USVI-On-Line

We have lots of AA miles from using our Citicard charge card. We haven't used them for flights in recent years, due to various reasons. I explored the AAdvantage web site for other ways to use the miles and saw they can be used for nights at nice hotels. You have to use a lot of miles for some of the more expensive resorts, but I am considering this anyway. Has anyone cashed in AA miles for hotel stays? Wondering about the logistics of it, in terms of making the reservation at the hotel via AA, availability, restrictions at the hotel, etc.
Thanks for any info on your experiences with this.