Where to Stay in St. Croix: Best Hotels & Rentals by Neighborhood
So, you’ve picked St. Croix for your next Caribbean escape. Great choice! Now comes the big question: where should you stay? The island’s a bit spread out, with about an hour’s drive from one end to the other, so your home base really does matter.
When my husband and I were planning our trip, we had the same dilemma. We knew we wanted to explore the whole island, but picking the right place to stay felt like a puzzle. I went down the research rabbit hole (yes, I’m that person who actually clicks through to page 20 on Google) to figure out what would make the most sense for our 8-day itinerary. Here’s what we learned and what might help you choose the perfect spot too.
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Map of Where to Stay in St Croix
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.
If you do not feel like reading through the rest of this blog post, here’s the TLDR version of the properties I recommend based on neighborhood:
Cane Bay
→ The Wave
→ The Pearl (where we stayed! LOVE this rental)
Frederiksted
Christiansted
Where to stay in St Croix Map
01- Cane Bay
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Cane Bay
This is the location where my husband and I stayed, and we absolutely loved it (so I am going to be biased)!!!
Cane Bay: Pros & Cons
- Great snorkeling (check out my Cane Bay Snorkeling Guide) 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 and Mount Eagle hike
- Dramatic mountain and cliff views
- Properties are not right on the beach
Best Cane Bay Rentals
01- Waves at Cane Bay
The Waves at Cane Bay
While we were in St. Croix, we drove past this beautiful boutique hotel.
It looks absolutely stunning!
The 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.
02- The Pearl at Cane Bay
Upper level bedroom at The Pearl at Cane Bay in St. Croix
There are several beautiful vacation rentals situated cliffside along Cane Bay including The Pearl.
We will only book here in the future! My featured photo at the top of this blog post shows the cliffside villa overlooking the ocean.
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.
As soon as you pull into the gated entrance, 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!
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!
02- Frederiksted
Boardwalk to Frederiksted Pier in St. Croix
Frederiksted: Pros & Cons
- Beachfront properties
- Home to one of the best snorkeling locations, Frederiksted Pier
- Also close to a great beginner snorkeling site, Dorsch Beach
- 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)
Best Frederiksted Rentals
01- Cottages by the Sea
Upper level bedroom at The Breakers at Cane Bay in St Croix
Cottages by the Sea is 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.
02- Sand Castle on the Beach
Sand Castle on the Beach in St. Croix
Sand Castle on the Beach is a beautiful boutique adults-only hotel that is run by two incredibly welcoming owners (Chris and Ted). They used to be long-time guests of the hotel and then became owners in 2017.
Rooms are beautiful and fresh with mid-century modern touches and soft pastel colors. The hotel offers two freshwater pools and complimentary continental breakfast.
And it’s right on the beach with calm waters, great for beginner snorkelers!
We saw quite a few starfish off this beach, and some have even reported turtle and octopus sightings.
03- Christiansted
Downtown Christiansted in St Croix
Christiansted: 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
Best Christiansted Rentals
01- The Buccaneer
Room at Buccaneer in St. Croix USVI
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 is a historic beachfront hotel that 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
St Croix offers several beautiful locations to choose from for your vacation accommodation. After exploring all over the island, Cane Bay was by far our favorite.
The Pearl at Cane Bay was an extraordinary property. Although it did not have a beach, it more than made up for it with its …
→ Stunning ocean views
→ Balconies on every level
→ Gorgeous private pool
→ Walking distance to the famous Cane Bay Beach for snorkeling
→ Great central location for easy access to both west and east end activities
Relaxing poolside at The Pearl at Cane Bay
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about where to stay in St Croix?
Let me know in the comments below!
Hello. Love your articles.
What’s the best way to get to St Croix? Fly? go to St Thomas first and ferry? You had content on the best way to get to St John. Looking for a similar article for St Croix.
Thank you
Thanks for reaching out.
The best way to get to St. Croix is to fly directly to the island (Airport code: STX). That’s what we did.
Tip: If you type the airport name into Wikipedia, it will give you all the airlines and departure cities that fly directly into your destination.
Departure Cities that Fly into St. Croix
There is a ferry (QE IV Ferry) that operates from St. Thomas to St. Croix, but the days/hours are limited. I have never done it, so I can’t comment on the experience. Reviews on TripAdvisor though are not great. People comment it takes 2+ hours, can be choppy, and sometimes service can be cancelled at last minute.
Ferry Service
Hope that helps!
Hi, Nicole. Your Blog site is amazing! I am planning a late March 5 day trip to St. Croix with my wife. Have been to St. Thomas and St John, never St. Croix. We are interested in good snorkeling (St. John will spoil anyone), swimming (we swim a lot in “our lake”) some hiking, good evening meals without having to drive too much or at all and general history, sight seeing.
It’s so easy to not make the best choice not knowing. St. Lucia years ago All-Inclusive was on rough ocean side (no snorkeling, tough swimming), St Thomas Wyndham, very nice, pretty good snorkeling but no close restaurants beside theirs. Similar situation in Caymans.
What area do you think might be our best bet for St. Croix? We could appreciate any thoughts.
Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind words!
Such a tough choice, especially with St. John as your benchmark. We love St. John too. It is still our favorite Caribbean island. And just to set expectations, snorkeling is by far way better on St. John.
If I were narrowing it down, I would focus on Cane Bay or Christiansted and the surrounding area near Shoys Beach or Buccaneer Beach.
Cane Bay
• Cane Bay Beach – best overall shore snorkeling on the island
• Easy access to Frederiksted Pier for a really fun, colorful snorkel (30 minutes away)
• We loved staying in a vacation rental on a rocky cliff here. Falling asleep to the waves crashing was the best white noise.
• Great dining spots like AMA at Cane Bay and Off the Wall
• Popular foodie spot, La Reine Chicken Shack (15 minute drive)
• Quieter, more residential feel. Perfect if you enjoy cooking in and relaxing with a view
Christiansted area near Shoys or Buccaneer Beach
• Best for walkability and restaurant variety in town
• Higher end dining like Savant
• Access point for Buck Island day trips
• Shoys Beach is great for swimming and The Buccaneer offers a classic resort feel
• Closest to the Isaac and Jack Bay hike (~25 min away to the trailhead)
• Strongest history and sightseeing with the waterfront and Danish architecture
You will need a car either way since everything is spread out if you want to explore the top sites.
So it really comes down to this: a strong snorkeling base and peaceful oceanfront vibe in Cane Bay with a few really good dining spots, or more dining options, history, and a bit more resort feel near Christiansted.
Hope that helps you zero in on what fits you both best. Have a wonderful trip!
Nichole