Hotel on the Cay

St. Croix, USVI

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Hotel on the Cay was warm, friendly, affordable, and a great location. Visited: December 2005 Posted by mjhorman We would give 3.5 stars, if that was an option. This was not a fancy resort, but it was a lovely place, and was very clean. The maid service was only provided twice a week, but I rather liked the lack of intrusion. I make my bed at home, I can do it here, too. The rooms were pleasant. They weren't fancy, but had a small balcony and gorgeous views. The hotel had a small, but uncrowded beach with palm trees, flowers, a beach bar, lounges, and tables. Normally, we do not stay "in town" as we are more countryside oriented, but this was an exception I will repeat when I come back. In addition, Christiansted was a lovely historical, friendly town. The the boardwalk and restaurants were delightful. The hotel was on an island, but the ferry only took 1-2 minutes (and the ferry drivers are part of the charm of this hotel, especially Freddie). Parking in Christiansted was a pain, but we always managed, sometimes with a signifigant walk to burn off some of the good eating we did. There were some problems... power outage, pool closed due to a chemical imbalance, but they were not anyone's fault. This hotel was a great value. When I come back to St. Croix (and I will), I would choose to stay here again. 9 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a great hotel and location! Visited: August 2004 Posted by pamelall I loved Hotel on the Cay! As a single woman, I felt very comfortable at this charming hotel. It had the best location, with a pretty and clean beach and only one minute by ferry to downtown Christiansted. The staff was attentive and caring. I will return! 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a great time. Visited: July 2004 Posted by alacuna I bought - sight unseen - a two week timeshare for Hotel on the Cay for the last two weeks in July. I went on the internet and researched what I had purchased. I discovered from other reviews that it was a small hotel type unit (two queen beds in each unit plus a small refigerator, tv, microwave, toaster & coffee pot). When we arrived, we were impressed by the reception that we received from the staff. The unit was clean and we loved the 360 degree panoramic view that we had from our balcony viewing St. Christiansted and the Cay. The beach was small but adequate and the Harbormaster restaurant has a very good bar and adequate restaurant. The ferry service was one its best assets. It was in service from 7::00 am to 12:00 pm, and they will make special arrangements if you would like to be picked up later in the evening. We made some great friends here and will definitely come here again. Even though its was not a luxury five-star hotel, they were in a great location to some of the best restaurants and snorkeling on the island. Buck Island is a must trip for those who visit St. Croix. I hope you enjoy your visit like my wife and I did. 5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a fabulous vacation spot. Visited: June 2004 Posted by youngjk1203 My wife, three of our kids (5, 12, 13) and I vacationed here last summer and had a fabulous time. The hotel wasn't fancy. But it offered clean rooms, a great beach, full service outdoor restaurant, water sports center, great snorkeling, a large pool, and a minute ferry ride to downtown Christiansted. Except for sightseeing on the rest of the island (including Buck Island and diving outside the reef), we really never needed to leave the island. All of our kids learned to snorkel here, and our five-year-old still remembers virtually everything. There was an on-site "recreation/vacation" guru who set up lots of activities and was always available to answer questions. The staff was always helpful, too. One of the highlights of the trip was snorkeling on the last day and coming face to face with a four-foot tarpon less than a hundred yards off the beach. We have already booked our vacation this year and will be there in early July 2005. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a great place. Visited: March 2004 Posted by jimnew00 Hotel on the Cay is a great place to stay when in St.Croix. Enjoy the quiet of your own island hotel or ferry (about one minute) to Christiansted for more options. It's not the Hilton, but it is clean and everything in the room works. Even when the electricity went out in all of Christiansted, the hotel bar/restaraunt had its own generator to stay in operation. Also, the staff is very friendly and helpful. The Hotel on the Cay has its own beach, too. I would recommend this accommodation to anyone staying in St.Croix. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was the perfect location on St. Croix. Visited: February 2004 Posted by pdjonstx We took a chance after seeing the Hotel on the Cay website, and were more than satisfied. Even in high season, the hotel did not seem crowded. Snorkeling was wonderful. The beach was clean and calm, so even our six-year-old learned how, and could see fish in a friendly two feet of water. The people who ran the watersports had two boys, so the "gang" on the beach had a great time. Restaurants in town, including the Brew Pub right on the waterfront were "kid friendly," so kids could play in sight in the gardens and walkways and just show up when the food did. The ferry ride was short and the captains were all wonderful. There was a sense of security that came from being on your own private island. