ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDSsecond voyage to the New World. In very clear water, you'll likely see grouper, snapper, conch and crab. NATURE Hop on horseback and explore beaches and

THINGS TO KNOW

CLIMATE With an annual average temperature of about 84 degrees and little variation between seasons, St. Croix is a perfect year-round destination. Mild trade winds keep most of the humidity at bay and sunny skies lure beachgoers into the island’s gentle waves. Most rainfall happens from September through November, but the showers tend to move along quickly.

WATER It’s best to stick with bottled water.

GETTING THERE You will fly into Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), which provides connections from most major airlines. Your villa is about a 25-minute drive from the airport.

GETTING AROUND From the airport, it is advisable to rent a car from Centerline Car Rentals or Budget Rent a Car. To truly appreciate the beauty of the island, you will want to explore it on your own. Once at your residence, you will have a golf cart for use throughout your stay. You're also a five-minute drive (via car) to the boardwalk of Christiansted, downtown shopping, art galleries and an abundance of dining options.

DC’s TIP: After renting a vehicle, you will drive on the left side of the road in St. Croix. Don't let this intimidate you as most traffic on the island travels at a slow to moderate pace and most of the roads are only two lanes. Follow the car in front of you for turns.

PARKING Your residence includes a two-car garage and plenty of room for additional vehicles.

QUICK FACTS

GENERAL LOCATION Your villa is located in the Shoys Estates community on the eastern side of St. Croix, about 10 minutes east of Christiansted.

CHECK IN 4 p.m.

CHECK OUT 11 a.m.

CURRENCY USD

LANGUAGE English, though French Creole and Spanish are also common.

PASSPORT Though St. Croix is a U.S. territory, all travelers must go through customs upon leaving the island, so a passport is required.

CONVERTER Outlets are 110V, with standard U.S. two- and three-prong plugs.

AIRPORT STX

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

THINGS TO KNOWCHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS Your Destination Concierge will meet you at your villa and provide a quick tour. Early check-in and late checkout is not permitted; however, if you have some downtime, your Destination Concierge is happy to recommend things to do while you wait.

GROCERIES For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Simply complete the order form on your Inspirato.com account at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Additional shopping trips are $25 plus the cost of groceries.

IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS Your Destination Concierge can arrange a private chef to come to your residence and cook a fantastic meal right in your own kitchen.

STAY FIT Your residence includes a small fitness room that boasts standard exercise equipment.

HOUSEKEEPING Daily.

TIPPING GUIDELINES While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for exceptional service, tipping is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If you would like to leave a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines:

+ Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced. + Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality. + Restaurants: The customary 15-20% of your total bill is appropriate. Please note that many local restaurants automatically include a service charge so make sure to check your bill. + Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using your discretion.

WARM CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY

Twenty-eight by 8 miles across, the inviting shores of St. Croix comprise the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Much of the land is protected as national historic parks, including Buck Island Reef National Monument and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. The colonial architecture throughout Christiansted and Frederiksted demonstrates the former influences of Spanish, French and Danish rule and you'll be warmly greeted by the local Crucians, known the world over for their warmth and hospitality. St. Croix is also famous for its abundance of sea life and vast scuba diving opportunities as the waters around the island are warm year-round.

THINGS TO DO

SPA The Renuatum Spa, located right in the heart of downtown Christiansted, emphasizes holistic treatments and has everything you need to relax and unwind. Many treatments — such as massages, facials and body wraps — utilize the spa’s own natural skin-care products that are crafted from local ingredients. Even closer is the Hideaway Spa at the Buccaneer resort, where you can get a massage, mani-pedi or facial.

GOLF

+ The Buccaneer Resort Golf Course (located five minutes away) – acclaimed 18-hole, par 70 course with three beachfront holes and 13 holes with great Caribbean views + Carambola Golf Club (located 30 minutes away) – historic 18-hole course set in a scenic valley near the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation

BEACHES

+ Mermaid Beach (located five minutes away at the Buccaneer) – well-maintained resort beach with on-site restaurant plus beach and water activity gear available to rent + Cane Bay (located 30 minutes away) – St. Croix’s most popular diving and scuba spot due to the Cane Bay Wall coral reef just off shore + Turtle Beach (located 30 minutes away on Buck Island) – sail to the federally protected Buck Island to experience this beach’s immaculate white sand and blue water + Rainbow Beach (located 40 minutes away) – popular beach due to its ideal water and sand; boasts small beach bar and fantastic sunsets

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT In the spring, the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (located at the far western tip of St. Croix) offers night excursions to watch female leatherback turtles dig their nests and lay eggs. Seasonally, you might see hatchlings spring out of the sand and crawl to the ocean. The federally protected refuge — officially established in 1984 — is also great to visit any time of the year for bird-watching, hiking or visiting what is considered the longest continuous beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Note that it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays and closes seasonally from May through August to shelter nesting turtles, but it’s well worth squeezing in a trip to the fabled park during that window.

FAMILY A tour with See Thru Kayaks is exactly what it sounds like. The company’s fleet of clear kayaks lets the whole family peer deep into Salt River Bay’s crystal clear water to watch rainbows of fish, coral and other marine life – all from a comfortable seat atop the water. For extra adventure, opt for the nighttime bioluminescence tour where, depending on the conditions, you’ll come across pools of microscopic organisms that appear to glow in the dark.

