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My wife and I are planning to vacation on St. Croix in either January or April of 2004. We are concerned about visiting at a time when all the shops may not be open and some services are not available. My wife's family lived there for several years in the early to mid 70's and my wife and I last visited in 1975. Her parents returned last July 2002 for a day off a cruise to St. Thomas and were disappointed to find most of the shops in downtown Christiansted were closed down or had limited hours of operation. They dined at the Club Comanche restaurant and found it deserted and they were unable to produce many items from the menu. This was quite a change from their experiences there in the 70's. Their home movies from their trip show quite a contrast to our memories of a very active time. We realize that the island economy is not the same now as it was in the 1970's.
We realize that things will be in full swing for Carnival in January but will there still be plenty of shops open in April in downtown Christiansted?
Is April a rainy time of the year? My wife seems to remember it as a rainy time during her stay there but is not sure.
My wife reads The Source online newspaper and noticed that crime is still a problem at times in certain areas on the island as it was in the 1970s. We realize that we should be careful of where we go, as in any populated area on the US mainland, but is it as safe to stay at a villa such as the Carrington Inn as it would be to stay at Hotel on the Cay in town.
Can anyone tell us the condition of Hotel on the Cay today? For some reason it has no stars as a rating on some of the websites as the other hotels do. Is it because it is a partial timeshare?
Thanks to all that answer. After sending two kids through college and paying for a wedding this year we are on a budget for this trip but it is our 30th wedding anniversary trip and we want to make the most of it as we may not get to visit again so all replies are greatly appreciated.
Kerry
Kerry
You have a bunch of unanswered questions. St Croix has gone through many,many incarnations simce the 1970's. It is not even close to the same place your "in Laws" or you remember. But maybe it is better. Without going into detail, St Croix's infrastructure and economic climate has been good, better, really good, not so good,bad, really bad, better,a little better, really improving. etc.....
In the 70's Club Comanche and Hotel on the Cay were premier stops on St Croix. They are both still here but have not retained their status. There are many places that are far superior to both, for various reasons. St Croix began to really emerge as a "place" in the late 1980's. However hurricane Hugo demolished the island in 1989. In some ways it has never recovered. Subsequent storms added insult to injury.
It would interesting to hear the perspective you might have from visits thirty years ago. Your "in laws" must also have some interesting stories to tell.
As to your questions regarding weather and shopping. Shops are open and ready to take your money most of the year. The weather is wonderful year round. April is beautiful and can have some rain. but no more than most months. Don't plan your trip based on weather unless you are concerned with hurricanes (historically September and October). Those also are the slower business months.
Your comments regarding crime are refreshing in a way. Don't get me wrong, local crime on St Croix and St Thomas is considered a problem. But it is interesting that it was also considered a problem thirty years ago...some things never change.
You will be more safe and secure on St Croix than you are in most mainland cities.
Come rediscover St Croix and then share your experience with us...
b
Kerry,
If you are visiting for longer then a day you will be able to plan around the schedules stores keep during slower days. The shops in Chrisitansted should be open in April, on slow days they might open late or close early. Rent a car and drive around there are many wonderful places to go, learn what there is to do there now; perhaps visit the Whim Museum, go on a house tour if they are having any while you are there, perhaps a dive if you are interested or boat charter to Buck Island, go hiking with one of the eco-tours, out at Salt River there are kayak tours. There are a lot of great restarants that you might try; Bucanneers beach restaurant has great lunch and its open air so a lovely atmosphere, Hotel on the Cay has a beach bbq type thing in the evenings that fun you can look into that, Stixx has crab races in the late afternoon I think Divi has it also - fun atmosphere, meet visitors and locals, have drinks and eat; Cheeseburgers is good for casual atmosphere, Rumrunners is a good restaurant in Christiansted - good food and atmosphere, there are two other restaurants I enjoyed in Christiansted and I can't seem to remember either's name, one was in an alley and was an open bar and restaurant and the other was a small restaurant on the second floor on a building on one of the side streets (hopefully someone can help with the name, I will keep trying to remember them), Off the Wall is a fun spot, the casino at Divi is nice and often has live entertainment so its a nice night out for drinks, music, a bit of gambling if you do or just listen the the music if you don't. For activities there is also horse back if you are interested. And take a drive around the rain forest area its lovely. From time to time there are live blues and jazz performances.
As b said weather is pretty good all year, Aug-Sept are the rainier months do often to storm activity. Visit https://www.vinow.com/usvi/weather.php for more on this.
I had heard that Hotel on the Cay had some issues but had come under new management and they were making improvements, this was about a year ago - haven't heard any reviews lately.
Have a great time.
--Islander
We want to thank everyone for sending us information. We look forward to a visit probably in April for a couple of weeks. I just hope I can get my wife to leave again. Back in 1975, she cried all the way back to the mainland knowing she wouldn't be back for a while if ever. People on the airplane kept looking at me like I was at fault.
At least we'll have the opportunity to visit again.
Kerry & Paula
Groves, TX
Kerry and Paula - funny story about the tears all the way home. All the best with your vacation plans!!
--Islander
Kerry,
I purchased a timeshare at Hotel on the Cay. Haven't been there yet but will be there from March 13th to April 3rd. I did quite a bit of research on the place including talking to some timeshare owners and the president (actually his wife) of the timeshare owners association.
Apparently several years ago, the outfit that ran the hotel was not using the owners yearly maintenance fees for hotel upkeep. I guess after some legal wrangling, the timeshare owners (like me) actually now run the hotel. We have a voting association and self determine how maintenance fees are spent. I have been told that the pool has been renovated and the rooms are gradually being done as money allows. It's a purely pay as you go thing so will take some time to get things all up to speed.
From the owners I have talked to and the reviews that I've read, the main theme is that the hotel is old but is going in the right direction. The staff is fun and friendly and the one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that the location is "outstanding".
I believe there are plenty of rooms to rent and there are timeshares available to purchase for a very reasonable price considering the location. I've also seen an exploratory "wish list" for future plans on the cay. It's pretty exciting and I can't wait for March.
I've only been to St Croix once on a cruise but have studied quite a bit and have spent quite a bit of time in several other Caribbean locations so if can answer any questions feel free to ask.
You may want to check a website: www.hotelonthecay.com
Good Luck,
Al S.
Al S.
I just emailed you with some questions....hope you don't mind.
Thanks Al S.,
This is the kind of answers we were hoping to read on this website. We have kept Hotel On The Cay on our list of considerations because of it's low rates and location but were not sure of it's current condition. Naturally we can stay longer with lower rates.
We've emailed you with some other questions and appreciate your time in answering.
Thanks,
Kerry and Paula
