The Crane
POINTS OF INTEREST
The Crane
Hugging a seaside bluff on the southeast coast, The Crane incorporates the island's oldest hotel in continuous operation; the original coral-stone hotel building (1887) is the centerpiece of a luxurious, 40-acre villa complex. The property encompasses private residences, numerous pools, restaurants, bars, even a little village. The historic hotel rooms and suites are decorated with original antiques; corner suites have walls of windows and wraparound patios or balconies with panoramic views of the sea. The upscale private residences in a half-dozen modern high-rise buildings and three lower-profile buildings in a park setting are spacious, individually owned condos with hardwood floors, hand-carved four-poster beds, multiple bathrooms with spa showers, fully equipped kitchens, and private plunge pools; some have rooftop terraces. The huge pool complex closer to the villas includes a spa pool, built in a cliff-top ruin with a 360-degree view, and a half-dozen connecting pools and other water features. Reef-protected Crane Beach is 98 steps (or a glass-walled elevator ride) down the cliff. You'll need to rent a car if you expect to spend much time away from the resort grounds. The minimum stay is seven nights in high season, three nights the rest of the year.
