What it is

An ultra-luxe resort on turquoise Great Bay, with multiple pools (including a serenity option and a raucous family one); four glam restaurants; and a spa with seaside treatment cabanas.

What it isn't

Dated. The resort emerged from a $100 million revamp a few years ago, and looks as camera-ready as ever.

What we think

Nobody jets to St. Thomas to stay cooped up in their bedroom, but you might actually want to here. Even the starter room category, the 450-square-foot Resort View King, is grand enough for royalty—with its private terrace, marble-lined bathrooms and serene color palette of blonde woods and earthy rattans. Upgrade to a suite and you’ll have all the room to roam you could ever need; they begin at 1,080 square feet, complete with sitting areas on their balconies and separate living and dining rooms practically made for sipping rum punch at cocktail hour. We love that each and every room option includes pampering amenities like Frette linens and LED TV’s (though we’ll wager you’ll spend most of your time on the beach, borrowing any number of the resort’s watercraft, from kayaks to paddleboards). Be sure to take advantage of their loaner snorkel gear to explore the adjacent reef, and don’t miss the daily rum tastings—they’re infused with pineapple, passion fruit, and mango, and so good you’ll want to sneak a bottle home with you.

You're here because

The hotel has its very own catamaran that takes guests on sunset sails and snorkel tours. Easy, breezy, and certainly beautiful.

The Moment

After a day splayed out on the sand, you’re famished…and thankfully, Alloro is here with the best Italian seafood you’ve had since your trip to Sicily. Your order tonight? Frutti di Mare linguini with mussels, clams and shrimp, all so fresh it must have been just pulled from the frothy sea.

Restaurants & Bars

Bleuwater - Steak, Seafood

Great Bay Lounge - Global, Island cuisine, Sushi

Coconut Grove - Caribbean

Sails - Salad, Sandwiches

Great Bay Lounge

Location

On a calm inlet of Great Bay, about a 30 minute drive from Cyril E. King Airport. While you’re here, it’s definitely worth seeing the National park, just a zippy ferry ride to St. John.