Galleon House - St. Thomas, USVI

The Galleon House is another one of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas' cozy in-town guesthouses. With 14 rooms, it offers a bed and breakfast for a modest price just a short walk from the duty-free shopping and historic walking tours of the island's main town.

It's the perfect spot for people who don't demand a beach at their footsteps or luxurious accommodations. It attracts people who want a chance to experience the island's most sophisticated dining and local flavor without a lengthy taxi ride in from one of the beachfront resorts. Make sure you have your walking shoes on, for to get up to the Galleon House, you'll have to hike up some twenty odd irregular stairs. It's certainly not a place for the physically challenged.

Galleon House's rooms are small and basic, but feature modern rattan furniture, tropical spreads, tile floors and a view of the city and harbor below from the private verandas. All rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans, private bathrooms, and televisions.

There is a small freshwater pool at Galleon House, but you'll most likely want to hop a taxi to any one of the island's beaches. Magens Bay, a 15-minute ride away, gets all the press but the island also has lots of beaches with less crowds and fewer amenities. Try Brewers Bay near the
University of the Virgin Islands campus for a quieter beach. The hotel provides complimentary snorkel gear for your use at the beach. As well, you may want to ferry over to St. John to experience some of the best beaches known to the Caribbean.

Galleon Beach is summed up as an inexpensive place to lay your head and grab breakfast while you explore all that St. Thomas has to offer.