Where to Stay in St Croix: From a Discerning Traveler
Alright, so you have decided St Croix is going to be your next amazing Caribbean getaway. Now, you have to figure out the answer to the all-important question … where to stay in St Croix? Because the island is rather large and takes about a 1-hour drive from the west to the east end, where you choose to sleep will be important. How do you decide? Read on from someone who will go to Google page 20 to find the best place.
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Map of Where to Stay in St Croix: 3 Options
My husband and I drove all the way around the island to get a “feel” for the different areas. There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. All have their pros and cons. Deciding which area is going to be best for you will depend on several factors such as the activities you want to do, whether you require the property to be beachfront, and proximity to restaurants and bars.
Where to stay in St Croix Map
Cane Bay
This is the location where my husband and I stayed, and we absolutely loved it (so I am going to be biased)!!!
PROS & CONS
- Great snorkeling and diving
- Home to “The Wall,” a dramatic dropoff right offshore
- More central location to all the best St Croix activities like Annaly Bay Tide Pools
- Dramatic mountain and cliff views
- Properties are not right on the beach
Annaly Bay Tide Pools
PROPERTIES WORTH CONSIDERING
Waves at Cane Bay
While we were in St Croix, we drove past this boutique hotel getting renovated. Now it should be open and ready for business, and it looks absolutely stunning! Waves has 11 modern oceanfront rooms, a bar serving craft cocktails, and one of the top restaurants (AMA) on the island focusing on sustainable seafood.
The Breakers at Cane Bay (now called The Pearl)
There are several beautiful villa rentals situated cliffside along Cane Bay. We chose The Pearl and will only book here in the future! This gorgeous Mediterranean-style property SURPASSED our expectations. It is only a 5-minute walk to several restaurants and the incredibly picturesque Cane Bay Beach. Let me take you on a tour.
THE POOL
As soon as you pull into the gated entrance at The Breakers, you will be beckoned by the property’s private outdoor pool to jump on in. My husband and I spent many hours relaxing out here, sipping on cocktails, and watching the ocean waves crash on the rocks below us. Any stress will instantly melt away. I truly felt I was on vacation here!
I also loved the constant breeze we received being right on the cliffs by the ocean. What does that mean? Little to no mosquitoes! I am a walking buffet, and I did not get one bite while staying in our villa. That is a record for me.
The pool at The Breakers at Cane Bay
The pool at The Breakers at Cane Bay
Relaxing on the pool rafts at The Breakers at Cane Bay
Our friend who joined us by the pool
MAIN FLOOR (2nd floor)
The villa has three floors, all with balconies facing the ocean. The main floor has a living room, dining area, and full kitchen. We loved making some homemade meals, sitting outside and dining al fresco on the oceanfront balcony, and being mesmerized by the crashing ocean. Expect some beautiful sunsets!
By the way, this is probably the most well-stocked kitchen I have encountered during our travels. They even had proper champagne and martini glasses, which I greatly appreciated.
Oh, and did I mention how CLEAN this villa is? This is super important to me!
Living room at The Breakers at Cane Bay in St Croix
Kitchen at The Breakers at Cane Bay in St Croix
Eating a champagne homemade breakfast on our balcony at The Breakers at Cane Bay in St Croix
The sunset as seen from The Breakers at Cane Bay
UPPER FLOOR (3rd floor)
The Breakers is a 2-bedroom 2-bathroom property with a 1/2 bath located by the pool. We stayed on the 3rd floor, which had a huge bedroom with vaulted ceilings, an ensuite bathroom with a travertine shower, and an ample-sized oceanfront balcony.
We often left the door open, letting the ocean waves lull us to sleep. Best white noise machine ever!
Upper level bedroom with an oceanfront view at The Breakers at Cane Bay
Upper level oceanfront balcony
LOWER FLOOR (1st floor)
The lower 1st floor is a carbon copy of the upper 3rd floor, so expect another master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. You can easily see why this triplex design is perfect for 2 couples. Both bedrooms are huge with private balconies, so no one feels like they got the “inferior room.” A stackable washer and dryer are located on the first floor bedroom, so you do not have to pack much.
Lower floor bedroom
Frederiksted
Boardwalk to Frederiksted Pier in St Croix
PROS & CONS
- Beachfront properties
- Home to one of the best snorkeling locations, Frederiksted Pier
- Good selection of restaurants
- There are areas you need to use common sense and not make yourself a target
- Getting to the east end of the island will require a long drive (about an hour)
Snorkeling at Frederiksted Pier
PROPERTIES WORTH CONSIDERING
Cottages by the Sea
TripAdvisor readers love Cottages by the Sea, which is actually one of the oldest hotels in St Croix and is still owned by the founding family, the Benedicts. It is located right on a beautiful beach, where you can snorkel and swim. Normally, the water is calm on this side of the island.
Most cottages come with a full kitchen if you want to cook a few meals at home. The only downside is there is no pool, but you can use the pool at the hotel Sandcastle on the Beach next door for a fee.
The Fred
This beachfront, adults-only hotel is located right in town and has a swanky, eclectic, modern vibe. It boasts two saltwater pools adjacent to the outdoor bar, which serves up all the rum cocktails you can handle.
The Fred has great reviews on Tripadvisor. A few guests have mentioned it can get quite lively and loud, so if you are looking for a quiet oasis this may not be it.
Christiansted
Downtown Christiansted in St Croix
PROS & CONS
- Beachfront properties
- Closest location to Buck Island
- Location with the most restaurants and bars
- Plenty of shopping
- Long drive to get to the east end of the island (about an hour)
- Use common sense when walking around and not make yourself a target
Turtle Beach at Buck Island in St Croix USVI
PROPERTIES WORTH CONSIDERING
St John USVI has very few beachfront properties. In contrast, St Croix has quite a few. If your dream Caribbean vacation means waking up and walking right out to the beach, you have some options.
The Buccaneer
This historic beachfront hotel has quite a history. It all started when a Knight of Malta constructed the first building in 1653. The property has transformed over time from a sugar factory to growing cotton and then raising cattle before it became a hotel. Quite a few famous celebrities and politicians have enjoyed a stay at the Buccaneer including Kirk Douglas, Michael Jackson, Bill O’Reilly, and even President Joe Biden.
The Buccaneer has many amenities including a golf course, tennis court, pool, and spa. Another perk is its close proximity to downtown Christiansted, which is a short 8-minute drive. Christiansted has a lot of the top restaurants in St Croix such as Savant, 40 Eats and Drink, and Toast Diner.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in St Croix
Relaxing poolside at The Breakers at Cane Bay
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