FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Your Lovango Questions,
Answered

From getting here and where to stay to dining, island adventures, and everything in between, find the answers you need to plan your time on Lovango.

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Lovango Beach Club

What makes the Lovango Beach Club special?

The Beach Club offers views to the three major USVI Islands ,including St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix, a choice of chaise lounges or beach and pool cabanas, an infinity pool, food and beverage service to every seat, and towels and umbrellas.

What will a guest do for a day on Lovango?

In addition to the Beach Club, Lovango offers waterfront restaurants, curated shopping, hiking and snorkeling (equipment provided). Curling up with a good book and working on a suntan is also a favorite pastime.

How easy is it to spend the day and then stay for dinner?

Lovango has two outdoor showers for guest use, and the dinner program and evening ferry service are designed to blend nicely for day visitors who want to extend their stay into the evening.

What is Lovango's Gym in the Jungle?

On the island hike, guests will discover Lovango’s Flintstones-style outdoor gymnasium, located on the north side of the island overlooking the ocean. The gym is complimentary for Beach Club guests.

Is there a swim-in beach at Lovango?

The Beach Club is located on the south side of the island, which is famed for its excellent snorkeling. The snorkeling area itself is calm, but the water directly by the Beach Club has a stronger current, so there is not a swim-in beach at the Beach Club. Within easy walking distance of the Beach Club is the islands preferred area for snorkeling. Lovango offers a staircase for easy entry into the ocean at this location. Hiking to the north side of the island (20 minutes, hilly terrain) is Crescent Beach, a classic Caribbean beach with a pebbly shore, privacy, views to Congo Cay and a bird sanctuary. This is Lovango’s swim-in beach. Lovango also offers a complimentary afternoon boat trip to Honeymoon Beach, a National Park Beach on St. John for the quintessential sandy beach experience.

Lovango has two outdoor showers for guest use, and the dinner program and evening ferry service are designed to blend nicely for day visitors who want to extend their stay into the evening.

On the island hike, guests will discover Lovango's Flintstones-style outdoor gymnasium, located on the north side of the island overlooking the ocean. The gym is complimentary for Beach Club guests.

Accommodations

What types of accommodations does Lovango offer?

Lovango offers (one-of-a-kind) luxury treehouses, luxury glamping tents and one- to three-bedroom villas. All accommodations are hand-built and designed to fit into the landscape, with private bathrooms. There is no big-box building on Lovango.

Are there outside showers?

Most accommodations have outside showers with views out to the ocean.

Are the accommodations air-conditioned?

Villas and treehouses are fully air-conditioned. Whereas villas are fully insulated to contain the cool air, Treehouses, being treehouses, are not fully insulated and offer A/C along with natural cooling breezes. Glamping tents are tents, so although they cannot be fully air-conditioned, Lovango provides a special cooling system over the bed. Each tent has a portable AC unit and fans if needed.

How do we get to and from our accommodations?

Most guests walk, and can do so all over the island. The island’s terrain is hilly. The resort also offers personalized pick-up service in safari-style vehicles, (ATV), so anyone wishing for a ride is easily accommodated.

How easily are families accommodated?

Lovango offers a three-bedroom private villa with a full kitchen, living and dining room and a private pool. Guests can also combine a treehouse with a glamping tent for family use, or take two adjacent one-bedroom villas. Some offer inside connections; others offer immediate adjacency and outdoor connections. Most accommodations have pull-out beds for children, offered at no additional cost.

What time is check in and check out for the resort?

Check-in time is 4pm. Check-out time is 10am. The resort facilities and amenities are open for resort guests to enjoy while they are on island pre-check in or post- check out. Staff will store the luggage.

Most accommodations have outside showers with views out to the ocean.

Dining

Is Lovango an all-inclusive resort?

No. Breakfast is included every day, and dinner is included on Sunday evenings for the Chef’s Caribbean Buffet offered between January and April. Lunch and other dinners are deliberately left optional so guests are free to enjoy day trips off Lovango, whether that’s dinner on St. John, a charter boat for the day, or an excursion to the British Virgin Islands.

What restaurant options are provided at Lovango?

