Top 5 Best Places to Stay in St. Croix USVI in 2024
1. Beachfront Vacation Rentals
Beachfront vacation rentals & villas are a very popular choice to experience an authentic and luxurious Caribbean island lifestyle. St. Croix villas offer all the amenities you need to relax, unwind and recharge on your holiday. Many offer stunning ocean views, have fresh water private pools, plus expansive private grounds and gardens.
The best St. Croix beachfront vacation rentals are often in gated communities for absolute privacy, seclusion and security. Their tranquil location and peace of mind feeling “at home” enhances any vacation but also means usually you need to rent a car. Which is not really a drawback because you won’t fully experience St. Croix without exploring the island.
Food & drink bills on holiday are often more than lodging, so vacation rentals’ cooking facilities can save you money by avoiding the high cost of always dining out. Most visitors find that renting a private villa in St. Croix is cheaper than staying in a hotel (especially for families and groups), all while enjoying the comforts of a private beachfront home.
Imagine this view every day
Relax to Swaying Palms
Romantic and memorable
Dine inside or out
Spacious with tropical Theme
Even the bathroom Has a view
There are also many lovely non-beachfront villas for rent in St. Croix which also provide a 1st-class Caribbean holiday experience. Many are further up in the lush green hills of St. Croix and provide unforgettable views of the Caribbean, and are less expensive than beachfront villas.
The decision really comes down to how close you want to be to the ocean, hear its surf and smell its sultry air. 🌴
So if you’re looking for a classic relaxing Caribbean holiday, St. Croix vacation rentals are always a solid bet. You can browse the largest directory of No-Fees vacation rentals in St. Croix here.
2. Beach Resorts in St. Croix
St. Croix beach resorts are also an excellent option for visitors seeking a classic resort experience. These guests often prefer to spend most their time at the resort, which dictates enhanced on-site entertainment and dining options.
Luckily, St. Croix has a good selection of beach resorts for every budget. Here’s a summary:
- Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort: the most famous and expensive beach resort in St. Croix, the Buccaneer is an outstanding 5-star beach resort with all the amenities you’d expect. You can rent private cottages or a resort room. There are 3 beaches at the Buccaneer, perfect for beach strolls, swimming, snorkeling, tanning and just relaxing. There are beach lounges under tiki umbrellas, plus a full selection of water sports and land activities. The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort has been open since 1947 and currently operates under the Wyndham brand but is family-owned. The resort has a pink Colonial style Great House on a hillside overlooking an 18-hole championship golf course. So if you’re looking for a classic and elegant Caribbean vacation, the Buccaneer is for you. It’s a top rated, globally-recognized resort and certainly one of the best places to stay in St. Croix.
Buccaneer Hotel St Croix room Buccaneer Hotel St Croix golf course Buccaneer Hotel St Croix dining
- Carambola Beach Resort: St. Croix’s North Shore is one of the best areas to stay and this 5* beach resort is a good example why. Managed by Marriott, the property occupies the land of a former sugar plantation and has a beautiful private stretch of beach. The resort offers a 5-star beach experience and is close to popular St. Croix things to do like visiting the Annaly Bay tidal pools, seeking thrills on the Carambola zipline (view zipline prices here) , visiting the Mount Pellier Domino Club with its beer-drinking pigs, and of course hitting the greens at the affiliated 18-hole Carambola Golf Club.
Carambola Beach Resort St Croix rooms Carambola Beach Resort St Croix dining area Carambola Beach Resort St Croix beach
- Divi Carina Beach Resort & Casino: a St. Croix all-inclusive beach resort that is adult-only (sorry kids) and located on the East End of St. Croix. The East End is often cited as the best area to stay in St. Croix. It’s a classic all-inclusive beach resort for guests looking for full-service activities, dining and amenities. It was recently renovated and offers both rooms and suites. Water and land activities include two shared pools, paddle board, kayaks, tennis, pickleball, and shuffle board. There’s a good fitness center on site as well as a on-site casino offering slots and table gambling.