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Hotel on the Cay affords a great location, and the best beach. Visited: November 2003 Posted by staylor Our families met here - three families with kids ranging from ages four to sixteen years old (plus six adults). I don't think we could have found a better location with something for everyone! The hotel was very charming. Each day they had some type of activity - a snorkeling trip hosted by one of the staff members, crab races, kayak races - where anyone staying at the hotel could participate, tours of the island, scuba, etc. The restaurant was wonderful and so convenient. We sent the kids down for breakfast whenever they got up with no worries. Lunch had a great variety as well. It was very reasonable. The Tuesday night entertainment should not be missed. And going into town for dinner was great fun since it was a one-minute boat ride away and we were right downtown. It couldn't have been easier. There were lots of choices for dinner. They also had a great pool, but why would you use it when you have a wonderful beach? We're ready to go back! 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Consider carefully before comitting to Hotel on the Cay Visited: September 2003 Posted by checksix Hotel on the Cay is a good locale for the younger budget traveler who doesn't expect a lot in the way of amenities. In fact, the best "amenity" at the hotel is the staff ... friendly, accommodating and responsive. The rooms are basic and spotlessly clean, but the furnishings can be shabby/sub-par. For example, the bed mattresses are only 4 inches thick. Although they are on top of a regular box spring, it was more like sleeping on a futon than an actual bed. The beach is the greatest asset the hotel has, but sadly, they are not taking the best care of it. I've never seen so much broken glass on a beach before and wonder why it isn’t “combed” periodically to alleviate the problem. I’d be concerned about letting small kids run around in it. The ferry service is great; runs regularly and staff is super helpful and friendly. The restaurant is OK for lunches, but is not open for dinner. The drinks were high-priced ($3.50 per beer, $6 per mixed drink!) so it’s better to buy/make your own. Peter is supposedly the hotel’s “go to” guy for information, whether it be day trips, local customs or timeshares. We attended his initial St. Croix orientation session and weren’t impressed. He spent the majority of the hour in rambling tale-telling. The main takeaways we got were: 1. Be polite and respectful to locals and they’ll reciprocate (No rocket-science in that tidbit of info) 2. Sweeney is the best tour guide in town. (Read on for more about that) 3. The hourly bus to Fredericksted is only $2 compared to a $20 taxi fare. (There … Just saved you an hour of your vacation time!) As for island tours, contrary to what Peter tells you, Sweeney is NOT the best tour guide on the island! He was lackadaisical in his tour and haughty in its delivery. We did not get a tour of the rum factory, but just a visit to the showroom. He did not slow down, let alone stop, long enough for us to get photos anywhere. At Whim plantation, he was supposed to give us a tour around the grounds but disappeared. We were supposed to spend time in Fredericksted, and all he did was take us to a place (of his choosing) for lunch and then we left. His microphone did not work properly and all we heard for most of the tour was ear-blasting static. You can do much, much, better hiring your own driver for the day who will take you where you want to go. Another couple paid the same amount for their own driver for the day and thoroughly enjoyed the trip he gave them. All in all, Hotel on the Cay is a two-star facility located in a two-star location (St. Croix). Would not go back again nor would we recommend it. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? In a very nice location-convenient to all of Christiansted. Visited: February 2002 Posted by pcarson77 We traded our timeshare for a week here. The hotel was clean and the staff was friendly. It was very enjoyable - nice to walk out the door and be able to swim and snorkel on a lovely beach. They had a small beach cafe which was okay for basics. They made a great fruit smoothie-we had those before snorkling for energy. If you are expecting lavish decor and furnishings, this is not the hotel for you. It was hit by a couple of hurricanes, so there are repairs and renovations still in progress. If you are looking for a down to earth place with beautiful surroundings and friendly people, the Hotel on the Cay fits the bill. There was also a little coffee sandwich shop right accross from the hotel (hop on the water taxi) that was just great for breakfast and lunch. They offered fresh croissants and fruit and fabulous sandwiches. The prices were good, so we got food and brought it back to our room. Don't worry about having to hop on the water taxi to get across from the hotel-it's at the dock all the time and the most we ever had to wait was five minutes. We would come back again, since on a timeshare trade the price was right. