Pavilions and Pools Villa Hotel by Antilles Resorts

The villas are privately owned, so some are fairly basic and others are really nice. I love that each has its own pool, a full kitchen, a separate bedroom, and more living space than a typical efficiency apartment. The garden showers are cool too. After a day at two of the island's best beaches, just steps from your villa, you can come back and relax in your own pool. Pangea, one of the island's best restaurants, is on the property. The food and cocktails are amazing, and the peaceful setting feels like dining in a tree house. Red Hook, St Thomas's entertainment district and the ferry to St John, is a five-minute drive away. The East End has everything you need for a great vacation, and staying at Pavilions and Pools is the cherry on top.

We spent seven days there and saved hundreds by taking taxis instead of renting a car. They're easy to find, with taxis waiting at the Sapphire Resort, which is a three-minute walk away and has a beach, bar, and restaurants. The roads are wild and traffic is worse. Villa 108 was a little outdated, and the privately owned villas vary, so check the photos since some have been renovated. It feels like a place built in the 60s, though I don't know if it actually was. There was a missing outlet cover, a broken toaster, and janky folding doors. Still, the Wi-Fi was great, the views stunning, the AC decent, and it was a fair place for the money. The private pool was easily the best part. We brought a $10 floaty and made good use of it. I'd stay again just for the pool.

We stayed in 106, and the owner was attentive and helpful. The welcome basket had snacks and water, which we appreciated after the long trip. There were also beach chairs and a cooler, and that cooler was a lifesaver. Little things like that made the vacation more relaxing. The place was clean and quiet, with wildlife around every day. Having a private pool after a hot beach day was so convenient. My husband and I had the best vacation and want to go back soon.

My family and I booked a room at pavilion with a host who went by chris, a woman. When we arrived on the island, she warned us there were sand fleas at the beach that could jump 12 inches and bite. We were careful, rented beach chairs, and barely touched the sand. Still, my family and I started getting bites and couldn't figure out where they came from. It turned out they were bed bugs, and it seems to me she used the sand fleas as a cover-up. I wouldn't recommend booking with ms chris.