Club Med and real estate investment trust Vici Properties have announced the acquisition and planned redevelopment of the Carambola Beach Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands as the Club Med St. Croix, marking the return of Club Med to U.S. shores.
The project is a result of a partnership between Club Med and Vici. Following Vici’s acquisition of the Carambola Beach Resort, Vici has entered into a long-term triple-net lease with Club Med, and will fund the resort’s redevelopment, with plans to add the property to Club Med’s Exclusive Collection. Club Med will run the future operations of the historic 150-key resort.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands represent an exciting new chapter for Club Med,” Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, said in a statement. “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.”
“We are very excited to begin our partnership with Club Med, a true pioneer of the premium all-inclusive resort experience and the brand leader in the category,” Vici President and COO John Payne said. “Club Med's approach to growth aligns directly with how Vici partners with best-in-class experiential operators, and 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.”
History and Sustainability
Carambola Beach Resort was originally built in 1986 by philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. Club Med’s redevelopment plans include a comprehensive renovation that will preserve the property’s history. Aligned with Club Med’s Happy to Care sustainability commitments, the project will target BREEAM and Green Globe certifications.
“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. “We are proud to welcome the Club Med team to the territory and look forward to growing this partnership as we continue elevating the U.S. Virgin Islands, celebrating our people and culture, and welcoming new and returning visitors to our beautiful shores.”
Once complete, the redevelopment is projected to generate approximately 200 direct jobs along with at least as many indirect opportunities. The resort is expected to further stimulate the local economy through collaborations with excursion operators, service providers, and local farmers and artisans, reinforcing the connection between tourism and the island’s broader community. Club Med plans to continue to engage with the local community in the upcoming months to share further details of the project.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, followed by a targeted reopening in Q4 2027.
Club Med has nearly 60 resorts open and operating worldwide.