Club Med Breaks Ground in St. Croix, Marking the Brand’s Return to U.S. Shores and a New Chapter for the All-Inclusive Industry

Left to right: Carolyne Doyon, President & CEO, Club Med North America & the Caribbean; Edward B. Pitoniak, CEO, VICI Properties; Stéphane Maquaire, President & Chief Executive Officer, Club Med; Tregenza Roach, Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Milton Potter, President of the 36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands Senate; and Jennifer Matarangas-King, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism, take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking for Club Med St. Croix.

 

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands  (July 17, 2026) — On Wednesday, Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept with nearly 60 resorts in some of the world’s most desired vacation destinations, and VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI), an S&P 500 experiential real estate investment trust, broke ground on Club Med St. Croix in a traditional ground breaking ceremony, officially launching the development and brand’s return to U.S. territory, while kicking off a new chapter for the all-inclusive industry.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrating Destination & Culture

Hosted by Stéphane Maquaire, President and CEO of Club Med, and Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, the groundbreaking ceremony marked the moment Club Med St. Croix moved from vision into action, on the same stretch of beach where the resort will welcome its first guests in 2027.

They were joined by leaders of the U.S. Virgin Islands government and members of the territory’s 36th Legislature to mark a milestone decades in the making: Club Med’s return to American soil, its only resort in the country, and the newest chapter for a company that has welcomed North American travelers to the world’s most sought-after coastlines for more than seventy-five years.

They were joined by leaders of the U.S. Virgin Islands government and members of the territory’s 36th Legislature to mark a milestone decades in the making: Club Med’s return to American soil, its only resort in the country, and the newest chapter for a company that has welcomed North American travelers to the world’s most sought-after coastlines for more than seventy-five years.

The morning opened with a distinctly Crucian welcome with the U.S. and the Virgin Islands anthem played on steel pan drums before Club Med and VICI leaders joined local officials to officially break ground. Remarks were delivered by Senate President Milton Potter and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, who spoke on behalf of Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and on what the project means for St. Croix and the wider territory: renewed investment, new opportunity for residents, and a global brand choosing to invest in the island.

“St. Croix is a destination we’ve long admired, and one that has welcomed us with open arms,” said Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean. “Its beauty, culture and spirit are unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean, and we wanted to bring that to travelers through the kind of all-inclusive experience that only Club Med can create — one that is designed around genuine joy and connection, effortless ease, and a real sense of place.”

Ed Pitoniak, CEO of VICI, said, “We are incredibly proud and excited to partner with Club Med to bring this vision to life in St. Croix, a destination people will always want to experience. Partnering to bring Carambola Beach Resort into its next chapter marks our first project in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and a partnership we look forward to growing well beyond it.”

Economic Impact & Sustainability

Club Med St. Croix will serve as a catalyst for growth within the local economy and throughout the territory. The completed resort project is anticipated to create approximately 200 jobs, with an estimated 80% expected to be filled by local talent, supplemented by an equal number of indirect roles through collaborations with tour operators, suppliers, and regional agricultural producers and craftsmen. Ongoing dialogues with island leadership have focused on mutual objectives of prioritizing resident hiring initiatives, specialized vocational training, and entrepreneurial support.

Sustainability is built into the project from the start. In line with Club Med’s Happy to Care commitments, the redevelopment will target BREEAM and Green Globe certifications, recognized benchmarks for environmental design and operational responsibility.

“Today, we not only celebrate the groundbreaking of a new property, but also what this project means for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “The addition of Club Med to the territory’s tourism portfolio brings jobs, creates opportunity, and further reinforces our islands as one of the world’s premier destinations. We are proud to welcome Club Med and VICI and look forward to building a prosperous future together.”

A New Chapter For A Caribbean Landmark

A premier addition to Club Med’s prestigious Exclusive Collection and only the second in North America, the 150-key sanctuary is nestled between a pristine white-sand crescent and the verdant tropical canopy of St. Croix’s northwest coast. As the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this destination offers a rare, passport-free Caribbean retreat for American travelers, characterized by sophisticated design, bespoke service, and curated experiences that draw inspiration from its unique geographical heritage.

