St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), right in the Caribbean, is one of those destinations that felt like it had everything — gorgeous powder-white beaches, a vibrant Caribbean culture, amazing shopping, and enough history to satiate even the hungriest of culture vultures. And, sitting just south of the island’s main airport, right on the stunning sands of Lindbergh Bay Beach, is the Emerald Hotel Beach Resort, St Thomas, Virgin Islands. It’s one of those gems of a stay on the island and has everything a discerning beach traveler could want: a boutique vibe and a beachfront location.
While many St. Thomas boutique stays lie inland, the fact that Emerald Beach Resort sits right on the water is a huge draw. All in all, it was the kind of place that felt like a genuine Caribbean retreat — unpretentious, lush, and laidback. Here’s a detailed review of this amazing place, which is ideal for all kinds of travelers: couples, families, and friends.
Location, location, beachfront location
For travelers to St. Thomas, location can make or break your stay on the island. You’ll be thrilled to know that Emerald Beach Resort sits in what is one of the most strategically amazing spots on the island. Firstly, it sits directly on Lindbergh Bay, making it less than a mile from the island’s main airport, Cyril E. King Airport. So, we spent minimal time in transit and maximum time with our toes in the sand! Secondly, the lively capital of Charlotte Amalie is a mere 10-minute drive away. If you don’t have a rental car, you’ll find taxis outside the resort at all times. So, getting around is effortless.
However, what elevates this location even more is the resort’s dedicated concierge service. Whether we needed arrangements for island tours, snorkeling excursions, or even local transportation, the concierge team handled every detail with genuine care. We were floored by this personalized attention, especially since they even directed us to free parking when we arrived with our rental.
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Beach Dreams: 100% Beachfront Rooms
One of the most compelling reasons why we went gaga over Emerald Beach Resort was its unwavering commitment to a beachfront stay. This isn’t one of those resorts where some rooms face a rooftop or parking lot, some face a garden, and only a few face the ocean. Each and every one of the 90 rooms and suites here has a private balcony or patio with direct views of Lindbergh Bay and the Caribbean Sea! Now that’s what we call a selling point.
The resort offered two main room categories, the premium double and the premium king rooms. While the former have two double beds ideal for groups or families, the premium king ones are perfect for couples’ getaways. Nevertheless, all rooms have the same amazing views, tropical-inspired décor, and mod-cons in the form of fridges, flatscreen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Finally, oversized windows ensured that natural light filled every corner of our stay.
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A Haven For Water Babies: The Oceanfront Pool, Waterfall, and Beach Access
Of all the spots on the property, we think the waterside spots at the Emerald Beach Resort are the finest spots on the entire island to simply do nothing. Firstly, the gorgeous seafront freshwater outdoor pool is rumored to be one of the first pools ever built on the island! Not only is it beautifully landscaped, but it also has a waterfall and a deck, all overlooking Lindbergh Bay and the sparkling Caribbean. So, after long, languorous breakfasts, we’d head straight here with music, a good book, a float, and good cocktails. And since pool hours ran from 8 am to 10 pm every day, we had lots of time to make the most of the deck.
That’s not all. Since it had direct beach access, the resort even gave us complimentary beach towels, while also providing sunbeds at the beach. However, parasols were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tropical gardens, super-clean surroundings, and a calm vibe made this the perfect place to kick back and unwind.
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Water Sports and Outdoor Activities
Can’t sit still even on a holiday? Don’t worry, there are plenty of people like us! And for those of us who are like that, the Emerald Beach Resort has everything we need. For one, the resort’s beach boasted an impressive lineup of water sports, with rentals available on-site. These included kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkel and scuba gear, boogie boards, and paddle boats. Plus, we could also go windsurfing and sunfish sailing, making it one of the island’s most activity-rich beachfronts.
Even beyond the water, there are a lot of activities to do. For instance, the resort’s fitness center is very well-equipped, allowing us to keep up with our workouts even on vacation. Moreover, there is a jogging trail as well as tennis and pickleball courts on the property. And, of course, there’s the concierge service that handles arrangements for island tours and activities around St. Thomas. All in all, we loved this combination of on-site and off-site water and land-based adventures.
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Caribbean And International Cuisines: The On-Site Dining Experience
Last but not least, Emerald Beach Resort delivers on the food front as well with a wonderful lineup of dining options. Its crown jewel is Caribbean Fusion, its signature beachfront restaurant, which serves all meals complete with the Caribbean Sea views in the background. The cuisines, which include authentic flavors of the USVI and the Caribbean, feature the freshest local produce, meat, and seafood.
Rounding out this dining scene is the Emerald Beach Bar, a relaxed spot that serves pizzas, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers, with the beach just steps away. Finally, there’s the lovely Emerald Café, which is open on all days except Sunday and offers wonderful breakfast items, smoothies, tea, and coffee. Did we mention the buy-one-get-one complimentary drink offer at the bar? It’s small touches like these that go a long way in setting a welcoming tone, and Emerald Beach nails it.
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Pros
- It’s a genuinely 100% beachfront property, with every room featuring ocean views and private balconies.
- The on-site water sports, dining, and pool make for a fully self-contained experience.
- The location on Lindbergh Bay is excellent, as it’s right next to the airport and just 10 minutes from Charlotte Amalie.
Cons
- Since it’s next to the airport, there might be certain aircraft noise at odd times of the day.
Conclusion
We enjoyed a genuinely beautiful and unhurried stay at Emerald Beach Resort. Radiating genuine Caribbean charm and warmth, this resort’s combination of an excellent location, sea views from everywhere, fantastic amenities, and a laidback boutique vibe elevates an already idyllic setting into something truly memorable. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for everyone: first-time visitors, families, couples, and even solo travelers!
Read Also
- 11 Best All-Inclusive Hotels In St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- 11 Best Affordable Hotels In St Thomas, Virgin Islands
- 11 Best Luxury Resorts In St Thomas, Virgin Islands
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Emerald Beach Resort pet-friendly?
A: Yes, the resort welcomes pets for a pet fee of USD 35 per pet/night.
Q: What are the check-in and check-out times at Emerald Beach Resort?
A: Check-in starts at 4 p.m., and check-out is until 12 noon.
Q: How far is the Emerald Beach Resort from downtown Charlotte Amalie?
A: Charlotte Amalie is a 10-minute drive away.
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