19 Best Hotels in U.S. Virgin Islands

This adults-only boutique hotel saucily beckons you to “Sleep with Fred” in one of a dozen bright and stylishly appointed guest rooms housed in a quartet of new and restored colonial buildings. Reception and the lobby are in Totten House, which dates from 1790 but has been colorfully redecorated with bright blue walls, lime leather couches, and an oversized framed painting of a jaunty rooster. The centrally located pool is steps from the bar, restaurant, blingy boutique shop, and a pint-size spa, and a roof deck makes a good vantage point for people-watching. 

This historic townhouse built in 1756 is located in the center of town within walking distance to art galleries, duty-free shops, custom jewelers, fine restaurants, waterfront bars, and the seaplane terminal. A wooden bridge over the street connects the older building to the pool and some newer rooms. Although it doesn't offer the amenities of a chain hotel, it was good enough for former President Jimmy Carter when he visited St. Croix in 2010. If you want to go to a beach, take a short walk to catch the Protestant Cay ferry.

Facing a lovely stretch of sand, this condo complex has a collection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, as well as amenities such as a pool, a hot tub, and tennis and pickleball courts. All units are spacious, air-conditioned, and have kitchens and balconies or patios. You have easy access to shopping and restaurants in nearby Christiansted, but you need a car to get there. Le Cuisinier Restaurant & Bar provides lunch and dinner service if you tire of cooking. Be mindful, however, that the location doesn't encourage strolls through the neighborhood after dusk.

This small condominium complex with studio, two-, and three-bedroom apartments is a 10-minute walk from Cruz Bay, but it's insulated from the town's noise in a sleepy suburban neighborhood. You can swim and snorkel at the small beach or relax poolside and catch some rays. Rooms have a fresh feel; each is a little bit different in decor, with whites, blues, and greens predominating in the color scheme. Colorful artwork by St. John artist Elaine Estern graces the walls.

In a string of condominium complexes, Colony Cove lets you experience comfortable beachfront living, offering large units that all have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and washer–dryer combos—it's a good choice for families. All have tile floors and typical tropical furnishings. There's also a restaurant and a pool. The neighborhood isn't the best, so don't plan on strolling too far at night.

With an elegant lobby, including a grand piano, and serviceable rooms, this hotel provides affordable accommodations in the heart of Christiansted. The superior and deluxe rooms are a tad more luxurious in the way of décor; the classic rooms have tropical accents, lots of space, and tile floors throughout. A stay here puts you just steps from the town's historic sites, shopping, and restaurants.

You get beachfront ambience at this reasonably priced miniresort tucked beneath the palm trees, but the trade-off is that it's directly across from a noisy airport runway. You'll definitely want to spend time on the white-sand beach, which can be seen from nearly every room in the four three-story, lime-color buildings. Stay here if you need the beach on a budget or if you have an early-morning flight. The Emerald Cafe opens at 6 am with hot coffee, smoothies, and grab-and-go fare.

If you want a laid-back atmosphere steps from interesting restaurants and shops, this is a decent choice offering basic but comfortable waterfront rooms for budget travelers. A two-bedroom, fourth-floor penthouse offers more space. Rooms along Strand Street have lovely water views; others overlook the pool. Although the area is perfect for strolling during the day, use caution at night. A public beach is a five-minute walk away.

This newly renovated and restored boutique property offers family-friendly beachfront accommodations complete with a swimming pool, hiking trails, snorkeling, and more. The resort sits on 45 acres with charming views of the Caribbean Sea and boasts expansive outdoor lounge areas and three dining establishments. The front desk staff can organize a taxi transfer for you to explore the island. No need to worry about power outages here---the hotel is powered by solar energy, which energizes the majority of the property's electrical usage during the day.

Atop Blackbeard's Hill, this small hotel offers the perfect mix of gorgeous harbor views, proximity to shopping (five-minute walk), and privacy provided by the surrounding showy trees and bushy hibiscus. Accommodations range from a roomy, top-floor junior suite with two queen beds to a balcony room with queen bed and full kitchen. All rooms have refrigerators, microwave ovens, and coffeemakers. There's also a pool and picnic area with a gas barbecue grill. The managing couple lives on the property and is very helpful in giving restaurant, sightseeing, or beach suggestions.

