The Best Hotels in the US Virgin Islands for Every Traveler

With pretty much this stretch of St Croix’s coastline to itself – aside from the nearby Carambola Golf Club – the Carambola Beach Resort is for those who want a true resort base. You should note, that other restaurants are quite a drive away. Built on a sugar plantation, there’s a huge palm-fringed pool, and a number of rooms fronting the beach. Rooms are spacious, with luxury touches such as dark wood shutters. If you’re craving a little adventure, head to the nearby Carambola Tide Pools where waves crash over the black volcanic rocks of the naturally formed basins at high tide.

Swim laps of the freshwater pool, under the shade of the flaming red flamboyant tree. It’s a way down the steep hill to the harbor of Cruz Bay, but the shaded terraces of the Estate Lindholm mean you can enjoy a view of it all, glass of wine in hand. The Morrisette family has made their home here since the 1950s, restoring historic Danish ruins to create 17 rooms stone-built across the hillside. Take the trails of the National Park, just a short hike from the estate, to reach the secluded Honeymoon and Salomon beaches.

Borrow some beach chairs and towels, and head straight to the beach. The Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel claims to be the closest hotel to the ferry dock, meaning you can stroll from the boat right to your room. Better still, there’s four beaches within walking distance too – Cruz Bay Beach is 200ft (61m) away, Frank Bay Beach is two blocks away, while Soloman and Honeymoon Beaches are a half-mile hike via the National Park trail. Rooms are compact and simple but have everything you need. However, for longer stays, a one-bed penthouse suite does have a full kitchen.

Two Sandals is perfect for the solo travelers or couples seeking a basic, standard room for a night before a charter or ferry to St John or the British Virgin Islands. Two Sandals is located in the east of St Thomas, close to American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, and though it doesn’t have a pool, many of the rooms – which range from cozy doubles to a two-bedroom apartment – have ocean-view balconies.

There be pirates – or at least, there used to be. The National Historic Site in the city of Christiansted, with its merchant’s houses, also includes a hefty 18th-century fort built to protect the colony from pirates. Take in the history-heavy atmosphere at the Company House Hotel, built in the 1760s. Though also a business hotel, there’s a courtyard pool, and newly renovated rooms are spacious with some traditional touches, such as wooden shutters.

Walk the streets of Frenchtown and you might hear a mix of West Indian Creole and 18th century Breton French in the local dialect. Founded in the 19th century, when the descendants of French Huguenots settled from St Barts, quirks, such as a mini Eiffel Tower outside the town museum, are physical reminders of the town’s history. On a hill above it all is Olga’s. From a waterfront cottage, to a small jungle-themed room with shared bathroom, all have harbor views and funky nods to Caribbean architecture and culture, including corrugated tin panelling, brightly painted corals, and giant mermaid artworks. Be warned, being on a hillside, there’s plenty of steps.

It’s all about the service at Gallows Point. So if you want to explore without lifting a finger, and you’re feeling especially fancy, have the concierge arrange a helicopter or horseback ride around the island for you. There’s coral reef snorkeling directly in front of the hotel, while the main town of Cruz Bay is just a five-minute walk away. Complimentary arrival and departure shuttles also make the start and end of your break refreshingly easy.