St John Inn
Best for travelers who want a small, budget-friendly boutique inn in walkable Cruz Bay with breakfast, beach gear, and an easy St. John base.
resort comparison guide
St John Inn vs Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas
Choosing between St John Inn and Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which stay is the best fit for your next island getaway.
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas
Better for travelers who want a larger vacation-club style stay on St. Thomas with a more self-contained resort atmosphere.
Quick Verdict: St John Inn vs Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas
If you want a charming, low-key inn in the heart of Cruz Bay, St John Inn is the stronger fit. It is best for travelers who plan to spend days exploring St. John, then come back to a simple room, small pool, and complimentary rum-punch happy hour.
If your priority is a bigger resort-style setting on St. Thomas, Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas will feel more like the vacation-club choice, with a less town-centered stay and more emphasis on relaxing at the property.
Bottom line: choose St John Inn for walkability, value, and a casual St. John home base; choose Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas for a larger, more resort-like St. Thomas stay.
St John Inn vs Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – At a Glance
| Category | St John Inn | Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | Small, colorful Caribbean boutique inn with a casual, social feel, complimentary breakfast, and an evening rum-punch happy hour. | Larger vacation-club resort atmosphere on St. Thomas, better for travelers who want a more self-contained stay. |
| Location | In Cruz Bay on St. John, within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, ferry docks, charter boats, and the National Park Visitor Center. | On St. Thomas, better for travelers who prefer staying on the island with the airport rather than ferrying over to St. John. |
| Rooms & Suites | Simple rooms ranging from single rooms to two-room suites, with some kitchenettes and in-room conveniences like refrigerators and microwaves. | Vacation-club style accommodations, suited to travelers who want a more resort-based St. Thomas setup. |
| Dining | Complimentary continental breakfast and a guest rum-punch happy hour, but no on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner. | Better if you want a resort setting where dining and drinks feel more central to the overall stay. |
| Pools & Beach | One small outdoor pool, plus complimentary snorkel gear, beach chairs, beach coolers, and towels for exploring St. John beaches. | Stronger for travelers who want a larger resort-style pool-and-beach vacation on St. Thomas. |
| Kids & Family | All-ages, family-friendly inn where children are welcome; best for independent families who want a walkable Cruz Bay base. | Works well for travelers who prefer a vacation-club setting with more of a resort feel for downtime. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who want a modest, central St. John stay with free breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi, and beach gear. | Best value for guests who place more value on a bigger St. Thomas resort atmosphere than on Cruz Bay walkability. |
Rooms & Suites: Small Boutique Comfort vs Vacation-Club Style
St John Inn – Room Style
Rooms at St John Inn are simple, practical, and geared toward travelers who want a comfortable base rather than a full-service resort. Options range from single rooms to two-room suites, and some include kitchenettes.
- Room types range from single rooms to two-room suites
- Some accommodations include kitchenettes for added flexibility
- In-room conveniences can include refrigerators, microwaves, coffee/tea makers, and premium bedding
St John Inn is the better pick if you want a modest boutique stay in town and plan to spend most of your time out exploring St. John.
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – Room Style
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the more resort-style choice, with a vacation-club format that suits travelers who want their accommodations to be part of a larger St. Thomas property experience.
- Better suited to guests who want a resort-based stay
- A stronger fit for travelers prioritizing property time over town walkability
- Best for those who prefer a larger vacation-club atmosphere
If you want a more self-contained St. Thomas stay with a bigger resort feel, Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the more natural choice.
Dining & Drinks: Simple Included Perks vs Resort-Style Convenience
St John Inn – Breakfast & Happy Hour
Dining at St John Inn is intentionally simple. The inn does not operate an on-site restaurant, but it does include a complimentary continental breakfast and a complimentary sunset rum-punch happy hour for guests.
Expect:
- Complimentary continental breakfast with light morning staples
- Complimentary sunset rum-punch happy hour on the deck or poolside
- Outdoor grilling equipment for guests who want to keep things casual
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – Restaurants & Drinks
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the better fit if you want dining and drinks to feel more tied into the resort experience, rather than using your hotel mainly as a launch point for restaurants around town.
- More resort-centered food-and-drink experience
- Better for guests who want to spend more time on property
- Ideal if convenience matters more than walking out into Cruz Bay each evening
If walkable local dining is part of the appeal, St John Inn has the edge; if you want more of a resort-style food-and-drink setting, choose Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas.
