Choose by area, not by hotel
St. Thomas is a hilly island, and the drive between areas takes time. Where you sleep decides how much of the day you spend on the road, so the area matters more than the room. This guide groups the island into four bases: the East End, Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie and the North Shore.
The comparison is our own editorial view, based on where the beaches, ferry docks and town sights are. It is not a ranking from any tourism body, and it does not compare room prices. Hotels set their own rates by date, room type, taxes and fees, so compare the total price for your own dates on the booking site you prefer. This guide covers St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, not other places of the same name.
The four areas compared
What each area is close to, and what it is not. Distances are rough and depend on traffic.
| Area | Close to | Suits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| East End | Beaches such as Lindquist at Smith Bay Park, Red Hook | Beach days and trips to St. John | A drive across the island to the airport and to Charlotte Amalie |
| Red Hook | St. John passenger ferry, boat excursions | Day trips by ferry and by boat | The ferry timetable changes by season |
| Charlotte Amalie | Waterfront, Fort Christian, the 99 Steps, cruise piers | Town sights and shopping on foot | The waterfront and the hillside are different places |
| North Shore | Hull Bay and Magens Bay | Villas, cottages and a beach-focused stay | Check how you get to the ferry, town and airport |
East End
The eastern tip of the island is the base for beach days and for reaching St. John. Secret Harbour, a resort in the East End, states that it is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Red Hook's shops and restaurants and from the St. John ferry, and about 10 road miles (16 km) from the airport. Treat that as an example of the layout, not as a promise that every road is easy to walk.
On this side of the island you find Lindquist Beach in Smith Bay Park. Beach details are on our beaches page and on the pages for Sapphire Beach and Coki Beach. If your plan is mostly sand, snorkeling and the ferry, this is a logical area to compare first.
The trade-off is distance. You cross the island to reach the airport, Charlotte Amalie and the cruise piers.
Red Hook
Red Hook is where most passenger ferries to St. John leave from, and where many boat excursions start. For a trip built around those, a base in or near Red Hook shortens the first and last hours of the day.
This is a practical starting point, not the best place for everyone. We cannot promise anything about noise or atmosphere, which differ by street and by property. Read the ferry details on our St. John day trip page, including the 2026 timetable limits. If you drive to Red Hook for the day instead, the port authority has charged a maximum of $20 per 24 hours for parking since 6 April 2026.
Excursions from St. Thomas
Catamaran trips, snorkeling and island tours from St. Thomas, with live prices and availability.
Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie is the capital and the base for sightseeing on foot. The tourism office's hotel listing places Windward Passage on the waterfront and Green Iguana on Blackbeard's Hill. Those two locations are not the same: one is by the harbor, the other is up on a hillside. Check the exact position and the climb before you book.
From here you reach Fort Christian and the 99 Steps, the shopping streets and the harbor. The cruise piers at Havensight and Crown Bay are also nearby, which matters if you come on a cruise and add a night or two on land. Read more on our Charlotte Amalie page and the cruise port page.
The city is not a beach resort. For swimming you drive or take a taxi to the beaches described in our beach guide.
North Shore
The north side of the island is home to Hull Bay and Magens Bay. The tourism office lists The Hideaway at Hull Bay on the Northside, with villas and cottages near the beach. That makes the area a fit for a stay where the beach is the main plan and town is a day trip.
Compare it with the East End by what you want to be close to. On the North Shore that is the north coast beaches, such as Magens Bay. On the East End it is the ferry to St. John.
Do you need a car?
It depends on how much you want to move. If you plan a few ferry trips and tours, a base near Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie with taxis can work. If you want several beaches on your own schedule, a rental car is the more flexible option. We cannot say that any area works with no car at all, because that depends on your plans. Remember that traffic keeps to the left. Our airport and car rental page has rental companies, parking fees and driving rules.
Questions to ask before you book
- How far is it to the beach and to the ferry, by road and not as the crow flies?
- What does the total price come to, including taxes and resort fees, for your dates?
- Is the property on the waterfront or up a hill, and is there a lot of walking?
- Is there a cancellation window, and what does it cost to change dates?
- How do you reach it from the airport, and what does a taxi usually cost to the door?
Storm season runs from 1 June to 30 November in the Atlantic, so ask about the hurricane policy if you travel in that window. The weather page has the monthly figures.
Where to stay in St. Thomas: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in St. Thomas?
There is no single best area. The East End and North Shore suit beach days, Red Hook suits ferry and boat trips, and Charlotte Amalie suits sightseeing and cruise add-ons.
Where should I stay for the ferry to St. John?
Red Hook is where most passenger ferries to St. John leave from. The East End is a short distance away; Secret Harbour gives about 1 mile (1.6 km) to Red Hook.
Is Charlotte Amalie a good base for a vacation?
It is a good base for sights, shops and the cruise piers. It is not a beach area, so you need a taxi or car to swim.
Which area is closest to the airport?
The airport is about 2 miles (3 km) west of Charlotte Amalie. The East End is farther away; one resort there lists about 10 road miles (16 km).
What do hotels cost in St. Thomas?
Prices vary by season, date, room type, taxes and resort fees. Compare the total price for your own dates rather than relying on a typical rate.
Is St. Thomas in the British Virgin Islands?
No. St. Thomas is in the US Virgin Islands, a US territory. The British Virgin Islands are a separate country with different entry rules.