The best hotels in St. Croix

Basic cabins and tent sites right on the North Shore, steps from the famous Cane Bay dive wall. This is not a polished property, but the location is hard to beat for divers and snorkelers. Facilities are simple and shared bathrooms are clean enough. The on-site dive shop makes it genuinely convenient for underwater enthusiasts. Bring your own supplies since the nearest grocery store is a drive away.

This small historic inn sits on Prince Street in the heart of Christiansted, a short walk from the National Historic Site and the waterfront boardwalk. The colonial-era building has real character and the rooms are individually decorated with antiques. The pool area is small but pleasant for the price point. Staff are friendly and genuinely helpful with restaurant recommendations. Not ideal if you want resort amenities, but great if you want a local feel.

The Caravelle sits directly on the Christiansted boardwalk, which means you wake up to harbor views and have restaurants and bars within a two-minute walk. Rooms are straightforward and well maintained without being fancy. The pool is small but overlooks the water, which makes up for its size. This is one of the better-positioned hotels in town for exploring Danish colonial architecture and waterfront dining. Parking can be tight during busy season.

Chenay Bay sits on a calm, protected beach on the East End, making it one of the safer swimming spots on the island for children. The property offers cottages spread across well-kept grounds with a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. There is a good amount of water sports equipment available for guests. The restaurant on site is decent but limited, so renting a car to explore Christiansted for dinner is worthwhile. It feels genuinely low-key compared to larger resort properties.

Tamarind Reef is located in Teague Bay on the eastern side of the island, about ten minutes from downtown Christiansted. The resort has direct beach access and one of the better snorkeling reefs right off the property. Rooms are clean and updated with a casual Caribbean feel. The two-pool setup and on-site bar keep most guests happy without needing to leave. Service is consistent and the staff are good about accommodating dive and snorkel trip bookings.

The Holger Danske sits on King Street in Christiansted, close enough to the boardwalk to walk to dinner but far enough to avoid most of the noise. The property is a renovated Danish colonial building with a courtyard pool that is genuinely inviting. Rooms are on the smaller side but are well-appointed and kept very clean. The price-to-location ratio here is better than most options in downtown Christiansted. A good base for someone who wants to explore the island without paying resort rates.

Sugar Beach is set on a calm stretch of west coast beach north of Frederiksted, surrounded by the ruins of an old sugar mill. The condo-style units are spacious and most have full kitchens, which is a real advantage for longer stays. Sunsets from the west-facing beach here are genuinely spectacular. The property is quieter than East End resorts and Frederiksted town is a ten-minute drive for dining and the pier. A great option for couples who want space and scenery over nightlife.

Waves at Cane Bay is a small, well-run hotel directly on the North Shore, with the Cane Bay dive wall accessible from the beach in front of the property. Rooms are comfortable and the ones facing the ocean are worth the slight upgrade. The on-site restaurant and bar are popular with both guests and locals, which keeps things lively in the evenings. Staff here are consistently cited as friendly and attentive. This is the best option on the North Shore for divers who want a proper bed and good food.

The Buccaneer is one of the oldest and most established full-service resorts on St. Croix, set on a 340-acre estate east of Christiansted that dates back to the 17th century. The property has three private beaches, eight tennis courts, a spa, and multiple restaurants all on site. Rooms range from garden cottages to beachfront suites and the quality is reliably high throughout. The hilltop setting offers sweeping views of the coastline that are hard to match anywhere else on the island. This is the benchmark luxury property on St. Croix.

Carambola sits on Davis Bay on the quieter northwest coast, set within a lush tropical landscape designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. who also built the adjacent golf course. The resort offers large, well-furnished rooms in low-rise buildings spread across manicured grounds. Davis Bay Beach is one of the longest and most beautiful on the island, with calm water and very little foot traffic. The on-site dining is genuinely good and the isolation makes it feel like a proper retreat. Renting a car is recommended since the location is remote from most of the island's attractions.