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Want to book a Christmas to remember? There are many hotels and resorts offering special festivities, holiday packages, and all sorts of unique events for the holidays, and now is the time to book before rooms are sold out. Whether you’re thinking of the tropics or a winter wonderland, there’s sure to be the perfect place on this list.
Hotel del Coronado - Coronado, California
Christmas is fun at the beach, especially when it’s at this beachfront hotel in San Diego. During the holidays, the Hotel del Coronado is a shimmering dream, a holiday fantasy with the iconic red turrets covered with sparkling lights and a 35-foot Christmas tree. There will be plenty of events to make the most of the season, too, like photos with Santa, holiday movies under the stars, and s’more making on the sand. On Christmas Day, there will be a holiday feast featuring an elegant buffet with all the enticing trimmings, and a number of gourmet surprises enjoyed among the gorgeous decor.
Key Amenities:
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Plenty of events, including photos with Santa, holiday movies under the stars, and s’more-making on the sand
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Christmas Day feast featuring an elegant buffet
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Fully decked out resort with sparkling lights and a 35-foot Christmas tree
Viceroy Snowmass - Snowmass Village, Colorado
Viceroy Snowmass is a winter wonderland in Colorado. Look forward to excursions like sleigh rides and snowshoe adventures, along with a long list of holiday experiences. Ullr Nights On Snowmass Mountain is one of the best, where they honor the Norse God of Snow — Ullr — with Ullr Nights, a nighttime winter wonderland party at Elk Camp on Snowmass. Take an evening gondola ride up to Elk Camp for outdoor winter activities such as tubing, ice skating, and snow biking, then make s’mores and hot chocolate by the bonfire. Dance to live music and kids will love the fun activities and entertainment downstairs in The Tent.
Key Amenities:
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Excursions available, including sleigh rides and snowshoe adventures
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Host of Ullr Nights on Snowmass Mountain, a nighttime winter wonderland party
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Easy access to outdoor winter activities like tubing, ice skating, and snow biking
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Fun activities and entertainment for the kids at The Tent
130 Wood Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, USA— +1 877-235-7577
Disney's Wilderness Lodge - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Disney World is magical any time of year, but it comes alive with holiday spirit during Christmastime. While there are multiple Disney World properties, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the undisputed MVP when it comes to Christmas. It comes complete with a spectacularly decorated 60-foot tree in the lobby and plenty of other enchanting decor coupled with holiday music in the background and roaring fireplaces. Plus, it’s tucked in a pine forest with shuttles that transport guests to the parks. The rooms have log cabin-style furnishings and private balconies, while the grounds include two pools, a beach playground, three restaurants, a spa, and a fitness center.
Key Amenities:
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Fully decked out lobby with a 60-foot tree, roaring fireplaces, and holiday music playing
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Complimentary shuttles to the Disney parks
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Cozy rooms with log cabin-style furnishings and private balconies
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Access to two pools, a beach playground, a spa, a fitness center, and multiple restaurants on-site
901 Timberline Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA— +1 407-824-3200
Barnsley Resort - Adairsville, Georgia
Barnsley Resort will light up the holidays in the Blue Ridge foothills, with its famous gardens illuminated with more than a million colorful holiday lights. There will be holiday-themed events like gingerbread house crafting, a wreath crafting workshop, breakfast with Santa, a Christmas brunch, and more.
Key Amenities:
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Illuminated gardens with more than a million colorful holiday lights
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Holiday-themed events, including gingerbread house making and a wreath crafting workshop
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Breakfast with Santa and a Christmas Brunch available
597 Barnsley Gardens Rd NW, Adairsville, GA 30103, USA— +1 770-773-7480
The Langham - Chicago, Illinois
One of Chicago’s top hotels, The Langham, Chicago offers an idyllic location on Wabash Avenue along the Chicago River and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the city skyline and the water traffic. At Christmas, it goes all out with an elaborate tree and “Snowy Gingerbread Chicago,” with Chicago’s iconic architecture, including landmarks like the John Hancock building, Marina Towers, Wrigley Building, and The Langham itself all made from gingerbread. Special packages are offered for the holidays, too, like the Christmas suite experience that includes a savory in-suite dinner. The Festive Family Swim package includes private access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, luxurious accommodations, poolside snacks, and holiday-themed floats.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline and water traffic
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Fully decorated with an elaborate tree and their famous “Snowy Gingerbread Chicago” replica
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Special holiday packages available, including private access to the indoor pool and holiday-themed floats
The Roosevelt New Orleans - New Orleans, Louisiana
Christmas is a fabulous time to be in New Orleans, and The Roosevelt New Orleans is one of the best places you could stay. The city boasts elaborate light displays and shows like Celebration in the Oaks in City Park, Audubon Zoo Lights, Luna Fete, caroling, holiday concerts, and the annual Christmas Eve lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River – a seasonal tradition that’s as authentically “New Orleans” as you’ll find. You can’t miss festive hotel lobbies such as The Roosevelt’s impressive canopy of lights and an aisle of white Christmas trees. For 80 years, locals and visitors alike have been making this grand hotel a top stop on their holiday tours. There will even be a gingerbread village illustrating the beloved Louisiana holiday classic “Cajun Night Before Christmas,” with alligators replacing Santa’s reindeer and a festive holiday tea.
