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 Revier while staying here. Visited: July 2008 |
| Posted by worldtravler123 |
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Okay, let me start off by saying trust no one here, they will rob you blind which is judging by the cabbie who charged is $100.00 for a $42.00 cab ride. I'm ranking the resort, for lack of a better word, a 1 star because the rooms are only okay, the service except for a few staff is horrible. If I could recommend you to run for the hills before staying at this place, I would. There are far to many places that are better, offer more and cost less than this place. Let's face it it I would rather stay at a prison in Abu Grab than this place. The maids didn't change the sheets for the entire 5 days I've been staying here, I know I'm a clear person but come on. The towels were re-used, gross. Then there comes the locals who frequent the bars in this resort who think the US residents are the worst. This old lady who writes for a local paper must be the worst. I don't recommend putting people to pasture but that old lady has it coming from both directions. I don't' recommend this resort to anyone short of a mental breakdown and someone who needs to get away from it all. There are other locations to stay at, local bar, local jail that have more life and hospitality than this place. Good Luck to anyone who ventures into this seeded place in the wall. Mark my words, you will be saying "that guy from Chicago was right, this place is a dump"...... |
| 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| I suggest you look elsewhere. Visited: June 2008 |
| Posted by islandhopperz |
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First of all, it was very difficult to find. We drove by the road three times, but that was no big deal.
The "suite" (and I use that term loosely) was filthy, and smelled like cat urine. Also, the AC was not on and/or not working. The smell was atrocious, and since we booked through Travelocity (big mistake), it was extremetly difficult to change our reservation without losing all our money.
The rate of $295 a night was outrageous for what we were getting. We drove throught he Ritz Carlton, and wished we would have booked there - or at any "name" hotel.
This was a disaster - trust me. It reminded me of an old Caribbean rental unit by the beach. Sure, the view was great, but our sheets were dirty and old, and the water was yellow - and so on and so on.
They rate this a three-star, but it was way below that. I read the reviews mentioning it was "charming" and "Why are people complaining, it is the Caribbean?". I have stayed on a lot of islands, and hotels are not anything like this.
I will say that the manager was very helpful after we complained, and accommodated us with a different room that was better. Unfortunately, the damage was done.
If you want a great vacation, stay elsewhere.
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| 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
 This was a lovely place to stay. Visited: February 2008 |
| Posted by mlo |
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My husband and I stayed here for an extended weekend.
We loved the setting on the beautiful beach, which had fantastic snorkeling. Our room was lovely, very clean and comfortable.
Also, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the restaurant was very nice.
We look forward to visiting again. |
| 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
 Be wary of additional costs. Visited: October 2007 |
| Posted by jennifer02152 |
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My fiance and I stayed here for one week. We had planned our wedding in USVI, and had taken a beach front suite apartment.
the condition of accommodation was spotless, comfortable, and nice. Everyone was friendly.
The beach was secluded, and great for a quiet get away and good snorkelling. We saw turtles, stingrays and tropical fishes right at the resort.
All in all, it was a great time, and we would definitely go back.
However, the one thing which floored both of us when we went to check out was that they charged $9.40 a day for electricity on top of the room cost. Buyer beware! We both thought this was extortion, but there was little we could do about it. We thought that electricity would at least be included in the cost of the room.
When we questioned front desk staff about the charge, the retort was ''ya man.. all de hotels in de island do this". We'll know next time to budget it into vacation costs. We thought it was a bit of a ""scam"" given that we were without electricity on two nights.
Buyer beware when ''hidden extras'' are not communicated upfront when booking! |
| 20 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| It is not bad for the price. Visited: June 2007 |
| Posted by djbryce |
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When we arrived, the room was not ready well past check-in time. So, we ended up at the bar for an hour. The view was awesome, to say the least. When we finally got into the room, it was "as described", but there was no way to control the A/C unit.
We called the front desk, and they sent someone right over with a remote control to adjust the temperature down. There were some mosquitoes to deal with, but that is to be expected in a hot, humid tropical paradise.
