Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Nearly 100 miles of unending white-sand beaches make St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands something of a magical utopia. The least visited of the major Virgin Islands, St. Croix is also the most gay-friendly of the Virgin Islands. The serene slice of heaven that is St. Croix is something of a hidden gem when it comes to LGBTQ travel in the Caribbean. There are a host of gay hotels in St Croix for LGBTQ travelers, as well as tons of events, venues, beaches, and activities. In fact, St. Croix has the largest gay scene in the entirely of the Virgin Islands.

Frederiksted on the island’s western edge is the center of all gay life on St. Croix. Apart from a pride parade, there’s a month-long roster of LGBTQ-friendly events that take place. And while there aren’t many rainbow flags fluttering everywhere, visitors of all sexual orientations are given an extremely warm and friendly welcome. This is why St. Croix is one of the most gay-friendly islands in the world.

Even today, St. Croix is still very much off the beaten path and makes for a fantastic tropical island hideaway. Check out the top 11 gay hotels in St Croix to begin planning your Caribbean island vacation. Some of them are the best of the best hotels in U.S. Virgin Islands, too!

Sand Castle on the Beach

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There’s no better a place to stay than at Sand Castle on the Beach, the original of the gay friendly hotels in St Croix. Sitting right by a gorgeous strip of white-sand beach, Sand Castle oozes a tropical charm reminiscent of simpler times in the Caribbean.

Sand Castle is a great affordable, boutique option as compared to the bigger resorts and gives off a laidback, unfussy vibe. Alfresco furniture and wooden rocking chairs sprinkled all over the property make for the perfect places to curl up with a beer or a book. A gorgeous white fountain tucked into the foliage makes for as pretty a picture as the tiled pathways leading to the beach. The presence of two swimming pools with sun loungers and patio furniture means that guests don’t feel clustered. Plus, the on-site restaurant-cafe is one of the hottest spots on the island at night. Moreover, Sand Castle even offers tai chi and yoga classes. Guests at Sand Castle can choose between tucked-away rooms and those closer to the beach. While all rooms are spacious and feature standard mod-cons, the ones at the back have kitchenettes, living areas, and shaded decks too.

What also makes Sand Castle so popular with LGBTQ travelers is its proximity to Frederiksted’s fabulous gay scene. Plus, the beach is perfect long walks and is one of the best diving and snorkeling spots on the island.

The Inn on Strand Street

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Formerly the Frederiksted Hotel, the Inn on the Strand is a lovely, family-tun, gay-friendly hotel on the beach in Frederiksted. Housed in a 1970s-built structure, the hotel is the perfect cutesy and homey beachfront accommodation on St. Croix.

A lovely exterior in different shades of blue sets the tone for the cutesy hotel. Guests can choose from 32 inviting units, all of which have cozy kitchenettes for whipping up quick, light meals and private, well-designed bathrooms. Half the units boast of spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea from the rooms. Plus, all the rooms all boast of updated mod-cons including keyless entry.

The Inn on the Stand also has a laundry list of amenities for a hotel its size. A lovely sundeck with lounge chairs and tables and waterfront patios with sun umbrellas are the perfect lounge-about setting. Mingle with other guests over a lively dinner at the gas-grill. Furthermore, the hotel even has a breakfast-only restaurant where guests can begin their day with lip-smacking, home-cooked breakfast. If that wasn’t enough, Cottages By The Sea is a sister property, whose amenities can be used by guests at The Inn.

Cottages By The Sea

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LGBTQ travelers looking for peace and quiet will do well to choose the stunning, gay-friendly Cottages By The Sea. The seaside retreat is a 10-minute walk from Frederiksted and is extremely popular with long-term and returning patrons.

The idyllic tropical sanctuary is all about quaint summer cottages amidst green lawns within steps of the stunning Dorsch beach. A beachside covered terrace with tables and chairs is the perfect lounging spot with the sea breeze enveloping you. A small lending library and beach towels are a great touch for curling up on the sand with a book. Borrow the watersports equipment and head off to the Dorsch beach which is one of the best diving spots on St. Croix. Or, borrow bikes and head off to explore the small island at your leisure. Plus, the outside grills are perfect for enjoying an evening mingling with fellow travelers and making new friends.

Guests at Cottages By The Sea get to choose from 27 cozy and cheerful cottages. While some rooms feature tropical furnishings like paintings and curios, others boast of nautical themes. Most of them have kitchenettes and all have a set of standard mod-cons which make for a comfortable stay. For the best experience, choose the homey Martha’s Treat cottage with bird-themed bedspreads and a sea-foam color scheme.

The Fred

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Discerning LGBTQ travelers liking their accommodation to have a bit of history attached to it should look no further than The Fred. The gay-friendly, adults-only hotel sits on the historic downtown Frederiksted waterfront. The hotel is housed in an 18th-century Victorian mansion and was even called the ‘hippest hotel south of South Beach’.

