Your Weekend Getaway In...St. Thomas!

When it comes to a weekend getaway from my home base of New York, a few factors determine what locales make the cut: distance, budget, ease and attractions. So while it's no surprise to find me  in Miami, Barbados, Havana or even Philly for a quick getaway, I'll admit that I seriously slept on one of the best destinations for a 3-day weekend to remember—The U.S. Virgin Islands.Situated directly southeast of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands as a whole are made up of two island groupings belonging to the United States and Great Britain respectively. While St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John compose the main isles for the U.S., a short ferry ride will find you "technically" in England with Virgin Gorda and Tortola, plus a group of surrounding smaller islands. With three large islands to choose from, all with their own unique characteristics, personalities and histories, it's no wonder why the U.S.V.I.'s nickname is America's Paradise. St. Croix aka Twin City is known for it's quiet beaches and Cruzan rum, Love City aka St. John is home to one of best National Parks and some legendary bars, and St. Thomas aka Rock City is considered the "town" of the three with a mix of beach and urban life. So when I arrived in St. Thomas for the U.S.V.I.'s first ever America's Paradise Music Festival, it took me all of 30 seconds to realize that the real start of the show was going to be the island itself. Getting ThereOriginally known as the Danish West Indies, the Virgin Islands have been a territory of the United States since 1916 which means that it is governed and protected under the laws of the United States. For American travelers, this means that a passport is not required to enter into the region, though it is the most convenient form of ID to carry, especially if you plan to hop over to Tortola or Virgin Gorda for a day. But since a valid, government issued ID and a birth certificate will also do, that one friend who misplaced her passport has no excuse when it comes to a V.I. jaunt.Flights will land in either St. Croix or St. Thomas, with a variety of public and private ferries and seaplanes available to shuttle you between islands and even further destinations like Puerto Rico. Additionally, services like the USPS are available should you need to ship anything home, and most mobile carriers will work just fine without the international roaming charges so post, tweet and text away while visiting.Where To StayIf luxury is calling you, trusted names like the Marriott's Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Cove plus the Ritz Carlton's St. Thomas outpost will not disappoint. Smaller, independent boutique properties like the Mafolie and the condo-style Secret Harbour also await the stylish traveler. In addition, the island also boasts some of the best private villas in the Caribbean frequented by past presidents, celebrities and industry tycoons alike. But after a spring filled with luxury frills, I wanted to try something a bit more relaxed, not quite a private home but with that feel. Luckily I found myself at the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, on the southeast coast. It's situated right on it's namesake beach and bay, with 74 ocean-view rooms. While the hotel doesn't boast the design of the W or the famed personalized service of the St. Regis, the family owned property packs plenty of personality with two restaurants, sunset catamaran sails, nightly entertainment, a swim up bar, tennis and beach volleyball courts and weekly managers cocktail party by the pool. Rooms are well appointed for any beach-stay and with their daybeds, refrigerators/sinks and sitting tables, they resemble a very laid-back studio apartment with a great view. With their planned remodel in the works, Bolongo could soon become the new casual Caribbean hipster hangout for the urban traveler who needs a break from the city.In addition to some pretty inventive beach cocktails, what I found to be the most charming wasn't the hotel itself but the staff who made my stay full of friendly smiles, easy conversation and a genuine interest, a nice change from the pomp that can be found on more luxe resorts. And for those interested in a casual chic Caribbean wedding, Bolongo is definitely Parlour approved with a host of ready made services, a customizable wedding arch and premises ready for a beach-side (or catamaran) ceremony and reception with something for family members of all ages. Thanks to the size of the hotel, you won't have to worry about a gaggle of tourists in the background but do count on some amazing sunsets and rises to anchor your special day.Bolongo Bay Beach ResortRates start at $320/night, depending on season and all inclusive add-onsWebsite + Bolongo Weddings Where To EatThanks to St. Thomas' cultural history, you will find a bits of Afro-Caribbean, American and European influences all throughout island's culinary locales. By day, local favorites like Gladys' Cafe and the Petite Pump Room serve traditional V.I. fare and standard Caribbean dishes like curry chicken, oxtails, and the unofficial dish of the region: fish & fungi. If you're lucky, you'll see a seaplane land in front of you at