The beach was pretty, though it did need to be raked to get the seaweed off. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Rob, the bartender, was great. He made a mean Bushwacker, a must-try beverage.
In general, the place was in good shape, but definitely will need some renovations in the next few years. High Speed wireless internet was available, but it was pricy at $15 a day.
The highlight was dinner at The Blue Moon Cafe, the on-site restaurant. It was an amazing meal...perfect in every way. Our French waiter was a hoot.
If you go in expecting five-star New York City accommodations, you will probably not be happy. However, if you go in understanding that this is a tropical resort, you will be pleased with everything they have to offer.
Here is a tip that made our stay in VI even better. Always start off your conversations with the locals with "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon". Not doing so is considered impolite. |
| 23 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. |
| This is a stellar small resort. Visited: January 2007 |
| Posted by blue_tang |
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This was our second experience at Secret Harbor, and after reading some of the reviews here, I am disappointed with the negativity.
The units are privately owned, and these people were merely unlucky with just that. This is a very quiet and gorgeous place...the beach, the water and snorkeling, and the staff. We have traveled extensively, and it continues to be one of our favorites.
I must add that The Blue Moon Restaurant has to be second on my list for best on St. Thomas (Havana Blue #1). The new chef is extremely talented with flavors and presentation - and everything is freshly prepared. Kudos to him and his staff. Also, the wine list is extensive and primo, also. Don't miss this experience - since the ambiance is great, too, as it is right on the beach! |
| 27 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| We were disappointed. Visited: September 2005 |
| Posted by breisenfeld |
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We arrived to find a dirty room, which they thought was clean. Then we noticed swarming mosquitoes everywhere,. They called them "no see-ums". All I know is that they bit. I felt like I was on "Survivor".
The beach did not get raked, so there was a lot of seaweed in and out of the water. We found they often had to close the beach because it was low, and flooded out.
This was a very old property in need of a lot of cosmetic repairs and updating. This was not the vacation we were hoping for, so we left and went to the Ritz Carlton for $35.00 more a night. We found paradise there, and had the vacation we were counting on. |
| 11 users found this review helpful. 9 found this review unhelpful. |
 This was a perfect vacation. Visited: January 2005 |
| Posted by frquntflyr |
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Secret Harbour was exactly what I was looking for. Now for many travelers (especially from the US, and I am from the US) expect all of the comforts of home while on a tropical island. What many don't understand is that these islands have to import everything. And although St. Thomas is a USVI, it doesn't have all of the amenities that the mainland has, nor should it. That is part of its charm.
Secret Harbour has everything you could ever want from an island resort, if you are a "find your own adventure" kind of person; which I happen to be. If you want an all inclusive resort with people bothering you all day with activities, go to a Sandals or on a cruise - because this is not the place for you.
However, if you like to do what you want when you want, and don't like to be restricted... Secret Harbour may be your place. I've traveled all over the world, and have stayed at many five-star resorts, and I throughly enjoyed what Secret Harbour had to offer.
The beach was one of the bests I've ever been to. It was not crowded at all, had tons of chairs and hammocks, and you could walk up to the bar and get drinks righ on the beach.
There was a dive shop right on the beach at the hotel. They'll set you up with anything. The water was amazing, and you could spend all day snorkeling right off the beach. We saw three sea turtles, squid, and and octupus right off the beach!
I will be honest, I was a little disappointed in the rooms themselves. But they truly were suites. We were able to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner as desired, which was a nice bonus, as I don't like to eat out for every meal.
The views out of the suite were amazing, and well worth the fact the rooms were outdated. I must say that the restaurant and bar food was out of this world. They were slow... but the whole island is slow, so get used to it. It's a vacation, and you're on a tropical island. Take it easy, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
I loved it here and I'm coming back in February 2007. |
| 21 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| This is a beautiful location, and a well run and attractive hotel. Visited: October 2004 |
| Posted by cbbcarolina |
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My wife and I selected the Secret Harbour after reviewing several hotel options. What a wonderful choice for our first visit to St. Thomas, USVI.
