Carambola Beach Resort St. Croix

We had high expectations, expecting a real resort experience. However, carambola offered resort prices coupled with the best western experience. Our room had many issues so they moved us to a new room. Needless to say the second wrong also had issues. To their credit, they gave us a $200 food credit. The pool was great and we enjoyed it very much. There was a short walk to the beach but it had very limited chairs and umbrellas. The dining experience was ok, it was understaffed but the food was good. All-in-all, I’d say if you get an amazing deal and lower your expectations to a 2.5 rating, this would be a great place to stay at.

This is my second year in a row going! Great hotel with a very caring staff! The beach is to die for, and the snorkeling is great! A slice of paradise I recommend you visit.

We went there to check the beach and have lunch, the person on the entrance was very busy talking with other employees and was zero friendly to explain where to park and how access the beach - we arrived 10:40 and lunch starts at 11. - we parked outside and walked to the beach. Beach was ok, no calm as I was expecting but, beautiful place. We decided to move to another place…

If you’ve ever dreamt of waking up, sipping a proper cup of tea, and then stepping directly into a living aquarium, well, pack your fins and book a room at Carambola Beach Resort, St. Croix. Immediately. From the moment I arrived, I was wrapped in the embrace of warm Caribbean breezes and staff so kind, I suspected they might be on loan from Downton Abbey. Special mention must go to Gerald, the resort’s truly wonderful General Manager, who personally checked in with me during my stay to ensure everything was going smoothly. And indeed it was, though it must be said, Gerald’s gracious attention to detail made it all the more lovely. Five-star service in paradise? Yes, please. But let’s get to the real gem: the underwater kingdom right off the beach. Now, I must sing the praises of Sweet Bottom Dive Center, conveniently located right on the resort grounds. I had the absolute pleasure of doing a two-tank dive, and my guide, Chris (a veritable Neptune in board shorts), was nothing short of spectacular. Knowledgeable, calm, and an expert at pointing out the hidden wonders of the reef, Chris turned our dive into a guided tour through Poseidon’s own garden. From coral cathedrals to cheeky little sea creatures popping out of their nooks like curious neighbours, every moment beneath the waves was a revelation. There was even a boxfish so dapper he appeared to be heading to a black-tie affair, spotted suit and all. But hold your snorkels, snorkelling right off the beach was equally enchanting. The reef is practically winking at you from the shoreline. Just a gentle wade in and voilà! You’re immersed in a world of fluttering sea fans, dramatic sponges, and more fish than a Buckingham banquet. Juvenile damselfish danced about like glittering sapphires, yellow tangs patrolled their coral outposts, and schools of fish darted around with such purpose, you’d swear they were late for a council meeting. And the resort itself? Utterly divine. Spacious rooms, lush grounds, and a pool that practically insists you relax with something involving rum and pineapple. Breakfast on the veranda is a morning ritual worth waking up for, and every single staff member exudes charm and hospitality. If you’re looking for a place where adventure meets tranquillity, where your neighbours are parrotfish and your schedule is ruled by the tides, Carambola is calling. And do yourself a favour: ask for Chris at Sweet Bottom Dive Center. And give Gerald a wave from me, he’s the kind of manager who makes a great stay truly exceptional. With deepest appreciation and slightly wrinkled fingertips, Lady Fiona of the Reef & Rascal Tang Society 🐟

I’m a Marriott Titanium and booked four rooms at the resort for a week with a mixture of cash and points. Overall, the rooms were very reasonably priced with both and overall I’d say the resort offered good value. The pool and beach are both very nice though I wonder how it is when the resort is near capacity. There’s not a ton of room around the pool, though it was certainly adequate for our week. The rooms are spacious and generally very clean though a bit on the rustic side. Every room has its own patio/porch and there are a ton of ocean front rooms where you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Very nice. The TVs did not work during our stay but the internet was just fine. Bring your iPad and your Netflix account if you require a TV. For Marriot Platinum and up, they offered a two free adult breakfasts per day and kids 12 and under are free, but only for one room. So if you book multiple rooms for your family, don’t expect multiple free breakfasts. As is usual in the Caribbean, the breakfast has a great omelette station and a pretty good buffet with fresh fruit etc. Not quite as opulent as other Marriotts in the Caribbean, but very nice. About 35 bucks for adults and 16 or so for 12-18 year olds. My largest complaint was that they could only give us one room (out of four) for a late check-out. The resort was probably only 30% full but I think they just use certain buildings and rooms. Nonetheless, it was disappointing. I would think that a place that was trying to recover on reputation would bend over backwards for something like that. Overall the value for a Marriott Platinum and up was good but not great. The bar scene was a nice one and the staff were generally very friendly with a few small exceptions. The snorkeling in front of the hotel was okay and real highlight of as the trail to the tidal pools, which were very cool. About a 1.4 mile hike one way, FYI and definitely go within a few hours of low tide.