Soak in the natural beauty of St. Croix while staying at The Buccaneer, the Virgin Island’s longest running resort. According to Business Traveler USA, this 340-acre beachfront resort offers plenty of diversion for sun-starved travelers, especially Americans not interested in dealing with the restrictions and regulations of international travel.
WHERE IS IT?
About 30 minutes by car from St. Croix’s airport, this Historic Hotels of America member soldiers on as the nicest resort on the island. It dates back to the 1940s and has welcomed vacationers from around the world for years.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The gated entrance leads guests through a palm tree-lined driveway and the resort’s own golf course and pro shop. Pink-hued buildings soon appear on the hill, and it quickly becomes apparent that this is a historic, special place. Once a sugar plantation, many reminders remain, most notably the sugar mill overlooking the bay below. Guests can visit and even organize romantic dinners there. Once inside the relaxed, yet sophisticated, lobby, rum punch proves to be a nice welcome as guests check in. The stunning views of turquoise water just off the terrace beckon guests further past the concierge and bar area. Notable around the property are colorful murals and tile designs that depict scenes from the island’s history. They are conversation starters, especially in the bar and lounge where live music is a feature of most evenings.
The pool is shrouded with palm trees and leads to a private beach area. A separate beach area around a cove is lined with palm tree-covered lounge chairs plus a few cabanas available to certain premium room categories. Families love to splash in the pool or enjoy the shade nearby. There are also some sunken lounge chairs into the pool for a bit of sunny refreshment. Non-motorized watersports are available to guests without charge as is basketball and a well-equipped fitness center. In addition to tennis and golf, the connected concierge can help organize other island activities.
Exuding original charm throughout the property, the accommodations boast polished terra cotta floors, four-poster beds in many rooms, furnished terraces or patios, and ample closet space. What makes the rooms so different here are their location and layout. Depending on where they are, the views change from pool or beach-facing to hilltop bay view rooms. Others overlook the tennis courts and resort gardens. Based on your needs and price range, there is plenty of variety to choose from including some garden-facing rooms in the main reception building. The priciest options are the “Doubloons,” located directly on the beach with whirlpool tubs and walk-in closets. Several suites come with extra living space and a multi-bedroom Beach House is the cream of the crop for its amenities, privacy and views.
Family-owned, The Buccaneer takes great pride in the upkeep of the resort. In fact, this is the longest-running, family-owned resort in the Caribbean. You might regularly see the general manager serving meals or other executives doing daily tasks around the grounds. There is careful attention to COVID-19 protocols, too, with mask requirements indoors, plastic barriers at reception and extra cleaning measures throughout the hotel.
Read the full article here.
Read more about the history of The Buccaneer here.
About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels. Each fascinating place has been inducted into this distinguished program based upon noteworthy standards, including quality of accommodations, historic significance, record of preserving authenticity, sense of place and architectural integrity.