MUST-DO Get deep into St. Croix’s stunning jungles during a Jeep excursion from Tan Tan Tours. The open-air vehicles can generally seat four passengers and are ideal for navigating the island’s rugged terrain, which leads to some of the most stunning landscapes in all of the Caribbean. Gaze into lush greenery and secluded beaches from the Jeep, or take short walks to voyage deeper into the wild.

ROMANTIC There are few things as breathtaking as a St. Croix sunset. As the vanishing sun singes hues of orange, pink and purple into the sky, dinner on a yacht or sailboat is the perfect accompaniment. Many vessels serve exceptional local food for sunset sails, and when paired with a glass of wine and your favorite travel companion, the evening is set to be a memorable one.

THINGS TO DOADVENTURE Scuba diving is an absolute must during your stay in St. Croix. The water averages 80-82 F year-round and the bays around the island are home to more than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral and hundreds of invertebrates. You'll encounter schools of blue tang, queen triggerfish, lobster, spotted eagle rays, seahorses and more. Here are some of our favorite dive spots:

+ Cane Bay Wall – The most popular diving site on the island and rated as one of the best in the Caribbean, Cane Bay is easily accessed by beach entry and has a wall that drops from 40 to 3,200 feet. + North Star – Named after a sugar plantation, North Star on the north shore is a wonderful diving site to spot wrasse eels and stingrays in their caves. + Scotch Banks – This is a submerged peak east of Christiansted Harbor and populated by barracuda, angelfish, manta rays and the occasional whale shark. + Salt River Canyon East Wall – This historic mooring was once secured by Columbus and his 17 ships on his second voyage to the New World. In very clear water, you'll likely see grouper, snapper, conch and crab.

NATURE Hop on horseback and explore beaches and the rainforest. In addition to spotting wildlife and soaking in the vistas, you’ll get acquainted with one of the island’s biggest natural residents: the horses themselves. St. Croix has a rich equestrian history, so a horseback tour doubles as a cultural lesson. As an added bonus, many horseback tour operators act as rescues for injured or abandoned horses, and staff members are happy to share their wealth of knowledge with you.

LOCAL Slow Down Dinners at Ridge to Reef Farm lets you sample delicious Crucian cuisine while supporting local farmers. Set in the rainforest on a large piece of farmland (which you can explore), these alfresco meals highlight sustainably harvested, organic ingredients from produce to fish and more. Come hungry: the meal is served in six courses, with farmers and chefs telling you about each bite you take.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

+ Farmers market + Kiteboarding

+ Sailing and boat charters

+ Beach hopping + Day trip to Buck Island

+ Visit Christiansted or Frederiksted

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTSFAMILY Blue Water Terrace (located five minutes away) – The laid-back vibe here is quintessential St. Croix. The open-air dining area over looks the water and Buck Island, making for a postcard-worthy backdrop to a meal of hearty comfort food like seafood ravioli, fresh fish, steaks or pizza.

ROMANTIC Savant (located 10 minutes away) – Sure, the menu here is great (seafood specials featuring the catch of the day, locally sourced produce and a good wine selection), but the charming atmosphere might be the main attraction. The restaurant is set in a historic Danish building that lends a distinctively European feel inside, in the courtyard and on the back patio, which was envisioned by the owner’s wife, a former Hollywood movie set designer.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTSFINE DINING Kendrick's at the Buccaneer (located five minutes away) – This resort restaurant is a traditional steakhouse by way of the Caribbean. Classic fine dining dishes like steaks, rack of lamb and fresh seafood entrees get Crucian updates via tropical spices and sides. The open-air dining room overlooks the sea, harbor and golf course.

LOCAL Montpellier Domino Club (located 30 minutes away) – You’ll get a taste of local cuisine at this no-frills bar and eatery, courtesy of resident cook Norma George who whips up comforting dishes like mac and cheese, ribs, burgers, fish and chips and more (the menu changes daily). You’ll also get to meet some local residents: friendly pigs who love to guzzle (non-alcoholic) beer right beside you. Be sure to try one of the cocktails made from a local rum mixture.

FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES

+ Agriculture & Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands – February + Jump Up (cultural carnival) – February, May, July and November + St. Patrick's Day festivals – March + St. Croix Food & Wine Experience – April + A Taste Of St. Croix – April + Ironman 70.3 St. Croix (triathlon and race) – May + Christmas Boat Parade – December + Crucian Christmas Carnival – December to January

Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of May 26, 2015. While it is believed to be accurate, Inspirato LLC (and its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively “Inspirato”) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the content presented herein. The contents of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This destination guide is presented for informational purposes only for Inspirato members and guests. Inclusion in this destination guide is not to be considered an endorsement or recommendation by Inspirato for any of the mentioned third-party products, services, activities or vendors. Participation in any of the mentioned third-party products, services or activities may require a separate agreement with a third party and members and guests are encouraged to review any such agreements carefully. Inspirato assumes no liability or responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that members and guests may incur with any third parties, and members and guests utilizing any information in this destination guide waive any claims against Inspirato. Inspirato is a registered trademark of Inspirato LLC.