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Thinking about a vacation in the spectacular Virgin Islands? Just picture it – beautiful beaches, underwater adventures and tropical drinks with spectacular island backdrops. From St. Thomas and St. Croix to Virgin Gorda, St. John and private isles, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay within these top luxury resorts.
Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, St. Thomas
Tucked in a hillside overlooking the tranquil turquoise waters of Pacquereau Bay, Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove offers a laid-back Caribbean ambiance along with the brand’s signature amenities. This luxurious resort is reminiscent of a charming European seaside village, surrounded by a secluded, sugary sand beach with spectacular views near the historic town of Charlotte Amalie. Its design reflects British and Danish architectural influences set among a colorful tropical landscape, while facilities include an outdoor infinity pool as well as a kid’s club and children’s pool. The kids can make new friends while the adults enjoy a round at the Mahogany Run Golf Course, just minutes away, or plunge down the water slide. Tropical-themed villas include fully-equipped kitchens, a washer/dryer and furnished balconies or patios.
Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, St. Croix
The Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino is an all-inclusive property located on a peaceful stretch of beach in St. Croix, combining privacy and relaxation with upscale amenities and modern style. Spacious beachfront guest rooms and deluxe hillside suites offer private balconies with impressive ocean views, while facilities include two freshwater swimming pools, multiple restaurants and bars, an 18-hole miniature golf course and driving range, tennis courts, a day spa, fitness center and casino. Restaurant dining, use of facilities as well as guided snorkeling and kayaking tours are available to resorts guests with no additional charge
Westin St. John Resort & Villas, St. John
What may be the best family resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Westin offers a massive swimming pool, a beach with trampolines and a fantastic kids’ camp set among 47 acres of white powdery sands and soaring palms, flanked by the brilliant blue waters of Great Cruz Bay. The diverse array of activities offered include kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving and hiking at nearby Virgin Islands Natural Park. There are one, two and three-bedroom villas to choose from and a townhouse that accommodates up to eight guests. Each accommodation comes with king-sized Heavenly beds, a full-sized kitchen, a washer and dryer and gorgeous Virgin Islands views from private balconies.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St. Thomas
A family-owned and managed resort, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is nestled along a beautiful 1,000-foot sandy beach on the Caribbean Sea. It offers an all-inclusive package, and you’ll also have your pick of a wide variety of activities like sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, complimentary paddle boat use and even a free in-pool scuba diving lesson. Dine at Oasis Restaurant & Pool Bar for spectacular sea views and tropical-inspired cocktails, then sign up for a sunset sail aboard the resort’s 53-foot catamaran. Choose from one of the Ocean View Rooms with tropical vistas or Beachfront Rooms with direct access to the shoreline, while more economic Value Rooms feature partial-ocean view balconies.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Scrub Island
Scrub Island Resort dominates this private island in the British Virgin Islands, where you’ll be surrounded by white sand beaches and shallow coral reefs offering easy access to some of the best diving and snorkeling sites. World-class ocean-view suites, deluxe guest rooms and villas await, each with distinct décor showcasing local island art and awe-inspiring sea views. The three to five-bedroom villas include expansive verandas, private infinity pools as well as attentive porter and chef service. During the day, stake out a chaise lounge chair or a hammock at water’s edge, charter a catamaran and explore neighboring islands, or stay in and indulge in a treatment at the Ixora Spa.
Open for business
The Buccaneer, St Croix
The Buccaneer on St. Croix is a family-owned retreat on the picturesque northern coast, built around the historic ruins of an old sugar plantation. This resort is the longest-running in the Caribbean, welcoming guests as far back as the 17th century. The expansive property includes an 18-hole golf course, championship tennis courts, a spa and health club, a two-mile jogging trail and an array of magnificent beaches. Guests can embark on a sunset sail, while families with little ones might want to make new friends at the Kid’s Camp. Rooms are elegant yet simple, featuring modern amenities, some with whirlpool tubs, while a six-person is available for families and larger groups.
Guana Island
This 850-acre private island eco-retreat in the British Virgin Islands offers rustic old-school luxury with impeccable service for the ultimate tropical escape. Sea breezes serve as air conditioning, which is really all you’ll ever need, along with multiple sugary sand beaches and warm, azures waters that are ideal for snorkeling. The resort offers an all-inclusive experience in sea view cottages that include three meals per day, snacks, wine and use of all facilities, including tennis yoga and aromatherapy massage. Dining terraces overlook the Caribbean and Atlantic, with dinner menus featuring fresh seafood, island-grown fruits and vegetables along with house-made breads and muffins. But the best part of a stay here is that there is no marina or public facilities on the island, and with only around 30 guests here at any one time, you’ll enjoy acres and acres of beautiful landscape practically all to yourself.
