WHERE TO STAY
Style: Elegant and historic
Location: Beachfront, five minutes from Christiansted
Accommodations: 138 rooms and suites
Rates: From $288 in low season ($360 high)
Amenities: Three beaches, spa, fitness center, water-sports equipment rentals, shopping area, kids camp, golf course, six dining options, two beach bars
Contact: 800-255-3881; thebuccaneer.com
Style: Secluded resort and spa
Location: Along pristine Davis Bay, on the island's secluded north shore
Accommodations: 151 guesthouses on 28 lush acres
Rates: From $150 in low season ($225 high)
Amenities: On-site dive shop, spa, gym, freshwater swimming pool, tennis courts, two restaurants, poolside bar and grill
Contact: 888-503-8760; carambolabeach.com
Style: New England-style B&B
Location: Mid-island, 15 minutes from Christiansted
Accommodations: Five suites, all with terraces and coral roof decks
Rates: From $320 per night (with afour-night minimum stay)
Amenities: Sweeping sea views, gourmet breakfast, complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres nightly, swimming pool
Contact: 888-282-1001; villagreenleaf.com
VILLA RENTALS
St Croix has approximately 100 one- to seven-bedroom beachfront and hillside villas located from the east to west end; many include once-weekly maid service in the rate. In low season, budget roughly $2,400 per week for a hilltop two-bedroom ($2,600 high), and $6,000 per week for a beachfront four-bedroom ($6,500 high). Provisions, excursions, in-villa spa services and private chefs can be arranged by local agencies such as McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas (800-537-6246; mclaughlinanderson.com). Other recommended agencies include Blue Escapes (800-556-4801; blueescapes.com) and Vacation St Croix (877-788-0361; vacationstcroix.com).
WHERE TO EAT
ZEBOS WINE BAR & RESTAURANT
Setting: Trendy alfresco dining in downtown Christiansted
Cuisine: Island-inspired, healthy cuisine
Recommendations: Seasonal offerings change nightly and may include lobster ceviche, spiced duck-confit baklava, and black-truffle macaroni and cheese.
Price: Entrées from $25
Contact: 340-692-2864
Setting: A restored 19th-century, Danish-style home in Christiansted
Cuisine: Eclectic Caribbean and international
Recommendations: Bacon-wrapped pork, Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb, and tuna sashimi appetizer
Price: Entrées from $23
Contact: 340-692-9922; restaurantbacchus.com
UCA'S KITCHEN
Setting: Spacious Rastafarian and hippie hangout on King Street in Frederiksted
Cuisine: Ital (vegetarian Caribbean)
Recommendations: Barbecued tofu kebab, callaloo with fungi polenta, local fresh juices
Price: From $5
Contact: 340-772-5063
WHAT TO DO
Take a day trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument, a national marine park, with Big Beard's Adventure Tours (866-773-4482; bigbeards.com). In Frederiksted, visit the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts; the website lists current exhibitions (340-772-2622; cmcarts.org). Hike or drive through the Caledonia rainforest and tour or take a class at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute (340-473-3155; visfi.org).
To experience the island up close and learn about its flora and fauna take an open-air Jeep ride with Tan Tan Tours (340-773-7041; stxtantantours.com). When the sun goes down, Fort Christian Brew Pub (340-713-9820; fortchristianbrewpub.com) and Parrot's Cove (340-773-6782) in Christiansted serve up specials and live music; Elizabeth's at H2O (340-718-0735; elizabethsath2o.com) features karaoke and DJs most nights. In Frederiksted, the Blue Moon jazz club and restaurant offers live jazz on Wednesdays and Fridays and is popular with locals (340-772-2222; bluemoonstcroix.com).
Tourist Information: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism; 800-372-8784; visitusvi.com
Documents: U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland do not need a passport; however, a birth certificate with an original, raised seal must be shown upon departure in lieu of one. A passport is required for non-U.S. citizens.
Getting There: American Airlines, Delta and US Airways offer direct flights to St. Croix from Miami; Atlanta; and Charlotte, North Carolina, respectively. Seaborne Airlines and Cape Air offer service between St. Croix and St. Thomas.
Dialing In: 1 + 340 + seven-digit number. Depending on your cell-phone rate plan, some carriers, including T-Mobile and AT&T, may not apply roaming charges.
Currency: U.S. dollar
Getting Around: Some hotels offer free ground transfers to the airport, but local taxis are available everywhere. You may also rent a car to explore the island on your own. There are several companies to choose from, including Budget, Avis and Hertz.
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