Villa Life - Our Blog

Departing St. Thomas? Welcome to Yacht Haven Grande Complimentary Baggage Check!

Visitors staying on St. Thomas or just passing through are welcome at the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Center & Complimentary Baggage Check. While at the Welcome Center, guests enjoy the "Spin to Win" prize wheel, personalized concierge service, YHG Smooth Sailing Punch (you can even take the recipe home with you!), take pictures with pirates, and receive the latest information on deals and specials at YHG shops.

Many patrons drop their luggage and go on to enjoy the beach, shopping, or a leisurely lunch. The best part: if you have a late flight or ferry on your departure date, you are within a comfy walk of eateries, and shops, in a pleasant atmosphere.

Guest Services Coordinator Joy Matheny (above, right - view more photos on our Facebook page) hosts regular open house events for area Concierges in conjunction with the "Jazz Haven" series, every third Saturday of the month and Anita and Luanda were on hand on June 16th to mix and mingle and enjoy a breezy night of Jazz by Pasado Meridiano from San Juan Puerto Rico.

Smiling broadly, Matheny welcomed many to the Welcome Center, offering snacks and soft drinks, and for the adults, a bit of the special Smooth Sailing Punch featuring Cruzan Strawberry rum.  Local artwork and photography (all for sale) graces the walls of the tropical-themed station.

"We're here to not only introduce everyone to all that we have at Yacht Haven Grande, but to provide a service," she said. "Your last day here should be just as perfect as the rest of your vacation!"

The Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Center is located at the west end of YHG near the pool; easy taxi drop-off/pick off. Hours of operation: Saturday – Wednesday from 9am-5pm and closed on Thursdays & Fridays

Find them on Facebook! 

Yacht Haven Grande web site

Tommy Stars, one and all!

The U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association pulled out all the stops for the 8th annual Tommy Star Awards gala on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the St. Peter Mountain Greathouse. 

Cocktails began at 7pm, and attendees were treated to videotaped greetings to all that was to come by the finalists themselves.  After rounds of champagne and hors-d'oeuvres, the audience was directed to the dining room, which was outfitted royally, with pink roses and matching table treatments.  The finalists were led in one by one, beneath their own taped introductions of themselves.

McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas' Anita Davis, who doubles as Help Desk and IT as well as Reservations, was one of the finalists who had made it this far.  She was nominated by McLaughlin Anderson staff and management in the category of Hotel Associate of the Year for her able assistance to internal and external customers.  She keeps the web site, blog and social networking pages clicking and manages the customized web site portal, image libraries, and documents.  She assists the web developer with feedback and troubleshooting on behalf of guest visitors to the site, owners, vendors, and the McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas staff.  She also continues to act as Reservationist, with her own roster of direct repeat guests as well as travel agents, tour operators and wholesalers. 

Also nominated in this category were Mary Ryan of the Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort, Jasmine Steward of the Westin St. John Resort, and Gertrude "Trudi" Gillmore of The Ritz-Carlton.  Gillmore captured the prize and the warmth of the audience with her enthusiastic acceptance speech, "I'm elated!"... and her several happy  kisses to her presenter, the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Hon. John de Johngh, Jr.  

Read more about the 2009 Tommy Star Awards and the Award of Excellence (Stanley Selengut), Tommy Star Student Award (Akeiba Barnard), and the Green Award (Jennifer McQueen).  (Complete winner list will be provided upon publication)

St. Thomas Source article featuring all winners and honorees

Photo album on our Facebook page

Pictured: Nancy's gift to Anita, an "A" initial pin and studded star;  Tommy Star Finalist memento, and other keepsakes from the big night.  Click either image to see larger version.

Ferry service offers more options for Caribbean travel

According to eTurbo News, soon there will be a new way to discover neighboring islands while visiting one of our favorite destinations, Grenada.  BEDY Ocean Lines in Grenada will be embarking on its first journey on October 20, 2009 and will begin accepting inquiries on October 1, 2009.  Service will include Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Grenada.  Trips between the islands will last between 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours depending on destination.  If you will be visiting Grenada next year, this is a great way to add to your island adventure!   The service is expected to be available for Grenada travel in February 2010.

For more details on this new fast ferry service, read the article

Ferry service soon to be a choice for five Southern Caribbean destinations