There are several things you need to know before you book this hotel:

1) The continental breakfast is very skimpy --- juice/coffee and a muffin. That's it.

2) On Sundays, whomever is next to the hotel on the right side hosts a no-holds-barred music jam that starts around noon and goes at least until 7 pm. The "music" is so loud that you have absolutely no way of escaping it regardless of which room you are in. Sitting on the wonderful , peaceful beach in front of the hotel that others have described becomes impossible because of the "music". Unless you really enjoy the noise (certainly NOT why we went there on vacation) you should not book for a Sunday or you should plan on leaving the hotel all day.

3) The hotel is split in to two parts -- the ocean side of the street and the "other" side of the street. The accomodations on the "other" side of the street are not that great -- a little ratty.

4) The accomodations on the "other" side of the street are very noisy. Roosters will awaken you starting at 4 a.m. and continuing for 3-4 hours. That's charming the first day and annoying thereafter. Other noise occurs over there, including bad road noise continuously (especially on Sundays) until things settle down at 9-10 p.m.

5) Although the hotel setting is nice, don't plan on Fredericksted providing any form of entertainment or sightseeing opportunities. It's downright scary over there. The hotel is far enough removed to not be affected much but don't plan on the town as a source of food/entertainment.

6) The bedding was horrible --- the mattresses are wrapped in plastic (for sanitary reasons??) and are very uncomfortable to sleep in.

7) When the above was expressed to management, they offered rooms on the other side of the street (the ocean side) for $50/nite more --- even though the rooms were empty they would not move us as compensation for the above issues.

A peaceful tropical escape, a true gem.

This was probably the most relaxed vacation I have ever had. I was looking for a destination to vacation alone and chill-out. I found it at the Sandcastle. I wanted to get away and mellow out and found myself making friends with many of the other guests. The property’s proprietors, Sheryl and Simone along with their wonderful staff made me feel at home. This was a “service-oriented” resort.

I initially booked my reservation on Travelocity and there was an issue with my reservation and was called back to say the room wasn’t available. I then called the hotel directly and they were quick to resolve the issue with Travelocity.

My room was clean and the housekeeping was excellent. The property had two very nice and clean pools. My room was equipped with a full kitchen but I still I ate one lunch and one dinner at the restaurant and the meals were delicious. The continental breakfast was limited but there were breads, juices and coffee. Every morning I walked about fifty steps to the restaurant for my coffee and sat facing the ocean as I did my morning meditation. I didn’t realize it when I booked my trip, but the St Croix Beach Cam is located on the roof of the restaurant. What you see on the cam is what you see from the restaurant.

The place was relatively quiet except for on Saturday night when the locals were playing their music down the road. But I just closed my window and turned on the AC.

Frederiksted is run-down in spots but so are many other places in the Caribbean. I liked the fact that there wasn’t a huge population of people. While there was some of that Caribbean "element" in town, there wasn't that local 'buy-from-me" or "ride in my taxi" atmosphere at all. In fact I didn't find one local "outdoor market". I did find a healthy smoothie stand in the rain forest (and bought some freshly harvested honey), and when in Christensted I found a local woman set up a table on the street selling her homemade fares (I bought some cookies and her home-made hot-sauce).

Overall I was in awe of the beauty of the islands’ secluded beaches. I rarely saw more than 10 people on a beach and most times there weren't any people around. The hotel beach was superb and there was very nice snorkeling as well. I do recommend renting a car to see the island and the Buck Island National Park sail and Snorkel tour. I also recommend finding your way to Sandy Point Beach. If you like seclusion, sand and waves this beach is the best!!!

The hotel
Stayed the first night in a studio 202 which may have been a bit small for our taste so we upgraded to suite 207. Very clean, comfortable and worth the extra money if you can afford it. Patio facing the beach was nice to enjoy morning coffee before starting the day. The two windows along both sides of the king size bed were great for cross breeze and beautiful views of the garden. Never even thought about using the air conditioner. The kitchen is equipped with everything except food. From a toaster to a muffin pan. We went out to buy dish detergent just to find some under the sink when I got back.


The Restaurant
The first day we had the small, (more than enough for one person) Caesars salad; it was a great. The next time we made reservation and we had such a good time with the waitress that she sat down for a minute because we were having such an enjoyable time talking, but not overbearing. It was like we were old friends catching up. The prices might be a bit steep for some but heck, you’re on vacation . We also enjoyed the rib eye steak and bbq ribs that were on the cookout menu were great.

The Gym
Their gym policy is a little different. You must make an appointment with the trainer prior to use of any equipment. It is a requirement so if you‘re a gym nut like I am, schedule your appointment on your arrival. The tour was relatively quick. The gym is equipped with a BoFlex, Treadmill etc…It was explained to me that a tour was necessary for liability reasons. Totally Understandable!


The beach
I believe the water may be the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was as clear as drinking water. The sand was a little rough but bearable nonetheless. Never had a problem getting a lounge chair, always plentiful. There is a public beach next to the SCOTB, but to my surprise it wasn’t a problem. As a matter of fact I enjoyed seeing the that the people of the island can still appreciate what I traveled hundreds of miles to enjoy.



The staff
From check-in to check-out never had a problem. Service was top notch , as good as any 5 star hotel, maybe even better than some I‘ve stayed in. Everyone we encountered appeared as if they wanted to be there. Not because it was there J O B.

All in all I’ve never choose the same hotel after the first visit, but maybe I have been searching for something and didn’t know it. Well I am happy to say I found what I never knew I was even looking for. Thank you, Sand Castle On The Beach.

I reseached my vacation throughly before booking directly on sandcastleonthebeach.com

It was a special trip and I wanted the best - the "Luxury Beachfront Villa" as advertised on the website. I paid top dollar too, but it had everuthing I wanted as I narrowed down my search (room on the sand, 2 pools, gay friendly, nice beach, kitchen in villa).

At check-in I provided my confirmation email as "stressed" in the document I received after booking my room several months earlier. The lady at the desk goes, "ok follow me ... your room is just up the stairs". I go, "thats weird. I have the luxury beachfront villa room, its suppose to be on the sand." She says," Oh we told the reseller you booked through that room wasn't available". I say, I booked directly through your website (appearantly not, they must of made a contract with a reseller and now don't like paying the commision).

To make a long story short, I went through the roof and got the room I paid for in advance 3 months earily.

The whole experience put such a damper on my stay because I expected them to tell me every morning that we would have to move. The poor women we displaced (becuase they double booked the room) checked in several days later and appearantly settled for a free massage and the lesser room than they paid for (they booked directly through the owner whom they met on a gay cruise they mentioned to me).

The more expensive rooms are worth the money but there are only 2 of them. I loved the room and the hotel - it was what I painstackingly reseached and paid for in advance. How can you take a chance though that these owners can do what they want at your vacations' expense The management couldn't of been any less caring of what they did to me, my guest and my hard earned vacation. I heard similar complaints while there too.

Mixed emotions - I might go back if they send me a certified letter signed my the owner that I have the room I paid for next time, they put me in something better at another hotel if something happens out of there control (I won't settle for a massage to make it all better - not at those prices).

Feel free to email me at bankerbuddy@hotmail.com