Hilltop Villas At Bluebeard's Castle

“First time in USVI”

As a couple in our mid-50s taking our very first trip to the islands, we found that Bluebeard's Castle was a wonderful introduction to St. Thomas. The resort has some truly breathtaking views, and we spent many evenings relaxing on our balcony, taking in the beautiful harbor and reflecting on the d… more

As a couple in our mid-50s taking our very first trip to the islands, we found that Bluebeard's Castle was a wonderful introduction to St. Thomas. The resort has some truly breathtaking views, and we spent many evenings relaxing on our balcony, taking in the beautiful harbor and reflecting on the day's adventures. The staff was genuinely kind and welcoming throughout our stay, and the onsite restaurant offered surprisingly good food at reasonable prices. Having a convenience store right on property was also a huge plus, as well as the friendly valet and easy access to taxis. One thing we learned quickly is that St. Thomas is a destination where location and transportation planning can make a big difference in your overall experience. Bluebeard's Castle sits atop a hill, which provides those incredible views, but it also means you'll likely rely on transportation to get to beaches, excursions, shopping, and restaurants. Taxis are charged per person and can range from $10–$30 plus tip per person each way, so transportation became a much larger part of our vacation budget than we anticipated. After nearly 14 hours of travel, the 4 PM check-in and 10 AM check-out times made for some long travel days. If you're arriving early, it's worth planning activities in advance while you wait for your room. The pool area was enjoyable, though we felt it could be even better with updated lounge furniture and a few hammocks to create a more relaxing resort atmosphere. Another important thing for first-time visitors to know is that driving in the U.S. Virgin Islands can be intimidating. Traffic drives on the opposite side of the road, and many roads are steep and winding. We chose not to rent a car and instead used taxis throughout our stay. The absolute highlight of our trip was a snorkeling catamaran all day excursion with Snorkel Cat, recommended by the concierge. It was hands-down the best part of our vacation and an experience we would encourage every visitor to book, regardless of where they're staying. Something that surprised us was how much the local economy revolves around cruise ship tourism. When ships aren't in port, many businesses close earlier and evenings can become quite quiet. It's not a negative, but it's definitely something future visitors should be aware of when planning their itinerary. Overall, we're very glad we chose Bluebeard's Castle for our first visit. It served as a comfortable home base while we learned our way around the island and explored everything St. Thomas has to offer. For a future trip, we would likely stay somewhere with easier access to marinas and charter trips, but we're grateful for the memories we made here. If you're booking, I highly recommend requesting a room above the ground floor. The upper-level rooms offer stunning bay views, while some ground-level rooms overlook the parking area. And finally, a special thank you to the incredible staff. After returning home, I realized I had accidentally left behind my favorite pair of jeans. Not only did they find them, but they went out of their way to package and mail them back to me. That level of care and customer service says a lot about the people who work here and left a lasting impression on us.

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