The Vibe
The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort seamlessly blends Mediterranean charm, Caribbean spirit and Southern hospitality. Built by the Knights of Malta in 1653 as a private estate nestling among the rolling green hills of St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, it retained the classic Mediterranean architectural features — tall columns, stone balustrades and arched hallways and windows.
Hugged by the lush greenery and awash in the azure waves of the Caribbean Sea, the property serves as a perfect getaway for couples, a fun family vacation spot, a wedding and anniversary destination, as well as a corporate retreat. It also hosts tennis tournaments and has a storied history of celebrity visits. Artists like Michael Jackson and public features like Joe Biden loved staying here.
How I Felt
Welcomed. Owned by a local family for three generations, The Buccaneer truly has a welcoming personal touch that feels like home away from home. The staff is so warm and incredibly attentive that I felt like family the moment I set my foot in the door. Every person I walked by in the hallways or on the grounds said hello, and many even remembered my name. As I lounged on the couches or chairs in the main building enjoying the views, I felt like sitting in my grandma’s living room.
The Digs
My room was airy and spacious, and included a jacuzzi, along with a coffeemaker and a teakettle — as a teaholic, I loved that. The cottage my room was at was tucked away in a secluded spot, nestling in between the beach and the lush green path that meandered along the shore. The location was perfect: I was literally steps away from the ocean and could go for a dip in my bathing suit, and yet I could also go for a nice walk on the grounds, enjoying the trees and the ocean. My favorite feature of the room was a balcony overlooking the sea; it was large enough to fit two chairs and a couch, so needless to say I spent many wonderfully serene moments there.
The Agenda
I loved taking long walks along the sea while spotting and snapping pictures of various wildlife that lives on the grounds. That includes pelicans who troll for crabs, iguanas that sunbathe on the grass, a herd of deer that grazes on the golf course after sunset and even an occasional elusive mongoose, which were brought here some years ago. I enjoyed swimming in the sea, popping into historic sugar mills on the property and had a best-ever massage at the spa. The hotel also arranged a nighttime kayaking in a bioluminescent bay where you can see marine organisms that glow in the dark.
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The Eats
I had a tough time choosing between the hotel’s three different restaurants, each with its own menu and vibe. Located right at the beach, The Mermaid, serves lunch and dinner, including vegetarian and vegan options, such as Impossible burgers. Another seaside spot, Beauregard's on the Beach, is a mix of casual and chic, offering terrific tacos and excellent sushi. Lastly, The Terrace, which is located in the main building overlooking the sea, serves a big breakfast and elegant dinner with signature dishes like catch of the day in a coconut curry sauce, or lamb chops aka lamb lollipops, accompanied by a long list of cocktails.
Why I Would Go Back
The Buccaneer is a perfect getaway from the winter cold of the Northeast. Plus, having flown in from the urban jungle of New York, I reveled in the resort’s nature and couldn’t get enough of the sun, the sea and the sand. You have to fly through Miami or Dallas, but overall getting there is easy, and you don’t need a passport. Once there, you’re so perfectly taken care of that you just don’t want to leave. I’d love to return just for that feeling alone. It’s now my favorite home away from home.
Lina Zeldovich
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