St. Croix is the perfect combination of the high-end development of St. Thomas and the striking natural beauty of St. John. You can stay in the swanky urban areas in the heart of Christiansted or Frederiksted, or drive a couple miles away from the cities and stay in general solitude. A stay in one of the St. Croix hotels near Christiansted harbor means you are just steps away from the shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Frederiksted is surrounded by rain forests, so less people get out to the St. Croix beaches in the area.
For cheap hotels in St. Croix, it's best to stay near Christiansted. The least expensive area of any of the Virgin Islands, you can find low rates at the King Christian Hotel, right in the middle of the island's historic district. Though not on any St. Croix beaches like the resorts you'll find away from city limits, it's a short walk down to the beach, along with the ferry terminal, which can connect you to a number of day-trips throughout the Virgin Islands. But that's just one of the cheap hotels in St. Croix. The Hotel Caravelle and the Pink Fancy Hotel remain some of the best values in the Caribbean.
The east and northern shores are where the vast majority of St. Croix resorts are hidden. The east end collects many, as you are never more than a car ride from the big city. But the St. Croix resorts out here specialize in the total resort approach – and with your private patios leading right out into the sand, inexpensive gear rentals and small restaurants with ever-changing menus, there's a chance you can shun the larger cities altogether. The Tamarind Reef Hotel is not like this, however – merely another of the casual and cheap hotels in St. Croix. But it's all about location. Looking out onto one of the most popular St. Croix beaches, this hotel has everything you could possibly want. Just not a pretentious, stuffy atmosphere.
The northern shore is a circuitous array of St. Croix resorts, each one leading up to a beach more exclusive than the last. You'll pay extra to avoid the island crowds, but relative to many resorts in the Caribbean, these are still steals. The best hotel found here is Waves at Cane Bay – just offshore from St. Croix's world-renowned wall, it is one of the most sought after diving spots in all of the Caribbean.
