We would like to visit St. Croix in early June and want a recommendation on a hotel that isn't as big or all-inclusive as the Buccaneer. Any suggestions on a smaller hotel or bed and breakfast?

Hotel Caravelle is a nice choice. It is located right in Christiansted and walking distance from many restaurants and shops. Chenay Bay Resort is another nice choice about 5 miles east of C'sted. There is Divi on Grapetree Bay....but I am not familiar with the property as it used to be called the Grapetree Bay Resort until Hugo came a blowin' and left it an unoccupied shell for many years when I lived on the island. There are other properties west of C'sted....but I always preferred the East End. There is also a nice assortment of villas on the island at a fraction of the prices on St. John and other islands. Worth looking into. Hope this helps!

We enjoyed the Hibiscus Beach Hotel. Robert

We visited St. Croix in March 2003 and stayed at the Carambola Resort. We loved it! It has been desribed as Hibiscus on the mountain side because of its pink roofed villas. The rooms were large and clean but not fancy. The hotel is off the beaten path and car rental for exploration is highly recommended. The beach is rocky in spots and definately quiet. Good for relaxation! Down the road is an excellent open air breakfast spot, Off The Wall. A trip to Buck Island also is a must!

I agree that the Caravelle is an excellent choice. Superb staff and great location right by restaurants, shops, and historic sites. If you need a beach there is one just a five minute walk and 90 second ferry ride away at Hotel on the Cay - good snorkeling there.

BTW, the Divi is not on the site of the old Grapetree resort, which is now ruins. The Divi was battered during Hugo, but has rebuilt as a very nice resort. My only objection to the Divi and Carambola (and it is strictly peculiar to me) is that they are well removed from town. I like the variety of being in town.

As I've posted before, I am a fan of the Carambola and love the fact that it's secluded. It's location is beautiful as is the beach. The swimming area is small due to sea urchins, but is adequate for the number of people at the resort. They were beginning to update the rooms last year while we were there - they're not horrible; we love the screened-in porch. By all means, rent a car and explore!

JoAnne: There was not a Divi resort on St. Croix before Hugo. Not sure where you got that info.

JoAnne: "St. Croix's first casino is scheduled to open in September in the island's scenic eastern end, on the grounds of a hotel resort, Grapetree Bay Hotel, that was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo and is now being rebuilt as the 200-room Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino. The hotel, owned by Grapetree Shores, Inc., is expected to open a few months ahead of the casino, in April or May."

CaribbeanSoul: Not to put too fine a point on it, but I toured the Divi looking at timeshares in February 1989 before Hugo (September 1989). I still have pictures from that trip and they have rebuilt almost exactly the same. The Divi was pretty well trashed by the hurricane and for many years the locals lamented that nothing was done to the property. It was damaged again, just as they were starting to rebuild in 1999, by hurricane Lenny. I had friends that were working on the project.

I toured the ruins of the old Grapetree last March - it's close to the Divi, but definitely a different site.

I believe it's a press release you're quoting, but it is not accurate - I've been to both properties.