Old-world charm and old-world prices best describe this historic hotel on the Christiansted boardwalk. Guests can enjoy the hotel's freshwater pool, nearby boardwalk restaurants, and picturesque harbor views, and the cobblestone walkways of Christiansted—with duty-free shopping, historic sites, and walking tours—are steps away from the door. A sandy beach in the nearby harbor is a short ferry ride away; the seaplane terminal is only two blocks away where you can catch your flight for a quick trip to St. Thomas.

Located near the Christiansted harbor, Hotel Caravelle puts you at the waterfront end of a pleasant shopping arcade and steps from shops and restaurants. The spacious, well-appointed rooms are decorated with tropical-theme furnishings and white walls, and most have ocean or harbor views. Christiansted's only casino is located on the first floor with an assortment of slot machines where you can test your luck. The ever-popular Rum Runners restaurant is off the lobby and on the boardwalk. 

On the waterfront and next to the Christiansted Historic Site, this formerly tired hotel (parts of the building date from the mid-1700s) has been transformed into a boutique hideaway, where the grounds are private, the rooms have custom terra-cotta flooring and mid-mod wood and rattan furnishings, and everything has been brought up to 21st-century standards. The pool and sundeck are surrounded by beautiful landscaping and have plenty of lounge chairs, umbrellas, and tables. If you tire of the pool, hop on the nearby ferry to Protestant Cay and spend a day at the beach soaking up the island sun. You're also a quick walk from restaurants, shops, and water-sports operators.

This complex offers modern studio and one-bedroom apartments on lush grounds with lovely views (plus a shared pool) and makes a great pick for a budget stay in a residential locale. Although this is a property from the 1960s, the units don't feel dated. There are colorful spreads, fully equipped kitchens, and bookshelves filled with good vacation reads. You definitely need a car if you stay here, though; it's about 1 mile (1½ km) up a steep hill from Cruz Bay.

Spread out along a sandy beach, these low-slung buildings offer casual comfort and appeal to independent travelers who want the option to eat in or out, as rooms have basic kitchenettes. The spacious, modern accommodations have rattan furniture, tropical-print fabrics, and either a terrace or a deck with views of St. Croix's sister islands. Snorkelers can explore a nearby reef, but shallow water makes serious swimming difficult. The popular Deep End Bar and Grill is just off the beach, and amenities on the 40-acre property include tennis courts and a 154-slip marina.

If you like privacy and your own private pool, you'll like Villa Madeleine, where accommodations flow downhill from a West Indian plantation great house. Each villa has a full kitchen. The decor varies from privately owned unit to unit, with some evoking the property's natural surroundings (think rattan furniture and bamboo four-poster beds) while others feature a more contemporary style. A path leads from the property's south side to the beach at the Divi resort, but be forewarned that it's a steep climb back up at the end of the day. You definitely need a car for sightseeing. There are various ways to rent a unit: some owners rent out units themselves on VRBO and other sites, others use stateside companies, and a few have local management companies.

Built by exiled General Antonio López Santa Anna of Mexico, this 1857 landmark provides a panoramic view of the harbor, plenty of West Indian charm, and rooms that are both unique and lovely. Two favorites are La Mansion, a former library that is now an elegant villa with a large living area crowned by cathedral ceilings, full kitchen, two baths, and four-poster bed, and El Establo, a three-bedroom house with a full kitchen and laundry facilities that is rented by the week. 

The famed Cane Bay Wall is just offshore from this boutique hotel, making it a good bet for divers. Although the hotel's stretch of beach is rocky, you can sunbathe on a small patch of sand beside the pool. Two blue-and-white buildings contain large balconied rooms decorated in soft pastels, all with ocean views. AMA at Cane Bay, an excellent restaurant serving sustainably sourced seafood, is on the hotel's back patio.

Business travelers, tourists on their way to the British Virgin Islands, and laid-back vacationers who want the convenience of being able to walk to duty-free shopping, sights, and restaurants favor this harbor-front hotel. Contemporary rooms have such amenities as coffeemakers, hair dryers, ironing boards, and irons. There's also a free beach shuttle.