Our beachfront suite was attractive, clean and comfortable. We were able to walk from our suite down a few steps right onto a paradise-like beach. The hotel was fairly busy, but the beach was never crowded. A perfect time to go for a swim was just after sunrise, around 6:00 a.m.
The Blue Moon Cafe was the perfect restaurant offering quality cuisine and a dramatic view of the bay. This resort was perfect for romantic couples. It offered everthing one would want for an island getaway. The hotel manager, Ernest Halliday, was as friendly and as affable a host as you will encounter at any hotel. We plan on returning for many visits. |
| 10 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Secret Harbour is the best! Visited: May 2004 |
| Posted by steve3 |
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We stayed at the Secret Harbour Resort in St. Thomas the last week in May. Talk about heaven on earth! It was absolutely wonderful.
The manager, Ernest, ran a wonderful resort, and Eve, our housekeeper, kept our suite spotless!
We took our three kids with us (5, 8, and 11), since mommy couldn't even think of leaving them behind. The kids had a grand time as well. Between the sand on the beach, the snorkeling, and the wonderful pool, the kids were entertained every day.
As soon as we save up enough for another vacation, we'll be going down there again! What a wonderful time! |
| 7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| This is the best resort on St. Thomas. Visited: January 2004 |
| Posted by rmoore |
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My wife and I recently returned from our first visit to St. Thomas...it will not be our last. And when we return, we will definitely be staying at Secret Harbour.
We booked a beachside studio after reading many favorable posts on different websites. They ran out of studios, so they upgraded us to a beachfront one-bedroom suite. All units were privately owned and owner decorated, so there was not a "corporate" feel to the room.
Our suite was on the second floor of building one. The full kitchen contained every amenity we could ask for and there was even a full ice bucket ready in the freezer.
But don't cook all your meals in your room. The Blue Moon Cafe was one of the best restaurants on the island. It had to be. There were only 64 rooms at the resort, so they had to be good enough to attract locals and guests from other resorts. The service was island speed, but the food was worth the wait.
The beach was renowned as one of the best on the island. Only its location on the south east side of the island kept it from being overrun by the cruise ship crowd. The water was smooth and shallow. Fish were everywhere.
The friendly folks at the on-site dive shop can supply you with anything you need. They were in the process of adding BOBs to the inventory. Also, the housekeeping staff was excellent.
Secret Harbour was only a five-minute drive from Red Hook. From there we could catch a ferry to any of the surrounding islands. We used the island taxis instead of a rental car. The taxi drivers were excellent guides and were very proud of their island home. If you need to make several stops, they will wait for you at each one for a very small charge.
Since this was our first trip to St. Thomas, we asked several of them for recommendations of other resorts on the island. Without exception, they all said that Secret Harbour was the best. If you need a disco and room service, the Ritz-Carlton is right down the road. If you just want a great beach, good service, fantastic food and a quiet lanai at the end of the day, Secret Harbour is the place to stay. |
| 10 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Very disappointing and would not recommend staying here Visited: December 2003 |
| Posted by pebsgavb |
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We were extremely disappointed in Secret Harbor. The hotel is in dire need of renovations. The beach is the only thing nice about secret harbor. The hot water heater in our unit kept turning itself off so we ended up having to take cold showers. The unit was filty when we got there and the staff was not happy about recleaning it for us. In fact, one staff member actually told us it was not her responsiblity - she said it was the responsibility of the day shift. AThe cleaning staff in general was just plain out rude! The air conditioners did not work well and the living room was always hot. There was rust in our bathtub and the toilets always had yellow water in them. We were told that that was due to the sewage system but we never encountered that problem anywhere else. We had trouble sleeping because we constantly heard the people above talking and walking around. We spent 3 nights at secret harbour and finally decided we had had enough. We went to another hotel which was clean, and had staff that knew how to talk to their guests and handle their concerns. Secret Harbour is definitely not worth going to especially for what they charge. |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 4 found this review unhelpful. |
| There were some good and some bad points to our stay at Secret Harbour. Visited: November 2003 |
| Posted by princemongo |
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Our family of four (11 and 6 year old) stayed in a two-bedroom beachfront condo over Thanksgiving. We rented a car and had a little bit of a hard time finding Secret Harbour.