Pools & Beach: Cruz Bay Base vs St. Thomas Resort Setting
St John Inn – Pool & Beach Scene
St John Inn is not a beachfront resort, but it gives guests the practical tools for beach-hopping around St. John. The property has one small outdoor pool and complimentary beach gear for days out.
- One small outdoor pool at the inn
- Complimentary snorkel gear, beach chairs, beach coolers, and beach towels
- Best for travelers who want to explore St. John beaches rather than stay at one resort all day
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – Pool & Beach Scene
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the stronger choice for travelers who want a more traditional resort-style pool and beach vacation on St. Thomas.
- More self-contained pool-and-beach atmosphere
- Better for guests who want relaxed days centered around the property
- Stronger fit for travelers who prefer resort time over beach-hopping from town
If you want beach gear and a Cruz Bay launch pad, St John Inn makes sense; if you want the stay itself to feel more like the beach resort experience, Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the better fit.
Kids & Family: Independent St. John Base vs Resort-Style Ease
St John Inn – Family Fit
St John Inn is an all-ages, family-friendly property where children are welcome. It works best for families who are comfortable with a small inn setting and want easy access to Cruz Bay, ferries, restaurants, and St. John outings.
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Kids 12 and under may stay free using existing bedding
- Best for independent families who do not need a large kids-club resort environment
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – Family Fit
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is a better match for families or mixed-age groups who want a larger vacation-club setting and more of their downtime built around the resort.
- Better for families who prefer a resort-style base on St. Thomas
- Good fit for groups who want easy property-centered downtime
- Stronger choice when a bigger resort atmosphere matters more than Cruz Bay walkability
If your family wants a simple, walkable St. John home base, choose St John Inn; if you want a more resort-like family vacation on St. Thomas, Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the easier fit.
Price & Value: Which USVI Stay Feels More Worth It?
St John Inn – Value Snapshot
St John Inn offers its best value to travelers who want a central St. John location and useful included perks without paying for a full resort setup they may not use.
- Best for travelers who want walkability in Cruz Bay
- Great if you value free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and beach gear
- Strong value for guests who plan to explore beaches, trails, restaurants, and boat trips
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas – Value Snapshot
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the better value if your priorities are a larger resort atmosphere, more property time, and staying on St. Thomas rather than basing yourself in Cruz Bay.
- Best for travelers who want a bigger vacation-club setting
- Stronger for guests who prefer a St. Thomas base
- Worth it if resort atmosphere matters more than small-inn charm
Who Wins? Best USVI Hotel by Travel Style
Best for Walkable Cruz Bay Value
St John Inn
Choose St John Inn if you want a small, friendly, all-ages boutique inn in Cruz Bay with complimentary breakfast, beach gear, and a social happy-hour touch.
Best for Resort-Style St. Thomas Stays
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the better pick for travelers who want a larger vacation-club resort atmosphere and a St. Thomas base.
Best for Independent St. John Exploring
St John Inn
For travelers who want to walk to Cruz Bay restaurants, shops, ferry docks, and the National Park Visitor Center, St John Inn has the clearer location advantage.
Best for Property-Centered Vacation Time
Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas
If you want your trip to revolve more around a resort-style stay than an in-town St. John base, Margaritaville Vacation Club St. Thomas is the stronger choice.
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW
Questions? Contact Us!
- Agents Available 24/7
- Lowest Price Guaranteed
- Complimentary Perks & Upgrades
- Agents Available 24/7
- Lowest Price Guaranteed
- Complimentary Perks & Upgrades
More St John Inn Guides
Explore more helpful planning guides and insider articles for St John Inn:
- St John Inn vs The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
- St John Inn vs The Westin St. John Resort Villas
- St John Inn vs The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa
- St John Inn vs Secret Harbour Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
- St John Inn vs Peter Island Resort
- St John Inn vs Long Bay Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Emerald Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Point Pleasant Resort
- St John Inn vs Club Wyndham Elysian Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Sapphire Beach Resort
- St John Inn vs Limetree Beach Resort by Club Wyndham
- St John Inn vs Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel
- St John Inn vs Sebastian's on the Beach
- St John Inn vs Sugar Mill hotel
- St John Inn vs Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas, Autograph Collection