The hotel puts forth a sublime sensory experience created by modish comforts, chic furniture, whimsical, tropical fixtures, and a bold color palette. Touches like European zero-entry showers, classic basketweave tiles in the bathroom, and square glass doorknobs make staying here extra special. Beach chairs, umbrellas, and beach beds make a day of lounging at the beach a must-do. The hotel even offers guests a beachside massage, which make it the ultimate relaxation activity on the island. One can even opt for a massage in the spa. Right at the center of the property lies the pool, which with its loungers is where you’ll feel like spending most of the day.

The Fred boasts of a range of concept accommodation choices. There’s the Douglas House, the Love Shack, and the Totten House, each of which boasts of its own set of utterly charming rooms. However, all rooms have super-comfy, sleep-inducing beds, a great set of mod-cons, a well-designed en-suite. While some have garden and hillside views, there are some which have absolutely breath-taking views of the sea. For the best sea views, opt for a room in the Douglas House.

The Fred’s location in the heart of Frederiksted means that it is surrounded by some of the best restaurants around. Plus, the gay-friendly Beach Side Cafe at Sand Castle on the Beach is a pleasant stroll down the beach.

Mount Victory Camp

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The outdoors-and-nature-loving LGBTQ set will find no better a spot to spend their St. Croix vacation than the Mount Victory Eco Camp. Although it lies just 10 minutes north of Frederiksted, the gay-friendly landscaped eco-resort lies in one of St. Croix’s untouched natural environments. It’s refreshingly different from the seaside scene and yet lies just 15 minutes from the white-sand Dorsch Beach.

Intrepid adventures and outdoorsmen will love Mount Victory Eco Camp for more than one reason. Guests get to choose from arts-and-crafts-style bungalows, a sole apartment, and bring-your-own tent camping. The handcrafted bungalows are built of salvaged tropical hardwoods, while the apartment is actually built around a historic schoolhouse’s ruins. Plus, every dwelling boasts of solar-powered open-air showers and basic cooking and eating solutions.

The eco-camp even has a host of excellent communal facets. The resort’s beating heart is a breezy, shaded pavilion. Also, the resort boasts of its own fruit orchard from where one can pick up fresh organic fruit. Plus, the resort organizes a host of offbeat outdoor activities for exploring St. Croix like mountain biking and guided rainforest hikes. There’s even a resident tortoise colony nearby where one can feed the loving red-footed tortoises.

Miss Bea Haven

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LGBTQ couples looking for seclusion and privacy in St. Croix might just fall absolutely in love with Miss Bea Haven. This gorgeous oceanview villa, complete with a private pool, is a short stroll to two of St. Croix’s most beautiful beaches. What’s more, the house is a mere 10-minute drive from the town of Christiansted.

The lovely Caribbean house lies in one of St. Croix’s most tranquil neighborhoods and boasts of spectacular views of Buck Island, Green Cay, and Pull Point. Most of your time will be spent enjoying a heavenly swim in the lovely cocktail pool or taking in the Caribbean sights on the beautiful covered patio. Balmy and colder evenings are best spent grilling delish barbeque on the outdoor grill in equally amazing company. The indoors of Bea Haven, however, are equally charming. An open-plan living and dining room with great mod-cons and a fully-stocked kitchen is excellent for whipping up meals and enjoying them in comfort. The rooms boast of super-comfy four-poster beds and captivating views of the ocean out of the windows. There’s even a guide on what to do and expect in St. Croix and the owners even reach out in case of extreme emergencies as well.

Villa Madeleine

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Gay travelers who have their own car looking to explore eastern St. Croix will love the gay-friendly Villa Madeleine in Teagues Bay. Not only do the villas boast of their own privacy, but each of them has their own private pool. A historic West Indian plantation great house forms the centerpiece of the resort, from where the villas are located in a downhill fashion.

Every villa boasts of a full kitchen, which makes it easier to stay in and whip up meals. The villas’ decor channels the natural surroundings in the form of bamboo four-poster beds and plush cushions on rattan furniture. Lovely touches like hand-painted floral wall borders and pink-marble showers make the experience all the more special. For those who want to get out and explore, Christiansted is a mere 15-minute drive.

Company House Hotel

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LGBTQ travelers looking to explore Christiansted will find the value-for-money Company House Hotel ideal. The gay-friendly hotel lies just two streets away from the waterfront and is surrounded by some of the town’s best bars and restaurants. The historic and heritage hotel is housed in a vintage warehouse and is a short stroll from Christiansted’s National Historic Site district. What’s more, it’s also excellent for exploring the food scene on St. Croix with this delectable 3-hour tasting tour. This tour will showcase why St. Croix is the Caribbean’s gastronomic gateway.

The public spaces in Company House Hotel possess a distinct historical elegance, like the opulent lobby with the grand piano and the tiled floors. The cozy yet grand Victor Barge Piano Bar bar speaks of the hotel’s celebrated past with vintage furniture and historic newspaper clippings. It even has live music in the evenings on weekdays, where the first drink is on the house. Plus, the small yet cutesy pool which is the ideal lounging space for lazy days.