Upon checking in, the condo wasn't cleaned to our satisfaction and the air-conditioning in the living room was not working. The setting sun was beaming through the sliding glass doors and it felt like a sauna. The bathrooms were not clean either. I immediately went to the manager and he arranged to have the place re-cleaned. And the AC was repaired the next day. There were separate air conditioners in each bedroom, so it was tolerable the first night. In summary, the interior of this two-bedroom was spartan at best. It did not live up to our expectations.
The beach exceeded our expectations, though. It was perfect. There were beautiful coral reefs with tons of colorful fish right out our back door. The palm tree-lined beach, chairs, and calm, crystal-clear water were perfect.
The pool was okay, but certainly not anything fancy. It was located up a path above the beach area overlooking the resort and harbour. We didn't spend a lot of time there-mostly because the beach was right out our back door and the pool required us to relocate our things with a short walk up a hill.
We only ate breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe. It was fine.
We did have a run-in with a maid after asking her to change the sheets. She said she already had when it was obvious she hadn't. She actually became confrontational, but eventually changed the sheets. I'm not sure the lady was playing with a full deck.
I asked my wife if she'd stay here again, and she said no. She said the convenience of being so close to the beach was great, but it didn't overcome the bathrooms and the generally run-down interior of the condo.
So, we'd probably look elsewhere next time. But I'm not sure we'd find a better setting than this. This place has so much potential. If they'd redo the interiors this place would be perfect. Admittedly, though, I didn't see other interiors of any other condos.
Good luck! |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
| A favorite place to enjoy the Caribbean Visited: August 2003 |
| Posted by GuyUSVI |
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We were at Secret Harbour in August 2003 for ten days. As we have done on our last four visits (over the past five years), we again stayed at Secret Harbour. If it’s possible, it seems like the resort gets better each time we stay here. I’ve traveled throughout the Caribbean over the past seventeen years, visited more islands than I can remember, and Secret Harbour is my absolute favorite place to stay.
The location is ideal. You are out on the east end of the island, close to Red Hook and yet far enough away from downtown and the cruise ship traffic that some folks complain of Secret Harbour being ‘too quiet’ if that is possible. The snorkeling is among the best on the entire island and being a ‘preserve’, there are lots of creatures in the water to see and you don’t have to worry about a lot of motorized watercraft disturbing the place.
Ernest Halliday, the General Manager, and his staff always manage to make us feel like we are coming home when we arrive. Ernest talks about guests as being part of the Secret Harbour family, and his staff really goes out of their way to make us feel like we are exactly that.
Sandra in reservations managed to get us the specific one-bedroom suite we always request and it has been redecorated again with new wall hangings, living room furnishings and patio furniture. The rooms are spacious and the ones I have seen are not only well maintained, but tastefully decorated. I really enjoy the fully outfitted kitchens and the freedom that allows in stocking up on food and beverages. I like starting out the mornings by sitting on the balcony, drinking coffee and eating some danish while I read a book and look out over the harbor.
The resort seemed more crowded than in summers past, but then again the whole island felt that way this year. Maybe it’s the result of all of us on the travel boards talking about how great a place it is to visit in the summer. Even so, the beach was never very crowded and there were always plenty of available chairs. We also saw several weddings taking place on the beach during our stay this year.
Also, for those of you who are following the battle, the jet skis did not move during the entire time we were there. So far, so good. |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| You will love it. Visited: April 2003 |
| Posted by raven72171 |
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My wife and I stayed for a week at this great resort. If you are looking for an island getaway that allows you privacy yet convenience to local activities, this is the place! They have a great beach and fantastic staff - what else do you need? |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Not all that its cracked up to be. Visited: March 2003 |
| Posted by jonheiland |
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Checked in and out on the same day. The hotel reminded us too much of old Panama City, Florida. To top that off our Ocean Front room over-looked the restaraunt, not the beach. The bathrooms need serious updating. The water from the faucet ran yellow. Just too much like old Florida motels.
