The Fred is St. Croix’s first new hotel to break ground in 30 years. They may be delayed a little by Hurricane Maria, but that’s definitely not going to stop them!
According to co-owner, Topher Swanson, the hotel fared quite well. None of the rooms were impacted. Two mahogany trees fell, knocking out part of their coral stone wall, but rather than be disheartened, they nicknamed the trees Irma and Maria and sent them off to the mill to be turned into beautiful furniture. Storm water and the continued rain filled the hole for their pool and eroded the walls, so that project is in the process of being re-done.
The Fred’s property includes lush landscaping that will make you feel tucked away in paradise.
Their original opening date of December 1 is now when they plan to begin providing accommodations for relief and recovery workers. The Fred’s Gift Shop is already open and the Spa will re-open on December 1 — ready for cruise passengers and vacationers visiting St. Croix (book a service at www.RelaxWithFred.com). The bar is projected to open in February. They will continue adding amenities and plan to have everything up and running on April 1 — “April Fool’s Day, and we’re not joking!”
Other great news has come since the storm too. In mid-November, they received their hotel license, liquor license, and had power restored — all in one day!
One of The Fred’s luxurious guest rooms.
Once complete, The Fred will have 22 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, a spa and salon, gift shop, two pools, a beach, and a sky deck observation platform. Amenities will include beach chairs, umbrellas and towels, sunset happy hour, bike rentals, snorkel masks and fins, paddle boards, and kayaks.
We asked Topher if he feels St. Croix is ready for vacationers and he says, “Absolutely! There’s plenty to do right now. Most of my favorite restaurants are already open.”
You can join The Fred’s email list at www.SleepWithFred.com and/or follow them on Facebook to keep up with their progress.