Our Trip to the USVI
I know I’m not alone in saying the Virgin Islands are one of the greatest warm-weather escapes. The water shifts between turquoise and sapphire like it’s showing off. The beaches, the people, the food, the pace… it all encourages you to slow you down in the best possible way.
We just returned from our third stay at Lovango Resort + Beach Club and once again, it delivered. I’ve shared previous trips before, but third time’s a charm feels like the perfect excuse for an updated itinerary in case you’re craving your own little island reset.
What I Wore on Vacation: Shop The Looks
Getting There: Seamless(ish) and Worth It
We typically stay about five days. If I’m honest, I could happily tack on one more, but real life calls. This year Chase had exams back at IU, so we played just a tiny bit of hooky and kept it tight.
We fly into Cyril E. King Airport which is a major bonus because you don’t need passports when staying USVI side. From there we use Jermaine Transportation down to Red Hook and hop on the Lovango ferry straight to the resort.
It’s a long travel day, but we grab the first flight out of Indy so we can land mid-afternoon, feel that first hit of warm Caribbean air, and still have time for poolside cocktails before sunset. Truly, it’s pretty darn seamless.
Arrival Night: Rum Punch + Unpack + Exhale
Night one is always about easing in.
You’re greeted with a D E L I S H rum punch upon arrival, which feels like a tropical handshake. Before your trip, you’re assigned a point of contact and you’ll use a text thread throughout your stay. It’s wildly efficient. Dinner reservations? Ferry times? Extra towels? A ride down to the beach? Text and it’s handled.
Let’s talk LOVANGO rooms.
Over the years, we’ve mixed and matched between:
+ Treehouse Villas
+ Glamping Tents
+ Newer Villas
We typically put John, Calvin, and me in a treehouse villa and the girls in a glamping tent across the plank. This year we switched it up and stayed in one of the newer villas while the girls kept their glamping digs.
Personally? I love them all. The treehouse villas have a bit more character, according to Johnny. The newer villas feel fresh and luxe. The glamping tents are such a fun experience for teens. You truly can’t go wrong.
After unpacking, we wander down to the pool and restaurant, let the kids explore, and ease into island mode.
Day One: Poolside Reset + St. John Dinner
Morning usually starts with:
+ A quick hike (those views!)
+ Breakfast at the tent
+ Claiming a cabana at the pool overlooking the beach
The food and drinks here are exceptional. You M U S T order:
Painkiller + A Piña Colada (my girls enjoy these sans liquor—mom partakes)
Hands down some of the best on the island.
The girls often begin their day at Crescent Beach before making their way up to the pool. It’s the perfect blend of activity and relaxation.
For dinner, we typically ferry over to St. John which is only about 10 minutes away and grab reservations at one of our favorites:
La Tapa, The Longboard, Morgan’s Mango, St John Brewers
Make reservations in advance. The Lovango concierge can coordinate everything.
Day Two: Boat Day (The Crown Jewel)
Boat Day is non-negotiable.
This was our third year with Ocean Runner Charters and Capt. Chris is officially part of our vacation tradition now. He knows these islands like the back of his hand.
We’ve done both the USVI and BVI routes and genuinely love both—I will say customs eats up about an hour of your time so def take that into consideration. A few favorite stops:
Lime Out for floating tacos (US), Soggy Dollar Bar (BVI), Willy T (BVI)
There’s snorkeling, cliff jumping, plank walking, and that electric kind of joy that only comes from being on the water all day.
Calvin’s rose of the trip? The snorkeling. Every single year. Swimming with the sea turtles was indeed a highlight.
Pro tip: Book your charter before your trip. Boat days fill quickly and it’s the kind of memory you’ll talk about all year.
Day Three: Beach Hop or Stay Put
We often ferry to St. John and taxi over to Trunk Bay
Bring cash for:
Open-air taxis + Beach entry
We rent chairs, grab snorkel gear, and settle in. There’s a great food and drink hut (snag a JUICY BOOTY brew), showers to rinse off before dinner, and it makes for the perfect beach-to-town transition evening.
This year, however, we stayed at Lovango and claimed the Crescent Beach daybeds for the day. It was calm, quiet, and blissfully slow.
You truly can’t miss either way.
The Little Things That Make It Special
A few additional notes:
The Lovango shops are darling. Everyone found a little treasure to bring home.
We always pack card games. UNO, Old Maid, Flip 7. Something about playing cards in salty air just hits different.
If you want to sweat, the Jungle Gym is fantastic. Add in those uphill trails and you’ll absolutely feel it.
NEED IDEAS ON WHAT TO PACK? Check out what the gals and I brought HERE.
It’s the kind of trip where you can be as active or as still as you want. Hike in the morning. Nap in the afternoon. Pick your adventure.
⸻
Three trips in, and it still feels special. That says everything.
Lovango has become one of our favorite family traditions, and each year the rhythm feels familiar yet brand new. Island time has a way of rearranging your priorities in the gentlest way possible. If you’re itching for a warm-weather escape, this one’s hard to top…..feel free to utilize code BETH when booking any LITTLE GEM RESORT (Lovango, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard) in 2026 for a little discount. Lovango, thank you for the lasting memories…. ‘til next time.