Key Amenities:
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Lobby decked out with an impressive canopy of lights and an aisle of white Christmas trees
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Gingerbread house village illustrating the classic “Cajun Night Before Christmas”
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Access to a rooftop pool with city views and holiday lights
130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA— +1 504-335-3138
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center - Aurora, Colorado
There are many reasons to enjoy the holidays in Denver and the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is your best base. Not only is it the gateway to the Rockies for those looking for a ski trip, but there are plenty of Colorado’s best holiday events happening right in the city, including the annual Denver Christkindlmarkt, a traditional European Holiday Market. Then there are the famous Denver Zoo Lights, ice skating, and shopping downtown. Gaylord Rockies Resort transforms into a holiday wonderland with activities and events like Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, snow tubing, ice skating, gingerbread decorating, and much more.
Key Amenities:
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The home of events like Cirque: Spirit of Christmas and gingerbread decorating
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Easy access to snow tubing and ice skating
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Close to Denver’s holiday events, including the Christkindlmarkt and Denver Zoo Lights
6700 N Gaylord Rockies Blvd, Aurora, CO 80019, USA— +1 720-452-6900
The Resort at Paws Up - Greenough, Montana
For the quintessential postcard-perfect Christmas, it’s hard to beat The Resort at Paws Up. This luxury Montana wilderness property offers the ultimate White Christmas that can be enjoyed by snowmobiling, dogsledding, tubing, sleigh rides, and building gingerbread houses. There’s a holiday package that makes it even more worth booking, with accommodations in a luxury home decked out with a Christmas tree, all meals and some beverages, and even a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Key Amenities:
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Easy access to snowmobiling, dogsledding, and tubing
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Holiday packages available, including accommodation in a luxury home with a Christmas tree, meals, and a visit from Santa included
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Events like gingerbread house-making and sleigh rides
Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa - Aurora, New York
Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa is made up of five different buildings, each with its own Christmas tree and a unique decorating scheme. There will be many special activities and events like Silent Night Candlelight Yoga, ornament painting, a workshop on Holiday Letterpress Card Printing, and a holiday shopping shuttle that will bring you to walkable downtown Skaneateles to shop and enjoy the Dickens Christmas Celebration, which includes more than 50 costumed actors portraying characters from A Christmas Carol. Plus, the property has a farm-to-table eatery, casual pub, village market, and an impressive spa.
Key Amenities:
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Special activities and events, including a holiday letterpress card printing workshop, ornament painting, and candlelight yoga
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Holiday shopping shuttle for rides to downtown Skaneateles
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Farm-to-table eatery, casual pub, village market, and spa on-site
Lotte New York Palace - New York, New York
New York City at Christmas is something everyone should experience at least once, and at Lotte New York Palace in Midtown Manhattan, you can enjoy the perfect mix of old-world elegance and new-world luxury at one of New York City’s best hotels for Christmas. It’s just a short walk from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the holiday windows of famous department stores. The hotel itself typically hosts its own breathtaking Christmas tree right behind the gates of its Madison Avenue courtyard, along with smaller trees. There might even be some elaborately decorated gingerbread houses at the top of the grand staircase. “Palace Hour” features complimentary fresh-baked sweets every afternoon in the lobby, and you’ll have a 7,000-square-foot fitness center to help you work it off.