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The most relaxing getaway that we've found in years. Visited: October 2001 Posted by calpvd My wife and I just returned after staying here for a week. If you are looking for peace and tranquility in the USVI, this is it. This private island is a two-minute ferry ride (which by the way is very prompt), has most of what you want for an enjoyable and carefree stay. We were impressed with the management and staff that went out of their way at all times. Updating of the facility is in progress, which was damaged by recent hurricanes. This is a true jewel that was neglected in the past—not now! 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The staff was absolutely wonderful. Visited: May 2001 Posted by bvanwert Went to compete in the 1/2 Ironman on May the 6th. The hotel was the perfect location for the race and was also in a central location to see the rest of Christiansted. The beer was always cold and the staff was first class. The beach was the best around. The hotel was still being repaired from damage done during hurricane season, but was still a very pleasant place to stay. I would recommend it to anyone. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A wonderful place Visited: January 2001 Posted by ptrckmcc We stayed here for two weeks. This seven acre island is situated right in the middle of the harbor and boasts the finest beaches on the island. The short boat ride helps give it an air of isolation, although people from other hotels and cruise ships come each day to use the beach and to enjoy the small beach restaurant and bar. If you don't like swimming in the ocean, the pool is wonderful and well maintained. There seemed to be a lot of remodeling going on during our stay, judging from all the work crews and equipment coming in on the boats. The snorkeling is the best too, except for Buck Island, which is a national park six miles off shore. The hotel caters to time share owners, and we liked the fact that the people were friendly -- many of course knew each other but welcomed us like old friends. All in all, we enjoyed the time so much that we are looking into purchasing time shares there ourselves, rather than just renting a room the next time we go. St. Croix is a quiet, laid-back island, definitely not for your Vegas crowd. If you like an easy pace at a small hotel where people are friendly and there's a beautiful view from every room, then Hotel on the Cay is your kind of place. We'll definitely be back. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Overall enjoyment Visited: July 2000 Posted by sara813 I just returned from Hotel on the Cay and I can't wait to go back! I got this hotel at a great deal and my expectation weren't high going in, but I truly enjoyed myself. The rooms are roomy, but basic and there is a small balcony which I loved to sit out on and enjoy the gorgeous view. The beach is small, but many people I met from other hotels were complaining about rocks and sea urchins and I had no problems with that at Hotel on the Cay's beach. We had a problem in our room with a leak from the air conditioning which took them days to fix and that was our major headache of the trip. However, the service was nice albeit slow. The pool could use a fresh coat of paint, but it was my favorite place at the hotel. No one ever really used it except for me and the view was wonderful because the pool is above the restaurant so you can see out into the ocean. The downside of the hotel is its lack of extras - no tennis, golf, etc. but you're not paying for those either. Also the restaurant serves only breakfast and lunch, except for Tuesdays dinner - which is a must. But I think the lack of food was a blessing in disguise because it forced us to explore and enjoy many restaurants around Christiansted. Overall this hotel isn't the Ritz, but you aren't paying for the Ritz either. I enjoyed my trip and the hotel fit my lifestyle wonderfully! Enjoy!! 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Private Island Retreat Visited: November 1999 Posted by dgaro This 7 acre island is a prefect vacation. I have vacationed here and have returned several times. Its romantic and relaxing. You have your own private island to rejoice on. Beautiful unobstructed views of the island. There is a pool, tennis courts, a dining room, and another eating area beneath the pool. You will only have to walk 50 yards to the beach and from there you can have some of the best snorkeling around. From several hurricanes, boats have sunken in the harbor and you'll have your own little sunken adventure. Food around this island is fabulous. Not crazy in nightlife...but some wonderful tropical drinks. On occasion the hotel offers a Caribbean night for the guests. Dinner tables on the beach, tiki torches and a roast with steel drums in the background and if you're lucky you get to pick your hermit crab, paint a number on it and watch it race against 20 others. There is a small 30 second boat ride to the main island and shopping and restaurants are in abundance...Duty Free!! If you can get a chance rent a car and check out the rest of the island. Point Udall, the southern most point of the US is only a short drive away, so is the town of Fredericksted, and the sugar mills. Not a place for the spring breaker! But a perfect Caribbean getawy and alot cheaper than many of the other Caribbean islands. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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