Divi Carina Beach Resort St Croix room Divi Carina Beach Resort St Croix beach Divi Carina Beach Resort St Croix bar
- Bungalows on the Bay: Bungalows is the former Chenay Bay Beach Resort and has around 50 individual cabin-style cottages. Some have ocean views while others have garden views. Each has a porch-patio, a kitchen for light cooking, AC, and private bath. They’re set on over 30 acres of lovely grounds with a sandy beach and large common pool. There’s an on-site restaurant serving meals all day as well as a lively beach bar. You can check out the Bungalows on the Bay menu here. There’s often live music, parties on the beach, and events there, so it’s very popular for travelers looking for a St. Croix beach resort with a laid-back atmosphere. There’s tennis, basketball and lots of water sports gear for rental, like paddle boards and kayaks. You can catch some good last-minute pricing on its website, which makes it one of the best places to stay in St. Croix with a beach. Read the reviews here.
- Palms at Pelican Cove: a 40-room beach resort located on a white sandy beach about 3 miles west of Christiansted. All rooms feature sea views, and there is a large pool. Activities include water sports, swimming and snorkeling. The on-site restaurant offers open-air dining and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a good bar serving a large selection of drinks and there is usually live music and dancing at least 3-4 nights a week. So it’s a nice choice if you want classic beach resort amenities in one of the nicest parts of St. Croix. It’s also just minutes away from Christiansted and its broader dining and entertainment offerings.
Palms at Pelican Cove St Croix room Palms at Pelican Cove pool St Croix Palms at Pelican Cove beach St Croix
- Tamarind Reef Resort & Spa: Tamarind Reef is a 40-unit beach resort located on 40 acres of land a few miles east of Christiansted. There’s a nice sandy beach with a reef just a few feet from the beach offering super snorkeling. You can lounge under palm trees, play beach volleyball, swim in the pool, or play on one of the 4 tennis courts. There are 2 on-site restaurants, The Galleon offering seafood and fine dining, and the Deep End Bar & Grill offering more casual, pool-side a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s usually live music & dancing which gives a lively vibe to the resort. This resort also has a spa and a marina with 150 slips. Mid-range in price, it’s often named one of the best beach resorts to stay at in St. Croix USVI.
Tamarind Reef Resort and Spa St Croix beach resort room Tamarind Reef Resort and Spa St Croix beach resorts restaurant Tamarind Reef Resort and Spa St Croix pool
3. Condo Rentals
Beachfront condos are a popular choice with travelers to St. Croix. In terms of privacy and space, condos are somewhere between a villa and a hotel. They offer more space than a hotel room but less than a villa. They can usually accommodate up to 8 people, so if you’re looking where to stay in St Croix with a large family, renting a condo might be a good choice.
They usually have a shared common pool, some type of snack bar for food and drinks, as well as facilities for water sports and land sports (tennis, basketball, bean bag toss, shuffleboard). Some condo complexes also have a clubhouse where guests can mix and meet fellow travelers.
Good options for St. Croix beachfront condos include:
- Gentle Winds: centrally-located on St. Croix’s north shore, Gentle Winds offers 66 units with two and three-bedrooms. It has a relaxed resort feel and spans 40 acres with a private sandy beach. Units have both ocean views as well as views of the green rolling hills out the back. There’s a large common pool, a beach shack serving typical American food and drinks (see menu here), and a club house for mingling with other guests. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, tennis, basketball and a golf putting green. It’s a great location between Cane Bay and its activities (7 minutes away) and Christiansted (13 minutes away). If you’ve ever wondered “Where are the best places to stay in St. Croix?”, Gentle Winds may be the answer!
- SeaClusion Condos: a new, smaller condo community consisting of only 9 units, SeaClusion complex is located in a gated community near Cane Bay on St. Croix’s north shore. Cane Bay beach, scuba diving, a dive center and several good restaurants are nearby. It’s centrally-located and about a 15 minute drive from Frederiksted, Christiansted and the St. Croix Airport. Local dining options include: The Landing @ Cane Bay, local food trucks, AMA at Cane Bay (menu here), Off The Wall Pizza (menu here), and Rowdy Joe’s.
