The staff seemed impersonal and not knowledgeable about their own activities. We were rushed through check-in procedures (a girl quickly marked X's on a map instructing us where to drive to get to the pool, restaurant, and bakery down the highway, etc) and given false information about the transport service for the following day (and practically missed our hike...the main reason why we chose to stay here!)

The resort looks like weathered fishing huts sandwiched together. This string of blue-gray structures overlooking Lake Superior was created to represent the Norwegian fishing village that once existed here. In fact, there is a fishing museum up the road that displays artifacts from that time. (Stop in at the resort information center to get your coupon to visit the museum free.)

The 65 rooms vary greatly in decor and amenities. Ours was a studio.

"Where's the bed?" my husband asked when we entered our room. I thought he was joking until the closet door revealed shelves and another door revealed the bathroom. There was no bed. We slept on the couch's hideaway using sheets and pillows from the closet.

Other than that little surprise, the room was okay. A kitchenette and table were nice touches. (I'd recommend taking advantage of the facilities and cooking your own breakfast rather than eating at the Coho Bakery in the morning. Sure wish we had.) A woodburning fireplace was across the couch and there were numerous books on the shelves. A tiny balcony overlooked the lake and noisy seagulls (which cried out all night preventing us from opening our windows). I slept fine, but my husband didn't find their childlike wails very relaxing. In the morning there was no hot water for our showers, but there had been the night before.

There are some great activities lined up in the summer on certain days that include movies, bonfires, and periodic guided biking and hiking trips. We took advantage of a free shuttle to a hiking trailhead, which allowed us to hike the 5 mile trail from Carlton Peak to Temperance River without backtracking to our car. And THAT made this overnight worthwhile right there. Just arrange the shuttle the night before–even when the front desk personnel tell you to just come on in at 9am the next morning and sign up–because the driver is the guide who may be busy leading his own hike and not available for shuttling you around when you want...

Check out their website at www.bluefinbay.com

The units are small but adequate for two to four adults depending on your unit size. Each has a small kitchen, small refrigerator, stove top, and sink. Certainly adequate to have breakfast and lunch -- probably dinner too, but I've never tried it out. There is usually a bed or two and a fold-out couch, with a small table and chairs. The living and bedrooms are generally not separate.

Bluebeards has three restaurants: Fergie's, The Banana Tree Grill, and Room With a View. The pool has a waterfall and a grill for lunch and drinks. The resort has many activities, but be sure not to miss the Sunday Morning Bloody Mary Party and the Monday Night Manager's party. Music, drinks, and entertainment galore.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Good

There have been some problems with break-ins here although we had no problems. Be smart and use the security boxes provided at the front desk for any valuables. The break-ins seem to be in the Pirates Pension units which are lower on the hill. There are many stairs here so be prepared. You can always stop for a look at the harbor if you need a rest.

K-mart and the Pueblo are the places to shop for necessities and also liquor to take home. Ballerina's jewelry store was very highly recommended to us by owners that have shopped there for years. I can home with a beautiful set of black opal jewelry from there - not bad considering we were celebrating my husband's birthday :)

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The views from the castle''s hillside location are breathtaking of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor but if we do come back I will take a taxi, at least up the hill.

The castle was originally built in the 1700''s as a fort but it has operated as a hotel since 1933. The hotel just recently underwent a renovation and all of its 179 rooms are modern and up to date.

The hotel rooms feature refrigerators, cable televisions and terraces with spectacular views. The suites feature full size kitchens.

The only drawback is that it is not on the beach but the hotel does offer free transportation to several different beaches on the island.

The hotel features three restaurants, two tennis courts, a whirlpool, a fitness center and a piano bar.

Guests we spoke to gave the resort very high recommendations, although they did advise that one take a taxi after dark.

Fortunately, we were there to scuba dive and therefore didn't need to spend much time at the resort! Definitely recommend St. Thomas for any divers out there - the wrecks are AMAZING and Aitch at Blue Island Divers runs a great dive operation.

One last thing: the restaurants at the resort are overpriced for the quality. Ask a cabbie for some local restaurant recommendations - we found some GREAT places this way that would easily rate above 20 on Zagat, including a lovely spot for Thanksgiving dinner in French Town.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Poor
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Poor
• Service: Fair

Even still we took all this in stride and enjoyed ourselves anyway.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Fair
• Unit Satisfaction: Fair
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Fair