The Buccaneer

The Buccaneer is a legendary luxury resort located on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Christiansted harbor. Set on 340 acres of oceanfront property, it is the most iconic resort in St. Croix and the Caribbean's longest-running family-owned resort. The property features three secluded private beaches, an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, two swimming pools, a water sports center, a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and three oceanfront restaurants. The resort offers 131 rooms that blend colonial charm with modern amenities. The Buccaneer's history is deeply intertwined with that of St. Croix itself. The estate dates back to 1653, when a small plantation house was built on the hillside during the era of the Knights of Malta. In 1733, during the Danish period, the original Great House and sugar mill were established, forming the architectural and cultural foundation of the property. In 1917, the United States purchased St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark. In 1922, the Heyliger family sold the historic seaside estate and working ranch to Douglas Armstrong. Together with his wife Rachel, Armstrong restored the ruins of the Danish Great House and, in 1947, opened an intimate 11-room inn—the first hotel in St. Croix built and operated by an island family. Today, The Buccaneer is owned and operated by the Armstrong family, now in its third and fourth generations. Elizabeth A. Armstrong and Charlotte Halk Armstrong continue the family legacy. The resort has received numerous "World's Best" accolades from the travel industry and has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2007. The Buccaneer Spa is scheduled to reopen in fall 2026 following a comprehensive reimagining, with reservations being accepted for November 2026 and beyond. The resort's mission is for every guest to return and become part of The Buccaneer family, providing world-class service while sharing the heritage, warmth, and friendliness of St. Croix.

The history of The Buccaneer spans over 370 years, beginning long before it became a resort. The estate's earliest chapter dates to 1653, when a small plantation house was built on the hillside during the era of the Knights of Malta. St. Croix, known to its earliest inhabitants as "Ay Ay", was sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and subsequently claimed by seven nations, earning the nickname "Island Under Seven Flags". In 1733, St. Croix entered its Danish period under the Danish West India and Guinea Company. During this time, the original Great House and sugar mill were established, forming the architectural and cultural foundation of what would become The Buccaneer. The sugar mill from 1733 still stands on the property today. In 1917, the United States purchased St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold, ushering in a new era for the island. Five years later, in 1922, the Heyliger family sold a historic seaside estate and working ranch to Douglas Armstrong. Together with his wife, Rachel Armstrong, they restored the ruins of the Danish Great House. In 1947, they opened an intimate 11-room inn—the first hotel in St. Croix built and operated by an island family. This marked the founding of The Buccaneer as a hospitality business. Over the following decades, The Buccaneer grew into a full-scale luxury resort. The Armstrong family expanded the property to 340 acres, adding an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, three private beaches, two pools, a water sports center, a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and three oceanfront restaurants. The resort now offers 131 rooms blending colonial charm with modern amenities. In 2007, The Buccaneer became a member of Historic Hotels of America, recognizing its historical significance. The resort has received numerous "World's Best" accolades from the travel industry over the years. Today, The Buccaneer is owned and operated by the Armstrong family, now in its third and fourth generations. Elizabeth A. Armstrong and her daughter Charlotte Halk Armstrong continue the family legacy, welcoming guests from around the world. The resort remains the Caribbean's longest-running family-owned resort. In 2026, The Buccaneer Spa is scheduled to reopen following a comprehensive reimagining, with reservations being accepted for November 2026 and beyond. The resort's mission statement emphasizes that every guest should return and become part of The Buccaneer family, with a pledge to provide world-class service and share the heritage, warmth, and friendliness of St. Croix.

• 2026

  The Buccaneer Spa is scheduled to reopen in fall 2026 following a comprehensive reimagining, with reservations being accepted for November 2026 and beyond.

• 2007

  The Buccaneer became a member of Historic Hotels of America.

• 1947

  Douglas and Rachel Armstrong opened an intimate 11-room inn, the first hotel in St. Croix built and operated by an island family, founding The Buccaneer.

• 1922

  The Heyliger family sold a historic seaside estate and working ranch to Douglas Armstrong, who with his wife Rachel restored the ruins of the Danish Great House.

• 1917

  The United States purchased St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold.

• 1733

  During the Danish period, the original Great House and sugar mill were established, forming the architectural and cultural foundation of The Buccaneer.

• 1653

  A small plantation house was built on the hillside during the era of the Knights of Malta, marking the earliest chapter of The Buccaneer estate.

Luxury, historic, family-owned beachfront resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands

• The Buccaneer Resort

  A 340-acre luxury beachfront resort with 131 rooms, three private beaches, an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, two pools, a water sports center, a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, and three oceanfront restaurants.

• The Buccaneer Spa

  A reimagined spa offering massages, facials, and restorative body treatments, scheduled to reopen in fall 2026.

• 18-hole golf course

  An oceanfront golf course overlooking the Caribbean Sea, featuring lush fairways, a full-service golf pro shop, and expert staff.

• The Terrace Restaurant

  Offers complimentary breakfast and refined evening dining with St. Croix's best sunsets overlooking Christiansted.

• The Mermaid Restaurant

  Casual beachfront dining with fresh local salads, wraps, and more.

1. 1Luxury St. Croix Resort, US Virgin Islands | The Buccaneerthebuccaneer.com
2. 2Historic St. Croix Resort | The Buccaneer U.S. Virgin Islandsthebuccaneer.com
3. 3Luxury Spa in St. Croix | Massage & Wellness at The Buccaneerthebuccaneer.com
4. 4About The Buccaneer Resort | St. Croix, U.S Virgin Islandsthebuccaneer.com
5. 5The Buccaneer - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6The Buccaneer (îles Vierges des États-Unis) - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org