- Sugar Beach condos: Sugar Beach Condo Resort is located a few miles west of Christiansted on a 7-acre property that includes a 400-foot sandy beach. There are 42 units and each offers a nice view of the Caribbean sea. Ground floor units open directly on to the beach. There is a nice community swimming pool and some old historic ruins of a Danish sugar mill. There’s also a clubhouse for mingling and relaxing.
interior beach pool at Sugar Beach Condos in St. Croix USVI
Non-beachfront condos: As with villas, you can also find great condo rentals in St. Croix which are not directly on the water but still have great sea views and are just minutes from a beach. The main attraction is their low cost, which makes them a good place to stay and not blow your travel budget.
Options for non-beachfront condos in St. Croix include:
- The Reef condos: a condo community on St. Croix’s east end located on a 9-hole golf course. There are 101 condos here, and many are available for rent. Amenities here include the Reef golf course, a nice large community pool, an 18-hole disc golf course, a tennis court and five courts for pickle ball. Dining options include a casual cafe called TLC Cafe and a well-know seafood restaurant called Duggan’s Reef. There’s a nice beach nearby as well. Condo rentals here are priced attractively, which makes the Reef one of the best places to stay in St. Croix on a budget while still getting a quality experience.
pool at The Reef typical patio The Reef entrance Hole in One by the Sea Reef Life villa Sea Renity
4. Boutique Hotels
Visitors to St. Croix will find a broad selection of small charming boutique hotels in Christiansted and Frederiksted which are a great choice if you want to be “near the action”. These small historical towns are centers of activity and social life on St. Croix. Accordingly, you’ll find the largest selection of shops, bars, restaurants, duty-free, and entertainment options. Everything is within walking distance, so this is a great option if you’re not renting a car.
Here are some small botique hotels popular with travelers:
- The Fred: located on the Frederiksted waterfront, the Fred is a stylish and well-designed boutique hotel on the beach just south of downtown Frederiksted. It is adults-only. The rooms are individually decorated which always encourages you to visit again for a new experience. The rooms have balconies facing a pool courtyard, where there is a 2-story bar and deck to chill out and view the beach and ocean. Special touches like chandeliers, blue walls and a giant painting of a chicken in the lobby set the vibe as you arrive. If you’re looking for trendy, chic and weird in a cool way, this is the place for you. Probably the nicest small hotel in St. Croix to stay. You can check out their live St. Croix webcam here.
The Fred Christiansted boutique hotel beach The Fred lobby The Fred loft The Murray room The Francis room Aunt B room
- Victoria House: Located in Frederiksted, Victoria House is a charming boutique inn with only 8 rooms. Each room is uniquely decorated in tasteful Caribbean style. The property is a historic building reflecting St. Croix’s past and exuding style. Some rooms offer expansive ocean views while others look out back. The rooms come equipped with a fridge, microwave, coffee maker, AC and private bathrooms. Property managers go the extra mile to meet guests needs and earn high ratings on TripAdvisor. Within walking distance of bars, restaurants, gift shops, artist studios and beaches, Victoria House is a great place to stay in St. Croix if you want cozy centrally-located lodging in a historic Caribbean town. There’s also the famous Frederiksted pier you’ll want to see while you’re there.
Victoria House Christiansted boutique hotel Victoria House room Victoria House Christiansted boutique hotel ocean view
- The Waves at Cane Bay: This charming hotel is well-located near the beach, bars, restaurants, and scuba diving at Cane Bay. With only 11 rooms you’re sure to get an intimate and personalized stay here. There are many dining options nearby and within walking distance, like AMA at Cane Bay, The Landing At Cane Bay, and Off the Wall. It’s a perfect location for scuba divers as it is home to the famous “Wall”, which drops off sharply to 13,000 feet deep just a few hundred yards from the shore. Cane Bay Beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and lounging. Cane Bay is certainly one of the best locations to stay in St. Croix, and this boutique hotel gets great reviews.
Waves at Cane Bay St Croix boutique hotel Waves at Cane Bay St Croix boutique hotel Waves at Cane Bay St Croix boutique hotel bedroom
5. Unique lodging
St. Croix offers unique lodging for visitors. Among them include:
- Modular cottages: These are compact and efficient modern cottages offering all amenities you’d expect in a larger vacation rental home. Our favorite is Cliffside STX, perched on a hilltop near Salt River Marina & offering great vistas of the ocean & surrounding hills. Here are photos of the 2 cottages at Cliffside STX:
“Sweet Lime” cottage “Flamboyant” cottage
- St Croix container homes: these are small houses built out of 20′ and 40-foot steel shipping containers. While small on space, they are packed full with comfortable furnishings, kitchens, bedrooms, and deck areas and make a pleasant place to stay on a short holiday. Here’s links to 2 STX container homes: a container home at Cane Bay and one near Christiansted.
