St. Thomas’ Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel Reopens

St. Thomas’ Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel Reopens
By Brian Major

The Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, officially reopened following a $48 million renovation that had closed the hotel in May. The renovations include new Caribbean décor and bedding in the main building’s 290 guest rooms, plus an expanded pool area, the new Lazule Sea Spa, a new fitness center and seven separate dining venues.

Other new facilities include a children's pool and Splash Zone, and an adults-only infinity pool. The resort’s 186-room Morning Star Beach Resort wing features beachfront cottages located steps away from Morning Star Beach, with views of the Caribbean Sea. Sea Cliff wing rooms overlook Morning Star Beach. Morning Star's guest rooms will be refurbished in 2012.

Frenchman's Reef opened in 1974 and has been a Marriott brand property since 1992. The last major upgrade took place in 1997, following damage from Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. To celebrate the renovation, the resort is offering grand reopening rates starting at $229 per night. Bookings must be made by Jan. 31, 2012, and the offer is valid for travel through 2012.