At the far western edge of St. Thomas, past the island’s bustling harbors and hillside residential areas, the landscape rises above tranquil coves and a slender stretch of sand known as Mermaid’s Chair.
Here, the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic along 300 acres of tropical terrain. Sandy Bay Beach sits below, and while the airport is just minutes away, this section of the island feels worlds apart from the traffic and cruise ship activity near Charlotte Amalie.
A new luxury resort is set to open here this winter.
The Botany, a 20-villa retreat located within the gated Preserve at Botany Bay, is preparing to welcome its first guests to the western tip of St. Thomas. This solar-powered property will be managed by Practice Hospitality and will join the L.V.X. destinations for travelers from the United States. Frequent nonstop flights serve the island, U.S. citizens do not require a passport, and guests can easily combine beach time and sailing with visits to historic Charlotte Amalie, duty-free shopping, and excursions to St. John.
However, the majority of hotels are clustered around the eastern, southern, and northern regions of the island.
The Botany is launching far to the west, in a corner of St. Thomas that many travelers have yet to discover.
Botany Bay encompasses a expansive tract of land beyond the airport, where steep hills slope down toward private beaches and waters that offer views of Puerto Rico and the surrounding Virgin Islands.
The area’s relative seclusion has kept it significantly quieter than popular spots like Magens Bay, Red Hook, or the resort corridors near Frenchman’s Reef.
Arriving guests will first stop at an overlook above the bay. Resort staff will handle luggage before the drive continues through the preserve to an open-air reception pavilion situated between two swimming pools.
The sea remains in view throughout the arrival process, with Mermaid’s Chair stretching into the water below.
Just 20 Villas Across 300 Acres
The Botany will launch with three distinct villa categories.
The Villa King will feature a single bedroom facing the water, complemented by a private terrace. The Villa Suite will offer an additional living area, lounge seating, and space for casual dining.
The largest accommodations, the two- and three-bedroom Villa Residences, are tailored for families and groups. Select units will include private swimming pools.
Every villa will feature indoor and outdoor showers, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Private terraces will bridge the gap between the interiors and the surrounding hills and ocean vistas.
Blue volcanic stonellas, paired with curved walls and tiles in shades of pearl and green
“We chose every material with intention, allowing the design to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape,” said Brynn Braun, director of design at developer By-the-Sea Resort Properties.
With only 20 villas, the property will feel more like a private residential estate than a traditional hotel. The larger residences are ideal for multi-generational families or groups of friends, while couples may prefer the smaller villas that offer direct water views.
A pre-arrival team will begin coordinating stays before guests even reach the island, arranging dining reservations, spa treatments, excursions, and other personalized details in advance.
Two Pools Above the Sea
The resort will feature two pools, each complemented by its own bar.
The Sequence Pool will curve above the bay, offering views toward Mermaid’s Chair. The lower Legacy Pool will be situated closer to the sands of Sandy Bay Beach.
This layout provides guests with several options for spending their day: lounging by the upper pool, relaxing near the beach, or enjoying the terrace of a private villa.
A three-room spa will include a couples’ suite, a hot tub, and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. A fitness center and yoga pavilion will be located nearby.
The resort will also provide over 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, distributed across lawns, pool terraces, historic stone ruins, dining areas, and beachfront locations.
Weddings and destination on the western end of the island, far removed from the established dining hubs in Frenchtown, Charlotte Amalie, and Red Hook.
A Resort Powered by the Sun
The Botany aims to generate the majority of its electricityts reliance on the island’s power grid
Goats will graze beneath the solar arrays, managing brush and reducing the need for mechanical maintenance.
Every villa and public structure has also been engineered to collect and store rainwater. Cistern systems have long been a staple of Virgin Islands architecture, and the resort is incorporating this tradition throughout the property.
Reclaimed materials will be featured in signage and decorative accents.
The environmental commitment will be evident throughout a stay. Guests will notice the solar panels, the grazing goats, the rainwater systems, and the preserved land surrounding the villas.
The resort’s minimal footprint is a core element of its design. A large portion of the 300-acre property will remain untouched, ensuring that villas are separated by vast stretches of tropical landscape.
Close to the Airport, Removed From the Island’s Crowds
The Botany’s location offers a distinct advantage.
Cyril E. King Airport is just a short drive away, making for an easy transfer after landing. Yet, the resort is situated beyond many of the island’s commercial thoroughfares and high-traffic districts.
St. Thomas receives nonstop flights from major U.S. cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, depending on the season.
Guests can spend the majority of their visit within the preserve or use the resort as a home base for island exploration.
The Danish colonial architecture and historic streets of Charlotte Amalie are within driving distance. The restaurants of Frenchtown are nearby, while excursions to Magens Bay, Hull Bay, Sapphire Beach, and Red Hook cover much of the island.
Ferries and private boats also provide connections between St. Thomas and neighboring islands. St. John is home to the Virgin Islands National Park and beaches such as Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay. Water Island is located just offshore from Crown Bay, and private charters can access smaller cays throughout the Virgin Islands.
The Botany’s western location will also place guests near waters and beaches that are often overlooked by travelers staying on the opposite side of the island.
A Major New Opening for St. Thomas
This opening arrives as St. Thomas continues to rebuild and expand its hotel offerings following the hurricanes of 2017.
Several of the island’s most prominent resorts have undergone extensive renovations or complete reconstruction, including the Frenchman’s Reef complex.
The Botany differs from those larger properties.
It is launching as an intimate villa resort rather than a traditional beachfront hotel, with only 20 accommodations spread across a vast private preserve.
The Botany will also join the Preferred Hotels & Resorts L.V.X. Collection, a group of independent luxury hotels recognized for their design, service, and destination appeal.
Its debut will introduce a new lodging option to one of the most tranquil parts of St. Thomas.
When The Botany opens this winter, it will add only 20 villas to the island’s hotel inventory. However, its arrival will open an entirely new corner of St. Thomas to visitors—one defined by secluded beaches, preserved land, and the convergence of two seas.
It also represents a significant boost for the island’s luxury hotel market, which is currently comprised largely of the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and a selection of villas.
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