London is in its global hotel brand era: In the last year, it’s added a Raffles, a Peninsula and a second Mandarin Oriental; a Waldorf Astoria, a St. Regis and a Six Senses are on their way. This new guard is taking over historical icons and throwing up gleaming towers, and it’s upping the ante on amenities, too. A posh afternoon tea is no longer enough, it seems; now, five-stars come with signature scents, subterranean spas, museum-worthy art and long-stay residences. Rooftop bars, a rarity here a decade ago, are now seemingly obligatory (Bar 33 at the Emory wins for views, with everything from Big Ben to Battersea Power Station in its sights). But there’s still room for the occasional independent hotel, like the Broadwick, a maximalist love letter to the owner Noel Hayden’s hotelier parents and the creative Soho of the ’90s in which he came of age. “It’s a bit of a sensory overload,” Hayden says. Naturally, there’s a rooftop bar there, too.
The 9 most spectacular beaches on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands: welcome to paradise
19.08.2024 - 22:36 / lonelyplanet.com
Aug 16, 2024 • 5 min read
You don't know it yet, but St Thomas is the tropical paradise of your dreams. Sugar-white sands line this US Virgin Island, and swaying green palms provide gentle shade when you're not floating dreamily in the Caribbean Sea.
Whether you want to stretch out on the beach and relax, snorkel amidst the rich marine life or park yourself at a beach bar, St Thomas has the ideal beach to suit your needs. These are seven of our favorites, from the heavy hitters that keep travelers coming back for more to the tucked-away coves locals love.
Best beach for families and facilities
A frequent inclusion on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Magens Bay really is worth the hype. Yes, you will have to pay a fee to enter (US$7/21, day/month for non-residents). And yes, it does get packed with tourists (especially when cruise ships are in port). But there's no other beach on St Thomas quite like it – it's tucked at the end of a deep horseshoe-shaped cove with green hills snaking off into the horizon on either end. Changing facilities, restaurants, water sports rentals, picnic tables and lifeguards all make it a great choice for families.
Best beach for laidback adventures
Take a 15-minute ferry from the Crown Bay Marina to the dock on nearby Water Island, hike for 10 minutes over a small hill, and you'll find yourself at a picturesque cove lined with towering palms known as Honeymoon Beach. Blessed with incredibly calm waters, it's a great place to rent a kayak or paddleboard for a leisurely mid-morning adventure. It's also dotted with the umbrellas of low-key beach bars, making it an ideal spot for one of those lunches that accidentally turns into an early happy hour.
Best beach for budding aviators
Plane spotters love Lindbergh Bay – as you lay back on a towel basking in the tropical sun, you can watch jets descend into the neighboring Cyril E. King Airport. Named after the pioneering American aviator Charles Lindbergh – who landed here on a victory tour in 1928 after completing the first solo transatlantic flight – this long, broad beach shaded by seagrape trees is great for strolls or swimming laps. Anyone flying out early should consider the two hotels on either end, Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Emerald Beach Resort, which make convenient final-night stays.
Best beach for photo opportunities
Nestled in the protected Smith Bay Park, Lindquist Beach is a true vision of paradise, with soft white sands leading out to calm aquamarine waters. Off in the distance, emerald green cays roll across the horizon, making it a favored backdrop for both island weddings and American commercials. Families love the place, too, because there's always a lifeguard on duty, picnic tables for lunching and
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