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Accommodation · Christiansted

The Buccaneer

Verdict Accommodation Eco Score

The Caribbean's longest running family owned resort, set on a 340 acre historic estate on St. Croix whose owners house sea turtle monitoring interns each nesting season.

Accommodation Eco Score
3.0/5 Accommodation Eco Score
Throne Standard 2.2 · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 48.8%. Weighted sources are shown below.
Against accommodations
Records scored in accommodations476
Category average2.3/5
Scores below this one73%

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Google reviews

Google rating · 4.5/5 · 1,284 reviews

Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.

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About The Buccaneer

33 of 94 fields held
Recorded research, grouped by subject; claims remain unverified unless linked to reviewed evidence. Blue bars show how much information is held; they are not positive or negative scores. Fields with nothing behind them are counted, not listed.
9 groups · 33 fields
Features 1 of 8
What to do generally The resort spreads over 340 acres just east of Christiansted with three beaches, an 18 hole golf course and the ruins of a 1733 Danish sugar mill. Guests swim and snorkel off the private beaches, play golf and tennis, and can join Elizabeth Armstrong on her weekly history and nature tour of the estate.
Scan result 2 of 4
Eco Score 3
Eco Score Label Moderate evidenced performance
Certification 1 of 1
Certificates Status requires reviewed source evidence thebuccaneer.com
Ownership and legal entity 2 of 16
Owner Name The Armstrong family, owners and operators since 1947 (Elizabeth A. Armstrong and Charlotte Halk Armstrong, third and fourth generation)
Ownership Type Family Business
Identity 2 of 4
Brand Name The Buccaneer
Closest Airport name Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX)
Claims and evidence 1 of 5
Verified Researched and source checked in three passes, Oct 2026
Place and access 2 of 3
County/State/Region St. Croix
Continent/Region The Caribbean
Price and commerce 1 of 1
Price Range £££
Further detail 21 of 52
Sustainability Link thebuccaneer.com thebuccaneer.com
Booking Site Website
Street 5007 Shoys
City Christiansted
Post Code 00820
Country US Virgin Islands
Closest Airport KM 16.8
Type Resort
Environment Type Beach Front
Rooms 131 rooms
Room Types Resort rooms and Beach House rooms
Secluded / Isolated Moderate Seclusion
Eco Amenities The current community page (2026) says the resort houses National Park Service interns each year for a three month leatherback and green turtle monitoring programme and that its beach lighting is designed to keep hatchlings from heading inland. Both are turtle measures supporting an external programme, with no monitoring figures, and the 2017 coral restoration expedition is too old to count. The 340 acres of wildlife habitat is a description of the estate, not a protected reserve. The community page (2026) says energy efficient lighting is used in all feasible areas. It also says the resort produces its own power but does not say how, so no renewable source is evidenced. The resort produces its own potable water through an in house nano filtration plant and serves it from every sink, shower, bar and water cooler, which removes the need for bottled water. No conservation figures are published. The community page (2026) lists refillable dispensers for Bee Kind bathroom products to cut plastic going to landfill, plus biodegradable cups and to go boxes. Biodegradable disposables are still single use, so this is one solid plastic reduction system, with no recycling or figures. The community page (2026) says locally grown produce and freshly caught fish are bought whenever possible and that the restaurants are certified under the Reef Responsible sustainable seafood programme. The Reef Responsible certificate was not confirmed in that programme's own directory. The history page (2026) says Douglas and Rachel Armstrong restored the ruins of the Danish Great House and opened an 11 room inn there in 1947, and the 1733 sugar mill ruins are still in use for guest events.
Food Options On-site restaurant thebuccaneer.com
Food Type Three oceanfront restaurants with locally caught fish served where possible
Plastic Status Reduced plastic thebuccaneer.com
Plastic Policy The Buccaneer puts natural bathroom products in refillable dispensers and uses biodegradable cups, to go boxes and other disposables. thebuccaneer.com
Google rating 4.5
Google review count 1284
Food options: date checked 2026-10-29
Filed under 10 terms held

Environmental evidence and weighted assessment

3.0/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 48.8%

Environmental evidence by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Nature, biodiversity and regeneration30%2/4 · A named area of habitat kept undisturbed, or one named native planting or conservation activity15 / 30 points

The current community page (2026) says the resort houses National Park Service interns each year for a three month leatherback and green turtle monitoring programme and that its beach lighting is designed to keep hatchlings from heading inland. Both are turtle measures supporting an external programme, with no monitoring figures, and the 2017 coral restoration expedition is too old to count. The 340 acres of wildlife habitat is a description of the estate, not a protected reserve.

