Two Resorts, One Caribbean Paradise: The Best of Both Worlds at Frenchman’s Reef, St. Thomas

St. Thomas is the kind of destination that makes you wonder why more people are not talking about it. It is sunny, beautiful, and filled with warm, welcoming local energy, yet remarkably easy to reach from the East Coast. The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three main islands, each offering a different expression of Caribbean life. St. Thomas is the liveliest and most developed, making it an ideal base for first-time visitors. A short boat ride away, St. John offers a quieter, nature-focused experience, with much of the island protected as part of Virgin Islands National Park. Farther south, St. Croix is the largest of the three and is known for its historic towns, culinary culture, and diverse landscapes. Staying on St. Thomas allows travelers to experience the energy and convenience of the territory’s main gateway while easily adding a taste of another island.

The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa and Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas, Autograph Collection, are sister Marriott properties within Frenchman’s Reef. Both reopened in 2023 following an extensive redevelopment, but they offer two entirely different moods of island life. The Westin rises above the water on the hillside, with expansive ocean views and the energy and amenities of a full-scale Caribbean resort. Buoy Haus rests directly beside Morningstar Beach, offering a more intimate, low-rise, and design-forward beachfront experience. A complimentary shuttle connects the properties in just a few minutes, or guests can follow the outdoor stairs between them. I loved making that journey each day—it felt less like traveling between hotels and more like wandering through my own little seaside village.

Sugarfin, my favorite restaurant across the two properties, offers all-day dining, delicious food, sweeping ocean views, and the soothing sound of the waves.

I stayed in a spacious ocean-view room at The Westin, with a private balcony overlooking the pools and the endless blue beyond. The room was clean, quiet, and comfortable, with a generous layout and plenty of space to settle in. My favorite ritual was simply sitting on the balcony every morning and watching the sunrise as the resort slowly awakened below me. For someone who lives in Manhattan, that kind of uninterrupted peace and stillness is extraordinarily rare. Those quiet mornings, with nothing demanding my attention except the changing light over the water, became one of the greatest luxuries of the entire trip. The resort also offers garden, terrace, partial-ocean, and ocean-view accommodations, along with one-bedroom and bi-level suites, providing excellent flexibility for couples, families, and groups traveling together.

Our spacious and comfortable ocean-view balcony room at The Westin. Photo courtesy of The Westin Beach Resort & Spa

I visited all three of The Westin’s pools on different days, and each offered its own atmosphere and depth. There were always plenty of sunbeds available, even without reserving a cabana, and the expansive ocean views made every pool feel connected to the Caribbean. One detail I especially appreciated was having both a hot tub and cold plunge within the pool area—a thoughtful wellness feature that is surprisingly uncommon at beach resorts.

The Westin’s expansive pool area offers several pools to choose from, depending on your mood that day. Photo courtesy of The Westin Beach Resort & Spa

The Westin also makes it exceptionally easy to remain active while traveling. Its spacious, well-equipped fitness center was one of the nicest resort gyms I have used, and playing pickleball with the ocean as a backdrop was a particular highlight. There is also outdoor turf for workouts, along with the Heavenly Spa and its serene relaxation lounge. For weddings, celebrations, incentive trips, and corporate retreats, The Westin offers extensive meeting and conference facilities, while both properties provide beautiful courtyards, terraces, and outdoor venues for ceremonies, receptions, and cocktail gatherings.

Heavenly Spa at the Westin. The lounge room offers a tranquility space with pool and ocean view pre- or post-treatment. Photo courtesy of the Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa

Travelers staying at The Westin also have several good dining options without needing to leave the resort. Shorebird offers a breakfast buffet and rotating themed dinner buffets, while Luna Mar serves casual coastal Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting overlooking the sea. Edge Bar is ideal for an easy poolside lunch or tropical drink, and Frenchman’s Roast is a convenient stop for coffee, pastries, snacks, and grab-and-go items throughout the day. As evening arrives, the indoor-outdoor Lobby Bar becomes a relaxing place to enjoy drinks, glowing fire features, and the twinkling lights of St. Thomas across the water. I tried every venue and found the service consistently warm, friendly, and welcoming.

Poolside drinks at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef—a much-needed taste of vacation.

The food at Buoy Haus, however, was one of the true highlights of my trip. I returned to Sugarfin three or four times because it offered an irresistible combination of exceptional food, ocean breezes, and a front-row seat beside the water. The blackened snapper, grouper ceviche, and crab cake Benedict were outstanding. Isla Blue offers a more refined dinner experience, while Sandbar brings guests so close to the waves that the sea almost feels like part of the restaurant. Buoy Haus is the kind of place where breakfast effortlessly turns into a slow afternoon beside the water, followed by sunset drinks and dinner beneath the evening sky.

Crab cake Benedict with an ocean view—the perfect start to a day in St. Thomas.

