ST. CROIX - Virgin Islands - page 152

Christiansted
Only one hotel in Christiansted is located on a good swimming beach: Hotel on the
Cay (see below). As luck would have it, this beach is easily reached by a 4-minute,
$3 ferry ride from the main harbor in town.
MODERATE
Hibiscus Beach Hotel This casual boutique hotel, on one of the island's best
beaches, attracts a lively clientele of the sandals-and-sunscreen type. The accom-
modations are in six two-story white-and-blue buildings. Each guest room is a retreat
unto itself, with a private patio or balcony and a view of the Caribbean, plus tasteful
Caribbean furnishings and floral prints. Shower-only bathrooms are small but well
maintained. Guests who stay here are a bit isolated and will find a car useful.
4131 La Grande Princesse (about 3 miles northwest of Christiansted, beside Rte. 75, next to the Cormo-
rant), St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820. www.1hibiscus.com. & 800/442-0121 in the U.S., or 340/718-4042. Fax
340/718-7668. 38 units. Winter $200-$295 double; off season $150-$245 double. Honeymoon, dive,
and golf packages available. AE, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; babysitting; pool (outdoor);
watersports (snorkeling). In room: A/C, ceiling fan, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Hotel Caravelle The biggest hotel in the historic core of Christiansted,
Hotel Caravelle often caters to vacationers and international business travelers who
prefer to be near the center of town. Many sports activities, such as sailing, deep-sea
fishing, snorkeling, scuba, golf, and tennis, can be arranged at the reception desk. A
swimming pool and sun deck face the water, and all the shopping and activities in
town are close at hand. The Caribbean restaurant RumRunners (p. 162) sits right
on the water. Accommodations, which are generally spacious and comfortably fur-
nished, are priced according to their views. Bedrooms are a bit small but are still
comfortable. We prefer the rooms on the third floor because they have high ceilings
and the best views, although there are no elevators. The least expensive units open
onto a parking lot. Be sure to ask when booking to avoid the view of your rental car.
44A Queen Cross St., Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820. www.hotelcaravelle.com. & 800/524-
0410 or 340/773-0687. Fax [phone] units. Winter $170-$190 double, $340 suite; off season
$140-$160 double, $209 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; pool (outdoor); Wi-Fi
(free). In room: A/C, TV, fridge.
Hotel on the Cay With its buff-colored stucco, terra-cotta tiles, and archways,
this rather sterile-looking hotel evokes Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, but
it's the most prominent building on a 5-acre island set in the middle of Christiansted's
harbor. Reaching it requires a 4-minute boat ride from a well-marked quay in the
town center (hotel guests ride free; nonguests pay $3 round-trip). Its position in the
clear waters of the harbor is both its main plus and its main drawback: Its wide, sandy
beaches provide the only pollution-free swimming in the town center, but it's the first
hotel to be battered when a hurricane strikes.
The 50-year-old property is believed to have been the inspiration for Herman's
Wouk's Don't Stop the Carnival, perhaps the most famous novel ever written about
the Caribbean. It does provide adequate, simple, and clean accommodations near the
beach. Units are fairly roomy, and open onto small metal-railed balconies with a view
of the garden or Christiansted Harbor. There's a watersports center on-site, where you
can rent windsurfing and snorkeling equipment, as well as jet skis. The restaurant,
Harbormaster (p. 163), is the only choice on the cay, but really hits the spot after a
long day at the beach.

5

152