St. John is a perfect example of what people love about the Caribbean, with untouched rainforests, white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters. This is the island to visit to avoid the crowds of the nearby St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
With the Virgin Islands National Park making up most of the island, you can find some of the best beaches in the entire Virgin Islands chain within the boundaries of this famous park. Go snorkeling with sea turtles at Maho Bay and Trunk Bay or experience the romantic atmosphere of Honeymoon Beach.
On the west end of St. John near the ferry entrance, you’ll find Cruz Bay, one of the few populated areas of the island. This is where you can look to find the best hotels and set up your base for exploring this beautiful island.
Near the other side on the east end, you’ll find more eco-friendly accommodations that are in a quieter spot. Whether coming with family, friends or even by yourself, luxury hotels and budget-friendly accommodations are plentiful.
Gallows Point Resort
Gallows Point Resort wraps around a hillside overlooking Galge Cove to the east and St. Thomas to the west, providing guests with a panoramic view of the signature blue waters around St. John. The location is an ideal spot to call home as it’s just a five-minute walk from the center of Cruz Bay.
All accommodations at Gallows Point Resort take advantage of the sprawling 5-acre peninsula that the property sits on. Choose from four different types of one-bedroom suites, each featuring beautiful scenery. Suites also include spacious living areas, king beds, a full kitchen, and prominent natural light throughout thanks to the many windows.
Gallows Point Resort gives you access to the limited restaurants, bars, and stores on Cruz Bay. If you want to enjoy fine dining but don’t want to go far, Ocean 362 is the onsite restaurant and a great spot to stop for dinner. There is also a coffee shop for morning breakfast. Enjoy incredible sights from the covered patio overlooking the water and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The full list of services with a stay at Gallows Point Resort includes a 24/7 concierge, a fitness center with classes, a shuttle service to and from the Cruz Bay ferry, parking for rental cars, and a swimming pool and deck facing the water below.
The Westin St. John
The Westin St. John is a Marriott resort and benefits from being a part of this trusted name in hospitality. Their St. John resort provides a set of world-class amenities and comforts among the best on the island. Located in the heart of Cruz Bay, The Westin St. John overlooks the bay and provides a stunning sight of the water and smaller islands beyond.
The Westin St. John includes rooms and luxury villas for groups ranging from two all the way up to 8 or more. You’ll be able to choose from a studio, one-bedroom townhouse, two-bedroom villa, or go all out with a three-bedroom villa. Choose from resort, garden, or ocean view, and rest assured that it’s beautiful in all directions so there are no wrong answers.
The private beach that sits at the front of the resort is among the best on the island, providing exclusive access to the famous white sands and sparkling blue waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Grab a drink and head to the beach where you can use some of the complimentary chairs and umbrellas and tan in the sun. If you want to grab a bite, you’re only steps away from either Snorkels Bar & Grill or Lemongrass Restaurant & Bar, two onsite dining options. Guest can use their 24/7 WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio or go for a swim in their outdoor pool.
The convenient location of The Westin St. John makes it a good place to use as a base for exploring the rest of St. John. The world-class comforts make it feel like home and the scenery will make anyone want to stay here forever.
Lovango Resort and Beach Club
Lovango Resort and Beach Club is a one-of-a-kind resort located on a private island a mile northwest of St. John. Exclusivity and luxury meet in this incredible property, where the vacation of your dreams awaits.
The Logango Resort and Beach Club accommodations reflect the unique and rare opportunity that a stay provides. There are traditional cottages and villas, of course, but you can also enjoy something different and go with a treehouse or one of several glamping options. All rooms include sweeping panoramas of the surrounding islands and sea as well as the untouched jungle that makes up most of Lovango Cay.
Lovango Resort and Beach Club is a great place to stay for the whole family, offering children something to do at the supervised activities center while you enjoy some time with that special someone. Go for a hike around the island and head up to Crescent Beach to experience one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Getting to and from Lovango Resort and Beach Club is easy, just a 10-minute ferry ride from either St. John or St. Thomas. There are also moorings for people who chartered a boat and want to stop by for a day or two.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a welcoming cocktail and friendly faces to help you with anything your heart desires. The level of service here is top-notch, allowing your group to enjoy your time at this incredible place without a care in the world.
Hotel Cruz Bay
Hotel Cruz Bay is located in the heart of the main city, just steps from the ferry dock. It sits directly in the middle of the most live spots in St. John, near all of the bars and shops.
The hotel was renovated years ago to modernize, which now includes over 80 solar panels, helping to make Hotel Cruz Bay green. The interiors are all redone and reflect the modern, chic style similar to a boutique hotel. This results in a clean, elegant, and simple style that is easy to relax around.
