Hilton officially opened its first hotel in the U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday with the debut of Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas, a 126-room, select-service property located across from Havensight Mall and next to the West Indian Company cruise ship port. The grand opening also marks the first large, new-build hotel in the territory in more than 30 years, a press release announced.
The new hotel spans 70,586 square feet on a 1.62-acre site. A neighboring 2.662-acre parcel is slated for additional development, with plans for a community green space, an island welcome center, and hotel parking, which is expected to be completed by March 2026, according to the press release.
The opening ceremony drew a large crowd of local and corporate dignitaries. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, Sen. Milton Potter, Hilton’s vice president for the Caribbean and Latin America Pablo Maturana, and developer Sean Miller were among the speakers celebrating the milestone. Several other senators and public officials were also in attendance, the press release announced.
“We see great potential in the U.S. Virgin Islands as both a business and leisure destination,” Maturana said. “Bringing Hampton by Hilton to St. Thomas allows us to meet growing demand for dependable, high-quality accommodations while creating meaningful local impact through jobs, education support, and community partnerships.”
Owned by Haven Development and managed by Hotel Equities, the hotel features a modern coastal design with Caribbean blues and teals throughout. Amenities include a 3,800-square-foot patio, a 2,000-square-foot pool deck, an 850-square-foot conference room, a fitness center, and a public harbor-view bar and lounge called The Helm. Guests will also have access to Hampton’s complimentary hot breakfast, including the brand’s signature waffles, the release stated.
“As the first hotel of its kind in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas is filling a long-standing gap in the local hospitality market,” said General Manager Jim Swaim. “We are proud to offer the trusted reliability of the Hilton name to corporate travelers and tourists alike while supporting our community through job creation, charitable giving, and economic investment.”
Haven Development has pledged annual donations to several St. Thomas-based nonprofits and will support public education through contributions to the Virgin Islands Education Department. Hilton said the hotel is positioned to deliver long-term economic benefits to the territory through employment, community investment, and increased visitor spending, the release stated.
Located 4.1 miles from Cyril E. King Airport and 1.5 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, the hotel is well situated for both air and cruise travelers. Guests will have easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment venues in one of St. Thomas’s most active commercial districts, it said.
The hotel also emphasizes local sourcing. Art from Ama Dennis of The Creative Native is featured throughout the property. The Helm bar serves beverages from Leatherback Brewing Company and cocktails made with Mutiny Island Vodka and Cruzan Rum. Caribbean-based Soca Shores supplies drinking water, and ice cream from Pure Imagination Creations is also available to guests, it said.
Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas participates in Hilton Honors, the company’s guest loyalty program. The property joins nearly 50 Hilton Hotels currently operating in the Caribbean, with more than 25 additional developments underway, it said.
For reservations or more information, visit hilton.com/sttunhx-hampton-st-thomas.
