This New Resort Provides Luxury Experiences in Passport-Free Caribbean

A luxury property for the modern traveler

Photo: The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef perfectly encapsulates a tropical breeze – or might I say a wave, as the property is uniquely designed to cascade downward. In a change from the norm, the lobby begins on the fourth floor. Don’t worry, you’ll catch on quickly.

The Westin is an essential member of the more extensive Frenchman’s Reef, located on St. Thomas’ southern coast. It’s a collective between the property and its sister property, Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort, Autograph Collection, known simply as Buoy Haus. Guests staying at either resort enjoy shared amenities and experiences between the two.

My check-in at The Westin was smooth, made extra sweet by an ice-cold cocktail in the lobby. The doorman insisted that I keep the cup adorned with the iconic Frenchman’s Reef logo as a souvenir, and I gladly obliged. The drink reminded me of an Aperol spritz with a Caribbean twist. It was a much-needed welcome after my brief drive from the Cyril King airport, which is located just five miles from the property.

Photo: The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

I rarely enter a hotel room and audibly gasp, but that was my reaction at The Westin. I stayed in an impressive one-bedroom, two-bathroom bi-level suite. As someone who’s always dreamed of a lofted apartment, I was in heaven. My suite was roomy and modern, with pops of textures in the artwork that evoked a bohemian feel – made even more dreamy by my balcony, where I enjoyed a gorgeous sunrise every morning.

I enjoyed having bathrooms on both floors, beautifully befitted with marble countertops and waterfall showers. The most challenging question you’ll have to answer is whether you’ll want to keep your suitcase upstairs or downstairs, a choice we seldom have in a hotel room.

The Westin has 364 guest rooms, plus 28 suites, and due to the resort’s prime location, almost all rooms come with a nice view, overlooking either the ocean or the hills of St. Thomas.

Amenities and experiences at The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

Photo: Courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef

The Westin brand is known for its love of wellness, and you’ll find that theme consistent throughout the property. There’s a fitness studio that, I’ll admit, I didn’t end up using, as well as oceanfront pickleball courts and three oceanview pools. I set my eyes on the Edge pool, an infinity pool oasis. The Edge pool is the adults-only pool on the property and includes a swim-up pool bar. All three pools have ample seating with poolside service. For guests looking for a more private experience, air-conditioned cabanas are available for full-day rentals.

The pristine beach can also be yours when you stay at The Westin through access to the resort’s sister property, Buoy Haus. Guests have two paths to get here: a complimentary shuttle from The Westin lobby or a brief scenic walk of less than 10 minutes (depending on your pace). All beach-related services, such as renting towels and utilizing the resort’s beach chairs, are complimentary to all guests of Frenchman’s Reef. Honestly, my biggest regret was not going to the beach nearly enough.

Photo: Courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef

If rejuvenation is in your cards, you would be remiss not to visit the new Heavenly Spa by Westin, the hotel’s 10,200-square-foot facility, ready to welcome guests to dive into an ocean of pure, refined relaxation with 13 treatment rooms, infrared saunas, and many service offerings.

I adore how the property uplifts and embraces local US Virgin Islands culture and business through its experience offerings. Several spa treatments use Good Ting products, a local Virgin Islander and woman-owned skincare line specializing in body butter and oils with island essences like coconut and passionfruit.

My early morning 60-minute deep tissue massage was a much-needed refuge from my poor posture. I felt months’ worth of stress release as I listened to the calming sounds of stringed instruments.

Where to eat at The The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

Photo: Courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef

You don’t have to travel far to find a dining experience that appeals to your taste at The Westin. For a quick grab-and-go, guests can visit the Frenchman’s Roast, which serves up coffee and fresh-pressed juices. Breakfast isn’t complete without a stop at Shorebird, where stunning views of Charlotte Amalie across the harbor complement the cuisine.

Those wanting to indulge should eat at Luna Mar, a stunning open-air restaurant serving elevated Mediterranean-inspired dishes – though the hallmark for me there was the stackburger. I’m unsure if it was because it was the first meal of my day after a long flight, but the caramelized onions, arugula, and aged provolone made my day that much brighter.

Photo: Courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef

Sugarfin quickly became my favorite spot, where guests can savor Caribbean-inspired sushi options. The restaurant has a swanky bar and boasts one of the most coveted views on the property, as you can dine while gazing out over the dazzling skyline.

As a guest of Frenchman’s Reef, you always have the option to dine at the Buoy Haus next door. If you do, Isla Blue has to be on your list. This restaurant offers a fresh take on Caribbean and Mexican dishes under moody lighting and ambiance. Its langosta taquitos incited something so joyous inside of me.

Things to do at and around The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

One of the resort’s unique offerings is its diverse fleet of boats available for charters and excursions. Frenchman’s Reef has teamed up with Red Hospitality and Leisure to offer boats for day trips, sunset sails, and nautical fancies galore. The vital thing to note is that the resort maintains a private dock, meaning guests will not have to travel great lengths for their sailings.

Sunset sail on an iconic catamaran

Photo: Cruz Bay Watersports

I had the pleasure of embarking on an inaugural sunset sail aboard the resort’s most iconic ship, The Flying Frenchman, a 65-foot catamaran. I’m a boat novice, so while everyone else was overwhelmed by the stunning harbor views as the sun melted into the horizon, I was perplexed by how expertly the crew hoisted and navigated the vessel using just sails. We floated around the harbor, clinking glasses of Champagne and nibbling on tasty hors d’oeuvres before returning to the private dock at dawn.

Day trip to St. John

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

It’s not a trip to St. Thomas without some island hopping. While St. Croix is relatively isolated from the rest of the US Virgin Islands, St. John and the British Virgin Islands are incredibly close-knit – only about six miles separate St. Thomas from its sister island, St. John. Because of the close distances, a day trip complete with island hopping is well worth it.

We embarked on a fabulous day trip to St. John through an excursion organized by the resort. This half-day sailing was aboard a Boston Whaler, which cut through waves like butter. The journey made a few stops at coves and beaches in St. Thomas and St. John where we could snorkel or bask in turquoise water with local beers.

How to get to The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef

Photo: Courtesy of Frenchman’s Reef

The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef is five miles from the Cyril E. King International Airport on St. Thomas. You can get to the resort via a rental car, taxi, or hotel-provided shuttle at an extra fee. The resort can also arrange private VIP transportation in luxury vehicles for guests at a premium.