By Last Updated on September 17, 2023
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Nothing says “paradise” quite like toes in the sand and soaking up the sun while enjoying the sounds of gentle breezes and lapping waves.
Climbing a hillside overlooking the calm azure waters of Pacquerereau Bay, Marriott Frenchman’s Cove in St. Thomas, USVI is truly our home-away-from-home. We pre-purchased a fractional ownership in this magnificent Caribbean resort in 2005 when it was just mounds of dirt covered by local fauna.
But we always knew in our hearts it would be something special. Why? Because we absolutely love the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is the perfect home base for venturing out to the other U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and lastly, because Marriott standards are high.
The 301-villa resort completed in 2006 offers two and three-bedroom luxury beachfront accommodations. Since every villa faces the ocean, it would mean we’d always be guaranteed a view. And the views here are absolutely spectacular.
About the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove
This colorful, multi-hued property is comprised of four buildings, each named after a Virgin Island: Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and St. John. Three are located at the lower end of the resort, and St. John at a higher level.
We’ve stayed in them all, and as such can recommend each for their unique qualities. Families love Virgin Gorda, the closest to the pool and ocean. Honeymooners prefer the quiet, more tranquil privacy of Tortola. But truth be told, each of them are ideal.
Once cruise travel returns, we look forward to waking up to ships coming in to dock at nearby Charlotte Amalie. It’s a stunning sight to behold when they pass into the cove, or return to the sea at dusk.
Impressive Resort Amenities
It’s well known in the Caribbean that the 13-acres of Frenchman’s Cove represents some of the finest properties in all of the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in St. Thomas, this is the place to be. The enchanted, tropical resort fronts a lovely private palm-fringed white-sand beach with some great snorkeling reefs.
A large infinity edge pool and spa overlook the ocean and the beach. Big and little kids alike love the water slide. An activity desk provides rental equipment along with waterfront activities like day and sunset sails, boat rentals, dinner cruises, and our favorite, night time harbor kayaking trips.
Unlike some vacation clubs, Frenchman’s Cove has its own outdoor poolside restaurant, Sunset Cove Bar & Grille serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tropical paddle fans provide the perfect cooling effect. Service is outstanding, and our family loves the food here. So much so, that it was our first meal when we arrived, and our last on our day of departure.
A well-stocked marketplace is perfect for food or personal pick-up supplies. It also sports some quality souvenirs, clothing items, and beach gear.
Wellness and Water Sports
The on-site gym just underwent a renovation installing brand new, updated workout equipment. Ping-pong tables near the pool are a popular pastime, and we loved the host of daily activities available here: yoga on the beach, pool workouts, and more. An activity center is slated to open again soon much to the delight of the younger active teens.
Book a sunset cruise from Frenchman’s cove
Parking is free for guests as renting a car here is a definite benefit. Just remember, that driving is on the opposite side of the road compared to what we’re used to in the U.S.
Though not an official resort amenity, we always love our welcoming committee, a host of iguanas that freely roam the beach and resort. This is their island and their home. Though they may look fierce on first glance, but they are vegetarian and are not aggressive at all. Don’t be surprised at the many wild chickens you’ll find on site as well.
The Marriott Frenchman’s Cove Villas Are Amazing
Danish and British architectural influences of the adjacent historic town of Charlotte Amalie are reflected in the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove villas. Each is tastefully decorated in Caribbean colors. Our two-bedroom, two-bath accommodations boast over 1,200-square feet of space, including a living room area, dining room, fully-equipped kitchen, and laundry room. Two-bedroom villas can sleep eight with a pull-out sofa, while three-bedroom villas can accommodate up to 12 guests.
One of the best features of the resort property is that each villa sports a large outdoor balcony or terrace with tables and chairs for dining or celebrating a magnificent sunset with a tropical libation.
Love our Spacious Bedrooms and Baths
Each elegantly appointed and spacious master bedroom king has a separate bathtub and shower area with plenty of drawer space in both the bedroom and bath. The second bedroom features two queens and a shower/bath combination. After our most recent trip, our daughter-in-law confessed that the pillows and beds were so comfortable, she wished she could have packed them in her suitcase.
Ideal Island Location
People flock to the Virgin Islands for the sheer beauty of its beaches, warm tourmaline, crystal-clear waters popular for diving and snorkeling, and its amazing variety of ocean activities.
Because of its central location, nothing is far from the resort. Frenchman’s Cove is only a 20-minute drive from the airport, five minutes to the Charlotte Amalie harbor, and a mere 20-minutes to the Red Hook ferry terminal which takes visitors over to the nearby island of St. John.
Grocery stores are close by, as are some of our favorite restaurants with a view. It’s easy to get around and GPS works pretty well, which is great since some island roads aren’t well-marked.
Returning to Paradise
Each time our flight leaves the island returning back to the mainland, we’re sad. But it’s comforting to know that Frenchman’s Cove is always there. And that’s when we start making our plans for our next visit to our Caribbean paradise.
Book your stay at the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove now
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