En route to The U.S. Virgin Islands, you will probably come across numerous ads touting state-of-the-art resorts and a pirate’s bounty of duty-free shopping in your in-flight magazine. On closer inspection, the fine print indicates these hotspots are either located on St. Thomas or St. John. However, isn’t the point of an island getaway to get away from the familiar? If you’re picking St. Croix, you’re headed to the right place.

The occasional KFC spotting aside, what makes St. Croix special is its intimate community feel, as opposed to the built-up, corporate vibe of other tropical destinations. Even The Buccaneer Hotel, one of the island’s highest-end and most established resorts feels as warm, welcoming and unpretentious as your best friend’s condo—but with million dollar beachfront views and plush designer bedding. Better still, even with upgrades and modernizations, The Buccaneer (not far from Alexander Hamilton’s childhood home) is punctuated with historical points of interest and architecture.