Fine dining is offered at Lovango’s waterfront restaurant 4-5 nights per week. Fast casual dinner with live music, fire pits and stargazing is offered at the Lovango’s Sandpit restaurant 2 nights per week and the Chef’s Caribbean Buffet with steel band live music is offered 1 night per week between January and April. Any day and night of the week the Lovango ferry goes to St. John, so guests can also choose from the many restaurants there, most within walking distance from our dock. Lunch is served daily at the Sandpit, and our breakfast buffet is complimentary and served every morning on top of the island in the Treetops Tent and Lounge.

What type of cuisine does Lovango serve?

Fresh, creative, coastal cuisine, across both casual and fine dining.

Does Lovango have a Michelin-recognized restaurant?

Lovango Resort has been awarded two Michelin Keys, the Michelin Guide’s recognition for outstanding hotels. The rating applies to the resort as a whole rather than to an individual restaurant.

What is the Sandpit?

The Sandpit is Lovango’s fast casual take-out dining location with counter pick-up and comfortable table seating and fire pit seating under the stars. Lunch is served there daily, and casual dinners with live music on two evenings per week.

What are the restaurant hours?

Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.

Do I need to make dinner reservations as an overnight guest?

Reservations are strongly encouraged, although the resort will always do its best to accommodate overnight guests.

Can day visitors and boaters dine at Lovango?

Yes. Day visitors and boaters are welcome for lunch and dinner, and reservations are required.

Is there a dress code for dinner?

Casual comfort.

Can Lovango cater to dietary restrictions, allergies or vegetarian and vegan guests?

Yes, absolutely.

Is there a children's menu?

Yes. Lovango also serves its famous homemade ice cream sandwiches at lunch, which guests of all ages enjoy.

Are room service/private chefs or in-villa dining available?

Guests can order take-out that can be delivered to each accommodation. Private chefs can also be arranged through our concierge team.

No. Breakfast is included every day, and dinner is included on Sunday evenings for the Chef's Caribbean Buffet offered between January and April. Lunch and other dinners are deliberately left optional so guests are free to enjoy day trips off Lovango, whether that's dinner on St. John, a charter boat for the day, or an excursion to the British Virgin Islands.

Fine dining is offered at Lovango's waterfront restaurant 4-5 nights per week. Fast casual dinner with live music, fire pits and stargazing is offered at the Lovango’s Sandpit restaurant 2 nights per week and the Chef's Caribbean Buffet with steel band live music is offered 1 night per week between January and April. Any day and night of the week the Lovango ferry goes to St. John, so guests can also choose from the many restaurants there, most within walking distance from our dock. Lunch is served daily at the Sandpit, and our breakfast buffet is complimentary and served every morning on top of the island in the Treetops Tent and Lounge.

Fresh, creative, coastal cuisine, across both casual and fine dining.

Lovango Resort has been awarded two Michelin Keys, the Michelin Guide's recognition for outstanding hotels. The rating applies to the resort as a whole rather than to an individual restaurant.

The Sandpit is Lovango's fast casual take-out dining location with counter pick-up and comfortable table seating and fire pit seating under the stars. Lunch is served there daily, and casual dinners with live music on two evenings per week.

Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.

Reservations are strongly encouraged, although the resort will always do its best to accommodate overnight guests.

Yes. Day visitors and boaters are welcome for lunch and dinner, and reservations are required.

Casual comfort.

Yes, absolutely.

Yes. Lovango also serves its famous homemade ice cream sandwiches at lunch, which guests of all ages enjoy.

Guests can order take-out that can be delivered to each accommodation. Private chefs can also be arranged through our concierge team.

Amenities

What is the three-beach experience at Lovango?

Guests can choose from a day at the Lovango Beach Club, relaxing in a daybed at Crescent Beach, or on select afternoons, an afternoon adventure with a boat ride direct to Honeymoon Beach (part of Caneel Bay) in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John.

What is the hiking like at Lovango?

Lovango has excellent trails with views to St. John, St. Thomas, the British Virgin Islands, and the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea beyond. Hiking ranges from moderate to strenuous. Hiking around the island takes an hour at most.

What is the snorkeling like at Lovango?

Lovango is known for its crystal clear waters- an excellent location to view the coral and sea lives. Lovango has worked with the University of the Virgin Islands to restore the coral around the island. Snorkeling is popular on both the south and north sides of the island, and Lovango’s aqua-blue water is famous for its beauty.

