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Where to stay in Virgin Islands

Oceanfront suites on a private peninsula and a colorful small inn in the heart of Cruz Bay, St. John's ferry town.

  1. Gallows Point ResortLuxury · Cruz Bay, St. John, on the Gallows Point peninsula, a five-minute walk from town$$$$
  2. St. John InnBoutique · Cruz Bay, St. John$$$$
Standout pick
Gallows Point Resort · $$$$
Easy choice
St. John Inn · $$
Best time
Dec–Apr
Ideal stay
5–7 nights

St. John is the island for beaches and Virgin Islands National Park, and Cruz Bay is its base. Our exclusive pick is a suite resort on a private peninsula at the edge of town; our accessible pick is a small inn in the heart of Cruz Bay. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.

Gallows Point Resort

$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutLuxuryCruz Bay, St. John, on the Gallows Point peninsula, a five-minute walk from town

Oceanfront suite resort on a private peninsula, 50 one-bedroom suites

Photos: Gallows Point Resort, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

Ocean-view suites with kitchens on a private peninsula at the edge of Cruz Bay, St. John.

  • Oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi
  • Snorkeling
  • Full kitchens
  • Ocean 362
See prices (official website)Opens the hotel’s official website.

Why we picked it

We would book Gallows Point for the setting and the independence it gives: a suite with a kitchen and a sea view on a quiet peninsula, snorkeling off the rocks, and Cruz Bay's restaurants and the national park visitor center a five-minute walk away. With a rental Jeep from the desk on site, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay are all within easy reach.

Best for

  • Couples
  • Snorkelers
  • Self-catering beach holidays
  • A private, landscaped five-acre peninsula at the edge of Cruz Bay, with an oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi and a coral reef around the property
  • One-bedroom suites of up to 1,075 sq ft, all with a fully equipped kitchen, a king bedroom and views of the harbor or Pillsbury Sound
  • Complimentary shuttle to and from the Cruz Bay ferry dock, a car rental desk on site and Ocean 362 restaurant for dinner

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Oceanfront pool and JacuzziViews of the Caribbean Sea
  • SnorkelingCoral reef around the property
  • Full kitchensRefrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker in every suite
  • Ocean 362Modern Caribbean dinner five nights a week (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
  • Gift & GourmetCoffee, baked goods, basic groceries and pre-arrival provisioning
  • Ferry shuttleComplimentary, between the resort and the Cruz Bay ferry terminal
  • Wi-FiHigh-speed, free in every room
  • Fitness centerDaily 7 am to 4 pm; classes on the seaside terrace Tuesday and Thursday
  • 24-hour front deskConcierge from 8 am to 8 pm
  • Air-conditioningCentral A/C and ceiling fans
  • Beach gearCooler, beach chairs and beach towels in each suite
  • Car rental and parkingCruz Bay Car Rental on site; free parking for rental cars

St. John Inn

$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceBoutiqueCruz Bay, St. John

Small Caribbean boutique inn in the heart of Cruz Bay

Photos: St. John Inn, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

A colorful boutique inn five minutes' walk from the Cruz Bay ferry, with breakfast, a pool and free snorkel gear.

  • Breakfast
  • Sunset happy hour
  • Swimming pool
  • Snorkel gear
See prices (partner link, Trip.com)Official website Opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Why we picked it

We would book the St. John Inn for an easy, well-priced St. John: walk off the ferry, borrow snorkel gear and beach chairs, and spend the days at Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho bays, with breakfast and a sunset rum punch included. Cruz Bay's restaurants are steps away, so you only need a car for the beaches.

Best for

  • Beach-hopping couples
  • Budget-minded travelers
  • Small families
  • A five-minute walk from Cruz Bay's restaurants, the ferry docks, charter boats and the national park
  • Complimentary continental breakfast every morning and a sunset rum punch happy hour
  • A pool, grills and free beach chairs, coolers and snorkel gear to take to the beaches

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • BreakfastComplimentary continental breakfast daily
  • Sunset happy hourFree rum punch every evening
  • Swimming poolWith a grilling area poolside
  • Snorkel gearComplimentary, with beach chairs and coolers
  • Concierge servicesOffice 8 am to 6 pm, check-in available 24/7
  • Wi-FiFree
  • Air-conditioningIn the rooms, with DirecTV
  • RefrigeratorPlus microwave and coffee maker in the rooms
  • Kitchenette roomsHotplate, toaster oven, pots and pans
  • Family suitesSleep 2 adults and 2 children

Peninsula suites or Cruz Bay inn: how to choose

Both hotels are in Cruz Bay, St. John, within walking distance of the ferry and the national park visitor center.

Gallows Point: a peninsula on the water

Gallows Point Resort has 50 one-bedroom suites with kitchens and sea views, an oceanfront pool and a reef for snorkeling, a five-minute walk from town. Choose it for a self-contained, splurge stay with a view.

Cruz Bay: the town at your door

The St. John Inn is a small inn in the center of Cruz Bay, with breakfast, a pool and free snorkel gear and beach chairs. Choose it for a lower budget and days spent at the national park beaches.

For which island to choose, passports and driving on the left, see our complete U.S. Virgin Islands travel guide.

Our Virgin Islands travel guide

Hotels in Virgin Islands: your questions

Where should I stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a first visit?

For beaches and nature, stay on St. John, two-thirds of which is national park, and base yourself in Cruz Bay, the ferry town. Both our picks are there: Gallows Point Resort on a peninsula at the edge of town, the St. John Inn in its center. Read our U.S. Virgin Islands travel guide

How far ahead should I book?

Several months ahead for December to April. Gallows Point requires a 5-night minimum in winter and over the holidays, and full payment 60 days before arrival.

When is the best time to visit St. John?

December to April, the dry season. Hurricane season runs from June to November; Gallows Point partly closes in September for maintenance. When to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands

How do I get from the airport to Cruz Bay?

Fly into St. Thomas (STT) and take the ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay, about 20 minutes. The St. John Inn is a five-minute walk from the docks; Gallows Point runs a complimentary shuttle from the ferry terminal.

Do I need a car on St. John?

Not in Cruz Bay, but a rental car makes it easy to reach Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay. Gallows Point has a car rental desk on site and free parking for rental cars. Remember to drive on the left.

Which of the two hotels suits families?

The St. John Inn's suites sleep two adults and two children, and its free snorkel gear and coolers suit beach days. Gallows Point's suites sleep up to five with the sofa bed and a rollaway, but children under 5 are not allowed.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under Gallows Point Resort opens the resort's official website. For the St. John Inn it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Exit 10And now?Our Virgin Islands guideWhat to do, where to eat, getting there
Exit 17Virgin Islands or Antelope?Compare them side by sideExit 24Trip budgetRooms, food, car, gas, passes

Hotel picks for other destinations

Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).