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B M & T ••• January/February 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 30 Hideaway Spa and Salon and get a relaxing massage from prac- titioner Willow O'Rourke or try the Fountain of Youth anti- aging facial. Also, dine in The Great House, the hilltop main building where American statesman Alexander Hamilton lived as a child. On the night that I had dinner, Executive Chef Dave Kendrick prepared butternut squash bisque, Caribbean-spiced shrimp and a fresh fish piccata that was outstanding. If your group requires meeting space for up to 200, the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino offers one of the largest meeting spaces on St. Croix. With 6,301 sq. ft. of interior space and 2,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space for meetings and events, the all-inclusive property has 180 spacious beachfront guest rooms, featuring chic decors and tropical elegance. My St. Croix visit ended with two unique dining experi- ences, one a downhome adventure at LaRein Chicken Shack, and the other at the upscale The Galleon restaurant where I dined on a mouthwatering vegetarian meal. My final day in the Virgin Islands ended in St. Thomas, beginning with a seaplane ride from St. Croix and a brief tour of the island. I arrived at the Frenchman's Reef Marriott for a yummy vegetarian lunch by the water at Coco Joe's Restaurant which features casual dining. The Marriott features sweeping ocean, harbor and resort views in its 382-room Frenchman's Reef Tower with spacious layouts and contemporary decors. Its 96-room Morning Star Beach Club offers beachfront and garden view rooms just steps from the Caribbean Sea. The property offers 15 meeting rooms with 22,000 total sq. ft. of meeting space and 14,100 sq. ft. in its Grand Harbor Ballroom. If visiting, check out the night kayaking tour fea- turing see-through kayaks with LED lights that illuminate the water around you, creating a window into the sea. For other options, take a look at the Dreams Sugar Bay Resort and Spa, which features 249 guestrooms with ocean- front and bay views and 16,500 sq. ft. of meeting facilities. I later checked into the Ritz Carlton Hotel, a luxurious 180- room property styled after traditional island architecture, but with a contemporary flair. I promptly headed to the spa where a reflexology session with massage therapist Linda Gravano rejuvenated my tired feet after a full and busy day. The Ritz Carlton Spa offers a variety of tempting pack- ages, including a thermal detox that begins with a body polish comprised of warmed mango and shea butters with Himalayan mineral salts. Ho Leaf is added to vigorously shed dead skin cells, followed by a thermal clay wrap, infused with purifying botanical oils. For couples, the His and Hers Spa Getaway includes a cabana massage, facial, and feet pamper- ing with a complimentary glass of champagne. Exploring the lush grounds, I was delighted to find that the resort has partnered with Jean-Michel Cousteau on an Ambassadors of the Environment ecoadventure program designed to introduce guests to the wonders of St. Thomas on land and on the sea. The program includes a complimentary Iguana Facts and Feeding talk and a Nightlife on the Reef Guided Snorkel for ages nine and up. My stay at the Ritz Carlton concluded with a superb din- ner prepared by Chef Robert Bruce that included lobster bisque, roasted brussels sprouts; salad greens; beets, and desserts that were almost too pretty to consume. If visiting, you'll also want to check out the resort's Essenza Restaurant, which features authentic Italian cuisine, and book a sunset sail on the Lady Lynsey. Buccaneer Hotel Guestroom