What is the shopping experience like at Lovango?

Lovango offers small luxury shopping with carefully curated boutiques featuring wellness and beauty, resort wear, accessories, gifts, beach essentials and luxury goods. The boutiques include Lovango Style Women, Lovango Style Men, The Lovango Collection, Lovango logo wear and the Lovango General Store.

Can a guest charter a boat at Lovango to visit the USVI or BVI?

Lovango has its own dock, so charter boats can be pre-arranged through our concierge to pick up guests directly at Lovango for a half-day or full-day excursion to the USVI or the BVI. This includes the chance to swim with the turtles at Maho Bay, visit exotic coves, or spend a day at sea exploring the islands of the British Virgin Islands.

What is there for families to do?

Lovango is a popular destination for families. It is a safe, self-contained environment that children love. The beach club offers outdoor games, snorkeling gear and a great infinity pool. Join in the guided hike and snorkeling tours for all ages. There are goats on the island and little hermit crabs scuttling up and down the trails, the restaurants offer a children’s menu, and between the multiple beach experiences, boat rides and the national park there is plenty to do.

Is there a spa on property?

Currently Lovango does not have a spa on-island, but the Lovango concierge team works with local therapists to provide massage treatments, if desired, in each accommodation.

Lovango is a popular destination for families. It is a safe, self-contained environment that children love. The beach club offers outdoor games, snorkeling gear and a great infinity pool. Join in the guided hike and snorkeling tours for all ages. There are goats on the island and little hermit crabs scuttling up and down the trails, the restaurants offer a children's menu, and between the multiple beach experiences, boat rides and the national park there is plenty to do.

Currently Lovango does not have a spa on-island, but the Lovango concierge team works with local therapists to provide massage treatments, if desired, in each accommodation.

General property info/Getting Here

Where is Lovango located?

Lovango is located adjacent to St. John and just off St. Thomas, about 10 minutes by boat from either island. The island overlooks Pillsbury Sound, with ocean views from every point on the island.

Is Lovango Resort & Beach Club family owned?

Yes. Little Gem Resorts is a family-owned collection of boutique resorts located on the iconic islands of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and St John USVI. Guests connect to each enchanting destination with a rare and glorious mix of relaxation and adventure. Welcome to Island Life.

What are the trade winds?

Famous for helping ships sail to and from the Caribbean before the advent of steam, the trade winds keep Lovango and the USVI cool throughout much of the year. The winds blow primarily from the northeast and east from December through April, and from the south from May to July.

How do I get to Lovango from the mainland USA?

Most Lovango guests fly direct to St. Thomas, home to one of the Caribbean’s major airports, with non-stop flights from many US cities. From there the resort can arrange, through our concierge team, private ground transport to Lovango’s pier in Red Hook. The Lovango resort ferry carries guests and their luggage direct to the resort, where luggage is transported to each guest accommodation when the room is ready for occupancy. There are no cars on Lovango except for guest transport vehicles. Private water taxis can be arranged through our concierge team for after hours service or to expedite travel between the airport and Lovango.

How do I get to Lovango by boat or from the British Virgin Islands?

Ferries operate between the BVI and St. John and St. Thomas, making for easy connections to the Lovango ferry. Lovango offers dock space for drop-offs and moorings for overnight guests. Lovango ferry runs to and from Lovango on a set schedule from St Thomas and St John. Public ferry and private water taxis are best options to and from the BVI.

Can I visit Lovango for the day?

Visiting Lovango for lunch, dinner or a day at the Lovango Beach Club is popular and easy to do. Lovango offers moorings for the day, and overnight moorings for visitors joining the resort for dinner. Charter boats visit Lovango every day, and captains know how to make all the arrangements and will time a visit to suit each group’s touring plans. Lovango’s ferry also offers daily packages for lunch, dinner or a day at the Beach Club from both St. John and St. Thomas.

Do I need to reserve the Lovango Ferry in Advance?

Yes. If you are joining for the day, your ferry reservations times will be included with the activity you choose whether it is for the Beach Club, lunch or dinner. If you are an overnight resort guest, the Concierge Team can assist with reserving the ferry in advance of your arrival. After your arrival the Front Desk team can assist with your transportation needs during your stay.

Is the water safe to drink on Lovango?

