Best Beach Hotels in St. Thomas

The beach is Sapphire Beach Resort’s main draw. It's on one of the best stretches of sand on the island, and the water is clear, turquoise, and calm; the view  from the beach is stunning -- St. John and other satellite islands are visible in the distance. The resort is conveniently located one mile up the hill from Red Hook, where there are shops and restaurants.

Crystal Cove Beach Resort on Sapphire Beach has distinctive pros and cons. Situated on gorgeous Sapphire Beach, this stretch of sand is one of the best in the Virgin Islands -- clear, turquoise, and calm, with great snorkeling and lots of sea life. The property also has a large pool and tennis courts and offers condo-style living at an affordable price. However, this is an older property and many of the units are dated with cheesy wicker tropical furnishings, floral bedspreads, and old kitchens.

The first beachfront hotel on St. Thomas, Island Beachcomber Hotel has been mostly family owned since 1956. The hotel is located right next to the airport, which is convenient for island hoppers or guests staying only one night. However, there is a good amount of plane noise. Island Beachcomber is located on a gorgeous beach and has some of the lowest prices for a beachfront room on the island. The tradeoff is that the rooms are dated and have some maintenance issues. If you want beachfront and convenience but don’t want to pay a lot, Island Beachcomber is a good choice.

The Ritz-Carlton is St. Thomas' classiest resort, located only five minutes from Red Hook's fun dining and yacht scene. Its private sailboat, fitness center, spa, and soft-sand beach -- a marine-life sanctuary -- are all among the best in St. Thomas. Although the beach has some of the best snorkeling on St. Thomas, its shores tend to get crowded early in the day.

The Best Western Plus Emerald Beach has distinctive upgrades from its neighbor, Best Western Carib Beach. This mid-range property has a lot to offer, including a beautiful beachfront with turquoise blue water, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a large pool. The 90 rooms have a few slightly dated tropical touches (floral curtains, bamboo furniture) but updates included flat-screen TVs, modern bathrooms, and iPod docks; all units have outdoor space and face the beach.

Family-owned and run since 1974, Bolongo is a laid-back resort with an excellent beach, great food, and a warm, helpful staff that keeps guests coming back year after year, despite the small pool and scarce features. Unlike many beaches in St. Thomas that are a bit rocky, like at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, the beach at Bolongo has a sandy bottom so walking into the water barefoot is easy.

Secret Harbor Beach Resort is an upscale boutique property located on Nazareth Bay on the East End of St. Thomas. The resort’s beach is truly a tropical paradise, with palm trees, hammocks, loungers, white sand, and turquoise water. The resort has two on-site restaurants and a lively beach bar. Guests have a choice of Studios or One- or Two-Bedroom Condos, and each has updated decor (except for some bedspreads) and fully equipped kitchens. All units are beachfront and offer great views.