Hotel Cruz Bay has you choose from a standard guest room or splurge and enjoy the views from the penthouse featuring a panoramic scene of the bay from your very own balcony. It’s in a good area for walking but also serves as a great spot to pick up a taxi to the other local attractions across the island including nearby beaches like Honeymoon Beach or Salomon Beach.
Hotel Cruz Bay is a perfect example of a classically styled hotel that provides a comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of exploring this tropical paradise.
Wharfside Village Hotel
The Wharfside Village Hotel sits directly on Cruz Bay Beach, steps from the ferry dock and all of the other attractions. The location of Wharfside Village Hotel provides prime viewing of the stunning sunsets that the St. John is known for. You’ll enjoy front-row seats to this spectacle from the comfort of your room or from the beach just steps away from your door.
Wharfside Village Hotel features six different styles of hotel suites with different views to choose from. There is prominent scenery of the beach and the bay, as well as those facing the city and east side of the island.
Wharfside Village Hotel offers guests a chic and comfortable place to stay. The combination of luxurious interiors and carefully chosen furnishings gives guests all of the comforts of home in the middle of a Caribbean island paradise. It’s a haven for travelers where everything you need is a short distance away.
St. John Inn
St. John Inn is a charming property that’s visibly noticeable thanks to its vibrant and eccentric colors used to decorate the property. Upon first glance, you’ll be floored by the dazzling display of blue, green, and purple that covers the exterior but it doesn’t stop there.
Each of the guest suites follows this theme and includes an equally fun set of interiors, colored to showcase the playful nature of life on the island. You can stay in a standard room or suite and have the same options with a kitchenette upgrade. Every room gives you the feeling of staying at a beach house with brightly lit, colorful spaces and furnishings to round out the appeal.
Enjoy your time at St. John Inn with a dip in the pool or utilize the area and take a stroll to one of the nearby beaches. You’ll pass by the many shops and restaurants on your way and get a taste of what day-to-day life is like on St. John.
The inn’s amenities include beach chairs and beach coolers for guest use and complimentary continental breakfast every day. You can also book a sailing charter with them.
The Inn at Tamarind Court
The Inn at Tamarind Court is like two hotels in one, offering an updated and modern stay in either the main guest home or the smaller, hostel style accommodations fit for solo travelers. Single and twims rooms are available depending on the number of people you visit with.
Located a short walk from Cruz Bay, The Inn at Tamarind Court is close enough to the action while maintaining the old-world charm of St. John.
The rooms are simple and offer a great balance of comfort and simple elegance after the recent remodel. The result is a space that is light, open, and airy, beckoning you to rest easy after adventuring around the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park.
Take advantage of the free snorkeling and beach gear provided to all guests of The Inn at Tamarind Court. Any stay on this island needs to include some time snorkeling or swimming in the water of beautiful beaches like Francis Bay and Hawksnest Bay Beach.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available onsite at the Tamarind Court Restaurant and Bar, where they serve comfort food for the soul, fusing island flavors with classic dishes. This makes for a great start and finish to your day and is a popular place to eat among all visitors and not just hotel guests.
Garden by the Sea
Garden by the Sea is a boutique bed and breakfast near the shores of Frank Bay on the west coast of St. John. You can experience the sights and sounds of Cruz Bay while being located in a residential area, far enough away to give you peace and quiet.
Garden by the Sea offers two guest rooms, the Garden Room and the Terrace Room. Each provides guests with beautiful surroundings while remaining warm and inviting.
A bed and breakfast wouldn’t be complete without the most important meal of the day, and Garden by the Sea guests enjoy a fresh breakfast daily. Your rooms will be waiting for you when you return, filled with comfortable furnishings, light-filled spaces, and colorful decor.
If you’re interested in traveling around St. John in style, ask about Garden by the Sea’s Jeep rental which is available for a great rate. This is the way to experience island life to the fullest, behind the wheel of a vehicle that will make easy work of the changing grades and narrow roads of St. John.
Concordia Eco Resort
Concordia Eco Resort is a secluded property on the east end of St. John that offers guests a memorable retreat. This side of the island provides a quieter natural wonder, with gently rising hillsides filled with forests.
Along these hillsides, travelers can find their choice of environmentally friendly villas, placed in accordance with the landscape, hugging the hills of the island and acting as an extension of the land itself. Accommodations are all connected by a series of elevated walkways that take you through the forest and have minimal impact on the environment.
Concordia Eco Resort’s location is its main attraction, and you should take advantage of this quiet spot to connect with the essence of what makes St. John so amazing. Hike up the mountain for unparalleled sights or make an excursion to Salt Pond Beach for snorkeling without the crowds of the larger beaches on the north side of the island.
Concordia Eco Resort is a great choice for solo travelers and couples looking for the peace of mind that out-of-the-way places often offer.