Just before the sun sets, the old stone walls of the sugar mill receive the last of the light, and sound is the first to come. Bright, rhythmic steel fans are carried across the lawn. Then the Moko Jumbies appear, soaring high above the crowd on stilts. Their costumes ruffle the wind as they pass between the tables and the bar. You hear laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the low buzz of conversation that turns into applause as the dancers sweep by.
This is St. This is where you understand Croix.
Not through brochures or maps, but through moments like these, listening to music that makes you feel grounded, rum in hand, on this special Caribbean island. Meetings are held every week at 8 o’clock. pirateAnd it attracts guests and locals alike with its quiet convergence that tells you more about the island than any guide.
This hotel has been here for generations. This island has been here much longer. And now in this light they meet.
The oldest family-owned hotel in the Caribbean
Pirates are nothing new. That’s what makes this job special.
Opened in 1947 and still run by the same family, it maintains a rare sense of continuity in the region and is now celebrating its 80th anniversary. You can feel this in the way the property is laid out, the familiarity of returning guests, and the way staff remember to greet people by name and how to get coffee.
The building stretches across a stretch of land above the sea, with rooms and suites facing Christiansted Harbor and the open Caribbean Sea beyond. Most rooms have private terraces or balconies, allowing you to enjoy views throughout the day, from early sunlight on the water to the deeper blues that set in in the late afternoon.
The interior rooms are decorated in a classic Caribbean style. It features tiled floors, wooden furniture and soft tones with an exterior focus. Some accommodations are closer to the beach, while others are located higher up the hill, offering different vantage points depending on where you land.
You don’t come here for novelty. You’re here for consistency, where you know what it is and don’t try to be something else.
Three beaches with different vibes
What immediately sets The Buccaneer apart is access. Three unique beaches, each with its own characteristics, are all located on the same property.
Mermaid Beach Most active. Here you’ll find a beach bar, water sports and a steady stream of guests perched on lounge chairs with a drink in hand. The sand is white, the water is clear and the energy is easily maintained throughout the day.
Just a short walk Grotto BeachIt’s smaller, quieter, and surrounded by rock formations that break waves enough to create calming pools. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up staying longer than you planned, especially in the late afternoon when the light becomes softer.
Then there whistle beachIt was the most removed of the three. It takes a little more effort to get there, and that’s why it feels different. Fewer people, more space, and a long stretch where it’s just you, the sound of water, the steady breeze from the sea.
Three beaches, three ways to spend the day without leaving your home.
Beach swimming pool extending straight to the horizon
The resort’s main beach pool, located just above Mermaid Beach, runs parallel to the shoreline, with its edges extending neatly out to sea.
From the water the eye looks straight across the surface to the Caribbean Sea, with palm trees framing the view and low hills in the distance. Lounge chairs are located right behind the pool deck, steps from the sand, allowing you to go from swim to sea without changing speed.
Oceanfront golf course close to the water
Golf is not an afterthought here. Buccaneer’s 18-hole course follows the coastline, with several holes facing directly onto the ocean. This can be seen right from the front nine, where the fairways open up to wide views of the ocean and the trade winds come into play.
Originally designed in the mid-20th century and here for decades, the course still retains its classic Caribbean layout, with rolling terrain, natural contours and holes that encourage accuracy over power.
There is a rhythm to playing here. Enjoy the cool air, the sound of waves crashing across the course, and an early morning round at a leisurely pace. You don’t race to the finish. You are out to pass the time.
Even if you don’t play, the presence of the course builds its character. This opens up the landscape, creates long views and gives the hotel a sense of space that is difficult to replicate.
A meal rooted in the island
The food at The Buccaneer is close to the island.
to terraceBreakfast is served with sea views, and dishes include fresh fruit, local flavors and dishes that don’t overcomplicate already good food. This is where the day begins with coffee, sea air and a steady pace that sets the mood.
Dinner will be changed to: mermaid restaurantIt’s right next to the beach. Here, I am eating while listening to the sound of water right next to me. The menu combines Caribbean staples with wider influences, with a focus on seafood. There’s fresh seafood, grilled dishes, and sauces that complement rather than overwhelm.
There are also beach bars where lunch can turn into afternoon drinks without much of a change. This is the place to order a cold meal, sit back and spend some time without looking at the clock.
And there are weekly gatherings held at the sugar mill, where food, music and culture come together in a way that is unique to the place.
Real estate moves at its own pace
Time works differently here.
You notice it in small ways. How the mornings become a little longer. The way the afternoon settles in on the beach, without any sense of urgency. This is how the evening slowly builds, from dinner to drinks to music.
The Buccaneer doesn’t hold you to a schedule. It gives you options and allows you to find your own rhythm. You may be unable to stay active or do any sports, such as tennis, golf, or water sports.