Source · 2026-10-29
Energy and climate15%2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning7.5 / 15 points

The community page (2026) says energy efficient lighting is used in all feasible areas. It also says the resort produces its own power but does not say how, so no renewable source is evidenced.

Source · 2026-10-29
Water10%2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute5 / 10 points

The resort produces its own potable water through an in house nano filtration plant and serves it from every sink, shower, bar and water cooler, which removes the need for bottled water. No conservation figures are published.

Source · 2026-10-29
Waste and plastic10%2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling5 / 10 points

The community page (2026) lists refillable dispensers for Bee Kind bathroom products to cut plastic going to landfill, plus biodegradable cups and to go boxes. Biodegradable disposables are still single use, so this is one solid plastic reduction system, with no recycling or figures.

Source · 2026-10-29
Food, farming and sourcing15%2/4 · A named own garden or named local farms supply part of the menu7.5 / 15 points

The community page (2026) says locally grown produce and freshly caught fish are bought whenever possible and that the restaurants are certified under the Reef Responsible sustainable seafood programme. The Reef Responsible certificate was not confirmed in that programme's own directory.

Source · 2026-10-29
Buildings, heritage reuse and land use15%2/4 · One specific practice, such as a historic building reused, local natural materials, or passive cooling design7.5 / 15 points

The history page (2026) says Douglas and Rachel Armstrong restored the ruins of the Danish Great House and opened an 11 room inn there in 1947, and the 1733 sugar mill ruins are still in use for guest events.

Source · 2026-10-29
Measurement, transparency and certification5%1/4 · General commitments without specifics or results1.25 / 5 points

The community page makes a general environmental stewardship commitment without published figures or a certificate.

“The Buccaneer hotel has been an ardent supporter of the St. Croix community and an enthusiastic steward of the environment for over 75 years.”

Source · 2026-11-03

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.

Purity, what touches your body

1.3/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 7.5%

Purity evidence, what touches your body by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Water you drink and bathe in25%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 25 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Food on your plate20%1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source5 / 20 points

The Mermaid restaurant page says menus use locally sourced ingredients but names no farms or organic supply.

“this beachfront oasis highlights the vibrant flavors of the Virgin Islands, with menus crafted from locally sourced ingredients.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Grounds and pest control15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Cleaning, laundry and fragrance15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Linen, towels and mattresses10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 10 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Air and quiet10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The FAQ says the property is non-smoking, but the rooms rely on air conditioning and nothing is said about natural ventilation or fogging.

“The Buccaneer is a non-smoking facility.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Pool and bathing water5%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 5 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.

People, ownership, work and community

2.4/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 33.8%

People evidence, ownership, work and community by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Ownership and control30%2/4 · A named owner, with the share held locally or by the family stated15 / 30 points

The history page names the Armstrong family as founders and current operators since 1947.

“Founded as an inn in 1947 by the Armstrong family, it is the Caribbean’s longest-running family-owned resort”

Source · 2026-11-03
Local work and fair pay25%1/4 · Claim only, such as local staff6.25 / 25 points

The history page says many team members have stayed for decades, with no share of local staff or pay figures given.

“Many members of the team have been part of the resort for decades, welcoming returning guests not as visitors, but as part of an extended family.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Community benefit20%2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training10 / 20 points

The community page names a sea turtle monitoring programme the resort supports each year by housing park service interns.

“Each year, The Buccaneer proudly supports the National Park Service’s three-month sea turtle monitoring program by providing housing for interns who tag and record data on endangered leatherback and green sea turtles.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Access to beach and land15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Culture and heritage10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The history page describes a weekly history tour led by the owner, with no named local makers.

“guests are invited to join Elizabeth on her weekly History and Nature Tour, an experience that brings the stories of St. Croix to life through the landscape itself.”

Source · 2026-11-03

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.

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