From STJ to STX for vacay

Hey Julie great idea!! I have heard great things about Cottages by the Sea in Frederiksted go check out their Facebook page. There is a mini Renaissance going on in Fredeiksted with new restaurants and The Fred also opened recently so check them out too.

Julie as for recommendations for the boys - book a jeep tour with Tan Tan Tours or horseback riding with Cruzan Cowgirls. I believe Cottages by the sea has kayak and paddle boards and Sandcastles by the sea resort is right next door.

Thought I'd ask all of you since you guys are the experts. I think I need a little vacation and still have never been to STX. It would be a family vacation. I have a 17 year old son, a 7 year old son, myself and my husband. The boys will want to do 'stuff' and I would rather just be a sloth because I just really need some downtime. Any recommendations on where to stay? Probably looking for a condo within walking distance or on a beach, but I am flexible on that as long as the place has a kitchen. Don't want to break the bank, but don't want extreme budget type places either. Also, I welcome recommendations for the boys to see and do.

Check out sandcastles. You can look them up online. Not sure though if they have a kitchen. But they are right on the beach in frederiksted. To me the best beaches are out west. Not too far from Kmart and plaza. Not sure about restaurants either , we don't go out that way often. But tan tan jeep tours would be a blast for the family.

Cottages by the sea have kitchenettes and right on beach

Thanks for the recommendations! So the co census is Fredrickstead and not Christianstead. Just curious as to why. I know I should know better by now, but I don’t. Hubby has been several times to STX, but this would be a first for the kids and me. I’ve been here 19 years. I am embarrassed I haven’t visited my sister island yet!

Don't be embarrassed. The beaches out west are lovely and I try and go at least once a week. The Divi resort out east was tore up by Maria and the beach is full of sargassum. Carambola on the north shore is beautiful but I don't know if they are open or what damage they have. I think that people are recommending places that they know are open. We have Hotel on the Cay right on the harbor, downtown Christiansted but you will have to check to see if they have kitchens. There are more hotels in Christiansted as well but I have never stayed at any of them so I cannot recommend. Check out Chenay Bay and Deep End. I really love Chenay Bay for snorkeling. It is very beautiful and we see so many turtles and Eagle Rays. They have paddle boards and canoes I think. The restaurant is only open until 4 I think. You can check the Air B&B places as well.

Tammy

OK I'll chime in. If you or your clan want to to get in some island activities then staying closer to C;sted can be convenient to both ends of the island, more restaurants, wall diving, wall diving, and wall diving.. I'm not a fan of condo row but Pelican Cove condos a little further west has a nice beach, really nice 2 and 3 bdr condos, one of the largest pools on STX, swim area in front of Palms hotel next door and 5 minutes to downtown C'sted. Gentle Winds Condos has a nice beach, a little further away from town, next to Salt River Marina.

When are you coming? We have a Jump-up and Mango Melee coming up soon, the kids would probably like those.

For sure try to stay west. You’ll have the best beaches and the pier is awesome. Look for seahorses 🙂 My friends run Adventures in diving there in Fsted. If you stay at cottages early morning watch for dolphins going towards pier and sunset going away from pier. Be ready and swim like crazy to catch up. Sometime they’ll play.

You can head to Csted for dinners if you need to but a few more places open now in Fsted too. Make sure you hit up lost dog and tap deck. I’m hearing good things about the new turtles after dark location.... don’t know what’s it’s called now.

Make the trek out east though for sure to Udall. It’ll be fun for you to see it, soooooo different girl! So flat and enjoy the 60mph freeway!

My must dos: West
Pier snorkeling/diving
Lost dog
Tap deck
Chaney hunting on Fsted beach
Rhythms at rainbow beach
Domino club (banana daiquiri)
Cruzan Cowgirls horse ride
Lyric Sails sunset cruise
Cruzan rum factory (not captain Morgan - not as fun)

East:
Zion Modern Kitchen (so freaking good!!) tell Kyle Adrian says hi
Galangal
Toast - for breakfast and bloodys
Cheney Bay snorkel (way out)
Crab races at deep end (if still open)
Udall
Ziggys gas station for drinks/fun (Fridays)
Mini golf out at Divi - if still open after storms

Stop by IB designs and get a hook 😉 I think hers are the best.

