By Bob Curley
CJ Contributor
St. Croix combines many of the the best attributes of the U.S. Virgin Islands: towns named after Danish kings (Christiansted and Frederiksted) have the shopping, dining, and nightlife options you’d find in St. Thomas, while the interior rainforest and hundreds of former sugar mills are reminiscent of the natural beauty and history of St. John. Yet St. Croix has a unique personality, along with a welcoming, small-town feel — and a new energy that’s turned the island into one of the region’s hottest food destinations. In short, it’s an island that can be experienced in many ways; here are five places to stay that present the many facets of St Croix to travelers.
The lobby at The Fred hotel in Frederiksted.
Cool and Sexy: The Fred This adults-only boutique hotel is helping redefine St. Croix’s second city of Frederiksted as a destination for in-the-know millennials, LGBT travelers, and pretty much anyone looking for an immersive Caribbean island vacation informed by a vibrant sense of style. The main building dates to 1791, but you’d never know it by the brightly painted common areas and quirky touches like an antlered trophy over the reception desk. Crystal light fixtures may add a touch of formality to the rooms, but the beds are dressed in rainbow-striped sheets and guests are cheekily urged to “Sleep with Fred.” And yes, there’s a beach, too.
Private Island Fun: The Hotel on the Cay It’s not a private island in the sense of an exclusive hideaway for the elite, but the Hotel on the Cay is indeed its own little destination in the middle of Christiansted Harbor. Catch the ferry that constantly shuttles guests and visitors from the boardwalk on the mainland to Protestant Cay and you’ll find a welcome sanctuary with timeless views of Fort Christiansvaern and downtown Christiansted. The beautiful sandy beach is wide enough for volleyball games and the shaded beach bar and restaurant mere steps away from your lounge chair. The rooms are simple and functional, with partial ocean views. Chances are you won’t spend much time indoors, however with the beach, watersports, and the historic city just a ferry ride away to explore.
Classic Calm: The Buccaneer This big pink beauty of a hotel sprawls over a hillside just outside Christiansted, with lofty views of the ageless capital city. What started as an 11-room guest house opened in 1947 has grown into a full-service, 138-room resort with ample amenities that include tennis courts, golf, a spa, and both casual and fancy dining options. I’ve stayed at this resort solo and as a couple but it also would be my top choice for a family vacation to St. Croix with its kids club, calm ocean waters, and a pair of beaches with all amenities within easy reach. Still run by the founding Armstrong family, the Buccaneer is classic Caribbean hospitality at its finest.
For Foodies and Bar Hopping: The Waves at Cane Bay Cane Bay on St. Croix’s North Shore has quietly become a foodie’s paradise: this laid-back strip of sand isn’t particularly close to anything but boasts some of the island’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Eat at Cane Bay and the latest venture from star local chef Digby Stridiron, AMA at Cane Bay. The latter serves sustainable seafood on the seaside deck of The Waves at Cane Bay, a boutique hotel with oceanview rooms and a natural swimming grotto that’s a great base for a dine-around that also includes the unassuming Spratnet Beach Bar with its affordable fried fish and bar drinks and Off the Wall, where they’ll serve you a nice pizza and free shots at sunset every night.
A Downtown Hideaway: Company House An 18th-century Danish building on Christiansted’s Company Street has been reborn as a boutique hotel, and although it’s marketed to business travelers, we think it’s also a great choice for anyone visiting St. Croix who wants to try something a little different off the beach. Step into the lobby with its elegant Duke’s Bar and you could be in a swanky big-city club, but the hotel’s Caribbean vibe is revealed when you pass through to the cloistered pool area, cheerfully decorated with artwork from various artists with galleries just a block or two away. Surrounding the pool courtyard are two stories of guest rooms with king or two queen beds and a bright contemporary design that nods to the hotel’s colonial roots. A second story conference room has seating and AV for a business meeting but also an open-air balcony overlooking the city — a nice perk for social events. Company House’s location in the heart of Christiansted’s historic district means an easy walk to Fort Christiansvaern, streets lined with 17th and 18th century buildings converted to shops, galleries, restaurants and bars, the harbor front boardwalk, and the ferry to the beach on Protestant Cay.