SUGAR BAY HOUSE

Live the sweet life in an elegant, hilltop villa that links St. Croix 's intriguing past with today's most luxurious lifestyles. This charming, West Indian great house embraces a 40-foot private pool and overlooks the sea with a stunning view of the Salt River Bay where Columbus arrived with his fleet in 1493. Enter through double gates of solid mahogany to a spacious outdoor gallery surrounding the custom-shaped pool. Here, catch up on your reading in a colonial planter's chair under the shade of palm trees, or stretch out on one of three decadently cushioned, lounge beds and enjoy the sun or the stars. The villa's bedrooms all face the pool through individual French doors and are decorated in subtle tropical hues with tasteful classic West Indian-style furnishings. All four have private baths and air conditioning to use if you wish, though island trade winds will provide natural cooling. You'll appreciate thoughtful touches provided for your stay—bath amenities, beach towels—even Sugar Bay House dressing gowns. Rooms feature high, beamed ceilings, traditionally employed in island residences for centuries and throughout the house are finely-crafted mahogany furnishings inspired by the plantation era, including hand-made local tiles in Danish yellow. Look closely—you'll see inlaid accents carved from authentic ballast brick brought to the island on 19th century sailing ships that carried sugar and rum back to Europe. Your villa is ideally located at the center of the island's north shore, an easy drive to either of the island's two colonial towns, Christiansted or Frederiksted, for shopping, sightseeing, and fine dining. And just minutes away is Cane Bay, a spot favored by locals for its diving, snorkelling, and beachfront restaurants.