Windward Passage Hotel

I wouldn’t recommend this hotel if your grandfather needs emergency open-heart surgery and has to be airlifted to Florida halfway through a seven-day cruise. What’s with the strange courtyard that feels like a death courtyard? It’s so odd for a hotel. And why do the bathrooms have windows? Who thought that was cute? Maybe it could be a little cute without an ill grandpa in the picture. Sorry.

It’s a handy place to stay in Charlotte Amalie if you’re catching a ferry. I’ve stayed several times before getting on a boat, and it seems to improve a bit each visit. The staff are friendly and know the area well, including how to help you reach your next stop. It’s not a five-star resort, but it’s a great place to rest, close to everything.

I’ll keep it simple: turn back now. The hotel was filthy, rude, and loud at all hours. There seemed to be obvious drug activity. The rooms were dirty, and mosquitoes came in through the bathroom vent. We had to cover ourselves in bug spray and spent the whole night killing swarms of them. The staff gave us the wrong room and refused to change it. After a lot of back and forth, they ended the conversation by saying, “the hotel is fully booked.” Bars on the surrounding streets played music through sound systems until 4 a.m. We didn’t sleep.

The photos are out of date, and the room didn’t match the advertised size. We had a double-bed room with a horrible bathroom. Nothing seemed upgraded, though it was clean enough to stay in. The hotel is conveniently located for shopping and food, with great views, and it offers secured parking with guards. The staff were pleasant and gave us helpful information and recommendations for tourists.