And to top everything else off that I didn't like, they do not have daily maid service to the rooms. If you don't have maid service that should be on the website and in the brochures.
We moved to a much better location and to a much better setting. |
| 3 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
| Just an okay stay. Visited: March 2003 |
| Posted by laigle |
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This resort was highly recommended by a family friend. Our flight arrived late and the manager was not friendly at all. Blue Moon cafe was horrible, we had two 7-year old children and the service was so slow, that on two separate nights we received free dessert.
Housekeeping was average. Probably would not stay here again. Stay was nice, but not enough to entice us back. I didn?t felt that some of the West Indian people were so unfriendly. They just didn't care about customer service, and they did not try. My husband lived here for two years and loves to return only for the scenery. I?d rather go to Mexico and stay somewhere much nicer for less. |
| 2 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. |
| It was fantastic! Visited: June 2002 |
| Posted by daniemorgan |
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We stayed here because my husband is a kiteboarder, and he wanted to do some kitboarding with some local friends.
The people make this hotel. Forget everything else - even though the rooms and the property are gorgeous - it is the people here. They made our stay memorable, and you can bet we will be back! |
| 3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
| The hotel is a hybrid resort/ed and breakfast. Visited: April 2002 |
| Posted by ayk1017 |
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This resort is located on a hill above Nazareth Bay to one side and Red Hook to other.
The iguanas amble about freely, which is an extraordinary sight. Our four-year-old's eyes would light up seeing iguanas.
The water is too shallow and the reefs are too close to shore. It is good for kids because the best fish viewing is close to the beach in thigh-deep water, farther out fish volumes are less.
The paddleboating is great. Our four-year-old snorkeled by using a rented boogie board with a window that kept her above water.
We enjoyed the hammocks, and the kids had fun hoppinq in and out of them. The beach is a small sandy area of lots of hotel deck chairs and shady trees, but the part that leads to the ocean is too reefy with a steep dropoff into the ocean. The reefy shallows and presence of nearby sea urchins make wearing water shoes a must.
There are boats that anchor in the bay close to shore which are a pretty sight. Buildings 3 and 4 have the best views, since you can see the twinkly lights of the homes across the bay.
The pool is a must see, it is manicured with beautiful gardens, and a breathtaking cliffside view of the ocean and warm water.
We ate well throughout our stay with tasty vegetarian food easily available. The Marina Market in Red Hook is cheaper than the Food Market store.
We had a refrigerator, and Ernest, the hotel manager, lent us his microwave so we'd have cereal and bagels for breakfast and a veg-cucumber sandwich for a few dinners.
The hotel is a hybrid between a posh resort and a bed and breakfast. It has lovely cliffside rooms in a cluster of adjacent buildings and a beautiful pool and beachfront. It has a functional, not a grand lobby and no concierge.
St. Thomas is like visiting heaven - a trip to paradise. This trip vied with Hawaii for best ever, and we really miss it since coming back.
The daily weather is 85 with sun and mixed clouds. The water is crystal clear, and turquoise blue with 100 percent visibility. The water temperature is okay. It is cold when entering, but you warm up after awhile. |
| 5 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. |
| Quiet, clean, beautiful beach. Visited: December 2001 |
| Posted by AfterHours213 |
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Stayed at Secret Harbour for one week with two teenage boys. We loved the beach and the one-bedroom suite. The snorkeling was excellent and the scuba lessons were professional. Our only complaint was the unfriendly, unprofessional front desk personnel and the menu at the Blue Moon Cafe. On a whole we had an excellent time and plan to return next December. |
| 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. |
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| Secret Harbour Beach Resort is a 3 star intimate, 60-room resort on the island's East End. Set on little Nazareth Bay, this casual resort offers quiet vacations as well as ready access to St John and British Virgin Island ferries from Red Hook, less than a mile away. ... |
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