Photo Courtesy of The Buccaneer
For over 350 years the estate that is now the luxurious The Buccaneer resort has lorded it over St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1653 Charles Martel, a Knight of Malta, constructed the first building on the oceanfront Estate Shoys where The Buccaneer is located.
After the Danes bought the island in 1733, Governor von Prock built his residence there, and in 1947 it first opened as a hotel with 11 rooms. All the original buildings survive on the property, the longest running resort in the Caribbean, which has been artfully updated and added to over the intervening decades; and the resort's blend of casual elegance with a Caribbean flair attracted the likes of President Jimmy Carter, Arthur Ashe, Lauren Bacall and Michael Jackson. Set on 340 picturesque acres The Buccaneer boasts its own 18-hole golf course, where Ted Kennedy once teed off.
Now the storied resort has unveiled its largest and most luxurious suite ever, ensuring it continues to attract A-list travelers well into the next century. The Ficus Suite overlooks one of the property's three perfect beaches and infinity-edge pool. It features two master bedrooms with opulent en-suite baths, sharing an expansive balcony with views of the pool and ocean. In addition there are two sitting areas, a dining room and kitchenette, and pull-out sofas for flexible accommodations. There's also the option of joining the Ficus Suite to the adjacent one-bedroom Frigate Suite with connecting balcony and the Frigate Room for the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Rates for the suite begin at $1,850 per night during the peak season ending on April 15.
Aside from the Ficus Suite, the Doubloons, named for the pirate booty once found on sunken pirate ships, are the top drawer draw. Situated at the end of one of the resort’s beaches, adjacent to the golf course, the villa-style accommodations feature lavish baths with dressing areas, large private outdoor spaces looking out onto the ocean and Christiansted Harbor. There are three options for dining on the property, ranging from the elegant Terrace restaurant where complimentary breakfast is also served, to an elegant bar/lounge and the casual beachside Mermaid café. Evening fine dining at the Wine Spectator award-winning Terrace is accompanied by extensive selections of both vintages and beers from around the globe. Private dining in the property’s ruined sugar mill can also be arranged.
In addition to the beaches, golf course and a wide range of watersports, The Buccaneer has eight tennis courts including two lit for night play. A soothing spa offers a wide variety of treatments while a chic boutique provides a retail therapy fix. The Buccaneer is located near the quaint Danish town of Christiansted, the island’s principal town. St. Croix is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, though its remains low key with a strong agricultural heritage from its Danish colonial past. Buck Island, with a protected reef known as one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea, is a frequent destination for visitors and the site of a national monument created by John F. Kennedy in 1961. Visit TheBuccaneer.com to learn more.
