On March 31, the U.S. Virgin Islands will celebrate their 100th anniversary, commemorating the historic moment when what had been the Danish West Indies officially became a U.S. territory. The Buccaneer, a hotel that has been a part of St. Croix’s thriving tourism scene since it first opened its doors to guests in December 1947, is working in tandem with the USVI Department of Tourism to commemorate the centennial with a travel deal that’s available to guests through the end of this year.

The Department of Tourism is offering $300 in VI spending credits to visitors who book their trips via the tourism office website and apply the promotion code “CP17.” These credits can be used toward meals and activities throughout the islands. When booking, visitors should simply select The Buccaneer as their hotel of choice. This offer is good for reservations made between now and October 1, 2017, and trips must take place by December 31, 2017.

Details are outlined on The Buccaneer’s website, www.TheBuccaneer.com.

As a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the ideal Caribbean destination for American citizens, who don’t even need a passport to explore these tropical destinations that have their own unique history and distinctive culture. Though the islands are now a part of the United States, the “Stars and Stripes” is the seventh flag to fly over them. Christopher Columbus arrived in the 15th century representing Spain, and from there England, The Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta and Denmark have all laid claim to the Virgin Islands at some point in history. On March 31, 1917, the Danish West Indies officially became the U.S. Virgin Islands, being sold to the United States for $25 million in gold as a way of improving that nation’s military positioning during World War I. Today the United Nations recognizes the Islands as a non-self-governing territory of the United States.

And each year on March 31, the Islands celebrate “Charter Day” in style. This year’s events promise to be especially festive as locals and visitors alike mark the centennial of that charter.

The Buccaneer is also celebrating an anniversary of its very own this year – 70 years in the hospitality industry.

The Armstrong family transformed the property into an 11-room hotel in 1947, and over the years has developed the resort into one of the finest in the Caribbean.

Located on property that has grown tobacco, indigo and sugar and later served as a cattle ranch, The Buccaneer offers old-fashioned hospitality blended with all the amenities modern travelers prefer. It boasts three restaurants, a full-service spa, a fitness center, two pools, three beaches, free water activities (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba lessons), an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, a shopping arcade, island entertainment, art classes, a weekly nature and history tour, and even a free kids’ camp on its 340 tropical acres.

The property dates to 1653, and the original manor house now serves as the resort’s main building. It’s where guests find the registration and concierge desks, a restaurant, lounge and the original hotel rooms. A sugar mill from the early 1700s sits adjacent to that building and now provides the perfect venue for private dinners, weddings and the resort owner’s weekly cocktail reception for guests. A cotton house originally built in the early 1900s currently serves as one of The Buccaneer’s meeting venues. Today there are 138 spacious guest rooms located throughout the property, from that historic main building – where it’s said Alexander Hamilton once lived – to the ocean’s edge.

Everywhere guests look they’re surrounded by both history and luxury. The Buccaneer, which is operated by the third generation of the Armstrong family, is a proud member of Historic Hotels of America, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The history doesn’t end with the resort, however; it’s everywhere on St. Croix, which at 82.2 square miles is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. The Buccaneer is less than a five-minute drive from the charming town of Christiansted, where visitors can enjoy dining, shopping and plenty of sightseeing – including more references to Alexander Hamilton, who spent his formative years on the island.

Christiansted is also the place where visitors can catch a boat trip that helps them explore the natural wonders of the island, including coral reefs that attract snorkelers and divers from all over the world.

The Buccaneer, www.TheBuccaneer.com