Key Amenities:
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Complimentary fresh-baked sweets every afternoon in the lobby
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Access to a 7,000-square-foot fitness center
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Steps from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Inn on Biltmore Estate - Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is one of the best places to spend Christmas on the East Coast, with dazzling light displays and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping along with a picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain setting. A stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate is sure to make for an experience of a lifetime, as one of just a few true “castles” in the country made even more magnificent with 55 hand-decorated trees, 1,000 live poinsettias, and 7,500 feet of fresh evergreen garland. It hosts Candlelight Christmas Evenings with exclusive four-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.
Key Amenities:
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Castle setting with 55 hand-decorated trees, a thousand poinsettias, and fresh evergreen garland hung
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Hosts Candlelight Christmas Evenings with four-course Christmas Eve and Day dinners
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Plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping
AC Hotel Columbus Dublin - Dublin, Ohio
The AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, a Marriott property, has in the past featured holiday events on its rooftop restaurant and bar. The outdoor area offers sweeping views of the Scioto River, the charming village of Dublin, and during the holidays, often snow. The rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtful touches like bottled water and bath products.
Key Amenities:
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Rooftop restaurant and bar with featured holiday events
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Sweeping views of the Scioto River and village of Dublin from the hotel’s outdoor spaces
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Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtful touches like bottled water and bath products
Historic Hotel Bethlehem - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
What could be more appropriate than the little town of Bethlehem at Historic Hotel Bethlehem? This one is in Pennsylvania, so you won’t need your passport, and it hosts a renowned German-inspired Christmas City Village and Christkindlmarkt with rotating displays by artisans, live music, and glass-blowing demonstrations. A stay at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem is the perfect compliment, complete with some 35,000 holiday lights, multiple Christmas trees, giant toy soldiers, and of course, a manger. There’s even an on-site restaurant overlooking Behtlehem’s historic Main Street.
Key Amenities:
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Hosts a renowned German-inspired Christmas City Village and Christkindlmarkt
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Fully decorated with 35,000 holiday lights, multiple Christmas trees, and giant toy soldiers
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On-site restaurant serving award-winning breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Montage Palmetto Bluff - Bluffton, South Carolina
Montage Palmetto Bluff was once voted one of the top 10 resort hotels in the South in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. You can enjoy many festive experiences and traditional holiday activities when staying here. That includes Breakfast with Santa, a Christmas-themed concert, and the Festive Frolic Frenzy – complete with holiday bounce houses and games, along with many other events. You don’t want to miss the Moreland Holiday Gathering for an oyster roast and low country boil on Christmas Eve! Plus, there are multiple restaurants and bars, a fabulous spa, and a wide range of luxurious accommodation options.
Key Amenities:
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Holiday events and experiences, including Breakfast with Santa, a Christmas-themed concert, and holiday bounce houses and games
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Oyster roast and low country boil on Christmas Eve
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Home to multiple restaurants and a luxury spa
Blackberry Farm - Walland, Tennessee
Blackberry Farm is a luxury hotel/working farmstead that sits on a spectacular 4,200-acre estate in the Smoky Mountains about 40 minutes south of Knoxville. During the holidays, all the classic Christmas festivities can be enjoyed, from visits with Santa to cookie decorating, candlelight caroling, and family activities. Lodging is in historic rooms, cottages, suites, and three- to five-bedroom houses, and there’s a James Beard award-winning restaurant on-site.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in historic rooms, cottages, suites, and three- to five-bedroom houses
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Christmas activities, including visits from Santa, cookie decorating, and candlelight caroling
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Home to a James Beard award-winning restaurant
1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886, USA— +1 800-557-8864
Topnotch Resort - Stowe, Vermont
Topnotch boasts a prime location just a few miles from the base of Vermont’s tallest peak, Mount Mansfield, perfect for enjoying world-class skiing at Christmastime, and a free shuttle service is available to get you there. Plus, the resort’s 30,000-square-foot mega-spa is where you’ll want to be to soothe those sore muscles afterward, perhaps with a Swedish massage or a custom healing session. You’ll also have easy access to Stowe’s extensive trail system, which makes it perfect for enjoying all sorts of other winter activities like Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, fat tire biking, and sleigh rides.
