USVI: America’s Caribbean
By Melanie Reffes
Each with a character all its own, the three islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands entice with a cornucopia of Caribbean charm. From the Danish influence in St. Croix to shopping galore in St. Thomas and Mother Nature at her finest in St. John, USVI is paradise found. “Consumers are focused on value more now than ever,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, tourism commissioner. “USVI is an affordable destination that offers variety, as travelers can island-hop between St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.”
To encourage stays at the islands’ small hotels, the Department of Tourism has introduced the “Inntimate Treasures” package that includes $50 in activity coupons, $50 dining certificate, USVI-branded gift bag and bottle of Cruzan Rum. “Consumers rely on travel agents’ expertise and skills to find the destinations that cater to their unique interests and needs,” added Nicholson-Doty. “It’s important that we maintain a close connection with agents so they understand the diversity of our offerings and can communicate them to their clients.”
In order to assist travel agents in selling the destination, a Travel Agent Kit on VisitUSVI.com’s Travel Agent page includes images and video from all three islands.
St Croix: The largest of the three islands, St. Croix is chockablock with pastel-colored buildings, rolling hills and the historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted.
On the waterfront, Hotel Caravelle marries European elegance with Caribbean charm in forty-three rooms and the Rumrummer’s restaurant. “Travel agents are a great source of knowledge and experience for travelers,” said Elsie Galloway, general manager. “We have always been pleased with the partnerships we have built with travel agents and take great care of their clients.” Visit www.hotelcaravelle.com.
Beachfront and elegant, The Buccaneer is a historic 138-room resort boasting eight tennis courts, spa and golf course. www.thebuccaneer.com.
The best beaches are on the western shore including Rainbow Beach with clear waters and footprint-perfect sand. On the weekends, Dorsch Beach is packed with Crucians who bring sound systems that rock with reggae and soca.
For golfers, the Carambola Club hosts the annual LPGA Golf Tournament. Visit www.golfcarambola.com. St. George Village Botanical Gardens is inviting on a sunny afternoon and for art lovers, Caribbean Museum Center is a must-see.
A day trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument is family-friendly with Big Beard’s Adventure Tours. Visit www.bigbeards.com. Open-air in a jeep with Tan Tan Tours explores the island shore-to-shore. Visit www.stxtantantours.com.
To toast the sunset, Comanche Mill Yacht-less Club stirs and shakes Cruzan Rum cocktails named after famous yachts. With Asian-inspired décor, Galangal is new on the restaurant scene and creating a buzz with a delectable almond-crusted tilapia. For jazz fans, Blue Moon dishes up live bands on Wednesdays and Fridays. www.bluemoonstcroix.com.
St. Thomas: The port town of Charlotte Amalie shines with gourmet dining, sizzling nightlife, views of the Caribbean Sea from 1,500 feet above sea level and duty-free shopping galore. A $1,600 duty-free allowance is allowed surpassing the $800 limit on other islands.
Setting the gold standard for luxury, the 180-room Ritz-Carlton entices with four eateries including the acclaimed Bleuwater, a spa and private catamaran. The “Romance: No Planning Required” package ($594 per night with minimum five nights) includes ocean view suite, breakfast for two , $100 daily resort credit, a bottle of bubbly and Club Level access . For the ultimate in pampering, fifty-five suites on the Club Level come with concierge service and a telescope for stargazing. “Book 5 nights, Pay for 4” is valid through June 30th. Visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Carved into a mountaintop, Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort is one-stop-shopping with three pools, four tennis courts and six restaurants. Minutes from an 18-hole golf course, the resort is rated AAA Three-Diamond with 300 rooms and seven suites. Visit www.sugarbaywyndham.com.
For the wee ones, Butterfly Farm enchants with sightings of newborns taking their first flights at sunrise (www.thebutterflyfarm.com) and for the grown-ups, Havensight is a mega-mall with more than a hundred stores.
At Coki Point, Coral World Marine Park has an underwater observatory tower and 80,000 gallon coral reef tank. Visit www.coralworldvi.com. For aerial photographs, Skyride to Paradise Point glides 700 feet above sea level. Visit www.paradisepointtramway.com.
Magen’s Bay beach is all about swimming while Sapphire Beach attracts windsurfers and jet skiers and Secret Harbour is for the snorkelers in the crowd.
For delectable mango ice cream pie, Petit Pump Room is the go-to-spot while the Hubbly Bubbly Hookah Lounge sparkles with belly dancing and fruit-flavored tobacco blends.
A ferry ride from Charlotte Amalie, Water Island is a quiet retreat with no traffic and a population of two hundred. Movies are shown Monday nights on Honeymoon Beach where the Pizza Boat delivers to locals and visitors alike.
St. John: Small and scenic, St. John is the smallest of the trio. Untouched by mass tourism and with two-thirds designated as a National Park, St. John appeals to those who want a hassle-free holiday. Offshore, Coral Reef National Monument showcases submerged reefs and sea-grass beds.
Sitting pretty on Great Cruz Bay, the 320-room Westin St. John comes with Starwood amenities including a spa, Kids Club, tennis courts and shopping promenade. Visit www.westinresortstjohn.com.
Inside the National Park, Caneel Bay has been artfully designed to blend in with the natural landscape. Surrounded by seven beaches, the resort has 166 rooms with picture windows for sublime views. The famous ‘Cottage 7’ hosts celebrities and political figures who covet its privacy and four-poster beds. Visit www.caneelbay.com.
Activities in the Virgin Islands National Park include bird watching, tours of the Annaberg Sugar Mill, snorkeling and evening nature talks. Visit www.virgin.islands.national-park.com. In the heart of the park, Maho Bay Camps are tent-cottages built on platforms with an eco-astute Trash to Treasures Art Center that recycles trash into fine art. Visit www.maho.org.
For snorkeling, the Underwater Trail at Trunk Bay is legendary. On the less traveled southeast corner, Concordia Preserve is a natural salt pond with solar-powered eco-tents rentable to the adventurous. And for the ultimate R & R, a yam and pumpkin peel at the Drift Away Day Spa will remind you why you booked a vacation in the first place. Visit www.driftawaystjohn.com.
Mark your Calendar & Getting There
From April 13-17th, the Food and Wine festival is the island’s largest event.
Airlines flying to the Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas include US Airways, Delta and American Airlines. American Airlines and Delta also fly non-stop to St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
For further information visit the U.S.V.I. Tourism Board at www.usvitourism.vi