St. Croix is different. It doesn't have the glossy, over-polished feel of St. Thomas or the sleepy, high-end yachting vibe of St. John. It’s rugged. It’s a bit raw. And right in the middle of that complexity sits the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort. People usually have one of two reactions when they pull up to the gate: they either fall in love with the isolation or they panic because they realize they can't just walk to a Starbucks.
Honestly, if you’re looking for a cookie-cutter Caribbean vacation with a manicured infinity pool and a DJ playing house music at noon, you’re going to be disappointed here. This resort is tucked away on the North Shore, literally where the rainforest meets the sea. It’s built on the site of an old sugar plantation, and you can still feel that history in the layout. It’s sprawling. It’s green. Sometimes, after a heavy tropical rain, it’s a little too green.
But that’s the draw.
The Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort occupies a space that most modern hotels have abandoned: the "quiet luxury" of actually being left alone. You aren't fighting for a beach chair. You aren't hearing the hum of a highway. You’re hearing the Caribbean Sea crash against the volcanic rocks and the wind whipping through the palm fronds. It is a specific kind of magic, but it isn't for everyone.
The Reality of the North Shore Location
Location is everything. For Carambola, that location is Davis Bay.
Geographically, this is one of the most stunning spots in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The mountains drop straight into the water. Because of this, the resort feels like it’s at the end of the world. You’ve got the sea in front of you and a wall of emerald forest behind you.
Getting there is an adventure in itself. The drive from the airport (Henry E. Rohlsen) takes about 30 minutes, and the last ten minutes involve winding through lush, narrow roads that make you wonder if your GPS is lying to you. It’s not. You really are going that deep into the wild.
One thing travelers often get wrong: they think they can rely on ride-shares. You can’t. Uber isn't a thing on St. Croix, and while local taxis exist, they are expensive and sometimes hard to hail from the North Shore late at night. If you stay here, rent a Jeep. You’ll want the freedom to head into Christiansted for dinner or explore the West End beaches like Rainbow Beach. Without a car, you are "stuck"—though there are worse places to be stuck than a beach resort.
The Architecture: Why It Feels Different
Most Marriott-bonvoy properties look like, well, Marriotts. Carambola doesn't.
It was originally designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, a world-renowned architect who wanted the buildings to mimic a traditional Virgin Islands village. This means high ceilings, red-shingled roofs, and lots of wood. The "villas" are clustered together, and the rooms are massive. We're talking about studio-style layouts with kitchenettes and sitting areas.
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The screened-in porches are the real hero here.
In most Caribbean hotels, you have a tiny concrete balcony. At Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort, you get a massive screened-in living space. You can leave the glass doors open at night, let the breeze flow through, and not worry about the island’s notoriously persistent mosquitoes. It turns the room into a sensory experience. You smell the salt. You hear the waves.
However, let’s be real—the salt air is brutal on buildings. Maintaining a resort in this environment is a 24/7 battle against corrosion and humidity. Some guests note that the property feels "seasoned." If you want brand-new, sterile surfaces, go to a Hyatt in Miami. If you want character and a sense of place, this is your spot.
Diving and the Famous "Wall"
If you aren't a diver, you might not realize that you are sitting on top of a world-class dive site.
The "Wall" at Davis Bay is legendary. Just a short swim from the shore, the ocean floor drops from about 30 feet to over 13,000 feet. It is a vertical abyss. Standing on the beach, you can see the color of the water change from a bright turquoise to a deep, daunting midnight blue where the shelf falls away.
- Shore Diving: You don't even need a boat. You can gear up at the on-site dive shop and swim out.
- Marine Life: It’s common to see hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, and eagle rays cruising along the edge of the drop-off.
- The Experience: Diving the Wall is disorienting in the best way possible. It feels like you’re flying over the edge of a mountain range underwater.
Even if you only snorkel, the reef system right in front of the resort is healthy and vibrant. But be careful. The North Shore waters can get "sporty." When the swells pick up, the entry and exit can be a bit of a scramble over the rocks.
