trunk Bay for beach time with good amenities, taxi back to Cruz Bay and check out the shops before heading back to STT. Good luck planning!

Posted By: MIDiver

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by BEERMAN

Today, we just started considering a week on STJ early summer, fairly last minute as usual! Couple things to think about..I believe most villas might have a 5 night minimum? If you can find a place you will need to reserve a car/jeep rental? unless you rely on the taxi's? Vehicles book up fast, the 2 week window we are considering I found one car rental is already booked up and need to call others now. If I were to try a 4 day trip with 2 families with kids I would probably stay at Gallows Point (walking to restaurants/shops) or the Westin for the beach and other amenities. Not sure I would try it, staying on St Thomas sounds more stress free and you could always pick a sunny day to ferry over to STJ, taxi to Trunk Bay for beach time with good amenities, taxi back to Cruz Bay and check out the shops before heading back to STT. Good luck planning!

I would not stay at the Westin for the beach - kids should not be swimming in the water there. It is routinely flagged for issues. Gallows is not very child friendly. If I were doing a quick stay on STJ and wanted a beach I would see if there were fill in slots at the Gibney Beach Cottages. Pricey but true beachfront. A vehicle will be key.

Villa Solaire on St Thomas is run by the folks at White Bay Villas on Jost. Waterfront and walking distance to Secret Harbor if you are looking for more of a private experience.

Posted By: BEERMAN

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/16/2022 10:59 PM

Great point about Great Cruz Bay (Westin) water quality, scratch that! We've never stayed at Westin, but thought about the kids...but forget that water trampoline if it still exists!! We did stay at Gallows many years ago, why is it not kid friendly to you MIDiver? just curious? I can think of some villas with beaches, like Gibney but not sure if they'd do a 4 day stay?

Posted By: MIDiver

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/17/2022 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by BEERMAN

Great point about Great Cruz Bay (Westin) water quality, scratch that! We've never stayed at Westin, but thought about the kids...but forget that water trampoline if it still exists!! We did stay at Gallows many years ago, why is it not kid friendly to you MIDiver? just curious? I can think of some villas with beaches, like Gibney but not sure if they'd do a 4 day stay?

Hey Beerman - I have heard from friends that have stayed at Gallows that kids being kids are not always appreciated at Gallows. The villa set ups aren’t really ideal for families either.

Some villas will do shorter rentals if there are holes in their calendars. We typically stay up on Bordeaux so I can’t offer advice on specific properties “beachfront”.

Posted By: Cleobeach

Re: USVI w/ little kids - 03/17/2022 03:20 PM

At one point, there was an age restriction (4 or 5 yo) at Gallows as I remember looking into Gallows when our son was around 7yo. The was nearly 10 years ago so it may have changed.