St. Croix Luxury Resorts
The best upscale hotels on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Three top luxury hotels on St Croix have different best qualities, from destination weddings, to honeymoons and romantic vacations, to trips with activities for children.
St. Croix is the largest and most purely residential of the three US Virgin Islands. A Caribbean vacation here is different than a Caribbean vacation in St. John or St. Thomas. St. John is the best Virgin Island destination for nature travel fans, while St. Thomas is a top Caribbean travel destination for tourists who love to shop. What unites the three US Virgin Islands? Great beaches, of course, with soft sand and turquoise water. There are three top hotels and resorts on St. Croix, and a slew of not so great ones; choose your hotel carefully, and you're sure to have the Caribbean vacation that's best for you and your needs. Be it a destination wedding, romantic honeymoon, or a family vacation with young kids, one of these will be the right resort for you.
The three top resort hotels on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands:
- The Buccaneer. This is the Caribbean's oldest continually running hotel; it was founded in the 1600's, and today is one of the best Caribbean family resorts. The on-site sugar mill is original to the time, and provides a glimpse into the Caribbean's rich history. However, the Caribbean's most historic resort has all the modern amenities of a top luxury vacation spot. The Hideaway Day Spa, for example, offers several luxury spa packages in a relaxing setting. The golf course is challenging and scenic; this par-70 course is considered one of the best on the US Virgin Islands.There are tennis courts, water sports and other beach activities available as well. The Children's Day Camp keeps kids ages 4-12 busy and happy all day, so parents can relax. Also fun for children is the weekly hermit crab race; I know I loved those fun races when I was a kid. Be specific about your room or suite needs when making a reservation at The Buccaneer. this historic modern resort has recently renovated beach side suites with luxury decor, while some other hotel rooms here are older, but closer to the restaurants and spa. The Buccaneer is a top rated hotel for families with young children. While you can snorkel here, the best snorkeling and scuba diving in St Croix is around the Buck Island Reserve. The Buccaneer's concierge can arrange a half-day or full day trip to Buck Island.
- Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino. Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine named Divi Carina one of 2007's Best Large Hotels, one of only four in the entire Caribbean to earn this title. Divi Carina is large, obviously, but the property around the resort is well kept and also large. It shouldn't feel too crowded or "touristy" except for the peak travel season around the holidays. The casino here provides much of the nighttime entertainment - not just gambling, but also live music on the weekends. This is your best choice for a St. Croix destination wedding. Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino offers several destination wedding packages worthy of noting: The Caribbean Romance wedding package and the Deluxe Wedding in Paradise are especially popular with wedding parties. There is no day camp, but the Divi Carina concierge can help arrange child care for parents who want a break. The snorkeling right off the property's beach is lovely, though a trip to Buck Island is still your best snorkel or scuba option on St Croix. As with most US Virgin Island resorts and hotels, the Crucian staff here operates on island time. This means slower service than you'd expect at a more cosmopolitan destination. My feeling is, you're having a beach vacation; relax, and enjoy the slower pace of the Islands.
- Carambola Villas Golf & Beach Resort. Now, the Carambola resort is in the process of a major renovation, so be sure to book an already renovated room. The renovations are being done under the auspices of Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, part of the Marriott family of hotels and resorts. The Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort will be completed in the summer of 2007, with a large luxury day spa to be open in winter 2007. At this time, the deluxe suites with kitchenettes are renovated, and lovely. The renovated rooms and suite have 2 flat screen TVs in them, and the luxury oceanfront suites provide knock-out views. This is a very quiet resort setting, almost isolated - extremely romantic for honeymoons and other romantic getaways, but perhaps a bit boring for young children and kids who want constant stimulating activities. There is better snorkeling right off the Carambola's beach than that of The Buccaneer, but your best St. Croix bet is still to take a Buck Island day trip for amazing scuba and snorkel opportunities. The Renaissance Carambola has golf course privileges at the the Carambola Golf Course; a nice amenity.
While families with children, destination weddings, and romantic honeymoons can be had at all three of the best luxury resorts in St. Croix, the flavor of each makes for different Caribbean vacations. Kids and parents will have the best time at The Buccaneer, while Divi Carina is capable of hosting destination weddings for large wedding parties, and the romantic and relaxing setting of Carambola makes it a top honeymoon vacation.
Related, on Suite 101:
US Virgin Islands - St. Thomas
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