The Food Situation and Local Flavors
Eating at the resort is... fine. The Saman Terrace and the Flamboyant Beach Bar handle the basics well. You’ll get your mahi-mahi tacos and your rum punches.
But you’d be doing yourself a massive disservice if you didn't leave the property to eat.
St. Croix is a sleeper hit for foodies. You have places like Savory or the legendary La Reine Chicken Shack (get the roast chicken with johnnycakes, thank me later). The island has a rich culinary history influenced by Danish, French, and Caribbean traditions.
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The resort’s breakfast buffet is a solid way to fuel up, but for dinner, try to time a visit with the "Pirate Buffet" if they are running it. It’s one of those classic island tourist things—fire dancers, Moko Jumbies (stilt dancers), and a lot of local food. It feels a bit kitschy, but the Moko Jumbies are a deep part of Virgin Islands culture, dating back to West African traditions. Seeing them perform against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea is genuinely moving.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Beach
The resort is called "Carambola Beach Resort," but don't expect a calm, glass-like pond.
Davis Bay is open ocean. Depending on the season and the weather in the Atlantic, the waves can be significant. This isn't the place for toddlers to splash in the shallows unsupervised. It’s a powerful, energetic beach.
The sand is soft, but the shoreline has patches of coral rock and "sea beans."
Also, the beach is public. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, all beaches are public up to the high-water mark. This means you’ll see locals hanging out on weekends, which is great. It gives the place a soul that private, gated resorts in other countries lack. You’re in the Virgin Islands; you should be around Virgin Islanders.
Navigating the Service and "Island Time"
If you are a Type-A personality who needs things done in five minutes, St. Croix might break you.
"Island time" is a real thing at the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort. It’s not that the staff doesn't care—they are actually some of the friendliest people you’ll meet—it’s just that the pace of life is slower. It’s a feature, not a bug.
- Acknowledge people. A "Good morning" or "Good afternoon" goes a long way here. It’s a cultural requirement on the island.
- Be patient. Your drink might take ten minutes. Look at the ocean while you wait.
- Ask for tips. The staff knows the best "secret" spots on the island, like the tide pools at Annaly Bay.
Why the Nearby Golf Course Matters
Even if you don't play golf, the Carambola Golf Club (just a short drive inland) is worth a look. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., it’s a lush, green valley that looks like something out of Jurassic Park.
The reason this matters for resort guests is the atmosphere. The entire valley is a protected feel. It keeps the "world" away. When you stay at the Renaissance, you are part of this larger, preserved ecosystem. The lack of development in this area is what keeps the water so clear and the stars so bright at night.
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Actionable Insights for Your Stay
Don't just book a room and show up. To actually enjoy this place, you need a strategy.
1. Rent a 4WD Vehicle: Don't settle for a compact car. The potholes on the North Shore road can swallow a sedan, and if you want to visit the tide pools or certain West End beaches, you’ll need the clearance.
2. Provision Locally: Stop at a grocery store in Christiansted or near the airport on your way in. Grab snacks, water, and maybe a bottle of local Cruzan Rum. Having your own supplies in the room’s kitchenette saves a ton of money.
3. Hike to Annaly Bay: The trailhead is right near the resort. It’s a moderately strenuous hike through the forest that leads to natural tide pools protected by a rock barrier. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on the island, but check the tide charts before you go. You want to be there when the tide is low or mid-range.
4. Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen: This isn't just a suggestion; it’s the law in the USVI. Protect the reef you came to see.
5. Manage Your Connectivity: The Wi-Fi can be spotty in the furthest villas. If you’re planning to "work from home" here, test your signal early. Or, better yet, put the laptop away. The cellular signal for major U.S. carriers is surprisingly decent, but the thick walls of the villas can be a shield.
The Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort is a destination for the traveler who wants to feel the weight of the world drop off. It’s for the person who prefers a hike over a shopping mall and a deep-sea wall over a crowded pool bar. It’s not perfect, but its imperfections are exactly what make it an authentic piece of St. Croix.
Pack your mask, fins, and a sense of patience. The island will take care of the rest.