Galleon House Bed & Breakfast

The hotel is situated amid dozens of homes on a steep hillside in the center of town. These are simple digs, and won't please those looking for anything. However, for the budget traveler market -- which is admittedly small in the Virgin Islands -- this hotel is a perfectly reasonable place to bed down for a couple nights. Set in a series of basic residential-style buildings linked by a series of steps, paths, and walkways, there's an almost hostel-like quality to the public areas. Bright hand-painted murals adorn doors and walls, though you will see overpainted wiring and a bit of wear around the edges of fixtures. A small pool and sundeck offer lovely city views and, along with the hotel's lounge, serve as the property’s only real gathering space for guests -- drinks are available and from time to time guests will hang out in either spot. That being said, there’s little in the way of a scene, and the deck was usually vacant when we visited. The property’s budget nature attracts equal numbers of couples and families traveling with children.

The property is built into a steep hillside that requires trekking plenty of steps from street level, depending where on the property guests are heading. The hotel is located a few blocks from Charlotte Amalie’s tourist-centric waterfront district and, consequently, dozens of dining, drinking, and shopping opportunities are less than a five-minute walk away. On foot, the open-air shops at Market Square will take eight minutes to reach, while the ferry terminal (with access to St. John) is less than a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, those interested in a little history are only a 10-minute walk from Blackbeard's Castle. The island’s famous Magen’s Bay Beach is reachable in 15 minutes by car, while the gorgeous East End beaches will take 30 to 40 minutes to reach depending on the destination.

St. Thomas’ main Cyril E. King Airport is little more than 15 minutes away. The hotel does not offer airport transportation. However, taxis are readily available at the airport and throughout the downtown area. Rates are slightly higher than typical Caribbean tourist destinations. Car rental counters are also available at the airport. However, the hotel’s limited street parking can prove problematic.

Things are decidedly simple, here, though for budget rates in Charlotte Amalie, though, travelers could do worse. There is a fairly distinct difference in the quality between room categories, though, and the lower-category rooms -- which lack windows -- feel distinctly more downmarket than those with views. The look in the former is dated and basic, and the unit we saw had bright blue walls, tile floors, and brown bedspreads. Higher-category rooms -- with windows -- are thankfully a good deal brighter and more cheerful. The unit we saw had well-kept wicker furniture, linoleum floors, and a wood-beam ceiling, all making for a more pleasant place to bed down for the night and well worth the upgrade.

Entry-level Efficiency Rooms provide cramped floor plans with no windows and only essential amenities. Interior Rooms provide slightly more floor space but the same pared-down list of amenities. Harbor View rooms offer the largest floor plans with square footage similar to a mid-range chain hotel. Their private balconies -- particularly in upper-level rooms -- provide lovely water and city views. All rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and (in all but the Efficiency Rooms) mini-fridges. There is no free Wi-Fi available anywhere on the property, though the daily rates for unlimited access are affordable.

Bathrooms are equally stripped down, though functional. The decor consists of mismatched tile on the floors and walls, dated laminate countertops, and basic fixtures and faucets. Aside from one or two bars of generic soap, there are no other amenities.

As a two-and-a-half-pearl property, there are few communal amenities, though most guests don't seem to mind. The sundeck features a tiny, clean pool and seating for a dozen guests via a few patio dining sets and lounge chairs. While there are no umbrellas available, stands of tall tropical trees surround the space to provide plenty of shade and privacy any time of day. 

The open-air dining area (which doubles as the hotel’s reception) serves a free breakfast daily. Like most areas of the hotel, the decor includes little more than a few basic, plastic patio furniture sets. The menu is limited to three simple options that typically include a fresh fruit plate, a pancake plate, or an egg plate. All of the food is well-reviewed. When the front desk is staffed, beer, rum punch, and soft drinks are also available for purchase. The entire area serves as the hotel’s de facto lounge. Unfortunately, only on-street parking is available with a limited number of spaces, and Wi-Fi is not free.