6400 Estate Smith Bay, Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands (U.S.) | (937) 315-4602
Six-minute walk to Lindquist Beach
Less than a three-minute drive to Red Hook Ferry Terminal
Villa-style rooms feature flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning
All villas include full kitchens and living rooms
Every room features a private outdoor pool and terrace
Small, lovely, open-air restaurant and bar
Wi-Fi is available (fee)
No free Wi-Fi in rooms or common areas
Dated decor in some rooms
On-site restaurant has limited hours
This property was impacted by Hurricane Irma and Maria in September 2017. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. The two-and-a-half-pearl Pavilions and Pools Villa Hotel is a laid-back apartment-style hotel, less than a three-minute drive west of St. Thomas’ Red Hook ferry terminal and a six-minute walk to Lindquist Beach. The hotel consists of 25 privately owned and individually designed vacation villas, with full kitchens, flat-screen TVs, separate living or dining areas, and private outdoor terraces with barbecue grills and pools. Aside from a small, seasonal restaurant, there are no communal amenities and the lack of a social vibe makes this a fit for independent travelers, though the lack of free Wi-Fi is a bummer. For something equally simple, but with a more modern style, travelers should consider Two Sandals By The Sea Inn, which has similar rates but where rooms lack kitchens.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Simple, island-style apartment-hotel with quite vibe for independent travelers
This small hotel is a bit of a mixed bag, and the overall effect it has on visitors depends on expectations. Travelers should not come here wanting traditional hotel amenities or services, and those looking for a social vibe will want to investigate other options. From a style perspective, things range from quaint to dated. The tiny lobby is designed in a charming, boutique tropical style, with soft yellow walls and white wicker furniture. The low-slung building design, occasional pastel colors on the exterior, and roughly maintained tropical garden pathways do a good bit to remind guests that they're in the Caribbean, but like the atmosphere here, it's all very low key. Each villa is designed for guests who prefer a relaxed, “on their own” vacation experience, and as such, there's no communal pool or area to mix. In fact, the small, open-air restaurant provides the only real common area for guests to gather, though it's often vacant as it offers limited hours based on season and occupancy. Travelers should expect to see plenty of couples and several families here as well.
Location
Three-minute drive from St. Thomas’ Red Hook Ferry Terminal
The property is situated on Smith Bay Road -- the main street that runs through St. Thomas’ resort-heavy East End. The nearest beach, Lindquist Beach, is six minutes away on foot. The restaurants, shops, and bars in Red Hook are all a 15-minute walk, or just under three minute by car. The ferry terminal, with direct access to Tortola and St. John, is also in town. Popular Magens Bay is a 20-minute drive to the west side of the island. It will also take 20 minutes to reach Charlotte Amalie.
The island’s only international airport, Cyril E. King Airport, lies 40 minutes west of the hotel. Rental car counters are available in the terminal, with rates on par with most Caribbean tourist destinations. For guests who would rather leave the driving to someone else, taxi and shuttle service are the cheapest, most convenient modes of airport transportation. Again, rates are on par with other islands in the Caribbean.
Rooms
Individually owned apartment-style villas with full kitchens and outdoor terraces with private pools
As each of the 25 villas is individually owned, all are individually designed and decorated. As such, there's a fairly wide disparity in what they look like. The unifying theme is tropical -- there are expectedly bright colors and tropical artwork in almost every room. However, in some cases the look is dated, and includes old furniture and dated accents. For instance, the International Pool Villa that we visited had old-school rattan furniture and darker hues that made it feel less than fresh (though the wood-panel ceiling was a nice, rustic addition). On the other hand, the Caribbean Pool Villa that we saw was bright and cheerful, with white country-style furniture offsetting a few spare wicker elements.
The hotel features only two room categories that differ primarily in the amount of available square footage. Entry-level Caribbean Pool Villas feature a 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) floor plan while upgraded International Pool Villas provide 1,400 square feet (130 square meters) of living space. Both categories offer a master bedroom with a single king bed, plus separate living and dining areas. Full kitchens in every room include a full-size stove, refrigerator, sink, glassware, and utensils. All feature a sizable outdoor terrace with a private pool and a barbecue grill. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but it isn't free.
Bathrooms are larger-than-average and also vary from villa to villa. Most feature a split design, with the sink and vanity exposed to the bedroom while the toilet and shower are located in a separate space. However, all feature a walk-in, garden-style shower (that’s partially open to the outdoors), a small hairdryer, and bar soap.
Features
A seasonal open-air restaurant, but little else
As the hotel is composed of a row of private villas connected by a garden pathway, there are few common areas. The hotel’s only restaurant, Vicars Bar and Grill, is situated in a small, open-air space adjacent to the lobby and a lovely garden pond. The casual dining room consists of a wooden porch covered with a pitched canopy roof. Several seats at the bar afford limited garden and sea views. The dinner-only menu features gourmet seafood-centric dishes such as mussels, rock shrimp risotto, and mahi-mahi. Unfortunately, the restaurant is only open seasonally and closes during periods of low occupancy. A large off-street lot provides ample, free parking. Wi-F is available for a fee.
