Surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs, Lovango Resort & Beach Club in the U.S Virgin Islands beckons travellers with a horizon that seems endless. Perched between the main islands of St. John and St. Thomas, this secluded hideaway is a true tropical island escape.
Tucked into the hillside, accommodations blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. Luxury treehouses, villas and glamping tents peek out, offering sweeping views of the coastline and lush island greenery. Inside, natural wood furnishings and breezy linens create calming spaces that invite the outdoors in. Every detail is meticulously thought through.
At its core, Lovango strikes a balance between relaxed island living and the lively charm of a waterfront village. Guests can explore bustling boutiques before settling in for coastal Caribbean cuisine overlooking cerulean waves. The lobster schnitzel is not to be missed.
Head to Crescent Beach for snorkelling or a relaxed dip. Enjoy a cocktail by the infinity pool of The Beach Club, or soak up the sun with a quick ferry to nearby Honeymoon Beach with its inviting white sands. For those feeling adventurous, a hike to the top of Lovango rewards with unforgettable 360 views, while a quick boat ride lands you in the hustle and bustle of neighbouring St. John.
Lovango opened in December 2020, founded by Mark and Gwenn Snider as a family-owned and operated retreat with sustainability at its core. Since then, it’s earned two Michelin Keys, but what we admire most is its approach to island living. The resort operates 75% off-grid, producing its own fresh water through reverse osmosis and running entirely on solar power, proving that luxury and environmental responsibility don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Lovango also operates an exciting coral restoration project. “Corals are the foundation of reef habitats,” Marilyn Brandt, PhD Research Professor of CMES tells us, “these reef habitats, built by living corals, provide homes for reef fish, lobster and a diverse array of other marine life that support fisheries and tourism.” Not only that, but the coral reefs create structural buffers that reduce the impact of ocean waves on the shoreline, without which the north side of Lovango Cay would completely wash away.
Sadly, coral in the area was declining. “The amount of living coral had declined by more than 70% by the time we began planting corals on the north side of Lovango, and some species of corals, like elkhorn coral, had disappeared from Lovango reefs,” Marilyn explains. However, the project has already seen great success. Elkhorn has been reestablished, and coral cover in some areas has increased by 50%.
The team uses standard coral gardening techniques to generate the growth. “Our standing stock of resilient coral is clipped or fragmented to create new coral colonies. We then enhance the growth of these corals by providing them extra nutrition and protection for a 6-month period.” Marilyn tells us. “Once they are large enough to withstand competition and predation, we plant them on the reef. Recently, we have also begun breeding our resilient stock of corals to create new coral babies that represent enhanced genetic diversity.”
This season, we’re celebrating our partnership with Lovango Resort & Beach Club with an exclusive print. A percentage of all sales go to funding their coral restoration project.
The print ‘Lovango Pelicans’ is an elegant print of flying Pelicans, inspired not only by the property’s pelican logo but also by the lovely backstory of the pelican Mark and Gwenn Snider met on the beach when they first visited the island. The print in soft hues of olive green and ocean blue is available in LOVE BRAND & Co. Staniel swim shorts, together with a range of olive green pelican-patterned linen resort wear and beach accessories, available exclusively at Lovango Resort & Beach Club.
Header image of Lovango courtesy of Steve Simonsen.
