Frommer's Virgin Islands (Frommer's Complete Guides) [Paperback]

Darwin Porter (Author), Danforth Prince (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2005 | Series: Frommer's Complete Guides (Book 156)

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might like to go -- they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One hundred or so islands make up the Virgin Islands group. Some are governed by the U.S., some by the British, and all offer green hills, the best temperatures in the West Indies, and some of the lowest humidity levels in the Caribbean. So if the answer to your Caribbean vacation question is the Virgin Islands, the next questions are where in the Virgins, and what to do once you get there. Toward that end, Frommer's Virgin Islands guide delineates the differences, in character and topography and overall ambiance, between the various islands, helping you select the destinations that suit you (and your budget) best. First, there's the choice between British and American, then there are criteria such as deluxe versus rustic, hopping nightlife versus quiet isolation, pristine beaches or vibrant snorkeling. The "Best Of" section further aids selection, with lists of exceptional beaches, snorkeling, dive sites, golf courses, restaurants, nature walks, honeymoon resorts, and places to get away from it all. Once you've chosen your island, you have but to browse the specific chapter to see hotels, dining, and sights, outdoor recreations, shopping, and nightlife. There's a brief history of each island, a look at the flora and fauna, and an essential Fast Facts page listing details such as area code, currency exchange, doctors, newspapers, and liquor laws. Why lug along a huge Caribbean tome? The slender Frommer's Virgin Islands volume offers more detailed information for less. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. Frommer's. The best trips start here.

• From high-end resorts to deserted beaches, our authors will help you choose the right Virgin Island vacation for you.
• Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.
• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Frommers; 8 edition (September 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764596667
• ISBN-13: 978-0764596667
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Travel > Caribbean > Virgin Islands

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great !, December 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Frommer's Virgin Islands (Frommer's Complete Guides) (Paperback)

This book covers all essentials for travel to the Virgin Islands. It is much more in-depth than Fodor's & seems more updated. Fodor's 2000 edition is a little outdated. The 1st time I went to the BVI, I took this book & it really helped. It is an excellent resource to the beaches, shopping, & places to stay. Even though I have been to the BVI several times, this summer I am taking this new updated 5th edition for reference

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing..., August 17, 2003

By 

debonair (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Virgin Islands (Paperback)

I thought I was pretty good at picking them but man, was I off this time. It's hard to tell when you've never been to the location before but after a week on St. Thomas and St. John, I wish I would've read all these others reviews before I bought this book. I was very disappointed. There were SO MANY unacceptable errors in this book. Maps were wrong...there's an error on the St. John map that shows a road when actually it's only a walking trail. There were typos that got us lost in the city. The reviews weren't accurate at all. Places where it read "live carribean music nightly" were false. The restaurants never had a live band!
Please consider purchasing another publication unless you don't mind wasting your money.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Completely Wrong, August 28, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Frommer's Virgin Islands (Frommer's Complete Guides) (Paperback)

We just returned from a trip to St. Thomas. We stayed at Saphire Beach Resort based on the ratings in Frommers - "One of the best resorts on the island" and "one of the best restaurants". Saphire Beach resort is one of the worst resorts we have every been to. Service is very poor - sometimes rude. Staff could not provide much insight into activities at the resort itself - let alone the rest of the islands. The food at the restaurant is awful - we actually got sick - we think from eating spoiled food there.

Several great resaurants that we found later were not even listed in Frommers (Whale of a Tale in Red Hook, and Blue Moon Cafe at Secret Harbor).

Don't buy this book, and don't go anywhere near Saphire Beach Resort.