Lovango has installed a state-of-the-art desalinization water plant on the island. The water is tasty and safe to drink.

Lovango is located adjacent to St. John and just off St. Thomas, about 10 minutes by boat from either island. The island overlooks Pillsbury Sound, with ocean views from every point on the island.

Most Lovango guests fly direct to St. Thomas, home to one of the Caribbean's major airports, with non-stop flights from many US cities. From there the resort can arrange, through our concierge team, private ground transport to Lovango's pier in Red Hook. The Lovango resort ferry carries guests and their luggage direct to the resort, where luggage is transported to each guest accommodation when the room is ready for occupancy. There are no cars on Lovango except for guest transport vehicles. Private water taxis can be arranged through our concierge team for after hours service or to expedite travel between the airport and Lovango.

Visiting Lovango for lunch, dinner or a day at the Lovango Beach Club is popular and easy to do. Lovango offers moorings for the day, and overnight moorings for visitors joining the resort for dinner. Charter boats visit Lovango every day, and captains know how to make all the arrangements and will time a visit to suit each group's touring plans. Lovango's ferry also offers daily packages for lunch, dinner or a day at the Beach Club from both St. John and St. Thomas.

Lovango has installed a state-of-the-art desalinization water plant on the island. The water is tasty and safe to drink.

Lovango the place

How did Lovango get its name?

Lore has it that a “house of ill fame” existed on Lovango during the 19th century, hence the name “Love and Go.” Other sources claim the name came from the Kingdom of Loango in central Africa, one of the regions from which enslaved people were taken. However the name was derived, Lovango has had residents for many hundreds of years. The remains of the original schoolhouse on the island are still visible at the Beach Club.

Is Lovango a popular place for weddings, groups, corporate outings, special events, and multi-generational family gatherings?

Absolutely. The island offers an idyllic place for weddings, retreats and corporate get-a-ways. Lovango can host everyone ashore for smaller events. For larger events guests can stay on Lovango as well as St. John and/or St. Thomas and ferry over. The island is popular for buy-outs providing an exclusive location for a wedding, group or event. Day events, overnight events, corporate retreats and multi-generational family trips are all welcome on Lovango.

Can cruise ship passengers visit Lovango?

Lovango is a small island, and to maintain its charm the number of visitors is strictly limited. Small luxury cruise ships that visit St. John are allowed to visit the Beach Club, with limited seating, via direct tenders from their ships to Lovango.

When is Lovango open?

Lovango is open each year from mid-December to mid-July.

When is the best time to visit Lovango?

The busiest times of the year are the festive period over the December holidays, followed by the March vacation weeks. The rest of the winter and spring season, from December through April, is considered peak season. A popular and quieter time of year is May through mid-July, offering all the same amenities without as many people visiting the Caribbean region.

Is a US passport needed to visit Lovango?

US citizens don’t need a passport to visit Lovango or the US Virgin Islands, since they are US territories; a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license is enough. International visitors need a passport, and anyone planning a day trip to the British Virgin Islands will need a US passport to clear BVI customs.

If a medical emergency happens to a family member while at Lovango, what happens since it is a private island?

The Roy Lester Schneider Hospital is located on St. Thomas in Charlotte Amalie. Our ferry runs frequently to Red Hook, St. Thomas and will coordinate with ground transportation to the hospital. After hours, Lovango keeps an emergency vessel at the island to transport guests to Red Hook, St. Thomas in the unlikely event there is a medical emergency need.

Lore has it that a "house of ill fame" existed on Lovango during the 19th century, hence the name "Love and Go." Other sources claim the name came from the Kingdom of Loango in central Africa, one of the regions from which enslaved people were taken. However the name was derived, Lovango has had residents for many hundreds of years. The remains of the original schoolhouse on the island are still visible at the Beach Club.

Lovango is open each year from mid-December to mid-July.

US citizens don't need a passport to visit Lovango or the US Virgin Islands, since they are US territories; a government-issued ID such as a driver's license is enough. International visitors need a passport, and anyone planning a day trip to the British Virgin Islands will need a US passport to clear BVI customs.

Sustainability

How does Lovango approach sustainability?

Sustainability is part of everyday life on a private island. Lovango produces its own fresh water, generates approximately 70% of its electricity from solar energy, and works to protect and restore the natural environment that surrounds the resort. From sea turtle nesting beaches to coral reefs, Lovango’s goal is to enjoy this remarkable island while taking care of the ecosystems that make it special.

