Hibiscus Beach Resort - St. Croix, USVI

A stay at the 37-room Hibiscus Beach Hotel puts you right at water's edge. It's the perfect spot for a casual vacation spent relaxing with a good book in the beachfront chaises. When the sun gets too warm, hop in the ocean for a round of snorkeling or swimming or into the pool for a cooling dip.

The two-story Hibiscus Beach Hotel features cookie cutter rooms with ceramic tile floors, tropical rattan furniture and colorful spreads. All have either patios or balconies facing the sea.

The rooms have television, safes, telephones, air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Two are set up to accommodate handicapped visitors, and all the bottom-floor rooms are wheelchair accessible.

This hotel has relatively modest prices by Caribbean standards along with some attractive all-inclusive plans, which makes it popular with honeymooners.

Entertainment - jazz, reggae and even a dance company - on several nights during the winter season and occasionally in the summer provides a little bit of action for vacationers not worn out from the sun and sea.

While you might enjoy a meal or two at the hotel's beachfront restaurant, expand your culinary horizons with a short drive into nearby Christiansted. The island's main town features and eclectic selection of restaurants - try Tutu Bene on Company Street for interesting Italian fare - plus lots of shopping in the small emporiums tucked into the city's arcades and byways.

The Hibiscus Beach Hotel sits right next door to the Cormorant Beach Club, which can provide a change of pace when you don't want to venture into Christiansted for dinner.