Trimmed in fieldstone, bamboo, and wood, an open-air lobby busy with guests day and night attests to the resort's appeal for families and couples seeking a beachfront holiday, with ready access to downtown Charlotte Amalie's shopping and dining attractions.

Set on its own peninsula and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Caneel Bay, a Rosewood Resort, is part of the Virgin Islands National Park, providing rest and rejuvenation in harmony with nature. Known as a retreat for celebrities and others seeking relief from stress, the resort emphasizes privacy and tranquility. A degree of gentility prevails: men are asked to wear long pants (or dress shorts), collared shirts, and closed-toe shoes (no athletic shoes) after dark. Loyal guests return yearly to be greeted by long-time staff members, and "Good morning," "good afternoon," and "good evening" are expected by all.

The 30-acre beachfront Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas completed a $40 million renovation in 2006. It co-exists comfortably with nature, including a salt pond, iguanas, deer, and sea turtles. Couples and families come here for tranquil vacations. The main building resembles an Italian villa, with pink-marble floors and red-tile roofs. Lodging buildings on hillsides form an amphitheater facing Great Bay.

Although children are welcome, the Antilles Point Pleasant Resort primarily attracts adults undaunted by steep fieldstone steps leading to suites, pools, and a dinner restaurant. Guests savor the romantic setting and rocky cliffside dense with green foliage, cacti, fruit trees, and blossoms such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, and flamboyant.

• Located on the east end of St Thomas, this beachfront resort provides sweeping views of St John and Tortola.
• All guestrooms feature private balconies, well-equipped kitchens, and VCRs.
• The resort offers two outdoor pools, complimentary snorkeling gear for guests, and use of a nearby fitness facility.