What's New

St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie's best cybercafe is Beans, Bytes, and Websites at the Royal Dane Mall (tel. 340/777-7089; www.beansbytesandwebsites.com), in the center of town. It not only meets all your computer needs, but also serves you rich coffee, tropical juices, and fruit smoothies.

Accommodations -- The Crystal Palace, 12 Crystalgade, Synagogue Hill (tel. 866/502-2277; www.crystalpalaceusvi.com), is a new B&B that occupies a structure dating from 1932. This is an antique monument that has been converted to receive paying guests who enjoy panoramic views from their balconies over Charlotte Amalie and its harbor. A drawback for some guests is that not every room has a private bathroom.

Dining -- Animated, hip, and stylish, Lotus Asian Grill, American Yacht Harbor, Red Hook (tel. 340/774-7253; www.lotusasiangrill.com), is one of the best places on the island to go for your Asian fix. The cuisine is artfully presented in a minimalist atmosphere with tones of midnight black. Some of the best sushi on the island is served here along with such mains as Malaysian-styled blackened fish of the day. Tempura offerings abound, as do dishes created in the wok.

Carmen's Mexican Restaurant (tel. 340/779-1420; www.pavilionsandpools.com/restaurant) opened in 2008 in Pavilions & Pools at 6400 Estate Smith Bay. Patrons dine on two open-air decks, perhaps sampling a margarita before launching into well-flavored versions of South-of-the-Border fare such as chilis rellenos or chimichangas.

St. John

Little eateries continue to open on this small island, which used to be a gastronomic wasteland. Serving Caribbean and Pacific Rim cuisine, Rhumb Lines (tel. 340/776-0303; www.rhumblinesstjohn.com) at Meada's Plaza in the heart of Cruz Bay has a South Seas ambience. The cooks are inventive with their dishes. Ever had gazpacho with mango? The appetizers here are among the best on the island, and for a main course the fresh mahimahi is cooked in banana leaves.

A tropical ambience also lures foodies to Sweet Plantains Restaurant & Rum Bar, 16118 Little Plantation, Coral Bay (tel. 340/777-4653; www.sweetplantains-stjohn.com). Many diners prefer an outside table on the sea-bordering courtyard, as they enjoy tasty Caribbean and Creole cuisine. Pork tenderloin comes in a guava barbecue sauce, and nightly specials are offered, including fresh seafood and curry dishes.

St. Croix

The well-known Danish Manor, which enjoyed a large fan base, has become the much-improved Company House Hotel, 2 Company St., Christiansted (tel. 340/773-1377; www.companyhousehotel.com). Vastly expanded, it now offers 33 well-furnished bedrooms in what was once a former warehouse for the Danish West Indies Company. Its on-site piano bar is one of the most popular in town.

Tortola

There were no grand openings this past winter season because of the bad economy and the falloff in tourism. In fact, a number of restaurants and hotels closed.

Pusser's, however, continued to expand its mini-empire of island pubs, taking over the popular Fat Hog Bob's at Maya Cove, and renaming it Pusser's East (tel. 284/495-1010). Fortunately, the new owners kept the same menu, including those tasty Danish baby back ribs marinated in Guinness before facing the grill.

Jost Van Dyke

This island and its satellite, Little Jost Van Dyke, are gaining renown among scuba divers. The north coast of Little Jost Van Dyke, with its Twin Towers, a pair of rock formations, has gained in popularity so much that a dive operator is now installed. Operating out of Great Harbour, JVD Scuba and BVI Eco-Tours (tel. 284/495-0271) meets your diving needs with complete equipment available as well as small boats for fishing or kayaks for rent.