As you arrive at Lovango Resort & Beach Club by sea, a check-in team waits at the dock with a tray of Caribbean rum welcome drinks and a Kawasaki cart ready to ascend a steep hillside to your room in paradise. It’s the only hotel on the small 118-acre island, lending the experience a luxuriously private feel.
The accommodations take full advantage of the wild, natural surroundings, from treehouses and glamping tents to cottages and villas overlooking turquoise waters. We stayed in an AC-equipped treehouse nestled on a cliffside with front-row views of Crescent Beach and Congo Cay. (The latter being an uninhabited island that’s a tropical bird sanctuary.)
The wood-paneled interiors feel like elevated Swiss Family Robinson, with textural touches such as woven light fixtures, cotton canvas upholstery, and gauzey mosquito nets for the bed. There’s a spacious outdoor deck for morning coffee, and an outdoor shower with lush vegetation framing views of the ocean.
One of the best ways to experience Lovango’s private setting in nature is with a day at the beach. Guests can choose between the Beach Club, equipped with creature comforts like umbrellas, daybeds, towels, showers, and food & drink service (or a cabana if you’re feeling fancy). On the opposite side of the island is Crescent Beach—a striking stretch of sand and stones with world-class snorkeling and a truly remote feel. While there are no services at Crescent Beach, you can text the concierge to pack up a gourmet lunch for you and have it delivered.
Other culinary options range from casual beachfront bites at The Sandpit to fine dining with coastal Caribbean cuisine by Chef Stephen Belie (don’t miss the sea urchin gnocchi). Every morning there’s a breakfast buffet at the Treetop Lobby Tent with freshly-made quiches, fruits, and other hot and cold items.
The concierge team is top-notch, available to customize an itinerary on Lovango, organize a charter, or plan out a day at the nearby Virgin Islands National Park. They have a desk set up at breakfast each morning to ensure your day is well spent—an especially nice touch.
Top Takeaways
Location: Lovango Cay, United States Virgin Islands
The Vibe: A relaxing private island resort with an abundance of opportunities to experience nature, both luxurious and rustic.
Food + Drink: Choose between casual beachfront bites and Lovango’s fine dining restaurant situated by the sea. The menu leans on coastal Caribbean ingredients, with a strong focus on local seafood favorites.
Amenities: Pool club, private beach, snorkeling equipment, five shopping boutiques, outdoor showers, iPads, hiking trails, complimentary resort ferry to/from St. John and St. Thomas, and concierge service.
Any personal neighborhood recs? A visit to St. John is a must while visiting Lovango. If you’re an avid snorkeler and want to spot a sea turtle, head to Maho Bay where they’re commonly seen nibbling on seagrass just off shore. For post-swim bites, head to Morgan’s Mango Restaurant on St. John or grab a casual drink at The Longboard.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: While the infinity pool at Lovango Beach Club with its beach umbrellas and sun loungers is undeniably appealing, on the other side of the island lies Crescent Beach—an untouched cove with a rugged shoreline that feels plucked from the Jurassic period. Pack up a complimentary Igloo cooler with water, bubbly, and snacks and take the brief hike down to Crescent Beach for a day of snorkeling a protected coral reef, strolling down a pebble beach accompanied by a fleet of pelicans, or simply lounging on the sand letting the salty Caribbean water rush over your legs.
What’s nearby? St. John is a 10-minute ferry ride away, with island highlights including the national park and plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to fill up an entire day.
Rooms: There are 19 accommodations total at Lovango (five treehouses, 11 glamping tents, two cottages and one three-bedroom villa).
Pricing: Rooms start at $995 per night.
Closest Airport: Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas
