Alexander Hamilton arrived in Christiansted as a boy by 18th-century sloop. I, on the other hand, behold the Caribbean capital's sun-baked harborfront graceful arches and vivid facades-from a zippy little pink Boston Whaler with a disco ball under her striped awning and iced canned cocktails in her hold. Hamilton, after losing both of his parents by the age of 13, left for the colonies soon after a catastrophic hurricane in 1772. I arrive on a cloudless day. What separates us is circumstance and centuries. What unites us is St. Croix.
And what a splendid place to share. Because among the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix could be considered the secret saint. Everyone knows about St. Thomas and St. John, it seems: the former, a cruise ship staple; the latter, a blend of national park and villa-dotted estates. But St. Croix, with its French-inflected name and distance (nearly 45 miles due south) from its kissing-close USVI siblings, feels like a place apart. And that's just what makes it great. From historic towns to glorious beaches, from a burgeoning hotel, restaurant, and bar scene to iconic chicken shacks and rain forest bars, St. Croix is an island of surprise.
The surprises begin upon arrival, with rum punch served in a peacock-shaped ceramic cocktail mug, in the opulent Peacock Room at the King Christian Hotel. This is the boutique hotel's welcome drink, a signal of hotelier Chris Pardo's youthful footprint in the heart of Christiansted. In fact, Pardo's recent renovation is of an entire harborfront block, which includes not only the hotel (reopened in 2021) but also a string of Instagram- pretty eateries and bars. It's easy to imagine a lazy day going from spot to spot, snagging café tables in the shade of the colonnade and watching the traffic-pedestrian, equestrian, and nautical-roll by. But the first of several St. Croix journeys beckons: this one into the island's history.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CAPE CODDER
With its ruby red cranberry hue, this sublimely simple cocktail joins the holiday fun in winter as nimbly as it reigns as summer's happy hour essential for New Englanders from Maine to Massachusetts.
MIZNER & ME
What better way to explore Palm Beach than with the ultimate guide and bon vivant? JANCEE DUNN locks arms with the resort's visionary architect, Addison Mizner, to explore the enclave's legendary sites
Tropical Obsession
BRING THE BEACH TO ANY HOLIDAY WITH AN ICEBOX PIE THAT'S A PIÑA COLADA ON A PLATE
BAHAMIAN BASE CAMP
A magical compound in Nassau's historic Old Fort community is a relaxed gathering place for a large, London-based family
old soul
A restrained, rustic getaway off South Africa's Western Cape bows to the regal landscape
Caribbean Queens
Meet the six islands—and their showstopping stays that should be at the top of your winter escape vacation list
elements of surprise
A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAMILY REIMAGINED THEIR MEDITERRANEAN HOME AS A MODERN OASIS WHERE EVERY SPACE AND DESIGN DETAIL UNFOLDS LIKE A SECRET
ST. ELSE WHERE
Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is often overlooked compared to her sister islands of St. Thomas and St. John to the north. But a visit to this lesser-known gem reveals a place rich in gifts from deep culture and history to fantastic food, beautiful beaches, and a soulful style that may have you yearning to stay
Character-Driven
On Florida's Siesta Key, a family built their forever house from the ground up, fashioning a home that could fool even a local into believing it had been there all along
ELEUTHERA'S CULTURED CLUB
Are you actually staying here? You'll quickly get used to this question if you're lucky enough to occupy one of just 11 cottages, suites, and villas at The Potlatch Club, Eleuthera's dreamy, intimate new boutique resort.