Open for business
Carambola Beach Resort, St. Croix
This luxury resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands on St. Croix offers the chance to stay among an unspoiled paradise in the foothills of a rain forest nestled upon pristine white sand beaches. Villa-style rooms at Carambola Beach Resort face the Caribbean waters or lush gardens and include spacious sleeping and living areas. Whether you’re looking for lots of outdoor adventure or low-key relaxation, you’ll find it here, with the chance to swim laps at the outdoor pool, snorkel and dive right off the resort’s beach or play golf at the nearby prestigious Robert Trent Jones-designed Carambola Golf Club. Cap off an amazing day with seasonal pub fare at Flamboyant Beach Bar.
Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, St. Thomas
Overlooking Water Bay from its premiere seat atop a hillside the northeastern shoreline of St. Thomas, Sugar Bay Resort and Spa offers impressive views overlooking emerald waters to the north, British Virgin Islands and St. John to the east. Set among 31 lush tropical acres, guests enjoy an all-inclusive plan including lodging in guest rooms with satellite TV and a furnished balcony, great dining on Caribbean fare at Manor House at the multiple dining establishments as well as access to a long list of recreational activities like yoga, parasailing and tennis. Indulge in a little pampering at Journeys Spa, swim in one of the sparkling outdoor pools, soak your cares away in the hot tub and worship the sun from an isolated beach.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a more than half-century-old boutique resort known for its understated elegance, warm service and hosting the best spa in the Virgin Islands. It sits just beyond a colorful barrier reef on a crescent beach lapped by calm cerulean waters. You’ll find tranquility like few other places in the Caribbean, with an absence of commercialism that allows guests to connect to the breathtaking surroundings nestled in the island’s rolling hills. Choose from a variety of accommodations from basic rooms to beach house and oceanfront villas, all of which offer high-end toiletries and modern amenities, all just steps from the beach. Spend your days snorkeling or taking advantage of the amazing cliff-side spa with its lavish treatments and wellness classes.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
The redesigned Ritz-Carlton is as good as it gets on St. Thomas. This high-end retreat overlooks Great Bay on the eastern coast, overseen by a grand Italianate palazzo and fronted by picture-perfect white-sand beaches. Spacious guest rooms are bright and cheery, outfitted with top-of-the-line amenities, including private ocean-view balconies. Enjoy soothing treatments at the resort’s Mediterranean-style spa, or relax and soak up the sunshine by the free-form infinity pool. A short drive from the property and you can hit the links on the golf course. Dining is offered at one of the multiple oceanfront restaurants, featuring authentic Caribbean, seafood-centric and American fare.
Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda
Bitter End Yacht Club is a diving and sailing resort that opens onto the North Sound, attracting a lively crowd of sailors, beach lovers and families to one of the most unspoiled harbors in the Caribbean. Watch the boats come and go from the open-air lobby and enjoy especially tranquil digs in luxury treehouse-style accommodations high above the sea. Uniquely set upon a mile-long stretch of shorefront with velvety white sands, guests can also enjoy snorkeling, diving, windsurfing or sailing just steps from their door. After a particularly active day, you might want to head to the magnificent on-premises spa to indulge in a host of treatments, or request an in-suite massage back on your own open-air deck.
*Resort is currently closed due to hurricane rehabilitation.
Caneel Bay, St. John
Caneel Bay opened as the first eco-resort in the Caribbean, long before anyone had heard of the word. It offers an isolated enclave where guests can totally disconnect from the chaos of the outside world with its low-impact, low-rise structures fronting some of the island’s best beaches. There is no in-room Internet access or television, but you can enjoy the breathtaking setting within the Virgin Islands National Park, surrounded by pristine sands and 170 acres of palm trees. Before being shown to your room, you’ll be given a complimentary bottle of island rum. Once there, you’ll find Caribbean-inspired décor, plush robes and luxurious bath products. The property also offers a wide variety of activities, including sunset cruises, yoga and tennis, as well as five restaurants with an array of delicious cuisine.
*Resort is currently closed due to hurricane rehabilitation.
Peter Island Resort, Peter Island
Conde Nast Traveler named Peter Island Resort as one of its “Best Places to Stay in the World.” This private island offers all the exclusivity and romance you’d expect, with stylish rooms set among 1,200 acres of mountainous terrain and magnificent beaches. The only way to get to this largest private island in the British Virgin Islands is by boat or helicopter. Once you’re here, the resort features self-contained luxury villas that offer the ideal balance of the comfort and intimacy of a villa along with the top-notch amenities of a lavish resort. The villa director will customize your stay in advance of your arrival, and you’ll also have personal villa staff, European chefs, a private helicopter pad and SUV. Open-air restaurants serve innovative cuisine which adds island flair to international favorites. Enjoy relaxing treatments at the massive spa, built own its own secluded beach at the edge of the water, or go snorkeling among sea turtles in the brilliant coral reefs.
*Resort is currently closed due to hurricane rehabilitation.
