It’s been a while since I last stayed at the Pink Fancy Hotel on Prince Street in Christiansted. Even so, I have to tell you that there’s not a small hotel anywhere that I would rather recommend. The unique charms of this one-of-a-kind, legendary Caribbean inn, just took me by the heart. Charming, with an utterly relaxed atmosphere, this historic guesthouse, built in 1780, was once used by gentlemen who rode into town from sugar plantations to discuss the price of rum. Today the Pink Fancy’s courtyard pool is the congenial gathering place for a select group of travelers who look for an experience not found elsewhere on St. Croix-and one rarely to be found in the West Indies.
In today’s world of the “grand resort,” and impersonal chain hotels, the innkeepers at Pink Fancy are the antithesis of what you’d expect to find almost anywhere in the Caribbean these days. They welcome each guest individually to their small, upscale bed & breakfast inn; an inn distinguished by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and by the exceptional service offered by its owners.
Each of the 11 rooms is named for a different sugar plantation, like "Mon Bijou" (my exquisite trinket) or Lower Love, and all are comfortable, luxurious, airy with an old-world atmosphere the likes of which cannot be simply manufactured; it comes only with time and a deep abiding love and a sense of place that dates back to Danish days.
Beyond the inn lies the colonial town of Christiansted, another source of fond memories for me. Known for its National Historic Site - a seven acre park centered on the town wharf with five historic structures to explore - Christiansted’s shady, 18th century arcades offer a portal to a more genteel time, a time when the lore of sea ruled over these three tiny islands. Today, rollicking days are part of history and the arcades, once filled with ale houses and other not-so-alluring establishments, are studded with tiny shops filled with artwork, hand-crafted jewelry, and tropical treasures. Small cafes and restaurants offer eating choices from the St. Croix version of fast food to world-class cuisines.
Outside the city limits of Christiansted, St. Croix, the largest of the United States Virgin Islands – some 28 miles long and seven miles wide – the wild world of outdoor adventure awaits: world-class water sports, golf courses, white powder beaches, and remarkable plantation ruins to explore.
With steady trade winds and year-round temperatures in the balmy 80s, the island's pleasures are consistently available. Rates: Very reasonable from $120 per night to $185, depending upon the season.
Where Else to Stay in St. Croix:
There are, of course, quite a few other fine resorts in St. Croix. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Compare Prices on nights for the King Christian Hotel
- Compare Prices on nights for Carambola Beach Resort
- Compare Prices on nights for The Buccaneer
- Compare Prices on nights for Caravelle Hotel
- Compare Prices on nights for the Chenay Bay Beach Resort
Pink Fancy Hotel,
27 Prince Street,
Christiansted,
St. Croix,
U.S.V.I. 00820
Toll Free: 800-524-2045,
Tel 340-773-8460,
Fax 340-773-6448,
How to get There:
The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is the only airport in St. Croix, but it handles both international traffic and flights coming in from elsewhere in the Caribbean. The best service to this St. Croix airport is offered by American Airlines, which has connections through San Juan, Puerto Rico, from both New York City and Newark, New Jersey. The airport is just 13 miles from Christiansted, the island’s capital, which is easily reached by taxi or rental car
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
- Compare Prices on Airfare to St. Thomas, USVI
- Compare Prices on Rental Cars
Return to Review of Golf in the U.S. Virgin Islands
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