St. Thomas is an idyllic island destination in the eastern Caribbean and one of just a few places that United States citizens can travel to in the region without a passport. That’s because St. Thomas — along with St. Croix and St. John — make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean.
Visitors to St. Thomas won’t find overwater bungalows, but they can still look forward to white-sand beaches, a laid-back vibe and water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving, not to mention duty-free shopping.
It’s worth considering for all types of travelers, from those looking for the best family beach vacation to newlyweds searching for all-inclusive honeymoon resorts.
Accommodation options on St. Thomas range from convenient home rentals to sprawling luxury resorts, and though there are not a lot of outright all-inclusive properties, many hotels do offer packages that include food and beverage, so it feels like an all-in-one vacation.
Here are the best St. Thomas resorts for an all-inclusive vacation.
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A family-owned and operated resort on St. Thomas’s southern coast, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort claims to be the first to introduce the all-inclusive concept to the island and remains the only true all-inclusive resort option to date.
Situated on a 1,000-foot stretch of golden sand, it even features its own custom catamaran for tours to neighboring St. John.
Oasis Restaurant & Pool Bar is the only restaurant at this resort. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also operates as a late-night bar. Guests can expect local ingredients and dishes, such as conch fritters, as well as tropical cocktails. The hotel’s other dining outlet, Iggie’s Beach Bar & Grill, has been closed since 2017 due to hurricane damage.
The resort offers three room types: Beachfront, Ocean View and Value rooms. Ocean View rooms are on the second and third floors, while Beachfront Rooms are among the closest you can get to the beach on St. Thomas. Both Ocean View and Beachfront room types feature private balconies. Value rooms have partial ocean views and are situated behind the restaurant.
Included in your stay are on-property experiences like snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking. The resort can also help arrange other activities on the island, such as scuba diving and parasailing, for an additional charge.
Rates at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort start around $650 per night for two guests, based on double occupancy. Children under 18 years old can stay for 44% off the adult rate.
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Slated to open in May 2023, The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef is one of the higher-end options on the island, and it’s bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points to boot.
Just five miles from Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and overlooking the ocean, the new resort is accepting reservations. The property will feature a Heavenly Spa by Westin as well as three on-site restaurants, a coffee house and a bar. Award nights are not available just yet, but when they do become bookable, you’ll be able to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at this resort.
There’s an array of room types and sizes to choose from, including a one-bedroom presidential suite or terrace and deluxe rooms for more budget-minded travelers. The orientation options range from garden views to partial and full ocean views.
Room rates at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef start at $523 per night. There were no award nights available for booking at time of publication.
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Marriott Frenchman’s Cove — part of Marriott Vacation Club — affords views of both Pacquereau Bay and St. Thomas Harbor. The hotel features two- and three-bedroom villas, which are perfect for families or groups traveling together.
In addition to a fitness center, pool and hot tub, guests have three dining options on the property. Sunset Cove Bar & Grille is an open-air restaurant serving casual fare like burgers and fresh catch of the day. At The Marketplace and The Marketplace Express, guests can find snacks, ice cream and essentials.
Each villa comes with a washer and dryer, a full kitchen and a furnished patio. On-property amenities are minimal but do include a fitness center and an infinity pool with a waterslide.
Within striking distance are the Haagensen House Museum and Coral World Ocean Park.
Room rates at Marriott Frenchman’s Cove start at $626. Marriott Bonvoy points are not redeemable at Marriott Vacation Club properties.
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The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, is in Great Bay and is an excellent option for travelers with a higher budget or a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points to redeem. The resort recently underwent a $100-million renovation, including a new family-friendly pool equipped with a fun waterslide. The resort also has its own catamaran that it deploys for sunset cruises, snorkeling tours and private events.
With four restaurants, this hotel does not have an all-inclusive option, but you can book a rate that includes breakfast for two daily or a club-level room that comes with complimentary culinary offerings throughout the day.
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, range from resort-view rooms to three-bedroom presidential suites. Club-level rooms and suites come with a dedicated concierge, as well as access to the exclusive lounge. Current offers include a $100 nightly resort credit when you stay for four or more nights.
Room rates at The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas start at $880 or 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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This is another recently renovated hotel that’s set to reopen next year. A boutique hotel, The Seaborn, at Frenchman’s Reef will be pet-friendly and have an outdoor fitness center in addition to a full-service spa.