That’s my idea of a good STX vaca and usually what we did when guests would come stay.
Probably should do a buck trip also. Although living on STJ ya might not be as impressed 😉 a lot like waterlemon (but larger area of corals) before storms.

Thanks guys! West does sound like what I'm looking for and the boys will like it too. I appreciate the feedback. I didn't want to ask on a travel forum because I'm not a statesider and don't have the same expectations as they do 🙂 So you guys helped a lot!

Yes, West, for sure! Nachos and Louie's is where Turtles after Dark was. Great view next to the Fred on Strand. Turtles, for lunch is always a great idea.
Rainbow Beach on Sunday and a band starts at Rythms at 4 on Sundays there.

I used to live in C'sted for years. I've actually been in C'sted downtown, twice, in 2 years since we moved west.

IMO, the snorkeling is much better west. Yes, west has a slower pace, but, we like that. Actually, I've found less drama on the West end and rarely miss C'sted. If you'd told me that 3 years ago I'd prefer the west, I would've said you were crazy. But, now having lived west for 3 years, don't believe I'll be moving back East.

You should plan your trip to coincide with a turtle nesting watch sponsored by St Croix Environmental Association. That's what I did one year. Leatherback nested during our watch! Stayed at Sandcastle and frequently walked to Frederiksted during the day.

I would do a Tan Tan tour because we don't have tours like that on STT/STJ. If the bicycle shop in Frederiksted is still open I would rent bicycles because that's another activity that isn't easy to do on St John.

Ha, ha! Go to CostULess! I forgot to go when I went over for Ag Fair.

St. George's Botanical Garden.

I would consider staying at Chenay Bay resort. Small cottages and you can let the kids run with no worries. Miles of near empty beaches to walk on in any direction. Restaurant, bar, toy rental and pool on site. You can pick up a charter to Buck Island from the nearby Green Cay Marina.

…..but if you have the funds - stay at the Buccaneer. I have talked to countless people who say the Buccaneer ranks among the best places to stay with kids anywhere.

Both Chenay Bay and the Buccaneer are ten minutes east of Christiansted and the burgeoning foodie scene.

https://www.chenaybay.com/

I always enjoy St. George's Botanical Garden.

Maybe this link will help, too.

http://www.vinow.com

Here's another interesting and affordable option near Christiansted and you can walk to Chenay Bay resort. Always full of families and kids. Well maintained in a great, safe neighborhood.

http://www.pinkhousestcroix.com/home

I would consider staying at Chenay Bay resort. Small cottages and you can let the kids run with no worries. Miles of near empty beaches to walk on in any direction. Restaurant, bar, toy rental and pool on site. You can pick up a charter to Buck Island from the nearby Green Cay Marina.

…..but if you have the funds - stay at the Buccaneer. I have talked to countless people who say the Buccaneer ranks among the best places to stay with kids anywhere.

Both Chenay Bay and the Buccaneer are ten minutes east of Christiansted and the burgeoning foodie scene.

https://www.chenaybay.com/

i like Hotel on the Cay. rooms are a bit dated and some have kitchenettes. Nice little beach good chill out spot.and you can ferry across to the boardwalk. You can get boat or dive trips from Big Beard or Scuba. Pizza at the Mill, dinner at Common Cents.

when did the restaurant rebuild from the fire

I would consider staying at Chenay Bay resort. Small cottages and you can let the kids run with no worries. Miles of near empty beaches to walk on in any direction. Restaurant, bar, toy rental and pool on site. You can pick up a charter to Buck Island from the nearby Green Cay Marina.

…..but if you have the funds - stay at the Buccaneer. I have talked to countless people who say the Buccaneer ranks among the best places to stay with kids anywhere.

