I'm in the beginning stage of planning a trip to St. Croix. The Buccaneer is a little more than we want to spend. Website's that I have used to check prices (ex. expedia) list Carambola, Chenay Bay, and Divi Carina Bay as all being 3 stars. However, I have yet to read any info on Divi on any of these forums. The photo's and prices of all three seem to put them in line with each other, but still no info. Can anyone give me any info on Divi, or why I would not want to go there? What's the beach like, clear water or coral covered bottom? Nice rooms or crappy rooms? Any info is appreciated. Thank you, Winnie

If I were to return to St. Croix, I’d probably stay at Divi for the sole reason that I prefer that side of the island. Grapetree Bay beach was one of my favorites when I lived on the island and Divi is right next to it. There are also a couple of nice beaches just to the east of Divi that are accessible by 4WD (Isaac’s & Jack’s Bay beaches). Great snorkeling at both. The best swimming beaches are located on the opposite west end of the island, just north of Fredricksted. Divi wasn’t there when I lived on STX, so I am not sure how the swimming is. Duggan’s Reef is one of my favorite restaurants and it is located a short ways from Divi. Chenay Bay would be a solid choice as well. There are some very nice, affordable villas available on STX if that is an option.

Although I agree that Divi is on a nice part of the island, it (and Carambola) are somewhat isolated from Christiansted and that would make me choose a different hotel. But that's just me as we love to go into C'sted most nights to try the great restaurants there. Agree with Caribbean Soul--Duggan's is great food and great fun.

I would look into Chenay Bay and Tamarind Reef hotels. They are better located (for my taste) and get good reviews here and on tripadvisor.

If you can't swing the Buccaneer, definitely plan to spend a day at their beach (including lunch at the Mermaid) and have a drink at the Terrace bar. It's a great place.

If you can get a rental car, then consider the Carambola. We've stayed there twice and just love it. It is secluded at the end of a road. The drive to Christiansted takes about 20 - 25 minutes but it beautiful as the road winds along the shore. The beach at the Carambola is lovely but the swimming area is small due to sea urchins. It was plenty large enough for the number of people at the resort. We would eat breakfast at the resort but ate most other meals off site; with the exception of their Friday Night Pirate's Buffet, which draws lots of locals. Try the Ft. Christian Brew Pub, by the water in Christiansted. We also like the Carambola Golf Course for either breakfast of lunch (they don't serve dinner). You sit on a terrace overlooking the golf course - the food is wonderful and relatively inexpensive.
We looked at Chenay Bay but didn't like the location as well as the Carambola. Never stayed at the Buc but understand it's quite nice, but much more expensive.

I don't know how Chenay Bay could possibly be given the same rating as Carambola and Divi. It's okay for a laid back vacation, but nowhere near the same class as the others.

Divi is very nice with many amenities. The web site is pretty accurate. If you go there I'd opt for the ocean front rooms as the villas, while not far, are up hill and can be a bit of a hike after a hard day on the beach (and it's a nice beach). I've only seen the property at Carambola, not the rooms but have heard only good things. Both Divi and Carambola are further from town that I want to be, but that's strictly my preference - YMMV.

Another property that is nice is Hotel on the Cay. It occupies the entire small island in the Christiansted harbor, has a great bool and beach, offers free ferry access to town (1.5 minutes!) and is reasonably priced. I've seen the rooms and they are more than adequate. This offers the advantage of easy access to the many shops and fine restaurants in town, but the peace and security of being away from town.

I stay at the Hotel Caravelle on the waterfront in Christiansted because a pool suits me just fine. For beach reviews you should check out http://www.gotostcroix.com/beaches/

I don’t see where any of the previous posters were putting Chenay Bay in any “class” other than it is a nice choice on St. Croix. Some people prefer the East end of St. Croix over C’sted or the West end. Chenay Bay is a 5-10 minute drive to C’sted. Not to start an argument, but HOTC is not a place I’d recommend to somebody making their first trip to STX. I’ll leave it at that. Hotel Caravelle is a good choice for someone looking to stay in C’sted.

Joanne2, Sounds like you have actually stayed at Divi, everyone has been so helpful with their information. I am kind of leaning toward Divi, because of price. It being out of the way a bit doesn't bother me, as I will probably rent a car no matter where I stay to explore the island. The only real hang up I have is the photo's on Divi's website of the beach. Just off the shore it gets really dark, and someone had mentioned Divi raking grass off the beach. I experience a grass covered bottom in St. Lucia and would not want to stay at Divi if that is the case. Do you recall what Divi's beach was like? Was it good for swimming or under the water covered in grass, coral or rock. Hoping for a nice sandy bottom. I know this may sound silly to some, but I love the calm water and sandy bottom floor, as I am not a very good swimmer and don't want to be stepping on or bumping into rock or coral, or creepy crawlies in the grass. Honestly Joanne2 if you could answer this, or if anyone else could give me info on this it would really help me to make my decision. Thank you,

Winnie, I haven't stayed at Divi, but I have gone there, taken advantage of their facilities and visited the rooms of friends who have stayed there. My recollection of the water is that there might be some sea grass, but it's not bad. Two thoughts though - First, buy a pair of cheap water socks at a place like K-Mart. Any beach can have chunks of coral kicked up and brought in by wave action. I've been to Cane Bay when it was really sandy, and I've been there when it was kind of chunky. You can throw the shoes out when you leave. Second, I'd call the Divi and ask to speak with the director of water sports (I think it's still Tito). Ask him about the water, he'll give you an honest opinion.

