You’re in an ocean-view pool with a freshly-crafted cocktail peering out at green hills. Or maybe you’ve just checked into your rustic retreat on a private island. Or you’re checking out the views of Charlotte Amalie from an exclusive rooftop deck.
In today’s experience-driven travel world, hotels are essential. They’re jumping-off points, adventure curators, and journeys in their own right. And one of the Caribbean’s buzziest destinations is having a hotel moment of its own.
After decades without a new hotel, the US Virgin Islands is in the throes of a full-fledged hospitality renaissance, with a wave of new-build or new-look hideaways helping to fuel the destination with some serious energy.
New Places to Stay From St Thomas to St John to St Croix
And it’s not just in one island: across St Thomas, St Croix and St John, the hotel product has, well, never been better. And the coolest thing is that even if you’re not staying at these hotels, they’ve all developed immersive, engaging scenes that make them perfect even if just for an afternoon or an evening jaunt.
Lately, St John has been more of a villa destination than a hotel hotspot. But that’s changing, starting with The Saint. On tiny, lovable St John, the team behind The Fred in St Croix (the hotel that in large part kicked off all of this hotel growth when it debuted in 2018) has created an uber-exciting, boutique hotel, set in the heart of Cruz Bay with a creative spa, a fantastic eatery called Aerial and the hottest scene on the island: the hotel’s own Day Club, only for adults. Rooms start at $342 right now.
A Place With Personality — And Pedigree
Looking for charm? The Pink Palm A transformation of a historic set of buildings in the heart of Charlotte Amalie, this colorful retreat has 28 rooms, an on-site eatery (and bar) called El Barsito and the party piece: the lovely rooftop patio and pool deck with views straight to the harbor. The Pink Palm has been a major injection of energy into what was always a charming neighborhood — but one that lacked a real place to stay. Now it’s here, and it’s part of what could be a renaissance in the historic town. It’s also got the chops — the owners’ portfolio includes some terrific hotels in both New York and Vermont.
Privacy — And Treehouses
Looking for a private island? Head for Lovango Resort + Beach Club, set a 10-minute boat ride from St John, with a clutch of rooms and villas and a thriving food and beverage scene that includes an annual culinary event in May. The story here is the diversity of accommodations. You can have your pick of actual treehouse-style units, villas or, yes, glamping, if you’re a bit more adventurous.
Frenchman’s Reef Is Back and Better Than Ever
It’s in many ways the centerpiece of hotels in the US Virgin Islands: the unmistakable, spectacularly-located Frenchman’s Reef, which was destroyed in Irmaria and has triumphantly returned with a new look and a pair of newly-rebranded hotels. It’s the biggest hotel in the Virgin Islands, its prime meeting destination and the top place you can book with points the territory.
What I love the most about the Buoy Haus Beach Resort, tucked way down the cliff from its sister resort, the Westin Beach Resort (part of the reimagined Frenchman’s Reef complex), is its beach bar, literally right on the sand with a salt-life vibe and great food. The hotel itself has a great setting, thanks to rooms that are steps from the beach (and a short stroll to the copious amenities at the Westin, where the rooms do have some pretty spectacular views — and the rum bar has even better ones. Rooms at Buoy Haus start at $411.
And then there’s the newest, and perhaps most significant: Hampton By Hilton St Thomas, the first true new-build hotel in St Thomas in decades. It just opened its doors this month in a prime spot right near the Havensight Mall and the cruise port, and it’s home to a waterfront bar called The Helm, which will be one of the island’s must-stops in no time. Rooms at $194.
All of these hotels have made their debut just in the last few years, and, very quietly, the US Virgin Islands has a suddenly-buzzing hotel scene.
And it’s likely just the beginning.
