Club Med and VICI Properties announced the acquisition and planned redevelopment of Carambola Beach Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking the return of Club Med St. Croix as the brand's first property on U.S. soil. VICI acquired the historic 150-key beachfront resort and entered into a long-term triple-net lease with Club Med, funding a full renovation to bring the property up to the brand's Exclusive Collection standards.
Originally built in 1986 by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, the resort sits between a crescent beach and a tropical rainforest and is projected to create approximately 200 jobs. The redevelopment is targeting BREEAM and Green Globe certifications, with construction scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and reopening planned for Q4 2027.
Club Med shows how hospitality brands are using strategic real estate partnerships to reenter key markets with an elevated and sustainability-focused offering.
Image Credit: Club Med/VICI Properties
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Luxury All-inclusive Revivals
- Legacy beachfront properties are becoming platforms for premium all-inclusive concepts that blend predictable guest spending with elevated service, wellness, and local destination experiences.
- Eco-certified Resort Redevelopments
- Sustainability certifications are reshaping resort renovation strategies by turning energy efficiency, conservation, and climate-conscious design into premium hospitality differentiators.
- Real Estate-hospitality Partnerships
- Long-term lease structures between property owners and operators are creating capital-efficient pathways for global hotel brands to reenter strategic markets with lower ownership exposure.
Sectors Adopting This
- Hospitality
- Resort operators are finding growth in renovated destination assets that combine luxury positioning, bundled experiences, and environmental credibility for higher-value travelers.
- Real Estate Investment
- Institutional property investors are expanding beyond traditional lodging ownership through triple-net lease models tied to established hospitality brands and redevelopment upside.
- Sustainable Construction
- Green renovation demand is increasing the relevance of low-impact building materials, energy-efficient systems, and certification-ready design for aging tourism infrastructure.
