St Thomas or St John?

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less commercialized / more beautiful landscape than St Thomas

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This.

St. Croix and St. Thomas just don't compare to St. John although I'd put St. Croix second.

St. John isn't that much more difficult to get to. It's a taxi and a ferry ride after landing. There is now a new ferry which leaves from near the airport.

St. Thomas has the most cruise ship travel in the world. You get all the seedy elements that come with that. Still, it's a beautiful island.

St. Croix also gets cruise ship travel but only in Frederiksted. There are some good beaches and there are quite a few very good restaurants though most of them are on the east side of the island.

Have you eaten at La Reine Chicken Shack yet or seen the beer drinking pig? Good food and funny pigs.

Eat at Savant in Christiansted. The food was fantastic and the ambience of the place is unreal.

Agree on Blue Water Terrace. Savant next time!

Recommend a place to stay on St Thomas for one night before boarding catamaran for a week?

I just got back from St John and I can honestly say that’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Kids or no kids, I would pick St John. This trip would be something they would never forget and I know you are talking toddler young but it’s that nice. As far as renting a vehicle to get to the beach, it may not be as easy as you think unless you get up and go early. Right now parking is hard to come by after around 9:30 at Trunk Bay, Maho, or Hawksnest. Cinnamon seemed to have a good amount of parking. There are lots of people coming from St Thomas for day trips right now and not in a good way. Spring break type assholes so be prepared to move if you want a more laid back atmosphere on the more popular beaches. I would still rent a vehicle since it is 4 of you. The open air taxis are cheap but, they charge per person so that option could add up. I started a St John thread a couple months ago. I got a lot of good info from people there. Take a look at that thread. I’ll probably post more about our trip in that thread over the weekend.

I looked at Jost almost all week. It was directly north from us. Could see the lights of houses at night. I kept trying to find a way to go over there. We actually ordered a 24”X36” metal photo of a beach on Jost for our living room. The people we rented from own a hotel in Cruz Bay and they told me that it isn’t usually this busy. They’ve been sending people to Maho and Trunk when asked for suggestions by tourists.

We haven’t customized yet but this is the sample they sent

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Day 1: Provision and overnight at Compass Point Marina, taking a drink at the nearby Dive Bar or head into Red Hook Day 2: Sail along the northern shores of St. John, stopping at quiet cays for lunch and a snorkel. Overnight in Francis Bay or Leinster Bay, where you can hike to the restored Annaberg Sugar Mill. Day 3: Head to customs at the West End of Tortola to clear into the BVIs. Sail to Norman Island to overnight in The Bight. On the way, grab a mooring ball and snorkel at The Indians and take the dinghy over to the Cave. Try beach bar and restaurant, Pirate’s Bight, if you want to dine out, or order a Painkiller cocktail at the Willy T floating bar (advise a lunchtime visit if traveling with children). Day 4: Make your way to Cooper Island via Salt Island where you can snorkel the wreck of RMS Rhone. Be ready to see plenty of tropical fish – a charter highlight. Overnight in Manchioneel Bay. You can snorkel at Cistern Point, relax at Cooper Island Beach Club and even make an advance reservation for dinner. You must not use your anchor at Cooper Island, due to the turtle grass. Day 5: Make sure you get away early for The Baths, Virgin Gorda. Grab a National Parks mooring so you can dinghy and swim in. After exploring the rock formations, lunch at the Top of the Baths and see the magnificent view. Sail on to North Sound using the well-marked north entrance and not the shortcut next to Mosquito Island. Day 6: Visit Jost Van Dyke and spend the night in Great Harbour. Dinghy to White Bay and visit the famous Soggy Dollar Bar and dine at Foxy’s or Corsairs. Day 7: Sail back to Honeymoon Beach, St. John, and dinghy to Cruz Bay. Discover the national park and there are many dining choices. You could even try the floating pizza restaurant on Great St. James – delivery and pick up options available. Day 8: Sail back to Compass Point Marina for disembarkation.

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Fantastic. The only thing I’d add is Anegada. Cow Wreck Beach.

St. John you can hit Lime Out for lunch.

The Bight is great. Best mussels I’ve ever had. Pirates Bight.

The Indians are great snorkeling. Hopefully you get a mooring ball on the lee side.

Willy T. No kids after 3 pm. Raunchy and fun, fun, fun bar.

Jost. Eat at One Love for lunch. Lobster quesadilla that feeds 2-3. Corsairs. Vinny is my pal. He smuggled us back to St Thomas to catch our flights when the Tortola ferries were booked. Great guy and good friend. Pricey but they put good food on the table.

Enjoy. That’s a great trip.