Sapphire Beach Resort

The resort feels more like a private condo property than a
resort (and in some ways, it is). There is no fitness center, spa, business center, room
service, or pool/ beachside drink service. Since the condos have full kitchens
and large living areas, most guests spend their time in their units at night.
There is no nightlife, especially since the one food stand on the beach closes
in the evening.

The units are individually owned and decorated, and some are managed and maintained through rental companies. Guests have the
option of renting directly from an owner or going through a rental company. The
downside of this is that the rooms differ greatly in quality -- especially in
furnishings and upkeep.

Made up of five buildings spread along the beach, the resort has white facades, wooden walkways, and red-roof overhangs. The resort doesn’t have a lobby. Rather, a unit in building A is used as a front desk, and it is not well marked.

The Sapphire Beach Resort is located on the East End of the
island, known for its beaches and snorkeling. The resort is a five-minute drive
from Red Hook, a small, quaint town with great restaurants and good shopping. The
hotel is a 25- to 30-minute drive from the airport and Charlotte-Amalie, depending
on traffic.

Like most hotels in St. Thomas, there is not much within
walking distance, and it’s an understatement to say that the narrow, winding
mountain roads are not pedestrian-friendly. There are usually taxi drivers
right at the entrance of the hotel to cart guests around, although cabs charge
per person and can get expensive. A car rental is recommended.

The best thing about the rooms at Sapphire are the beautiful
beach views. All rooms face the water and have their own spacious patios or
balconies. The beach is gorgeous with trees, shade, and turquoise water. The rooms are also all suites or villas and are fairly spacious with
a large living area, fully stocked kitchens (with pots, pans, utensils, plates,
and glassware), and good-size bathrooms. But the similarities end there. Since all the units are
individually owned and many are managed through different rental companies, the
quality of the rooms varies. While some guests have suites that are updated and
modern with contemporary furnishings, light beachy decor, and well-maintained
infrastructure, other rooms are not as polished.

Some of the rooms looked dark and dated -- one had old wicker furnishings and worn couches, an old dining table with old, hard
foam cushions in a garish tropical pattern, and a thin, old bedspread.
There were also maintenance problems in the unit, such as exposed outlets, mold on
the bathroom ceiling, and a noisy bathroom fan. Another beachfront suite was more updated
and included a tile bathroom with chic blue lighting, leather headboard,
and a cherry- wood dining table. It had a modern kitchen with stainless steel
appliances, granite countertops, and an attractive backsplash. But the unit
was quite dark and dreary, and was missing that light, tropical feel. The villa, located on the top level of the building, was more luxurious. With two levels and more open space, it did not feel as dark and
drab as the other suites. It was decorated in light greens and blues and
had more contemporary furnishings.

While the nicer rooms provide a good value for the money,
especially considering the units’ beachfront locations, the older units are
dated, dark, and drab, and not worth the price. The rooms at the Frenchman's
Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort are much nicer, and you are still
on the beach. While not particularly luxurious, the rooms at Sugar Bay Resort
and Spa are comfortable, clean, and decorated with light, tropical decor.

Sapphire Beach, like the even more popular Magens Beach, is one of the best in the Virgin Islands. To some, Sapphire is the better beach, since it draws a somewhat smaller crowd of cruise-ship passengers. The beach is the highlight of the resort, and guests spend most of their time here. The beach directly in the front of the resort is scenic and beautiful, but not great for swimming. Trees run along the waterfront providing minimal entry into the water, and there are rocks and coral. There is a large stretch of sand to the left side of the resort (a two-minute walk from most rooms) that is better for swimming. The water here is clear and turquoise blue, and is famous for its snorkeling. The beach also provides stunning views of St. John and other smaller islands.

However, this stretch of sand is a popular beach and can get crowded. The beach sits in front of Crystal Cove, the resort next door, and is open to the public as well. While there are plenty of loungers, you may be sitting close to your neighbor. There is an on-site water sports provider.

The pool is located on the other end of the property. It has
two tiers with a waterfall in between. The area is nicely landscaped with stone
patios and palm trees, including a little gazebo hut and garden in the middle
of the pool. The pool area also has a walk-out dirt path that stretches out into
the bay. It is lined with palm trees and provides some beautiful scenery of the
water and surrounding islands.

There are not a lot of food options on-site and guests will
find themselves driving or taking a cab to Red Hook for food quite often. There
is a food stand and bar by the beach that is open until early evening as well as a bar and grill near the property that has live entertainment some nights. After that,
food options are limited.