Club Med Plans Expansion to St. Croix

Club Med in partnership with VICI Properties Inc. (an S&P 500 experiential real estate investment trust) will redevelop the iconic Carambola Beach Resort on the island of St. Croix, marking the all-inclusive pioneer’s return to U.S. territory.  

Following VICI’s acquisition of the Carambola Beach Resort, VICI entered into a long-term triple-net lease with Club Med, and will fund the resort’s redevelopment, elevating the property to Club Med’s Exclusive Collection standards. Club Med will run the future operations of the historic 150-key resort, transforming it into a model for sustainable, culturally rich and all-inclusive hospitality in the region.

“The U.S. Virgin Islands represent an exciting new chapter for Club Med,” said Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “For more than seven decades, we’ve welcomed North American travelers to our destinations around the world, and now we’re bringing that experience back home. With St. Croix’s natural beauty, strong community spirit, and deep cultural roots, together with the longstanding legacy of this hotel, this project reflects our vision for thoughtful growth, and meaningful connection across the Americas.”

John Payne, president and COO of VICI, added, “We are very excited to begin our partnership with Club Med… Carambola Beach Resort is an ideal asset to launch our relationship. We have tremendous respect for what the Club Med team has built, and we look forward to opportunities to support their continued growth across North America for years to come.”

An Iconic Setting Reimagined

Originally built in 1986 by philanthropist and conservation pioneer Laurance Rockefeller, Carambola Beach Resort is one of the island’s most iconic properties. Club Med’s redevelopment plans envision a comprehensive renovation that preserves its natural beauty and historic roots.

The resort, nestled between a crescent beach and tropical rainforest, will be part of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection, the brand’s most refined portfolio of premium all-inclusive resorts, distinguished by elevated design, personalized service, and exceptional experiences in extraordinary settings. The concept is a departure from the traditional family-focused all-inclusive model, with a more relaxed, destination-driven experience geared toward couples, friends, multigenerational travelers, and families with children ages 12 and up.

Club Med St. Croix will mark the brand’s reentry onto U.S. soil and aims to attract travelers from the U.S., Canada, and around the world seeking a high quality, all-inclusive experience in a unique island setting. 

Aligned with Club Med’s “Happy to Care” sustainability commitments, the project will target BREEAM and Green Globe certifications—benchmarks of environmental design and operational responsibility. Together, these efforts underscore Club Med’s longstanding focus on environmental performance and community stewardship.

“The arrival of the Club Med brand to the U.S. Virgin Islands marks another significant milestone in the continued economic growth and revitalization of our islands — particularly St. Croix — where tourism remains a key driver of opportunity and investment,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, followed by a targeted reopening in Q4 2027.