Gallows Point Resort is the St. John base for couples who want a real one-bedroom suite on the water without renting a hillside villa or committing to a car for every meal. It sits on a small, 5-acre point at the edge of Cruz Bay, about a five-minute walk from the ferry dock, the bars and the restaurants of town. Every suite has a king bed, a full kitchen and a living area. Each looks out over either the busy little harbor or the open water of Pillsbury Sound toward St. Thomas.
The resort is quiet, low-rise and practical in the best way. There is an oceanfront pool and hot tub, a fine-dining restaurant called Ocean 362 and a small gourmet shop for coffee and supplies. The national park beaches of the north shore are a 10 to 15 minute drive away.
It suits couples who want independence and good value by St. John standards: breakfast on your own balcony, dinner in town and an easy ferry arrival. It is not a full-service resort. There is no private sandy beach, no big spa and no kids' club. Those who want a classic resort with everything on site should book elsewhere.
Highlights at a glance
- One-bedroom suites with full kitchens and water views
- Five-minute walk to Cruz Bay restaurants and ferries
- Ocean 362 restaurant with a sea-view terrace
- Oceanfront pool and hot tub
- Sunsets over Pillsbury Sound and St. Thomas
Why Couples Choose Gallows Point
The appeal is mostly about position. You can step off the ferry, roll your suitcase a few minutes along the waterfront and be on your balcony with a drink before sunset. That is rare on an island where most villas sit up steep, winding roads.
The point faces west, so evenings are the best time here. The sun drops over St. Thomas across Pillsbury Sound while boats come and go from the harbor below. Cruz Bay's restaurants and bars are a short stroll away, which means neither of you has to drive after a cocktail. During the day, rent a jeep and head out to Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho Bays, then come back to the pool or the hot tub in the late afternoon.
Suites to Book
All suites are one-bedroom units with a king bed, full kitchen, living area and tall ceilings. The choice comes down to view and layout.
- Ocean View Upper: faces Pillsbury Sound, with a loft and a balcony. This is the best choice for a honeymoon, with the widest water views and the most privacy.
- Ocean View Lower: the same outlook with a sunken living room and a patio close to the water.
- Harbor View Upper: looks over Cruz Bay harbor, livelier and good for watching the ferries.
- Harbor View Lower: the most affordable option, with a patio.
Upper units feel more private and catch more breeze. Lower units are easier if one of you dislikes stairs. Ask for a unit away from the path to the pool if you are light sleepers.
Ocean 362, the Pool and Life on the Point
Ocean 362 is the resort's restaurant, serving modern Caribbean cooking with local ingredients and a terrace that looks out to sea. It is a good choice for a special dinner on your first or last night, when you may not want to go far. Reserve ahead in peak season.
The oceanfront pool and hot tub are small but well placed, with views across the water. There is a fitness center below the pool deck. The Gift and Gourmet shop sells coffee, pastries and basics, which makes the kitchen easy to use for breakfast. Free Wi-Fi, a concierge and parking for rental cars are included. The resort can also arrange weddings or vow renewals in its hilltop and harbor garden spaces.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Gallows Point is a launchpad for the whole island. Drive the North Shore Road to the national park beaches. Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail. Maho Bay is known for green sea turtles grazing in the seagrass. Cinnamon Bay is good for a long beach walk.
Hikers can follow the Reef Bay Trail to petroglyphs or climb to Ram Head for late light. Kayakers can paddle from Leinster Bay to Waterlemon Cay. Day sails to the British Virgin Islands leave from Cruz Bay, so bring your passports if you plan to go. Nights are simple: dinner in town, a drink at a harbor bar and the short walk home along the water.
Getting There
Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas. Take a taxi to Red Hook, about 30 to 45 minutes, then the ferry to Cruz Bay, about 20 minutes. The resort runs a complimentary shuttle from the Cruz Bay ferry terminal, though the walk is only a few minutes.
If you want a car, rent it on St. John rather than taking one across on the car barge from Red Hook. Book early in winter because the island's rental fleet sells out. Driving is on the left. The roads are steep and narrow with tight bends. Take them slowly. The resort offers free parking for guests' rental cars.
Is It Worth It?
By St. John standards, Gallows Point is good value for a waterfront honeymoon. Expect roughly $550 a night and up in winter for a Harbor View Lower suite, with Ocean View Upper suites higher. Summer and early fall rates are lower.
The trade-off is that this is a suite resort rather than a full resort. There is no private sandy beach on site and no spa. Those who want staff to arrange every moment, a beach at their door or a quieter, more secluded setting may prefer a villa on the East End or Lovango Resort just offshore. The resort partially closes every September for maintenance, so book October or later for full services.
Insider tips
- Book an Ocean View Upper suite for the best views and most privacy.
- Stock the kitchen from the Cruz Bay grocery stores on your first afternoon.
- Avoid September, when the resort partially closes for maintenance and Ocean 362 shuts for the month.
- Reserve a rental jeep as soon as you book flights in winter.
