Secret Harbour = our little slice of heaven on earth. After having no vacation for 3 years in a row (thanks covid) and a rough start to 2022(again, thanks covid), our family of 4 desperately needed a getaway with some sun, fun, and peace. That is exactly what we found at this beautiful resort.
We arrived to find we had been given a beach walkout 1 bedroom room on the first floor. What a treasure! You open the sliding doors in the room and you are just steps away from the beach. The sound of the gentle waves and the palm trees blowing in the light breeze was heavenly. The room was clean and a great size for us. My kids loved the pull out couch in the living room for sleeping and my husband and I found the bedroom to be really cozy. We instantly felt at home. One negative about the room was the shower. The water pressure was extremely low and the temperature was very hard to control. With a little patience, you could find a warm and somewhat comfortable setting. Annoying, yes, but everything else was so lovely that we didn't let this bother us. I also wanted to mention that we found the temperature control of the room's air conditioning to be fantastic. Typically, we freeze in hotel rooms. This was really comfortable for both day and night.
Next, the beach... right outside our room! People say Magen's Bay is the best in St. Thomas, I have to disagree. Secret Harbour Beach is perfection. I miss it so much since returning home. I have 2 kids- 9 and 6. At beaches back home, the 6 year old drives us nuts in the big, rough waves. We can't relax and enjoy because we are constantly having to watch to make sure the tide isn't pulling him off shore. This beach is nothing like that. Calm, crystal clear, blue waters filled with gorgeous fish, beautiful coral reefs right off shore, and stingray that come right up to the beach. My husband and I could relax on lounge chairs and easily see our kids playing in the water and building sand castles without having to worry about them. The beach was never crowded or noisy. The snorkeling here was better than any other beach we visited during our trip including Hawksnest Beach in St. John. I could go on and on about this beach but I will stop here. It has my heart, honestly.
The Patio bar/restaurant and Sunset Grille... They're very similar menus for dinner. I would suggest going to the Sunset Grille at least once. Make a reservation. Either spot is perfect for a sunset dinner. The sunsets are gorgeous. We loved the Crispy Whole Snapper. One of the best fish dishes we had ever had in our lives. Some of the wait staff at The Patio could have been a little friendlier but most were pleasant especially Maria. She was such a sweet, funny, and friendly waitress. Our 9 year old daughter really took a liking to her. One suggestion... we are from NY and we are used to a very fast pace at restaurants. You won't find that here or really anywhere in St. Thomas. Its island time.. The sooner you embrace it, the sooner you'll enjoy it.
One thing I wish I had known about is the no-see-um bugs. They are basically these barely visible, teeny tiny gnats that come out in the late afternoon and stay out all evening. I am loved by mosquitos, so I came prepared with bug spray and I sprayed myself head to toe daily. But these bugs apparently require a different spray as I was covered in bites. They don't effect everyone this way, though. My husband had a few bites and my kids, who even swam nightly at the beach, had none. After returning home, I read that you need bug spray with Deet or a spray that specifically says it is for no-see-ums. When we go back, I will be prepared!
To wrap things up, I don't know if any other place will ever top the joy, relaxation, beauty, and fun this vacation gave us. We needed this so badly and we were not disappointed. St. Thomas is a magical island and Secret Harbour Resort and beach was the main event for us. Like I said, it has my heart. We will return and when we do, we will without a doubt stay at Secret Harbour Resort. Thank you for the memories! Until...
Read moreA Tropical Paradise at Secret Harbour Beach Resort, St. Thomas, USVI
My recent stay at Secret Harbour Beach Resort in St. Thomas, USVI, was nothing short of spectacular, and I’m thrilled to share why this gem deserves every bit of its stellar reputation! Tucked away in the serene Nazareth Bay, this boutique resort offers the perfect blend of tranquility, luxury, and adventure, making it an unforgettable destination for couples, families, or solo travelers seeking a Caribbean escape.
From the moment we arrived, the warm and welcoming staff set the tone for an exceptional experience. Check-in was seamless, and the team’s genuine hospitality made us feel right at home. The resort’s 64 individually owned, resort-managed condominiums are a standout feature—our beachfront two-bedroom suite 112 was spacious, impeccably clean, and beautifully decorated with island-inspired touches. The full kitchen was a game-changer, stocked with everything we needed to whip up meals, though we couldn’t resist dining at the on-site restaurants more than we planned!