That balance is part of what keeps people coming back. This is where you can slow down and shape your experience around what you need without feeling like something is missing.
St. Croix: The Caribbean’s Hidden Brilliance
Once you leave the hotel, you begin to understand why St Croix has such a wonderful and unique atmosphere.
This is an island that is not focused on large-scale development like other islands. You won’t find any large clusters of high-rise resorts. What you will discover is depth: a history, culture and food and drink scene that has been quietly and steadily building.
Just minutes from The Buccaneer, Christianted is centered around the waterfront with historic Danish architecture, pastel buildings and a harbor with activity throughout the day. Walk along the promenade, stop at the shops, and head to one of the restaurants along the waterfront.
Frederiksted, on the western end, offers a different pace. Wider streets, long piers with a constant flow of divers and snorkelers, and sunsets that paint the entire sky in colorful colors.
The island has many layers of history, from colonial architecture to farm ruins, all set in an open and seemingly largely unchanged landscape.
Food scene keeps getting better
What sets St. Croix apart these days is the food.
Restaurants across the island are doing things that feel both realistic and creative. You’ll find well-cooked, classic Caribbean fare – fresh fish, stews, rice and beans – as well as menus that draw on wider influences without losing their connection to the place.
Christiansted has the following places: scholar Serving sophisticated Caribbean cuisine in a historic courtyard. Toochez Restaurant and Bar It offers a more modern approach with a strong cocktail program.
On the beach, you’ll find places with a simpler focus: grilled fish, a cold beer, and a table right by the water.
It’s consistent. The food feels intentional, the ingredients are fresh, and the experience is closely connected to the island itself.
Cocktails, rum and a strong sense of place
Croix’s drinks have their own unique identity.
Rum plays a central role, as expected, but what stands out is the way it is used. Bartenders across the island are creating cocktails that highlight local flavors like tamarind, passionfruit and citrus without overcomplicating the end result.
You can spend the afternoon at a beach bar sipping a quick rum punch, or sit in a more sophisticated setting and enjoy a menu that focuses on cocktails as much as it does food.
There’s also an increased attention to craft and detail, with the bar focusing on balance, presentation and overall experience.
Everything feels connected. Drinks, food and music come from the same place.
Beach beyond the resort
The Buccaneer offers three compelling options, but the rest of the island adds many more.
cane bay The north coast has pristine waters and a strong snorkeling scene, with coral reefs just offshore. Popular with locals and tourists alike, there are several beach bars and restaurants nearby with a relaxed atmosphere.
Sandy PointWhen open, it is spacious and quiet, with a long white sandy beach and few people. This is part of a national wildlife refuge so there is an immediate feeling of openness.
Then there are smaller, less marked spots that you can find by driving, looking down the road, and seeing where it takes you.
This is St. This is one of the charms of St. Croix. You are not limited to one experience. You can explore, find your own place, and return to the hotel with something new every day.
Culture revealed in details
St. Croix conveys culture in tangible ways.
The music is there, from live bands to steel pans to sound systems that pop up during local gatherings. Art appears in galleries and walls, in small studios and large exhibitions.
Festivals, food events and community gatherings take place throughout the year, each highlighting the island’s identity.
At The Buccaneer, these connections are made in moments like sugar mill gatherings, where the hotel offers more space than just hotel guests.
You are not separate from the island here. You are a part of it, even if only for a short time.
Why pirates still stand out
In an area filled with new development and constant change, The Buccaneer maintains its position through consistency.
It offers three beaches that give you options without traveling. There is a golf course with direct access to the coastline. We offer meals that reflect the island without being over the top. And it’s close enough to Christiansted to be easily explored.
Above all, there is continuity. The same product lines, same assets, same approaches are improved over decades rather than reinvented every few years.
That’s how it feels when you arrive. I feel it when I leave.
where everything comes together
Back at the sugar mill, the light fades and the music continues.
The Moko Jumbies soar above the crowd with another pass. Their silhouettes cross the final sunset. Steel pans are stable and bright. Conversations become lively, drinks become refreshing, and the night progresses.
This is the point where everything connects.
The hotel, the island, the people, the history, the present moment.
You could stay here the whole time and leave satisfied. You can spend a day exploring St. Croix and come back with something new each night.
Either way, you’re in the right place.
How to get there
you fly Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. CroixIt offers non-stop service from cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Atlanta, with connections through San Juan.
It takes about 25 minutes to drive across the island from the airport. pirateThe route passes through open countryside before reaching the hills above Christiansted. Rental cars are easy to arrange at the airport (we like a well-run Centreline), and taxis are readily available for self-transfers.
The Buccaneer price
Currently on Google Hotels I found a rate for $407 for The Buccaneer in the resort’s Great House with ocean views.
Rates range from approximately $455 per night for a deluxe ocean view to $558 per night for a deluxe oceanfront room between Grotto Beach and Mermaid Beach.