Caribbean Soul - in Winnie's original post she indicated that Chenay Bay, Divi and Carambola were all 3 stars. Chenay Bay is a fine place but it is not on a par with the other two, IMO. A close friend who stayed at HOTC loved it there and posted a very complete review on another board. I've been there numerous times, wouldn't stay there myself because I like actually being in town, but would recommend it to those for whom that's not a concern. Incidentally, it has been upgraded considerably and does have a sandy beach with no sea grass. It's not on a par with Divi, Carambola or Buccaneer, but then neither is the Caravelle, which I love.

beth48
Any insider information on Carambola would be greatly appreciated. I will be staying there during my honeymoon at the end of August thru the beginning of September. We are renting a vehicle and exploring the island. Also doing the Buck Island Trip. Please e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks!

Got it Joanne2. I missed the OP reference to the comparison of the three and I apologize. Having lived on the island, albeit more than a decade ago, I can only speak for how things were then. Divi didn't exist then. There was a hotel near where Divi is that was demolished by Hugo in 1989. I spent many an afternoon at the nearby Grapetree Bay beach and it became a favorite of mine. A nice beach to catch rays, not crowded and a fun place to swim (a little surf). I would definitely consider Divi on a return trip to STX, but more likely to rent a villa knowing the island as I do. HOTC was an absolute dump and an embarrassement to STX when I lived there....and that is the honest truth. Yes....I took the little 6 seat ferry over and back from C'sted...all 2 minutes of the ride. From a distance the place looked quaint and pretty....obviously extremely unique. However, being located smack in the middle of C'sted harbor is probably not the most ideal swimming, if you catch my drift. Maybe not the cleanest water....and the hotel itself....definitely run down. If improvements have been made, great, they were way overdue. As far as Carambola goes....it changes hands every 5 years. When I lived on the island I was fortunate to have played in a couple of celebrity golf events and the golfing is wonderful. I did spend one night in a room, fairly close to the beach, which is named Davis Bay beach for those who care. It is a very nice property....unfortunately the tourism industry hasn't been too kind to this wonderful isle and Carambola has suffered. It is way too far off the beaten track for my tastes....but for those desiring a really remote location and depending on hotel amenities....perfect. Chenay Bay is the right combination for our tastes....hence my recommendation.

Caribbean Soul, I couldn't agree more with how HOTC used to be - "dump" is a charitable description. The timeshare owners now actually run the place and it has taken a significant upturn - has one of the nicest pools on island, and the landscaping is coming back. I know what you're saying about the water, but folks I know with timeshares there appear unconcerned and healthy Carambola is too far out for my tastes as well, and I'm told the rooms could use some minor refurbishing, but it still gets good reviews. I've only been on the Chenay Bay property once, never in the cottages. I too would like its location closer to town if I didn't love being in town. I believe that the cottages must have been upgraded in the recent past as they used to get horrible reviews and now consistently get positive remarks.

Have you toured the ruins of the old Grapetree Hotel? It must have been a very nice place before Hugo.

Joanne: Yes….I toured the “ruins” several times. It was so eerie to me to see the property in that state. I had never seen the property pre-Hugo, so I always wondered what it may have looked like. It made be a bit sad, as well. Located on such a beautiful stretch of seashore, the jobs that were lost and the memories sure to fade away. I never did find out why it wasn’t rebuilt or purchased by a developer. I just love that part of the island with Contessa’s Castle sitting there high above looking over everything. I bet that is one heck of a view from up there!

Caribbean Soul - Yes, one does have to wonder why the Grapetree was never rebuilt. The Divi had just been built in Spring 1989 and was destroyed by Hugo, but of course they are back in operation. When we "toured" the Grapetree I actually found a local magazine from March 1989 - kept that!

I've seen the Contessa's "bat cave" (back entrance) and even met her once at lunch. She's odd (understatement) but very gracious. Even invited me to tea, but her "handlers" stepped in quickly to defer that date. They took my contact info and dates that I'm usually on island but I'm not going to hold my breath!

Just popped in here as I tried to revive fond memories of the Grapetree Bay Hotel (and possibly to find out why it appears to be impossible to go back there).
So sad to hear that it was never rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo. I stayed there just the year before Hugo and it still brings back wonderful memories. It was so well managed, so good taken care of. It was unpretentious and only a 2 to 3 star, but the location was lovely and they had a wonderful restaurant with live music at nights. Their beachside cabanas were divine - just what one imagined a Carribean vacation to be about.
Hard to find such a place again.

Five or six years ago friends stayed at Chenay Bay while I was staying down the road at Coakley Bay condos.

They were bothered badly by no-see-ums due to the site location which is in a sheltered area, down close to the water. Evidently places higher up, like Carambola and the Buc and Divi, and I'm sure others, catch the trade winds and are not bothered by no-see-ums. These can be very bad on STX. If you don't like bugs, stay someplace breezy. (This from a best friend who is 30 year STX-er)

I happened to stay at both the Buc and carambola on the same trip due to snow complications last winter. My trip report is somewhere on this board but in a nutshell carambola wasnt in the same level as the Buc. Carambola had a nicer beach, rooms are specious but old wood cabin style def not for everyone's taste, far from the city(chris.) while the Buc is 5 mins away.

Hey Ziggy--
I'm remembering that you were at the Buc with your family last February. Are you returning this year? Trying a new spot? Just curious.

Hi carol, This time we are trying Provo.. leaving in a week.
We did have a blast at the Buc tho so we def will be back. Perhaps by that time we'll need to go on president's week as well since the kids are getting older. Enjoy your trip and say hi to carol at the kids club from Olivia's and Julia's dad.

Will do!

I'll be interested to hear what you think of Provo. Always was intrigued by it but knew that Feb. weather was iffy. Have fun!