The beach itself is a slice of paradise—200 yards of soft, sugary sand framed by swaying palm trees and crystal-clear, calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. We spent hours exploring the vibrant marine life just steps from our suite, spotting colorful fish, sea turtles, and even a barracuda! The resort’s Aqua Action Dive & Watersports center made it easy to rent snorkel gear and kayaks, and their team was incredibly knowledgeable, ensuring we had a safe and thrilling experience.
Dining at Secret Harbour is a treat for the senses. The Sunset Grille served up mouthwatering dishes paired with stunning sunset views. The Patio at Sunset Grille, with its toes-in-the-sand vibe and tropical cocktails, became our go-to spot for happy hour. The Cruzan Beach Club offered casual fare with the same breathtaking ocean backdrop, and every meal was elevated by the friendly, attentive staff.
The resort’s amenities are top-notch. The freshwater pool, nestled hillside with panoramic sea views, was a serene spot to unwind, and the fitness center and tennis courts kept us active when we weren’t lounging on the beach. Free Wi-Fi was reliable, making it easy to share our vacation highlights (and maybe sneak in a little remote work). The resort’s location, just a mile from Red Hook, was ideal—close enough to enjoy dining and ferry trips to St. John or the British Virgin Islands, yet far enough from the hustle of Charlotte Amalie to feel like a private oasis.
What truly sets Secret Harbour apart is its intimate, relaxed vibe. Unlike larger resorts, it never felt crowded, even with cruise ship visitors occasionally stopping by. The hammocks strung between palm trees and the floating raft in the bay added a playful, tropical charm that made every moment picture-perfect. It’s no surprise the resort has earned Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award for 14 consecutive years and a spot in the top 10% of hotels worldwide!
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or even a destination wedding (the beach at sunset is pure magic!), Secret Harbour Beach Resort is a 10/10. We’re already counting down the days until we return to this Caribbean
Special thank you to the staff for this make a wish trip for my daughter your staff and...
Read morePosting approximately a month after our stay to ensure the validity of our statements and to not be emotional yet factual. We got married at Secret Harbour 6/14/25 and had 32 guests fly in! 16 of our guests stayed at the resort alongside my new husband and I. In booking our wedding, we realize the hotel & our planners are two separate entities. However, we were informed that we would be given upgrades for the fact we were having our wedding there and the amount of people that stayed using our code. We are still trying to understand where our upgrades were. Out of all our friends/couples, we the bride and groom, had the smallest room given to us. There was absolutely no space to do hair & make up for my mom & I in our tiny room. We had to use a friends room that had prime location on the beach. Maybe the room that should have been given to the bride & groom? We don’t like to complain so we dealt with it. Thought maybe a bottle of champagne in our room or something on our wedding day… absolutely nothing. Except! The ceiling did start leaking on our wedding night. We informed the front desk and on our last full day they asked us if we wanted to pack up and move rooms for the last night before checking out in the morning. Appreciate the offer, however, spending our last full day after our wedding shuffling rooms was not ideal. We declined and had to walk around puddles in our room that was already small as is.
Nishema was the only kind employee at the front desk. The older woman was very rude and blamed problems on us. Including a taxi driver that drove my solo sister to a dangerous location, she said my sister took the wrong taxi and yelled at me. However the driver said the location my sister was supposed to go to, therefore she took the correct taxi. In attempting to speak to her, as mentioned she simply yelled at me. Which was unacceptable. Nishema always had a smile on her face and was so helpful with any questions. We really appreciated her.
The very first night, there were no working toilets on the property for approximately 6-7 hours. That was a little rough and unexpected. This could happen anywhere and does not reflect the rating, simply mentioning it.
The beach hut was nice and the men that staffed that were kind & helpful. It was nice exchanging wet towels when needed and grabbing cold water bottles.
Sunset grille saved the trip as the food was delicious. We enjoyed many of the appetizers at the patio, the pizza and salads were great.
Again, we understand the wedding planners and resort are separate entities, however very displeased with the resort. We were emailed approximately a week after we left regarding the leaking ceiling and offered a free 2 night stay. That was nice but simply did not make up for our situation in which we brought 16 guests to the resort and had zero wedding upgrades provided. We LOVE the island and will be returning to celebrate future anniversaries, however, that will never be at Secret Harbour, which is a real shame and makes...
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