Key Amenities:
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Free shuttle service to the Mount Mansfield ski slopes
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Home to a 30,000-square-foot mega-spa with a menu of Swedish massages and custom healing sessions
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Easy access to Stowe’s extensive trail system for Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, fat tire biking, and sleigh rides
The Greenbrier - White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
An American institution, The Greenbrier is renowned for going all out for the holidays. It puts on an Ugly Sweater Dinner Party and shows festive holiday movies in the Greenbrier Theatre, a “Reindeer” Fun Run, cookie decorating workshops for the kids, and a variety of mixology classes for the adults, and worship services, among many other festivities in a jam-packed itinerary. The property has multiple restaurants, a spa, and a casino, while accommodations range from traditional rooms and cottages to four-bedroom houses and seven-bedroom suites.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in traditional rooms, cottages, four-bedroom houses, and seven-bedroom suites
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Hosts events like an Ugly Sweater Dinner Party, a “Reindeer” Fun Run, holiday movies in the Greenbrier Theatre, and more
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Multiple restaurants, a spa, and a casino on-site
101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA— +1 855-453-4858
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers a time-honored Midwest holiday tradition, its Christmas in the Country celebration. Providing something for all ages, it has festive programming and special dining experiences. Enjoy breakfast with Santa, and if you’d like, you can even have a fully decorated Christmas tree in your hotel room or private villa. There’s even a “magical mailbox” for delivering letters for Santa to the North Pole, along with a wide range of outdoor activities, including family-friendly snow sports. Guests can enjoy the waterpark that’s open year-round at Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark next door too.
Key Amenities:
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Festive programming and special dining experiences, like breakfast with Santa
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Option to have a fully decorated Christmas tree in your room or villa
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Magical mailbox” for delivering letters for Santa
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Access to the year-round waterpark at Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark next door
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA— +1 (877) 741-9598
Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Families who stay at the Osthoff Resort on Christmas Eve are treated to a complimentary hot chocolate bar, cookies, and live piano music. Children will wake up on Christmas Day to a stocking full of treats, games, and a special gift from the man himself. Children’s holiday workshops, cookie and ornament decorating, breakfast with Santa at the Winter Wonderland Brunch, and a horse-drawn wagon ride with a cup of hot chocolate to warm up at the end are all part of it too. In fact, there will even be an Old World Christmas Market similar to the centuries-old Christkindlmarkt of Nüremberg, Germany, among many other fun festivities, including “A Magical Christmas with Elvis” concert.
Key Amenities:
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Complimentary hot chocolate bar, cookies, and live piano music
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Children’s holiday workshops and events, like cookie and ornament decorating, breakfast with Santa, and a horse-drawn wagon ride
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Host of the Old World Christmas Market and “A Magical Christmas with Elvis” concert
101 Osthoff Ave, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020, USA— +1 855-876-3399
InterContinental The Willard - Washington D.C.
Located just minutes from the White House, dating back more than 200 years, every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce has stayed at The Willard, earning it its name of “the Residence of Presidents.” As one can imagine, it’s loaded with luxuries, and during the holidays, it’s magical. In the gilded hall of Peacock Alley, lined with Christmas trees and adorned with whimsical décor, enjoy the sounds of a live harpist. There are caroling performances from local vocal and choral ensembles in the grand lobby, Christmas dinners and holiday cocktails, and more. For the ultimate stay, book the Holiday Suite Soiree, which includes a multiple-course dinner menu with wine pairing in one of the most iconic presidential suites with views of iconic D.C. landmarks.
Key Amenities:
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Fully decorated with Christmas trees, whimsical decor, and live harp music playing
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Holiday events, like caroling performances from local vocal and choral ensembles, Christmas dinners, and holiday cocktails
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Holiday packages available, including a multi-course dinner menu and wine pairing in the most iconic presidential suite
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA— +1 202-628-9100
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas - U.S. Virgin Islands
If you prefer sand to snow, consider heading to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You’ll enjoy not only plenty of sunshine and a carnival ambiance but also special festivities for the entire month of December. There will be a long list of offerings, with highlights that include decked-out poolside cabanas that are ideal for tropical Christmas morning gift unwrapping, a life-sized Christmas Tree sand castle creation on the beach, excursions on the property’s own luxury sailboat, and much more.
Key Amenities:
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Decked-out poolside cabanas
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Life-sized Christmas Tree sand castle on the beach
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Excursions on the property’s own luxury sailboat
6900 Great Bay, Nazareth, St Thomas 00802, USVI— +1 340-775-3333
