CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas — The Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort officially unveiled its new look Thursday evening, following a $48 million, five-month renovation.
The property had a soft opening Oct. 3.
Government and tourism officials, including U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John de Jongh Jr. and Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, hailed the reopening as helping to position the 40-year-old resort as the “pride of St. Thomas.”
“These renovations indicate the commitment of Marriott and the owners of Frenchman’s Reef to keep the Reef as the premier tourist destination resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Rob Steigerwald, Marriott International’s COO of the Americas, southern region.
New to the resort are two pools (including an infinity pool), a pool deck and a pool bar. The resort now has three pools, a spa, a fitness facility, a new wedding gazebo, a kids’ pool and club, renovated restaurants and a complete redo of guestrooms.
Rooms have new bedding, decor and paint scheme. A new air-conditioning system is powered by cold seawater.
The exterior now is a sand-beige color, a change from its trademark Caribbean pastel pink, although one section retains the original color.
“Agents can tell their clients that the whole resort is fresher, crisper and lighter throughout,” said Jose Gonzalez, general manager.
The 96-room Morning Star complex, separate from the main 302-room Frenchman’s Reef resort and reached by a quick shuttle drive from the Reef’s entrance, will be renovated from September to November 2012.
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