the Pump Room or the legendary Ms Pauline and Gladys herself will be on hand to help you at her namesake cafe.By night, you have a bevy of options to choose from for Caribbean-style fine dining that can suit just about any palette. For fresh fish dishes, an amazing dockside view and creative cocktails, head to the Yacht Haven Grand Marina's Grande Cru restaurant for dinner or pre-dinner drinks at their famed bar/lounge. Above and to the west of Grande Cru, you will find the Banana Tree Grille on the grounds of the historic Bluebeard's Castle Resort which overlooks the Charlotte Amalie Harbour. Known for their steaks and lobster, Banana Tree's inventive French and Italian touches will leave you beyond satisfied. Due to it's location, definitely try to lock down a sunset reservation to see the Harbour's glittering lights come to life. While the aforementioned all definitely deserve multiple visits to fully indulge in, no time in St. Thomas should pass without a dinner at the Old Stone Farmhouse, a reformed 200-yard of field house set in the countryside. Open for brunch and dinner, Chef Christopher Spesak works with local purveyors to create nightly specials like a Blue Crab stuffed Lobster that will leave you wanting to forgo your table manners in order to get every bite for yourself. It's the perfect blend of laid-back and luxe that makes for a special vacation occasion to remember. In addition to the restaurant, Old Stone also boasts a courtyard cafe that is open weekday night with live entertainment, movie screenings and more.While on the island, one will also notice a variety of Dominican and Puerto Rican influenced cafes and restaurants due to the island's growing Latino population. Here is where you will get a truly creole mix of cuisine, beer and culture to give you an intimate, authentic look at the diversity of island life.What To DoShopping: Though it's technically in the United States, visitors can still benefit from duty-free shopping on jewelry, personal beauty goods and liquor plus some historic sight-seeing in the many streets and alleys of the Charlotte Amalie district. Take a break at it's many cafes and bars and take in the restored, colorful arched-wood doors that reflect the areas Danish heritage. Further to the east at The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande, style lovers can visit the island's flagship Louis Vuitton, Gucci, BCBG and White House|Black Market shops. For the best of all things St. Thomas-branded souvenirs, an amazing view and a banana daiquiri to top it off, head up to Mountain Top for locally made jewelry and a look at the surrounding islands you can't get anywhere else.Adventure: If a good view with some speed is what you crave, the folks at Tree Limin' Extreme zip lining will put a whole new spin on sightseeing, namely by hanging from a cable zip line and working your way down the side of a mountain while flying through the air with neighboring islands and Magen's Bay in the background. Even the most nervous new (ok, me) will feel secure with guides like Tree Limin's Carmen and David who will keep you laughing—and alive.Beaching: While most resorts boast beachfront amenities, its the local beaches that pack the fun on any island. In St. Thomas, both Coki Beach and Magen's Bay are great places to start with a variety of amenities like chair rentals, water sports and beachside wait service and cafes. For special occasions such as weddings, family reunions and barbecues, various points around the beaches can be reserved with DIY barbecuing and catering setups. It's a great way to make local friends and get a sense of how the island likes to relax on the weekends. For an all day excursion, hop on a ferry to St. John to discover their many (less crowded) amazing beaches and popular bars, burgers and restaurants.Drinking & Dancing: When it comes to when to visit St. Thomas, ladies should consider starting their weekend on a Wednesday as that is ladies night in the Red Hook district, home to not only a popular yachting and ferry port, but a bustling selection of bars and restaurants that come alive when the sun goes down on the east end. You will find that very bar, like Duffy's Love Shack, The Caribbean Saloon and Island Time Pub has it's own vibe with a mix of locals and tourists alike. When To Go BackIn addition to a variety of concerts and festivals throughout the year, you can find St. Thomas come alive during their spring carnival season beginning in April and St. Croix's kick into gear around Christmas. But judging from my time there, a new calendar event worth planning for is the America's Paradise USVI Music Festival, which just debuted it's first year lineup this past July. Designed to reflect the island's diverse population with acts like locally-raised reggae star Pressure and Puerto Rico's own Don Omar, the festival also hip-hop acts like Future, future dancehall star Spice and classic reggae legends like Third World. To kick off the festival, St. Croix's own Mike Yard (Comedy Central) hosted a lively comedy night featuring Cedric The Entertainer. In all, it was a good event to build a weekend around, and with a few lessons learned from their first run the festival will be a marquee Caribbean event in the years to come.