The reimagining of the island’s beloved Carambola Beach Resort carries the property’s legacy forward. Originally designed in the 1980s under Laurence Rockefeller’s conservation philosophy with hardwood, native stone, and steep shingled roofs built to blend into the Davis Bay landscape, the property’s design will be elevated while preserving the spirit that has always defined it.

The first offering of its kind in the destination, Club Med will bring premium, family-friendly all-inclusive travel to St. Croix, designed for guests 12 years and older and centered on an active lifestyle and the rhythm of Caribbean life.

Ideal for leisure travel, meetings, and weddings alike, the resort’s signature Club Med experience will include a seamless blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery that has defined the brand for decades:

• All-Suite Accommodations: Inspired by the Caribbean’s rainforest and island landscape, the low-density, all-suite design will reflect the preferences of today’s modern traveler — spacious, intentional, and technologically forward while immersing them in the surrounding locale.
• Elevated Dining & Social Spaces: The resort will feature a culinary program that celebrates both international fare and local Caribbean influence with three distinct dining concepts, including a signature restaurant, a beachfront venue, and a cafe with convenient grab-and-go options. Beyond dining, the resort will be home to four bar and lounge concepts that create a vibrant space to gather throughout the day and night.
• Signature Amenities & Experiences: A new infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a full-service spa, and an array of sports and recreation that embody Club Med’s DNA of active, social living, from pickleball and beach volleyball to yoga, non-motorized watersports, and guided outdoor excursions.

With construction now underway, Club Med St. Croix will be the beginning of a new era that will redefine what all-inclusive travel is meant for. Club Med St. Croix is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2027.

 

About Club Med

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, is the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, operating nearly 60 premium resorts in stunning locations around the world, including North and South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Each Club Med resort features authentic local style and comfortably upscale accommodations, superior sports programming and activities, enriching children’s programs, gourmet dining, and warm and friendly service by its world-renowned staff with legendary hospitality skills, an all-encompassing energy, and diverse backgrounds.

Club Med operates in 40 countries spanning across 5 continents and continues to maintain its authentic Club Med spirit with an international staff of more than 23,000 employees from more than 110 different nationalities. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med continues to grow and adapt to each market with three to five new resort openings or renovations per year.

For more information, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-Club-Med (1-800-258-2633), or contact a preferred travel professional. For an inside look at Club Med, follow Club Med on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

About VICI Properties Inc.

CI Properties Inc. is an S&P 500® experiential real estate investment trust that owns one of the largest portfolios of market-leading gaming, hospitality, wellness, entertainment and leisure destinations, including Caesars Palace Las Vegas, MGM Grand and the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, three of the most iconic entertainment facilities on the Las Vegas Strip. VICI Properties owns 103 experiential assets across a geographically diverse portfolio consisting of 63 gaming properties and 40 other experiential properties across the United States and Canada. The portfolio is comprised of approximately 130 million square feet and features over 66,000 hotel rooms and over 700 restaurants, bars, nightclubs and sportsbooks. Its properties are occupied by industry-leading gaming, leisure and hospitality operators under long-term, triple-net lease agreements. VICI Properties has a growing array of real estate and financing partnerships with leading operators in other experiential sectors, including Cabot, Cain, Canyon Ranch, Chelsea Piers, Club Med, Great Wolf Resorts, Homefield, Kalahari Resorts and Lucky Strike Entertainment. VICI Properties also owns four championship golf courses and approximately 33 acres of undeveloped and underdeveloped land adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip. VICI Properties’ goal is to create the highest quality and most productive experiential real estate portfolio through a strategy of partnering with the highest quality experiential place makers and operators. For additional information, please visit www.viciproperties.com. 

 

About the U.S. Virgin Islands

About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of the words “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond VICI’s control and could materially affect VICI’s actual results, performance, achievements, or VICI’s ability to achieve the benefits contemplated by the transaction. Other important risk factors that may affect VICI’s business, results of operations and financial position (including risks relating to VICI’s pending transactions) are detailed from time to time in VICI’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. VICI does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

 

Media Contacts:

Efrain Rivera
Development Counsellors International
[email protected]

Alani Henneman
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
[email protected]