The resort will have three dining outlets for guests, with Isla Blue, a Caribbean-inspired dinner restaurant, acting as the sole sit-down formal eatery.
Accommodations come in a variety of configurations and price points, including rooms with either garden or ocean views from their balconies. This hotel is not yet available to book, but worth keeping an eye out for next year as it may be a competitive option for redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points on St. Thomas.
Rates were not available at The Seaborn, at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection at time of publication.
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The Westin St. John Resort Villas is an exceptional points option for your stay on the island. The hotel features a private beach, Sugar and Spice Spa, an expansive resort-style pool, the Westin Family Kids Club to keep the tots busy, and other amenities that make it an attractive higher-end option for families. The multi-bedroom villas can be handy if you’re traveling in a larger group, too.
Room options at The Westin St. John Resort Villas include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas in varying layouts. All rooms are equipped with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself as you choose, which is a great option because the dining options at this hotel are limited. There’s the Snorkels Bar, a poolside restaurant featuring salads and sandwiches, and Grill and Mango Deli, where guests can get coffee, pastries and pre-made lunch dishes.
Room rates at The Westin St. John Resort Villas start at $532 or 76,400 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
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Secret Harbor Beach Resort is a boutique hotel offering apartment-style accommodations located both on the beach and hillside. Guests can choose among studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom condo suites. The beachfront units are more centrally located and close to resort amenities, while the hillside units surround the pool and offer more privacy.
The resort’s amenities include a freshwater pool, tennis courts, three dining outlets and online grocery provisioning to stock your room. Wi-Fi is complimentary, and there is a full-time concierge to help you coordinate any tours or reservations.
Secret Harbor Beach Resort also features an on-site dive shop. Aqua Action Dive and Watersports Center is a PADI Five-Star facility and has tours available for divers of all levels.
Room rates at Secret Harbor Beach Resort start at $599 per room per night.
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Every room at Emerald Beach Resort has a balcony overlooking Lindbergh Bay, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. The resort isn’t all-inclusive. However, when you book direct, there is an offer to receive a food and beverage credit of up to $25 per day to use on dining and drinks.
There are three places to eat at the resort: Caribbean Fusion, Emerald Cafe or Emerald Beach Bar. Otherwise, you’re just minutes away from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shopping options.
The 90-key resort offers two room types: Beach Front Deluxe King Rooms or Beach Front Deluxe Double Rooms. Every room comes with a private balcony or patio and complimentary Wi-Fi. The resort’s concierge can help book tours and transportation as well as assist with ferry transfer to neighboring islands.
Room rates at Emerald Beach Resort start at $197 per night.
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With views of St. John, guests at the Wyndham Margaritaville Vacation Club can expect to enjoy crystal-clear water for snorkeling, water sports, diving, fishing and more. There’s nothing to fuss over at this Wyndham property, as the goal is to relax as much as possible — preferably in a hammock.
There is one restaurant, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, along with the 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar. The hotel does not offer all-inclusive rates, but guests can sign up for Insider Extras, where they’ll receive awards every time they book, including an Amazon or Uber gift card.
Guests can choose from studio, one- and two-bedroom suites that sleep between two and six people and range in size from 324 to 1,070 square feet. All units have an outdoor seating area, kitchenette and even a Frozen Concoction Maker, perfect for making frozen cocktails in the comfort of your own room.
Rates at The Wyndham Margaritaville Vacation Club start at $547 per night.
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Though not on St. Thomas, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino on St. Croix is less than 30 minutes away by plane, or about two hours by ferry, from St. Thomas and is another option for those looking for a truly all-inclusive vacation.
St. Croix is still a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands and therefore does not require a passport for U.S. citizens. In 2021, the adults-only hotel underwent a top-to-bottom renovation that included updates to rooms and suites, the addition of seven restaurants, plus the introduction of a wide selection of activities such as tennis and pickleball.
The cuisine at its various restaurants includes Italian, pan-Asian fusion and gourmet coffee.
Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino features Beachfront King and Double Rooms ranging in size from 356 to 379 square feet and Hillside One-Bedroom Suites with separate living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens that clock in at over 1,000 square feet. Espresso machines, refrigerators and a private deck or balcony are among the standard amenities.
You can find Divi Resorts on other Caribbean islands, including Aruba, St. Croix and St. Maarten.
Rates at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino start at $821 per night based on double occupancy.
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