St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is home to one of the most iconic hotels in the Caribbean (more on that here) as well as the only all-inclusive resort in the USVI and an eclectic assortment of other lodging options, including what might be the most affordable “private island” resort anywhere.
In other words, there are some great options to choose from on this fascinating, culturally rich destination.
Here are the best hotels in in St Croix, from boutique hotels to classic beach resorts and historic inns.
The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort Born as an 11-room guest house in 1947, the Buccaneer has grown into a timeless symbol of hospitality on St. Croix. Having recently joined the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, but family owned for more than 70 years, the landmark resort has a pink Colonial style Great House on a hillside overlooking an 18-hole championship golf course and a variety of lodging, dining, and entertainment venues. For a classically elegant vacation, there’s nothing like a stay at the Buccaneer.
The Fred This stylish, well-designed boutique hotel is a adults-only (and LGBTQ-friendly) hive of activity on the waterfront just south of downtown Frederiksted, St. Croix’s charming “second city.” Individually decorated rooms are located off balconies with gingerbread trim and around a pool courtyard that’s also home to a two-level bar and “observation deck.” Chandeliers, blue walls and an oversized portrait of a chicken make the lobby an exercise in quirkiness; the Fred is definitely the hippest hotel in St. Croix.
Carambola Beach Resort This Marriott-affiliated (formerly a Renaissance hotel) property sits on an enviably quiet former plantation with a private stretch of north shore beach. Hit hard by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the hotel has reopened, but renovations are still underway. When fully restored the Carambola will be a unique gateway to the west end of St. Criox, the major resort closest to attractions like the Annaly Bay tidal pools, the Carambola zipline, Mount Pellier Domino Club with its beer-drinking pigs, and the Carambola Golf Club.
Waves at Cane Bay With just 11 rooms, this boutique hotel is on the high end rate-wise for St. Croix accommodations but is ideally situated near the beach, bars, restaurants, and world-class diving at Cane Bay. You can contemplate your next shore dive on the Cane Bay Wall — which drops 13,500 feet into the depths of the sea — over craft cocktails and sustainable seafood sourced from local waters at the AMA Cane Bay restaurant.
Company House Conceived as a business hotel as well as a lodging option for travelers who prefer a downtown location, the Company House is housed in one of Christiansted’s historic colonnaded Danish buildings and has rooms overlooking a delightfully decorated and private courtyard pool. All of the city’s dining and shopping is a short walk away, but the off-the-shore location is a quieter alternative to staying on the boardwalk.
Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino Divi Resorts’ all-inclusive hotel recently reopened after extensive renovations from substantial hurricane damage in 2017. Located on the quiet east end of St. Croix, the resort has an enviable stretch of sandy beach, beachfront rooms and hillside suites, five bars and restaurants, and activities and amenities that include pools on the beach and in the hills, included non-motorized waterspouts, entertainment, tennis, a fitness center, and the island’s largest casino.
You can’t miss this bright yellow hotel on the Christiansted boardwalk, which has 43 rooms steps from the water and a ground-level restaurant, Rumrunners, which is one of the city’s top waterfront gathering spots for casual dining and drinking. The hotel pool is closed for renovations, but the beach on Protestant Cay is directly across the harbor snd accessible by ferry; nightlife options include a pint-sized casino.
The King Christian Hotel Something of a hidden gem, the King Christian occupies a rather nondescript building downtown that conceals a beautiful courtyard surrounded by guest rooms on two levels. The hotel has been greatly improved in recent years, and the building is now home to several of Christiansted’s most intriguing bars and restaurants, including the Breakers Road tiki bar, breakfast and brunch eatery Caroline’s, and the bright and cheery Cream & Co. ice cream parlor.
Just a two-minute ferry ride from the boardwalk in downtown Christiansted, this condo resort on tiny Protestant Cay has 53 rooms in a three-story tower and a cool tiki bar on the beach closest to town, yet secluded enough to feel private. Rare St. Croix ground lizards roam the beach, and you’re likely to encounter sea turtles during a swim in the shallow waters surrounding the island.
Cottages by the Sea It first opened its doors back in 1949, and this tiny collection of quaint, charming cottages and bungalows remains one of the best-kept secrets in the US Virgin Islands, with 27 units on a prime stretch of coastline just outside of Frederiksted.
Sand Castle on the Beach This welcoming “castle” has two distinct faces: breezy suites and villas on the ocean side are steps from the pool, beach, and the Beach Side Cafe, which serves three meals daily and is a popular gathering spot for sunset cocktails. Across the street is a private enclave with hotel-style rooms surrounding a clothing-optional pool. Which ever option you choose, you’ll find Sand Castles to be a fun and friendly place to spend a few nights in Frederiksted.
Arawak Bay: The Inn at Salt River Rooms at this modest hotel are nothing fancy, but they do overlook Columbus Cove — where Christopher Columbus made landfall on St. Croix in 1493 — and all stays include a full daily breakfast. The hotel has a cute pool for guests, but the major advantage of this quiet lodging is its proximity to the Salt River National Park and the Salt River Bay, less than five minutes away, where you can explore a bioluminescent bay on a tour with Virgin Kayak Tours.
Feather Leaf Inn St. Croix’s newest place to stay is an eco-friendly inn located in a beautifully restored Frederiksted plantation house built in 1760. Rooms are located in the main house and two historic outbuildings, including the distinctive Ocean House, a converted carriage house with a private deck and outstanding ocean views. A sister property, the Sugar Apple Bed and Breakfast, has 12 rooms on a peaceful side street in Christiansted, with a dozen kitchenette-equipped rooms, a private pool, and a vegan-friendly breakfast service.