Harbor-Front Hotel in the Heart of St. Thomas Capital

Saint Thomas's capital, Charlotte Amalie, is famous for its deep, Caribbean-facing harbor. The port was once a renowned pirates’ den, frequented by notorious seafarers such as Blackbeard and Bluebeard who used it as an outpost for raiding merchant ships. Today, you can look over the infamous harbor from the Windward Passage Hotel, a resort situated close to the Magens Bay beach—one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, according to National Geographic. A complimentary shuttle will take you to the beach. The hotel also sits less than a block from the duty-free shops, restaurants, and nightlife downtown.

There's plenty to keep you busy at the sleekly marbled Windward Passage, too, including an in-house casino with Vegas-style slot machines and video blackjack and poker games. For dining, the Windward Restaurant serves up a mix of West Indian and international cuisine, running the gamut from bright curries to fresh seafood. You'll find a large freshwater pool outside, and the picturesque harbor invites a daytime stroll. Head across the street from the hotel to book passage on the many inter-island ferries and seaplanes that make frequent trips to the other US Virgin Islands.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands: Small Caribbean Island with Underwater Adventure and Duty-Free Shopping

Located in the US Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas sits in the Caribbean Sea off the southern coast of Florida. More than 40 sugar-like beaches cover the island. For the best view of the water, drive to Drake's Seat, a lookout point perched at the top of one of Saint Thomas's many hills, from which British naval admiral Sir Francis Drake himself used to watch MTV Spring Break concerts. Just off the rocky coastline, you can find beautiful reefs great for snorkeling or use the tropical breeze to do some windsurfing.

Windward Passage is in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands and one of the busiest cruise-ship harbors in the world. Millions descend upon the downtown waterfront district every year to peruse more than 400 shops selling duty-free jewelry and imported china; it’s just a few steps away from the front door of the hotel. Charlotte Amalie also contains many historical landmarks: there’s a 17th-century Danish fort as well as the Emancipation Garden, the site where it was announced that all the island's slaves would be freed in 1848.

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