Elysian Beach Resort Rating: 2.5 Pearls

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The white sand beach is a highlight

The Elysian Beach Resort is a time-share hotel that shares Cowpet Bay with the St. Thomas Yacht Club on the island's East End near Red Hook, close to the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa. It's a collection of vacation condos, not a traditional resort, so guests should expect less service and fewer amenities. But the large, lovely, white sand beach is one of the best on the island.

Being a small complex (just 67 guest rooms), the atmosphere shifts depending on who's visiting -- sometimes it's filled with rowdy twentysomethings, sometimes families, sometimes a relaxed group of retirees. But unless there happens to be a coverband playing late into the evening at the popular on-site restaurant, the resort remains fairly quiet.

• No daily housekeeping; if you want your room cleaned you'll have to request it and pay a large extra fee.
• Smaller per-day fee if you want someone to make the bed, take out the trash, and bring fresh towels
• No concierge
• No room service
• No poolside or beachside drink service

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The Elysian is on the East End of St. Thomas, next to the Ritz-Carlton. Like most other resorts in St. Thomas, there's nothing to eat, see, or do within walking distance of the hotel.

• Five-minute cab ride from the small yachting town of Red Hook. You can walk in about 20 minutes, but there are no sidewalks and drivers are not typically looking for pedestrians.
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas' largest town and where mostly cruise ship passengers come to shop, is about 15 minutes away by cab.
• St. Thomas airport is 20 to 40 minutes from the Elysian, depending on traffic.

The Elysian is home to one of the best beaches on St. Thomas, not to mention a great beach bar.

• Ample trees and loungers for guests to grab some shade
• Water-sports rental shack with beach toys, kayaks, and snorkel gear
• Beach towels are available at the front desk, though getting a towel in the morning can be difficult because they're still getting washed.
• Some guests complain about bugs on the beach, and I too got some ant bites, but this is common at just about every resort on both St. Thomas and St. John.

The Studio Suite

Turquoise walls, old rattan furniture, plastic plants -- you could call the room kitschy (though ugly might be a better word).

• All guest rooms are one-bedroom condo units with either two double-size beds, a king bed, or a queen-size Murphy bed that folds down from the wall.
• Firm beds, but old, cheap pillows and comforters
• Old electronics -- tube TVs, and the clock radio and TV remote didn't work in my room
• Functional AC unit.
• Small sink, minifridge, coffeemaker, and some glassware in all rooms
• All rooms come with a great balcony, with two chairs and a table. The immediate view from my standard room was of the tennis courts, but I could also see a sliver of the beach and bay.
• Hot water is limited, especially in the morning.
• No elevators; getting around the property can be very difficult for guests with mobility challenges.

• Excellent, well-landscaped pool and a pool bar
• Independently operated spa, on-site
• Single tennis court, in good condition
• Independently operated workout center, per day access fee

While the hotel is worn in some areas -- the awning above the lobby is faded and moldy -- it's well maintained overall. My room was clean when I arrived -- and I kept it that way because I didn't want to pay an extra fee for housekeeping.

• Robert's American Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The steak-and-seafood-heavy menu isn't too fancy (or too expensive), but this is one of the better resort restaurants on St. Thomas.
• Bonnie's by the Sea (formerly Ainsley's Beachside Cafe) serves Caribbean fare by the beach for lunch and dinner.
• Children's menu at Robert's