The U.S. Virgin Islands is celebrating national recognition as three St. Croix favorites have been nominated in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the V.I. Tourism Department announced in a press release.
The nominations highlight the island’s influence on Caribbean travel and place the territory in three major categories:
- Best Caribbean Beach Bar
- Deep End Bar & Grill, Christiansted, St. Croix
- Best Caribbean Resort
- The Buccaneer, St. Croix
- Best Caribbean Rum
- Cruzan Rum Distillery, St. Croix
Residents, members of the Virgin Islands diaspora, and fans of the territory are invited to vote once per day in each category at 10best.usatoday.com/awards until voting closes on Monday, Dec. 29, at noon Eastern Time. The top ten winners in each category, as selected by readers, will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at noon Eastern Time, according to the press release.
“All three of these nominees tell a different story about what makes the U.S. Virgin Islands special,” said Jennifer Matarangas-King, commissioner of Tourism. “From a relaxed beach bar where you can listen to live music with your feet in the sand, to one of the Caribbean’s most storied resorts, to a rum distillery that has been part of St. Croix’s history for centuries, these nominations celebrate the people, places and flavors that keep visitors coming back.”
Perched on the shoreline near Christiansted, Deep End Bar & Grill has become a favorite gathering spot for visitors and locals. The casual island atmosphere, sea views and live entertainment keep people coming back, the press release stated.
Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, The Buccaneer has welcomed guests since 1947 and is recognized as one of the region’s landmark resorts. The historic property features three beaches, an 18-hole golf course, a spa, and a wide range of activities for couples and families, the release stated.
With roots on St. Croix that date back to 1760, Cruzan Rum Distillery produces a lineup of award-winning rums that blend island water, molasses, and yeast into a smooth, slightly sweet spirit enjoyed around the world. The distillery remains a significant part of the island’s heritage and continues to welcome visitors interested in learning about the craft behind its signature rums, the release stated.
“These nominations are also a point of pride for St. Croix,” added Matarangas-King, a proud Crucian. “They reflect the hard work of our hospitality teams and our long tradition of sharing food, music and rum with guests from around the world.”
USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle across the United States and around the world. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts and editors, with the final rankings determined by an open online vote of readers, the release stated.
How to Vote
- Visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards
- Select the Caribbean categories for Best Caribbean Beach Bar, Best Caribbean Resort and Best Caribbean Rum
- Vote for Deep End Bar & Grill, The Buccaneer, and Cruzan Rum Distillery once per day in each category through Monday, Dec. 29, at noon Eastern Time.
The U.S. Virgin Islands encourages everyone to participate in the USA TODAY 10Best voting. To learn more about the destination, visit www.visitusvi.com and follow @visitusvi on social media.
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