Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa

Staff at the Manor House, the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort's main building, greet us warmly at check-in. The lobby, with its soft creamy yellow walls, ceiling fans and upper verandah ringing the two-story check-in area, evokes a colonial plantation. The 320-room property perches on a hillside overlooking the beach and the resort's lushly planted gardens.

The top of the hill location creates spectacular views. From the main dining room, St. John glistens in the distance. However, note that from the lowest room level, floor one, it's a formidable walk down 99 steps to the beach. Guests can always take a shuttle from the bellstand or call for transportation via golf cart. Most of the time, getting a ride down to the sand and the pool isn't a problem. On busy days or at heavy check-in or check-out times, be prepared to wait or walk. For families with young kids, schlepping a stroller and related gear down to the beach may be more work than they want.

As of July 1, 2010, the resort becomes an all-inclusive resort -- the only 100 percent all-inclusive resort on the island -- which covers all meals and beverages, as well as half-day Wyndham's Kids' Club programs and activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, family movie nights, mini golf and more. The Wyndham, offers a mid-priced, family-friendly option on St. Thomas that's minutes away from the ferry at Red Hook, making outings to nearby St. John easy.