Both Chenay Bay and the Buccaneer are ten minutes east of Christiansted and the burgeoning foodie scene.

https://www.chenaybay.com/

Shoreline burned. The View restaurant operates with a limited menu from a different kitchen and tent. It opened before Maria.

when did the restaurant rebuild from the fire

I would consider staying at Chenay Bay resort. Small cottages and you can let the kids run with no worries. Miles of near empty beaches to walk on in any direction. Restaurant, bar, toy rental and pool on site. You can pick up a charter to Buck Island from the nearby Green Cay Marina.

…..but if you have the funds - stay at the Buccaneer. I have talked to countless people who say the Buccaneer ranks among the best places to stay with kids anywhere.

Both Chenay Bay and the Buccaneer are ten minutes east of Christiansted and the burgeoning foodie scene.

https://www.chenaybay.com/

Cottages by the Sea is the way to go, then.

They have kitchenettes and everything you need, and SandCastle on the Beach is right next door with a nice restaurant.

Yes, as ms411 said, hit up Cost U Less when you are here!

Thanks guys! West does sound like what I'm looking for and the boys will like it too. I appreciate the feedback. I didn't want to ask on a travel forum because I'm not a statesider and don't have the same expectations as they do 🙂 So you guys helped a lot!

I looked at the pics of cottages by the sea, and you basically share a queen or king bed with a twin bed in the same room, not sure if your kids want to share a bed and sleep in the same room as you, but I don't know your situation.

My place is out east, I love it there and everyone has there own preferences. I prefer the beaches by me, less rocky and some real hidden gems plus Isaac's bay is one of my favorites. Our first trip to STX we first stayed at condo row and rented a condo (next to Christiansted), had a pool, and the beach, but the water was ok. We used the pool a lot, but this was more of an exploratory trip for us at the time. It was very reasonable in price and gated, so we felt secure.

I guess my point is, if you are going to explore, stay somewhere central, driving from one end of the island to the other will take up a few hours of your day. I love the island, the laid back feel, have only visited STT so I can't say if I could ever live there. Enjoy your stay. 🙂

Carnival Cottage sleeps four and is available starting August 10.

Carnival Cottage

I DO NOT work for Cottages by the Sea either! LOL just trying to help out because I really think that seems like the best fit for your family.

I LOVE Isaac's Bay as well, and that would be a great trip. If you decide to visit Isaac Bay, Julie, send me a PM and we can show you how to get there from Grapetree Side, if you want to hike on a Saturday morning, that's when we go. It's a longer hike but we love it.

I looked at the pics of cottages by the sea, and you basically share a queen or king bed with a twin bed in the same room, not sure if your kids want to share a bed and sleep in the same room as you, but I don't know your situation.

My place is out east, I love it there and everyone has there own preferences. I prefer the beaches by me, less rocky and some real hidden gems plus Isaac's bay is one of my favorites. Our first trip to STX we first stayed at condo row and rented a condo (next to Christiansted), had a pool, and the beach, but the water was ok. We used the pool a lot, but this was more of an exploratory trip for us at the time. It was very reasonable in price and gated, so we felt secure.

I guess my point is, if you are going to explore, stay somewhere central, driving from one end of the island to the other will take up a few hours of your day. I love the island, the laid back feel, have only visited STT so I can't say if I could ever live there. Enjoy your stay. 🙂

Julie, you're gonna need a 3 week vacation, minimum!
Wherever you decide, ENJOY!

oh, thank you i had no idea

Shoreline burned. The View restaurant operates with a limited menu from a different kitchen and tent. It opened before Maria.

when did the restaurant rebuild from the fire

I would consider staying at Chenay Bay resort. Small cottages and you can let the kids run with no worries. Miles of near empty beaches to walk on in any direction. Restaurant, bar, toy rental and pool on site. You can pick up a charter to Buck Island from the nearby Green Cay Marina.

…..but if you have the funds - stay at the Buccaneer. I have talked to countless people who say the Buccaneer ranks among the best places to stay with kids anywhere.

Both Chenay Bay and the Buccaneer are ten minutes east of Christiansted and the burgeoning foodie scene.

https://www.chenaybay.com/

I live right across the street from the Bucc. Havent stayed at Cheney in years but rooms used to be nice and had kitchenettes