Friday evening at Salt Shack brought an entirely different energy. Fire Friday unfolds directly on the sand, with open-fire barbecue, mesmerizing fire dancers, and DJ music set to the rhythm of the waves. The performers were incredibly talented, the children were delighted, and families, couples, and groups all became part of the same joyful beachfront celebration. The ribs I tried were excellent, while other guests raved about the whole lobster and fish. It was lively without losing its warmth—a night that captured the carefree, communal spirit of the Caribbean.

Fire Friday at Salt Shack, Buoy Haus, brings fire dance performance to the waterfront. An experience you mustn't miss.

Even the small, unplanned moments made Frenchman’s Reef feel special. Cats lounged comfortably around the properties, hens wandered through with tiny chicks following behind them, and iguanas rested peacefully in the trees along my daily walk between The Westin and Buoy Haus. They never disturbed anyone; they were simply part of the landscape, soaking up the sun alongside the guests. As a city girl, I found these quiet encounters with island life unexpectedly enchanting.

My daily walk from The Westin to Buoy Haus—just a staircase away, with a view like this. Photo courtesy of The Westin Beach Resort & Spa

Planning activities is especially easy at Frenchman’s Reef because of the resorts' concierge partner. The team works closely with both properties and trusted suppliers throughout the island. They can coordinate everything from airport transfers and private transportation to sailing, snorkeling, and customized island excursions, allowing travelers to experience more of St. Thomas without having to organize every detail themselves.

A stay at Frenchman’s Reef also makes exploring beyond the resorts wonderfully uncomplicated. My half-day boat excursion departed at approximately 9:30 a.m. and returned around 3:30 p.m.—long enough to feel like an adventure without sacrificing an entire day of relaxation. We spent two hours in Cruz Bay on St. John, where travelers can browse the colorful shops, enjoy lunch beside the water, or relax on the beach near the ferry dock. On the return journey, we stopped to snorkel in the crystalline water at Christmas Cove, with free-flowing drinks served aboard the boat. It was the perfect balance of sailing, exploring, and unwinding.

The Westin is an excellent choice for families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who appreciate the variety and convenience of a larger resort. Buoy Haus feels especially suited to couples and travelers seeking a smaller, more intimate beachfront retreat, although its restaurants and Fire Friday appeal to everyone. Together, the two properties create an experience greater than either could offer alone: the freedom to move between lively and peaceful, expansive and intimate, hillside panoramas and toes-in-the-sand dining.

Depending on the travel dates, Frenchman’s Reef can also offer surprisingly compelling value for the quality of the setting and the variety of experiences available. For travelers who prefer a full-service Marriott resort over a private villa or smaller independent property, it is one of St. Thomas’s most promising options. Before automatically returning to Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, or Mexico for another warm-weather escape, put the U.S. Virgin Islands into the conversation. St. Thomas offers the ease of a domestic journey with the beauty, flavor, and sense of discovery of a true Caribbean getaway—and once you experience how effortless it can be, you may find yourself wondering why you waited so long.

• U.S. citizens traveling from the mainland United States or Puerto Rico do not need a passport, although carrying appropriate government-issued identification is recommended. Non-U.S. citizens should confirm their documentation requirements before traveling.

• Frenchman’s Reef is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Cyril E. King Airport, allowing travelers to begin relaxing shortly after arrival.

• The Westin sits higher on the hillside, while Buoy Haus is directly beside Morningstar Beach. Guests can travel between them using the complimentary resort shuttle or the connecting outdoor stairs.

• The properties share access to Morningstar Beach, restaurants, and a variety of resort experiences. However, the Buoy Haus pool, fitness center, and designated Buoy Haus beach seating are reserved for registered Buoy Haus guests.

• Restaurant concepts, opening days, and entertainment schedules may change seasonally. Check the current resort calendar and make dinner reservations where available, particularly for Isla Blue.

• Do not miss Fire Friday at Salt Shack if it takes place during your stay. The event is lively and memorable while remaining welcoming to families.

• Consider reserving a boat excursion in advance. Departing directly from Frenchman’s Reef makes visiting St. John and snorkeling around the surrounding cays exceptionally convenient.

• Set aside a half day to explore downtown Charlotte Amalie for shopping, dining, and a change of scenery from the resort. Check the cruise schedules before deciding when to visit, as many shops tailor their opening hours to cruise traffic and may remain closed or operate reduced hours when no ships are in port. Ships can dock at either Havensight or Crown Bay, and their arrival and departure times also matter. Downtown can become surprisingly quiet by mid-afternoon—often around 3 p.m., and occasionally earlier—as passengers begin returning to their ships and stores start closing, just as in many other Caribbean destinations.

• Taxis in St. Thomas work differently from typical metered taxis on the mainland. Many operate as shared minivans, with regulated fares charged per person according to the pickup and drop-off areas. A fare chart is displayed near the hotel entrance, and carrying small U.S. dollar bills is strongly recommended. When traveling from the resort, staff can help arrange a taxi; elsewhere, travelers can often flag one down from the roadside. If the vehicle has space and is traveling in the right direction, the driver will stop. Tell the driver your destination when boarding, confirm the fare, and pay upon arrival.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Caribbean page.