Hotel at a Glance: Hotel on the Cay

When it comes to vacation bragging rights, there’s nothing quite like retreating to a private Caribbean island. This inn is located on Protestant Cay, a 5-acre private island that’s a two-minute ferry ride from downtown Christiansted, St. Croix. While here, you can kayak, snorkel, and windsurf with rentals and lessons offered on site. You might also catch glimpses of the hundreds of tropical birds that call Protestant Cay home.

• Unparalleled diving opportunities include specialty PADI courses, introductory dives, and lionfish hunts.
• Private beach means “you’re more likely to have an encounter with a turtle than a cruise-ship passenger,” according to Latitudes magazine.
• Most rooms have balconies that offer views of Christiansted or the Caribbean Sea.
• Don’t miss St. Croix’s world-famous Cruzan Rum Distillery, where $5 gets you an informative 20-minute tour that ends with a rum-tasting session.

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands: Breathtaking Snorkeling Sites and Historical Danish Architecture

Though it’s now an American territory, St. Croix—the biggest of the US Virgin Islands—spent about 200 years under Danish rule. A handful of military forts from that era still dot the island. One, Fort Christiansvaern, stands amid a grid of cobblestone streets lined with 18th-century pastel buildings in the town of Christiansted. From here, you can board a cruise to Buck Island Reef National Monument, an uninhabited island surrounded by a barrier reef of elkhorn coral. Snorkel beneath the waters to get a close-up glimpse of eagle rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles.

During nesting season (roughly March through July), leatherback turtles migrate to Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge to lay their eggs. It sets the stage for a spectacular scene a couple months later, when thousands of tiny turtles emerge from their eggs and can be seen waddling around the shore. The refuge is on the island’s western side, near the city of Frederiksted, where you can sample local spirits at the Cruzan Rum Factory.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best way to travel to the hotel from the airport? Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) is about a 20-minute ride (taxis are about $36 each way) from Christiansted, where ferries to and from the island run roughly every 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to midnight.

2. Is there an additional occupancy fee, or do I have to purchase another Groupon? The Groupon covers two guests, and the valid room type has a maximum occupancy of four. $25 per night for each additional guest 18 or older; guests 17 or younger stay free.

3. Will I be approached to attend a timeshare sales presentation? Groupon customers are never obligated to attend a sales presentation. If you are approached and decline a presentation, you will not lose the value of your Groupon or have to pay additional fees.

4. Which activities and amenities are included in the resort credits? No resort credits are included in this Groupon.

5. Are dinner reservations required for restaurants? Is there a dress code? For information regarding your dining options, please call (855) 654-0301.

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