On short trips to St Thomas enroute to/from the BVI, I've often stayed at one of the two hotels at Lindbergh Bay near the airport. These are:
Island Beachcomber US Virgin Islands Lindberg Bay St. Thomas USVI Hotel Beachfront Beachbar Beach Rooms Restaurant Close to Airport
and
Welcome to Carib Beach Resort in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
The Beachcomber is a pretty simple place with a nice bar in a center patio arrangement near the beach. Feeling of the '50s.
The Carib Beach Resort is a Best Western...much classier and, presumably, more expensive.
Both avoid the need to go into crowded downtown St. Thomas, and all the potential problems there.
Bill