Customer Reviews

The Best of St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (Best of St. Thomas & St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We recently came back from St Thomas and used "The Best of ..." while I found that there is a lot of good and usefull information in the book I also found that many of the phone numbers and locations were incorrect. This was a bit of a pain, but all in all I found the book most usefull. I would definitely recommend it for the first time visitor. Just use the yellow pages for phone numbers. <I>This text refers to the previous printing of this title.</I>

This book provides very basic information on St. Thomas and limited information on St. John. The 1st timer to these islands may find this information helpful, however, most of what is included can be found in other sources which are readily available elsewhere. Other than the beautiful picture of Trunk Bay on the cover, the book provides no other pictures. Which, in my opinion, is a shame because the real magnificence of these islands would be better conveyed through some select pictures and not just text alone.

This book helped me find several great LOCAL bars and restaurants, which really made my trip more fun! If you use Fodor's or Frommer's to plan your trip to the Virgin Islands, you should definitely supplement your research with this smaller, more personal book. You'll find that it contains different descriptions and insider tips on hotels and restaurants than the larger guides.

You'll also find that almost all of the information is still up-to-date in 2002, especially for St. John (things don't change as fast there as they do in other places). Have a great trip!

I purchased and read this book before our trip to the US Virgin Islands, and I am very glad I did! Pamela Atcheson has compiled an extremely informative book on things to do, places to eat, where to shop, etc. Thanks to her advice, we dined happily every night, visited St. John via the ferry (a highlight of the trip), and made some unique purchases. Plus, it was fun to find places I had read about while I was planning our trip!

This book is everything you need in one resource.

As far as travel guides go this one is not bad. You are provided with facts, hotels, places to eat, and etc. However, the guide does little to help make suggestions on things that you MUST do in order to maximize your trip...there are no example daily itineraries or "don't miss activities".

AS others have pointed out there is much less detail given on St. John. Part of this is do to St. John being much less populated and developed. If you are spending multiple days on St. John you may need an additional travel guide.

What you are given is a collection of interesting facts that will help you enjoy your trip.

My suggestions -
Snorkel a Secret Harbor
Visit St. John's Trunk Bay
Eat at "The Herve"
Eat at the all-you can-eat buffet on Wednesday night at the Marriot's CoCo Joe's
if you are into Jewelry - bring some extra $$$ for the (alleged) deals in Charlotte Amalie

The information is good, and seems thorough, but the presentation is lacking...not a single photo, and the maps look juvenile.

I thought the author did their work reviewing the places visited and knows the island well. Should never overlook the little places to visit and dine at , you can always find a hidden treasure somewhere! Good reading and very helpful book.

I was orignally booked at the Westin in St. John. Since this book described the Westin as "busy and bustling" with children and families. I opted for Caneel Bay which was much more expensive because of the the review in this book which described Caneel Bay as quiet and romantic. I can only assume that since this book was published, Caneel now encourages children. Unfortanately it cost me $7000 to discover this!

This book needs to be updated. The St. John Inn was hardly an elegant, intimate little inn. We were so disappointed we hunted down alternature accommodations. However, the "Inn" still charged us.

I bought this book as a bridal shower gift for a couple who had planned to honeymoon in the area. They raved about the book both before they went and after they returned from the islands. They went in mid Sept 07.