Danish Chalet Inn

Tucked away up in the hills above Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the Danish Chalet Inn is one of the island's best kept secrets. Owned by Mary and Frank Davis, this 15-room hotel attracts an eclectic collection of guests who like the cozy atmosphere with budget prices.

Mary and Frank know everything there is to know about St. Thomas, which makes their hotel the perfect place for inquisitive visitors who want to get their fingers on the pulse of the place.

Guests gather on the veranda for the complimentary continental breakfast - juice, coffee, tea, Danish, or cereal for children only.

Rooms are modern, with painted wooden furniture or rattan, ceramic tile floors, and colorful spreads. Each room has a ceiling fan or air-conditioning. Only four of the rooms have televisions.

One room is a full apartment perfect for longer-term stays or groups of up to five people. It has one bedroom, a pullout couch in the living room, and space for a rollaway bed. The kitchen comes with a full-sized stove and refrigerator. The rooms ramble around two one-story buildings and one two-story building, adding a dose of charm to this hotel tucked into a busy hillside residential area.

A gallery stretches across the front of the buildings, giving people who occupy those rooms a view of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. A patio and sundeck provide sunning spots for those in rooms with garden views.

While you might enjoy a daylight walk to the Charlotte Amalie shopping district, it's an uphill hike back. Take a taxi. And definitely get a lift when you're out at night. The police work hard to ensure your safety, but better safe than sorry.

A small hot-tub is perfect for soaking away the sore muscles that come from hours on your feet poking about Charlotte Amalie's duty free shops. You're welcome to use the pool at the Palm Court Harbour View Hotel across the street.

While the Danish Chalet has no restaurant, the Palm Court serves seafood and continental cuisine at its excellent restaurant.

The island's main town is also the perfect jumping off spot for jaunts to the beach, sightseeing tours around the island, and for trips to nearby St. John and its Virgin Islands National Park. A ferry leaves the Charlotte Amalie waterfront several times throughout the day.