St Croix container homes St Croix container homes interior
- Campgrounds on St. Croix USVI: There are a few St. Croix campgrounds offering camping in a tropical environment. Cane Bay Campgrounds is one to try:
Cane Bay campgrounds cabin Cane Bay campgrounds cabin outside
Mount Victory Camp is another unique camping experience on St. Croix. It’s a relaxing eco-retreat in the rainforest hills of St. Croix. Quiet and peaceful, great for romantic couples’ getaways, trips with friends, and always family friendly. Only 1.8 Miles up a shady jungle drive from beautiful white sand beaches.
Mount Victory camp St Croix Mount Victory camp St Croix 2
- Ridge to Reef Farm: Ridge to Reef Farm is a 140 acre certified Organic farm and nature conservation site in the Rainforest of St. Croix. There are 7 guest cabanas and 2 villas for rent, to individuals, families, and groups up to 35 people. Local organic food is the central purpose of the establishment, which seeks to increase the amount of healthy food for the Virgin Islands. Our property is somewhat remote for a small island, offering a peaceful haven and tropical paradise that invites exploration, nature connection, and a close relationship with your food.
Ridge to Reef Farm St. Croix US Virgin Islands Ridge to Reef Farm St. Croix animals
- CARIBBEAN ECO RETREAT: The Featherleaf Inn St. Croix is a boutique eco-themed inn on St. Croix’s west side near Frederiksted. This historic estate is part of a 260-year-old plantation that is being transformed into a seaside botanical food-forest. It maintains a Danish architectural appeal while providing modern conveniences. The rooms are 100% solar powered and adjacent to a secluded bay for snorkeling and swimming. Each room has a private entrance, private bath, and great sea views. This is a vegan paradise and among the best areas to stay in St. Croix.
Featherleaf Inn St Croix eco-retreat Featherleaf Inn St Croix eco-retreat 2
- Sand Castles on the Beach: A cozy boutique hotel on a nice sandy beach about 2 miles from Frederiksted. Offer five types of accommodations ranging from beachfront villas to economical studios. Adults only, gay-friendly with one pool clothing-optional. Has an on-site restaurant called the Beach Side Cafe. Gets good reviews from guest who like its inclusive attitude, sandy beach and great sunsets. Also popular because it offers St. Croix day beach passes for cruise ship passengers.
Youtube videos on the Best Places to Stay in St. Croix
Where to Stay in St. Croix FAQ (frequently asked questions)
The North Shore, because it offers the best beaches, activities, and a broad range of dining & entertainment options.
Again the North Shore. Its central location allows you to easily access the entire island’s offerings. So whether you want to see the main town of Christiansted, historic Frederiksted and its pier, the rain forest, or pop out on a day trip to Buck Island, the North Shore’s location is a big advantage. It’s also the main snorkeling & scuba diving area.
Go to St. Thomas if you want more bars, restaurants and high-end shopping, and go to St. Croix for a more relaxed, less over-developed tropical island experience with some of the best scuba diving in the Caribbean.
Frederiksted has Sandy Point Beach, while the East End has many excellent beaches. Cane Bay Beach on the North Shore is probably the best family beach in St. Croix. You can read all about the Best Beaches in St. Croix here.
The North Shore consistently ranks at the top of best areas in St. Croix due to its location, great beaches, pristine nature, activities, and many wonderful beachfront vacation rentals in prime locations.
Salt River marina is known for scuba boat tours & bioluminescent kayaking tours (pdf). Christiansted is known for tours to Buck Island (pdf) and scuba tour boats. Rainbow Beach in Frederiksted is known for paddleboarding and jet ski rentals (pdf).
Now you know the Best Places to Stay in St. Croix USVI in 2024!
See photos of Villa Margarita here
Looking for St Croix rental cars?
Click here to find out Where is St. Croix?