Carambola Beach Resort in St. Croix is set for redevelopment through a partnership between VICI Properties, a US real estate investment trust that owns and finances large leisure and hospitality assets, and Club Med, a global operator of all-inclusive resorts.
VICI Properties has acquired the site and signed a long-term triple-net lease agreement with Club Med. Under the arrangement, VICI will fund the redevelopment, while Club Med will run the resort once it reopens.
For Club Med, the project marks a return to the US market after focusing mainly on resorts in Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts of the Americas. The St. Croix property will be part of its Exclusive Collection, the brand’s premium resort range.
The site itself has a longer history that continues to define its identity. Carambola Beach Resort was originally developed in 1986 by philanthropist and conservation figure Laurance Rockefeller, with a focus on balancing tourism development and environmental sensitivity. The resort’s strength is its location between rainforest and a crescent-shaped beach.
Club Med plans upgrades to the property, with the natural setting continuing to define the guest experience.
St. Croix is not as densely developed as some of the better-known luxury tourism destinations in the Caribbean. While it has an established tourism base, large branded resorts at this scale have been less common on the island. The redevelopment therefore introduces a new level of branded hospitality into that environment.
Construction is due to start in summer 2026, with reopening planned for Q4 2027. Around 200 direct jobs are expected once the resort is operational, along with additional indirect employment linked to local suppliers, including excursions, agriculture, and artisan businesses.
The project also references sustainability targets, including BREEAM and Green Globe certification, and includes ongoing engagement with local authorities around training and employment.
