Bungalows On the Bay — Hotel in Saint Croix

This "resort" was such a disappointment. We had been told it was a beautiful location with renovated bungalows. The photos of the rooms that were available online showed freshly painted walls with new beds.

The problems started from the moment we tried to find the place. The sign from the main road is almost faded out, with no lighting. The office is difficult to recognize as there is no signage. The office itself is a mess.

Still, the worse part, though, were the bungalows we got. The first one, bungalow #3, was filthy and in terrible disrepair. The wood on the porch was rotting and falling apart. The kitchenette had a two-burner cooktop that was rusting; we didn't dare turn it on. The Formica countertop was stained, scuffed, and pulling up off the cabinet. The sink was dirty. The refrigerator had been shoved into place without even peeling off the packing plastic wrap. The mattress on the king-sized bed was ancient; it creaked with any movement, and we could feel the individual bed coils. The bathroom was frankly disgusting. The toilet bowl had huge stains. The shower had big rust spots. The walls were streaked. The sink was very dirty. We were disgusted and felt cheated but decided to keep an open mind.

However, by the following morning, we decided we could not spend the rest of our week like that. We demanded either a different bungalow, or a full refund. They were gracious and immediately offered to show us another bungalow. This one looked much better and, in fact, was also much bigger. It had a living room and full kitchen. So, we decided to take it and stay.

That first impression wore off quickly as we stayed in that room. There was no regular housekeeping service; it had to be requested every time. That had never been explained to us. It also meant we had to request new towels any time we wanted them. We were never able to turn on the living room fan or lights; the remote control was missing, and they never brought one for us. There was also no remote control for the TV; we were told they had universal remotes, but they never brought us one. To turn it on or off, or control the volume, we had to use the buttons on the bottom of the TV itself. The unit did have a full kitchen, but it had almost no pots or pans. We were not going to buy them, so it made the kitchen virtually useless. They didn't even have sponges to clean dishes or paper towels. In the bedroom, we could turn on the fan, but not change the speed at all. That remote was also missing. Also, the wiring connecting the fan was completely exposed, as it was for most of the fans we saw in the public areas, too. In the bathroom, problems continued. The sink almost did not drain, even after we had maintenance look at it. The toilet was stained, and it bubbled in a virtual eruption when flushed. The shower pan was leveled so poorly that water pooled on one side, instead of going down the drain.

The location was good; about a 10-minute drive from Christiansted. The beach was very nice. The bar and small restaurant were also good. Nevertheless, none of that can make up for the terrible shape the...

If you want a relaxing vacation, do not stay at this “resort”. It’s a joke that they call this place a resort when I’ve received better service from a Motel 6. When you get to your room, they only provide you with four towels — if you want more, you will have to ask for them. Or they will randomly leave a trash bag full of towels outside your door randomly— our trash bag included a few dead bugs and cactus burrs (which became lodged in our hand).

If you’re in anyway handicapped, good luck getting to your room. The owner of the resort went out of his way to lock us out to where we couldn’t even be dropped off closer to our room— which was up a steep hill with random rocks scattered about. I actually rolled my ankle and skinned my knee because I stepped on a rock in one of the pathways— had the owner asked us why we needed to be closer to our room, we would have told him that I hurt my ankle and needed the extra accommodation.

If you hope to enjoy the “resort” restaurant, good luck. They are randomly open without any actual hours to go by and close without any warning. On the chance they are open, be careful about what you order— my friend and I got food poisoning on two separate occasions.

Finally, there were bugs all over our room. While we have no proof, I feel like there might have even been bedbugs as my friend and I both were covered in bites. She also discovered a spider hiding in her slipper. Additionally, you have to pay $2 for water. It is not made readily available to guests.

On the last night, they held an event to celebrate 50 years. It was scheduled to end at 10pm, but went on well into the early hours of the morning. The music was so loud that our cottage shook. Not ideal before a day of travel and very inconsiderate of guests.

All in all, terrible stay. A pain point in an otherwise decent visit to the island I was raised on....

Unforgettable New Year's Stay at Bungalows on the Bay, St Croix USVI

We rang in the New Year with a fantastic two-week stay at Bungalows on the Bay in St Croix USVI. The festive spirit was alive with ample amusement down at the on-site restaurant and bar. The bar itself is a gem, offering delicious food at prices that match the island's standard, but with the added luxury of beachside dining.

One of the highlights was the stunning beach, complete with complimentary kayaks, which provided endless entertainment and exploration. Just steps away, the inviting pool perched above the beach offered a refreshing retreat under the Caribbean sun.

The property was undergoing renovations, yet our bungalow was impeccable, a testament to the owners' dedication to comfort and style. The on-demand cleaning service was exceptional, ensuring our space was always in top condition, and the courtesy of free coffee available each morning in the bar was a delightful perk.

Speaking of the owners, meeting them was a pleasure; they are truly wonderful individuals with generous hearts. Their commitment to the resort's renovation and their vision for its future enhancement was evident and contagious.

Overall, our experience at Bungalows on the Bay was nothing short of perfect, and we can't wait to return to see the fruition of the owners' dreams for this little slice of paradise.

Thank you from the...