Point Pleasant has long been our go-to resort on our visits to St. Thomas. The location on Smith Bay on the north shore of the East End is perfect: less than a half-hour to the airport and Charlotte Amalie (about a $25 dollar per person cab ride), under 10 minutes to Red Hook, its stores, restaurants and ferry to St. John. If you’re looking to take a day sail (which I highly recommend), plenty of charters are available from the nearby Sapphire marina and Yacht Harbor at Red Hook.
Point Pleasant’s condos (studios, one bedrooms and a few two bedrooms) are spread up and down a 15 acre hillside with lush vegetation, and the resort offers free shuttle service within the resort (cabs pick you up at the registration building).
Most recently, we stayed at unit B-9, a one-bedroom with a king bed, a pullout couch, cable TV with a DVD player, one bath with tub and shower, air conditioning, ceiling fans, an eating area and fully equipped kitchen. Window treatments shut out the morning light (the unit faces east) if you want to sleep late. There are two chaises and a table with chairs on the comfortable terrace, which offers sensational views of Smith Bay and the surrounding islands, all the way to St John and the BVI.
From B-9, it’s a short walk to the lower pool, beach bar and plenty of parking. You have to walk up a short staircase (10-11 steps) to get to the unit, but it’s worth it for the privacy and view.
As for beaches, Point Pleasant has a small, rocky beach down a long set of steps that’s good for a quick splash. But Coki Beach (renowned for its snorkeling, fresh mango daiquiris and the Coral World tourist attraction) is right across the bay, a short walk if you cut through Margaritaville. Lindquist ($7 per person entry fee, but worth it for the beauty and lack of crowds) and Sapphire Beach (free parking and admission, with a big beach bar, refreshments and good snorkeling) are both minutes away by car. And the magnificent Magens Bay is under 20 minutes away on a road with tremendous views that winds along the mountain.
There are two eating establishments on site. The Sun and Sea Bar & Grill is located right on the bay below one of Point Pleasant’s three swimming pools and serves very reasonable ($9-$10) tropical cocktails and a good beer selection along with wings, tacos, sandwiches, salads and an exceptional half-pound burger. The more formal eatery is Ocean 180, which has a magnificent view (if you get there before dark). On our recent visit (May 2024) we did not eat dinner there; it’s pricey. But we did enjoy the Sunday brunch, which combined good breakfast dishes with reasonable prices and top notch Bloody Marys.
