The Buccaneer, formally known as The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, is a luxury historic hotel and beach resort, about 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Christiansted, on the island of Saint Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands, beyond Altona Lagoon.[1] Set in 240 acres with an 18-hole golf course and three private beaches, it was opened by the Armstrong family as an inn in 1947 and was listed on the National Registry of the Historic Hotels of America in 2006.
A manor house was constructed by a Knight of Malta in 1653,[2] though the estate reportedly dates back further than this. Over the centuries since it has served as a private home, a sugar mill, a cotton plantation and a cattle estate.[3] A sugar mill was constructed in 1733, and a slave quarters was also built some time in the 18th century.[2]
In 1947, the property was acquired by the Armstrong family, who opened it as an 11-room inn.[4]
Jimmy Hamilton, the jazz clarinetist who formerly performed in the Duke Ellington Orchestra and moved to the Virgin Islands in virtual retirement,[5] recorded a live album at the hotel, which was released in 1985, Rediscovered at the Buccaneer.[6]
In 2006, the hotel was added to the National Registry of the Historic Hotels of America.[4] As of 2011, the hotel was managed by Elizabeth Armstrong.[7] The Buccaneer underwent restoration in 2015.[8] When the islands were seriously affected by hurricanes in 2017, the hotel accommodated for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operatives.[2]
The hotel has a gym, spa, pool, three restaurants and bar.[3] The principal restaurant is The Kendricks. The hotel has 150 rooms, some of which feature 16 feet (4.9 m) high wood ceilings.[3] U.S. News Travel describes the rooms as "elegant and simplistic in design, featuring bright blue-, green- and salmon-colored decor and modern amenities like satellite TVs, minifridges, and private patios or balconies".[9] There are 4 conference rooms which can hold up to 150 people and 2,500 square feet (230 m2) of exhibition space.[8] The former sugar mill serves as a venue for weddings, and the old slave quarters of the plantation is now used for lodging.[2]
Three beaches are let out privately to guests.[10] The resort offers windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, sailing trips and horseback riding to guests.[11][12] Darwin Porter stated in 2006 that the hotel also has the best tennis facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with eight all-weather Laykold courts, and hosts tournaments.[13]