st. thomas hotel??

[Gatorgirl]

 

You guys probably have this website from Brian already to look at more pics at the Wyndham Sugar Bay....but just in case you dont...

 

http://www.sugarbayweddings.com/

 

 

Does the Marriott have an external website for additional pictures?

[StThomas2011]

I am getting married on 2.25.11 at Villa Botanica.  My guests are staying at Sapphire Beach Resort and Sapphire Village.  It's not a hotel and each unit is privately owned.  So it's a little bit of work to book them for each guest, but honestly, I'm happy to do it for everyone (they are paying, im just finding places for them).  It's cheaper than a hotel and the beach is gorgeous!

 

I have been to Havana Blue and that restaurant is amazing...I was on a budget, so we chose Villa Botanica and it is a really beautiful venue!

[TaraBinki]

Hi Everyone!

We got back on Monday from St. Thomas. I absolutellyy loved everything about the Frenchman Reed and Mornng Star. Patricia from the Marriott was waiting for us when we checked in! She upgraded our room to the top floor with all the suites and a gorgeous view! The gazebo is very pretty but for smaller weddings. They were literally working on the seacliff terrace while we were there so that was closed off. So we couldnt see it

 

The Marriott is doing pretty intensive million dollar renovations next year from March - October so I would be veryyy careful when trying to book. She told us the only rooms available wold be on the morning star beach which are more expensive than the hotel. We are going to shoot for July 2012. It's when I finish grad school anyways so it will be better for me! The Group Rates at the Marriott has a ton of options for guests, all inclusive , just a room, room with a beverage plan and room with breakfast. I think this a great option.

 

I thought the rooms, service, food and drinks were amazing and i loved everything about the Marriott property- cannot believe they are changing it! haha it will be even more amazing then! It is a resort on an island so you have to keep that in mind that the food is more expensive ya know? $16 for sandwiches at cocoJoe's on the beach as an example. Negative about Marriott she told me we can't bring in our own vendors. I really want my photographer there obviously if I'm paying for a 8 hour day for her.

 

I ended up cancelling my appointment with Brian at the Wyndham cause I was so thrilled by the Marriott and loved the location so much. I knew it was the place!

 

Havana Blue was UNREAL! All the food was superb and I cannot even wait to book our wedding there. It has plenty of space for our 100+ wedding if it truly is that big. Kate from Havana told us we can custmoize the food, drinks everything to my taste as long as we hit their buyout minimum of $14,750. The drink prices I still think are absurd more than the food is not okay!  But I lovee the modern decor so it stole my heart.

 

The bugs werent bad at all..they are worse on St. John in my opinion. Weather was bright sunny and 90 ish each day.

 

Let me know if you girls have more questions!!

Tara

[Gatorgirl]

Hi Tara!!

 

Wow! Awesome review! Thank you so much for sharing with us!!  We are headed there next weekend and have an appoinment with the Wyndham, Marriott and Havana Blue!!  I cant wait to see the Marriott now based on your responses.  I really appreciate you mentioning the renovations next year to us. That would be awful to have lots of noise and construction going on. 

 

Did you by chance stop by Bolongo Bay? They still haven't responded to my inquiry regarding pricing for a Welcome Party at Iggies?

 

Did you see any weddings on any of the beaches anywhere? If so, how did they look?

 

Warmest Regards,

Gatorgirl

[Willow188]

TaraBinki: Thanks so much for the information!!! Since I'm getting married in March, I'll let my guests know about the renovations and room changes if they want to stay there.

 

Gatorgirl: Have you talked to Lori Leonard at Bolongo? She's the one in charge, and she's been pretty good about answering my questions.

[TaraBinki]

No problem girls! I have plenty of pictures as well and video if you wanna PM me I can send you them..im not too sure how to upload pics or video on here yet?

 

We never went to Bolongo Bay but I really really wanted to go see Iggie's! Its only 2 miles from the Marriott though which is great. I was thinking of doing a little welcome cocktail reception there myself but haven't looked into it at all. A lotta people down there recommended us to go check it out but we just didnt have enough time.

 

Yeah Patricia from the Marriott told me they couldn't even host our wedding from March-Oct cause they wouldnt have the space and the only rooms available now are the Morning Star beach ones which are more expensive.

 

Willow and Gatorgirl- they have already started the renovations..one day there weere seriously drilling loud near the terrace..we are very laid back and could hear it on the beach but it didnt bother me a bit I could understand how people might get annoyed.

Also I didn't see any weddings..its low season down there so it's not crowded at all. Magen's Bay was GORGEOUS...not crowded at all since its not tourist season really. I heard there was a small wedding at the Marriott one day in the Gazebo but didn't see it.

 

 

I just really wish there were direct flights to St. Thomas from New England..I just think it would be a way better experience for my guests if we could figure that out.

 

the Kmart there is pretty great..they have everything u might need from alcohol, food,water, sunscreen,snacks etc just to keep in mind!

[Mmajor131]

Hi!

I'm thinking of having my guests, ceremony and reception (maybe rehearsal dinner too) at Wyndam.

Anyone have their reception there?  I'm pretty interested and especially love the fact that you don't need a passport to get onto the island.

My fiance is not a US citizen yet!.

My next question is:  Do you think it's better for me to use an independent wedding planner (such as Janelle - see her mentioned on here often) or just go through the coordinator at the Wyndam?

Any info is greatly appreciated!!

[ridley]

I was also disappointed that the Marriott will be closed for my May 2011 wedding. I checked out the majority of the hotels and we are staying at the Emerald Beach. I thought they had the nicest rooms besides the Marriott and the Ritz of course. The reception will be at Villa Botanica and I am using Janelle from Island Bliss Weddings. We are having the rehearsal dinner at the hotel, they have a West Indian BBQ with music and we have the beach deck reserved. It should be pretty casual. Has anybody heard anything about the food there? IIs anybody using Paradise Pictures for their photography?

[TaraBinki]

Ridley,

I haven't had any experience with either... But we are planning on booking Elisha Orin and DJ Eric Snow for our wedding. Both have been super responsive and sooo nice so far and I haven't even booked with them yet! Thought I'd pass it along

[StThomas2011]

Ridley...Janelle is awesome and so is Villa Botanica!  I saw it when I was there last and can't wait to have my wedding/reception there.  Paradise pictures does great work, but I chose to go with Elisha Orin....her style was more "me." 

 

3 months and 2 days until my big day!  I can't freaking wait!