Guests can choose from a range of rooms to suit their budgets, most of which feature earth tones, tropical accents, and wicker-rattan furniture. Larger groups can check out the suites which also have fully-equipped kitchens.

Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort & Spa

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Deep-pocketed LGBTQ travelers seeking luxurious digs on St. Croix will do well to choose the gay-friendly Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort & Spa. The sprawling beachfront resort in Davis Bay is easily one of the most luxurious gay hotels in St Croix.

A heavenly, rarely-crowded beachfront makes this peaceful resort something of a secluded gem on St. Croix’s northern coast. It makes a memorable first impression with tropical manicured gardens, wide, private beach, and a pampering fruity rum drink offered during check-in. Tropical design twists include carved wood panels, bamboo banquettes, and artsy, sculptural chairs. The center of all action, or rather languorousness, on-site is the luxurious pool with lots of padded beach chairs to lounge about. There’s even a dive shop on the property offering diving lessons and snorkeling gear, as the beachfront is one of the island’s best dive sites. The hotel also happens to have a golf club, a spa, and a fitness center. While the restaurant and breakfast are a bit expensive, Christiansted and Frederiksted are both a mere 25-minute drive. However, you can enjoy a drink at the amazing poolside bar.

All lovely rooms are decked out with charming palm-theme accessories, ceramic lamps, and terracotta chairs matching the resort’s ambiance. Apart from being spacious, having a slew of mod-cons, and super-comfy beds, each room boasts of a huge ensuite bathroom and a screened-in patio. Also, only some rooms have spectacular sea views, so make sure to ask for them.

The Palms At Pelican Cove

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The lovely gay-friendly and family-friendly Palms at Pelican Cove is a dollop of tropical paradise. Toppings of coconut trees, a sandy beach, and the eponymous pelicans if you’re lucky complete the picture of perfection that the resort is. Heck, there are even giant iguanas wandering the property sometimes.

The setting of the Palms at Pelican Cove is absolutely enchanting. A semi-open-air lobby channels the seaside vibe with the marine-blue upholstery, gray wicker furniture, and yellow walls. Dig into Caribbean-inspired food at the alluring restaurant terrace. What’s more, the restaurant even offers room service. The bar next door is great for grabbing a sundowner cocktail during happy hours. Relax at the lovely pool which overlooks the beach. If that wasn’t enough, the beach in front of the Palms boasts of the international ‘Blue Flag’ status for environment management and water quality and safety. It’s for this reason that the hotel also offers free snorkeling trips and helps organize diving lessons just off the beach.

Guests can choose between the cheaper, garden-overlooking rooms or the more exclusive beach-view ones. Rooms boast of palm-tree-printed bedspreads, four-poster beds, and pelican themed lamps. It’s the thoughtful touches like local Cruzan rum bottles and fresh flower bouquets which make staying here so amazing.

The Buccaneer

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LGBTQ travelers who love the good life should stay at one of the most attractive and large-scale gay hotels in St Croix, the Buccaneer. A palm-tree-lined boulevard leads to the massive, dusty-rose resort on the hilltop. Housed on a 300-acre former sugar plantation in Shoys in northeastern St Croix, the resort is flanked by restaurants, shops that lie on its verdant manicured lawns. In fact, the Buccaneer happens to be the longest-running resort in the Caribbean.

The incredibly welcoming resort feels more like a country club with its tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, and activities-filled beaches. The Buccaneer sure knows how to put out a spread of a terrific breakfast buffet. The 24/7 fitness center is extremely appealing to fitness freaks, while the two-mile jogging course boasts of some of the best jogging views on the planet. Water babies and beach bums can make free use of the snorkel gear and ocean kayaks, as well as indulge in free scuba-diving lessons. For the leisure lads, there are two pools, one of which is romantically secluded and the other overlooks the beach. Plus, the decadent on-site spa is as relaxing as it is rejuvenating. If that wasn’t enough, the resort has its own set of weekly social events like the Tuesday afternoon party with small bites and rum punch.

Rooms at the Buccaneer are luxuriously large and have gorgeous views of either the manicured green lawns or the ocean from private patios. All rooms, although, are stylish and feature a great set of mod-cons. For those who want to splurge, the resort’s most popular room is the deluxe oceanfront room with 16-feet-high wood ceilings and fabulous picture windows with views of the ocean.

Get Some Culture in St. Croix:

• St. Croix Pride: St. Croix had its first Pride Parade in 2018 celebrating the history and heritage of the LGBTQ community on the island. The week-long celebrations of Crucian Pride feature everything from parties and dancing to fun adventures. It culminates in the Pride Parade which begins just past Cottages by the Sea continues till The Fred where there’s even an afterparty.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in St. Croix:

• Cormorant Beach Club Restaurant & Bar: This is St. Croix’s most popular and only out-and-out gay bar and restaurant. The service is excellent and the people are friendly.
• Beach Side Cafe at Sand Castle on the Beach: This gay-friendly outdoor cafe serves amazing drinks and food by a superb beach.

Best Gay Saunas in St. Croix:

Even though it is gay-friendly, St. Croix does have a gay sauna and bathhouse scene.