Where does Lovango get its fresh water?

Lovango produces 100% of its fresh water right here on the island. Seawater is converted into fresh water through Lovango’s reverse-osmosis desalination plant, then treated and stored for use throughout the resort. Living on an island makes water a particularly valuable resource, so conservation is an important part of Lovango’s day-to-day operation.

Does Lovango use renewable energy?

Yes. Approximately 70% of Lovango’s electricity is generated by its own solar array. The island also uses a large battery storage system to capture solar energy during the day and use it after the sun goes down, significantly reducing the amount of electricity that must be generated from fossil fuels.

Do sea turtles nest on Lovango?

Yes. Lovango’s beaches are nesting habitat for sea turtles, including the endangered hawksbill. Female hawksbills return to nesting beaches to lay their eggs, making the protection of quiet, dark and undisturbed shoreline especially important. Lovango Cay has been included in the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program’s monitoring efforts, with confirmed hawksbill nesting activity documented on both the north and south sides of the island.

Why are hawksbill turtles important to Lovango?

Hawksbills are an important part of the Caribbean ecosystem and have a particularly close connection to coral reefs, where they spend much of their lives feeding and sheltering. Protecting Lovango’s nesting beaches and surrounding reefs therefore helps protect different stages of the same turtle’s life cycle – from a hatchling making its way to the sea to an adult living among the reefs. Only 1 in 1,000 Hawksbill turtles make it to adulthood and they have limited nesting grounds, making Lovango a critical location.

What is Lovango doing to protect and restore its coral reefs?

Lovango works with the University of the Virgin Islands on an active coral restoration program in the waters surrounding the island. The partnership combines scientific research, reef monitoring and coral restoration, including efforts to restore important reef-building species. The waters around Lovango have become both a restoration site and a living laboratory for learning how Caribbean reefs can recover and thrive.

Why are Lovango's reefs so important?

Coral reefs are much more than beautiful places to snorkel. They provide habitat for fish, lobster, sea turtles and countless other marine species while also helping protect the island’s shoreline from waves and erosion. Lovango’s reefs are part of what makes the island special above and below the water, which is why their restoration is such an important part of the resort’s environmental efforts

Sustainability is part of everyday life on a private island. Lovango produces its own fresh water, generates approximately 70% of its electricity from solar energy, and works to protect and restore the natural environment that surrounds the resort. From sea turtle nesting beaches to coral reefs, Lovango's goal is to enjoy this remarkable island while taking care of the ecosystems that make it special.

Lovango produces 100% of its fresh water right here on the island. Seawater is converted into fresh water through Lovango's reverse-osmosis desalination plant, then treated and stored for use throughout the resort. Living on an island makes water a particularly valuable resource, so conservation is an important part of Lovango's day-to-day operation.

Yes. Approximately 70% of Lovango's electricity is generated by its own solar array. The island also uses a large battery storage system to capture solar energy during the day and use it after the sun goes down, significantly reducing the amount of electricity that must be generated from fossil fuels.

Yes. Lovango's beaches are nesting habitat for sea turtles, including the endangered hawksbill. Female hawksbills return to nesting beaches to lay their eggs, making the protection of quiet, dark and undisturbed shoreline especially important. Lovango Cay has been included in the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program's monitoring efforts, with confirmed hawksbill nesting activity documented on both the north and south sides of the island.

Hawksbills are an important part of the Caribbean ecosystem and have a particularly close connection to coral reefs, where they spend much of their lives feeding and sheltering. Protecting Lovango's nesting beaches and surrounding reefs therefore helps protect different stages of the same turtle's life cycle - from a hatchling making its way to the sea to an adult living among the reefs. Only 1 in 1,000 Hawksbill turtles make it to adulthood and they have limited nesting grounds, making Lovango a critical location.

Coral reefs are much more than beautiful places to snorkel. They provide habitat for fish, lobster, sea turtles and countless other marine species while also helping protect the island's shoreline from waves and erosion. Lovango's reefs are part of what makes the island special above and below the water, which is why their restoration is such an important part of the resort's environmental efforts

Grilled Lovango Plantain Bread Pudding

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