Club Med Breaks Ground on New St. Croix Property

Marking the all-inclusive pioneer’s return to U.S. territory, Club Med kicked off construction on St. Croix in a traditional ground breaking ceremony, officially launching the development and kicking off a new chapter for the all-inclusive industry.

Hosted by Stéphane Maquaire, President and CEO of Club Med, and Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, the ceremony on the former Carambola Beach Resort property marked the moment Club Med St. Croix moved from vision into action, on the same stretch of beach where the resort will welcome its first guests next year. 

“St. Croix is a destination we’ve long admired, and one that has welcomed us with open arms,” said Doyon. “Its beauty, culture and spirit are unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean, and we wanted to bring that to travellers through the kind of all-inclusive experience that only Club Med can create — one that is designed around genuine joy and connection, effortless ease, and a real sense of place.”

Economic Impact & Sustainability

Club Med St. Croix will serve as a catalyst for growth within the local economy and throughout the territory. The completed resort project is anticipated to create approximately 200 jobs, with an estimated 80% expected to be filled by local talent, supplemented by an equal number of indirect roles through collaborations with tour operators, suppliers, and regional agricultural producers and craftsmen. 

Club Med says sustainability is built into the project from the start. In line with the company’s Happy to Care commitments, the redevelopment will target BREEAM and Green Globe certifications, recognized benchmarks for environmental design and operational responsibility. 

“Today, we not only celebrate the groundbreaking of a new property, but also what this project means for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “The addition of Club Med to the territory’s tourism portfolio brings jobs, creates opportunity, and further reinforces our islands as one of the world’s premier destinations. We are proud to welcome Club Med and VICI and look forward to building a prosperous future together.” 

A New Chapter For A Caribbean Landmark

A premier addition to Club Med’s prestigious Exclusive Collection and only the second in North America, the 150-key resort is nestled between a pristine white-sand crescent and the verdant tropical canopy of St. Croix’s northwest coast. 

The reimagining of the island’s beloved Carambola Beach Resort carries the property’s legacy forward. Originally designed in the 1980s under Laurence Rockefeller’s conservation philosophy with hardwood, native stone, and steep shingled roofs built to blend into the Davis Bay landscape, the property’s design will be elevated while preserving the spirit that has defined it.

The first offering of its kind in the destination, Club Med will bring premium, family-friendly all-inclusive travel to St. Croix, designed for guests 12 years and older and centred on an active lifestyle.

All-Suite Accommodations: Inspired by the Caribbean’s rainforest and island landscape, the low-density, all-suite design will reflect the preferences of today’s traveller — spacious, intentional, and technologically forward while immersing them in the surrounding locale.

Elevated Dining & Social Spaces: The resort will feature a culinary program that celebrates both international fare and local Caribbean influence with three distinct dining concepts, including a signature restaurant, a beachfront venue, and a cafe with convenient grab-and-go options. Beyond dining, the resort will be home to four bar and lounge concepts. 

Signature Amenities & Experiences: A new infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a full-service spa, and an array of sports and recreation that embody Club Med’s DNA of active, social living, from pickleball and beach volleyball to yoga, non-motorized watersports, and guided outdoor excursions. 

Club Med St. Croix is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2027.